Mia was halfway through rinsing a plate when Kim's voice came floating from the living room.
"Hey, chef! You've got that look again."
Mia glanced over her shoulder. "What look?"
Kim grinned over the top of her coffee mug. "That look people get when they check their email every five minutes like it owes them rent."
Mia rolled her eyes and went back to the sink. "I'm just… curious, that's all. It's been four days. They said they'd get back to me."
Kim flopped dramatically onto the couch. "Four days in corporate time is basically four minutes. Patience, my dear applicant."
"Easy for you to say," Mia muttered, drying her hands on a towel. "You already have a job."
Kim peeked at her from under one raised brow. "A job that pays just enough for coffee and Wi-Fi, thank you very much. Don't make me jealous of your almost-chef status."
Mia couldn't help but laugh. "Almost-chef sounds like a diet plan."
Kim gasped. "Oh, that's good. The Almost-Chef Diet: stress, noodles, and broken dreams. Bestseller right there."
The two women burst into laughter, the sound echoing off the tiny apartment walls. It was these moments, simple, ridiculous moments, that made the city feel less intimidating.
When the laughter died down, Kim stretched. "So, how was your walk this morning? Did you find the bakery I told you about?"
Mia smiled faintly. "Yeah. The owner gave me a free croissant after I told her I was new in town. It was nice. I almost felt… settled, for a minute."
Kim softened. "You'll get there, you know. You always do."
Mia met her eyes. "You sound so sure."
"Because I've seen you fight your way through worse. You've got that quiet 'I refuse to give up' energy. It's intimidating, honestly."
Mia snorted. "Please. The only intimidating thing about me right now is how many times I've refreshed my inbox."
Kim laughed again and turned up the TV volume. "Fine, fine. I'm declaring this a no-job-talk day. Let's cook something fun."
Mia perked up. "Fun like pancakes or fun like 'we might burn down the kitchen'?"
"Surprise me," Kim said, already pulling ingredients from the fridge.
The two spent the next hour turning the tiny kitchen into a battlefield, flour on the counter, batter splattered on the stove, and laughter filling the air. For a while, everything else melted away: the waiting, the worry, the uncertainty.
By the time they sat down to eat, both women were giggling through bites of slightly overcooked pancakes.
"Not bad," Kim said with her mouth full. "You could totally make this for Mr. Steele."
Mia raised an eyebrow. "Assuming I even get the job."
Kim wagged her fork. "Positive energy only. The universe is listening."
"The universe better be online, then," Mia teased, standing to clear the plates.
That was when her phone buzzed on the counter.
Both women froze.
Kim pointed dramatically. "That's it. That's the universe."
Mia's heart jumped into her throat. She wiped her hands and picked up the phone, screen lighting up with a single notification: New Email , HR Department, Steele Corporation.
Her fingers suddenly felt heavy.
"Well?" Kim demanded, half-standing. "Open it!"
Mia hesitated. "What if it's a rejection?"
"Then we cry, eat ice cream, and plot revenge. Now open it!"
Mia inhaled sharply and tapped the screen. The email loaded slowly,too slowly, and for a second, she thought her phone was mocking her.
Then the words appeared.
> Subject: Application Status : Private Chef Position
Dear Ms. Brooks,
We are pleased to inform you that your interview for the Private Chef position at Steele Corporation has been reviewed. Mr. Cole and the HR Committee were impressed by your confidence and professional demeanor.
We would like to invite you to the Steele Mansion for a three-week trial period beginning this coming Monday. Further details will be provided upon arrival.
Please confirm your availability at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
HR Department
Steele Corporation
Mia just stared at the screen.
Kim leaned forward. "Well? Don't keep me in suspense!"
Mia's lips parted, but no sound came out. Then she finally whispered, "I got it."
Kim shot to her feet. "You got it? You got it! Oh my God, Mia!"
The next second, Kim was spinning her around the kitchen like they'd just won the lottery.
Mia laughed through her tears. "Kim, put me down! You're going to drop me!"
"Not until you admit I was right!" Kim shouted, grinning ear to ear. "The universe was listening!"
When Kim finally set her down, both of them were breathless, flushed with joy.
Mia sank onto a chair, still holding her phone. "A trial period," she said quietly. "It's not permanent yet."
Kim crouched beside her. "Hey. It's a foot in the door. You just need to show them who you are. They'll fall in love with your cooking,and probably your sarcasm too."
Mia smiled faintly. "You think sarcasm counts as a skill?"
"With the right attitude? Always."
They shared a small laugh, the warmth between them soft and real. But as Mia looked down at the email again, a knot of nerves twisted in her stomach.
Somewhere deep inside, a voice whispered that her life was about to change, that walking through the doors of that mansion would set things in motion she couldn't yet imagine.
Kim squeezed her shoulder gently. "You okay?"
Mia nodded slowly, her gaze distant. "Yeah. Just… I've got this weird feeling."
"What kind of feeling?"
"The kind that says… something big is coming."
Kim tilted her head, half-smiling. "Good big or bad big?"
Mia looked toward the window, where the city lights flickered like restless stars.
"I guess we'll find out."