Page 20 of A Win-Win Situation

I almost want to cry at his words. No one has ever spoken to me like that. No one has ever reassured me the way he just did.

"Tell me about yourself. What’s important to you?" he says, regarding me with genuine interest.

I pause for a moment. How do I answer that? No one’s ever asked me this, especially not during an interview. What if I say something wrong and ruin everything? But on the other hand,isthere a wrong answer?

Antoine’s eyes search mine. He gives me a small smile that lights up his eyes, encouraging me to answer.

"I value people." I say, finally. Antoine's eyes flicker as he nods at my response. "I believe authenticity is important and having a kind heart."

Antoine nods, seemingly pleased with my answer. A sense of warmth spreads through me as I realize that I might have found someone who truly understands me and my values.

"That’s a beautiful answer. Your parents must be proud." I stiffen at the mention of my parents.

My parents have never been proud of me. I neverhadany parents to be proud of me. I was unwanted from the start.

"They passed away when I was little." Lies. My mum passed away when I was born, and my biological father couldn’t handle the pressure of raising me alone, so he left me at the age of three. I don’t know much about them, more than that my father was white, born and raised in New Jersey, and my mother was half Hispanic and half white. I’ve probably gotten my brown wavy hair from her side. They apparently met in highschool where he knocked her up. So, after he left I was raised in foster care, in ahousehold of ten and had to fend for myself a lot, but I was lucky I happened to have great neighbors. I always say that Adeline and her family saved me. They took me in whenever I needed it. They fed me, played with me, and kept me safe.

A sad expression comes across his face; it looks like recognition.

Maybe he lost someone too?

"I’m sorry to hear that, dear."

"It’s okay, I’m now surrounded by people who love me."

He nods at that before asking me a new question, moving the conversation away from the sad stories. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

Taking another deep breath, I share my hopes and dreams with Antoine, hoping to paint a picture of my ideal future. "To be completely honest, Antoine, I just want to be content in my life. I want to wake up every morning and feel like I have a purpose, like I belong somewhere. I want to be able to go to work and feel like I'm doing something right and that my work is valued and needed."

I look up to find Antoine studying me with a sweet smile on his lips. He nods, and then his eyes gleam in a way I can't make sense of.

"That sounds like a beautiful life," he says, his voice warm and genuine. "I hope you get it all one day." The sincerity in his words makes me feel a bit more at ease.

Just before he rises to leave, Antoine flashes me a playful smile. "And who knows, it might happen sooner than you think."

After our conversation earlier,Antoine promised to think about everything we discussed and get back to me later in theday. It's been three hours now and I'm still waiting for his call. Adeline and Sophie are still out shopping, and I know from experience that they can be out all day, which means I know better than to think they will be home anytime soon. So, I'm left alone with my thoughts and keep replaying our conversation in my head.

One part, in particular, keeps nagging me. Antoine mentioned that the role would be here in Nice, and I'll have to stay here for at least a year. He did say that the possibility of remote work could be discussed after that. It's a fair arrangement, but the thought of leaving everything behind and moving here still makes me nervous.

Although, come to think of it, whatwouldI be leaving? I have nothing holding me back. No family, no job, no boyfriend. Why wouldn’t I agree to this?

You have your friends,a voice in my head whispers. But if I don’t seize this once in a lifetime opportunity, I think they will disown me. Just then, my phone vibrates and interrupts my inner battle. I quickly answer, "Hello?"

"Hi, Ms. Davis. It's Antoine." I can sense the smile and excitement in his voice. It's clear that he has some good news to share.

"I wanted to call you personally to offer you the job, if you're still interested," he continues.

"Really? Yes, of course I am," I answer eagerly while doing a happy dance.

"Bravo! I'll get an agreement together for you to sign," he says. I can't help but feel a surge of excitement, but then reality hits me

"Wait, am I even allowed to work here? I don’t have a work-permit."

"Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure everything is handled." He pauses for a moment before speaking again. "ButI have one more offer, a slightly odd one," he says, his tone serious. "Could you please come by my office in an hour? I think this matter is more of a face-to-face discussion."

My heart skips a beat at the mention of another offer, and I put aside the comment about it beingslightly odd.

What could it be? Is it something even better than the job he just offered me?The suspense is almost too much to bear.

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