HR: "Hello, this is the Human Resources department of Dominion Media Group. May I speak to Miss Lily?"
Lily blinked. "Yes…?"
HR: "We've received your portfolio recommendation and would like to invite you for an interview for the Business Reporter position tomorrow at 2 p.m."
"An interview? Wait—did you say… Dominion Media Group?" Lily straightened on the sofa so quickly the cushion dipped behind her. "May I ask who recommended me?"
"I'm afraid I can't disclose that information," the HR staff replied politely. "All interview details and requirements have been sent to your email."
"Thank you so much! I'll be there on time."
The call ended.
For a moment, Lily didn't move.
The phone was still pressed against her ear even though the line had already gone silent.
Slowly, she lowered it and stared at the screen as if it might suddenly ring again and tell her it had all been a mistake.
Dominion Media Group…
The top company in the industry.
They actually gave me an interview opportunity.
Her heart began to beat faster.
She had applied there more than once in the past.
Every single time, there had been no reply.
Not even a rejection email.
Nothing.
And now—
An interview.
Tomorrow.
Her grip tightened around the phone.
No matter what, I have to get this offer.
She shot up from the sofa and hurried toward the study.
⸻
That night, the study light stayed on long after the rest of the house had fallen quiet.
Lily sat at the desk surrounded by stacks of papers and an open laptop.
Writing samples.
Published articles.
Investigation pieces.
The interview required her to present her work herself.
Every page had to be perfect.
She scrolled through an article, lips moving slightly as she reread a paragraph.
"No… that sentence sounds awkward," she murmured to herself, quickly editing the line.
The keyboard clicked softly beneath her fingers.
Another document opened.
Another correction.
Another adjustment.
Hours passed without her noticing.
At some point she rubbed her eyes and leaned back in the chair, letting out a long yawn.
"Tomorrow's interview is too important…" she muttered.
Her gaze drifted back to the screen.
"I have to make sure."
Her voice softened as fatigue crept in.
"Just one more check on the article… to make sure everything works."
She blinked slowly.
"It has to be perfect…"
The cursor blinked steadily on the screen.
Her eyelids grew heavier.
The quiet hum of the computer and the warm glow of the desk lamp made the room feel almost too comfortable.
Without realizing it, Lily leaned forward.
Her head slowly lowered onto her folded arms.
The cursor continued blinking on the unfinished paragraph.
And just like that, she fell asleep at the desk.
⸻
At that moment, Alex passed by the study.
He paused.
The thin strip of light under the door caught his attention.
"…Lily?"
No response.
His fingers rested on the door handle for a moment before he gently pushed it open.
Inside, the desk lamp was still on.
Papers covered the desk in messy stacks.
Lily had fallen asleep over her work, her head resting against her arm, strands of hair falling loosely across her cheek.
Alex stepped inside quietly.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
His eyes moved across the scattered papers.
Then back to her.
A faint crease appeared between his brows.
He slipped off his suit jacket and walked closer before carefully draping it over her shoulders.
The fabric settled around her gently.
She stirred slightly but didn't wake.
As Alex adjusted the jacket, his gaze shifted to the papers beneath her arm.
Lines of text.
Articles.
Interview transcripts.
His fingers brushed lightly across the pages as he read a few sentences.
His brows lifted slightly.
"…Amazing."
He picked up one of the sheets and scanned it more carefully.
Another article lay beside it.
Then another.
His gaze flicked between them.
"She wrote all of these?"
A faint look of surprise crossed his face.
"She's a very talented journalist."
For a moment, Alex remained standing beside the desk, looking down at her.
Lily's breathing was slow and even.
Her expression was completely relaxed.
Peaceful.
He lowered the paper back onto the desk.
Then he turned quietly and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he paused briefly and glanced back once more.
Then he stepped out and closed the door softly behind him.
⸻
Dawn.
A pale strip of sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Lily stirred slightly in her chair.
"Hm…?"
Her shoulders felt warm.
Something heavy rested over them.
She blinked groggily and looked down.
"…Alex's jacket?"
Her fingers touched the fabric.
For a moment she just stared at it, trying to piece together when it had ended up there.
Then the memory of the interview suddenly rushed back into her mind.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh no—!"
⸻
The next morning.
Alex was already seated neatly at the head of the dining table.
A newspaper rested in his hands.
Across from him, his assistant Neo leaned slightly closer, speaking in a low voice.
"Sir, for this morning's event with the investors… aren't you wearing that custom-tailored jacket?"
Alex flipped another page of the newspaper without looking up.
"Mm."
At that moment, Lily walked past the living room.
Alex's suit jacket hung loosely over her shoulders as she walked by, her attention focused on the folder she held in her hands.
Neo froze.
His eyes widened.
"S-sir! That jacket is…!"
Alex didn't even glance up.
"Is there a problem?"
Neo straightened immediately.
"N-no, no…"
Inside, however, his mind was screaming.
My God… is this still the Alex I know?
The man obsessed with cleanliness?
The God of hygiene?
He secretly glanced at Lily again as she disappeared down the hallway.
The boss's jacket…
On someone else…
This world was changing.
⸻
Completely unaware of the little storm she had caused, Lily walked into the fitting room.
Rows of clothes were neatly arranged inside.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"These are all for me?"
She stepped closer, brushing her fingers lightly over the fabrics.
Different styles.
Different colors.
Different cuts.
All elegant.
All professional.
Her mind immediately started racing.
Which one should she wear?
This was such an important moment.
The interview at Dominion Media Group could change everything.
Her fingers paused on a simple but elegant outfit.
Her expression slowly hardened with determination.
No matter what happens today…
I'll give it my best.
⸻
Outside the house, the morning air was cool.
Lily stepped out of the building, clutching her folder tightly against her chest.
Her steps were quick, almost hurried.
She didn't notice the black car parked quietly across the street.
Inside it, Alex lowered the newspaper he had been holding.
His eyes followed her as she walked away.
Determined.
Focused.
Completely absorbed in her goal.
A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.
"So," he murmured quietly,
"that's how she looks when she's chasing her dream."