“Sava! Just give it a shot.” Nayla leaned forward, both elbows propped on the table. Her gaze was serious, as if she were trying to convince someone who had already turned down the same offer three times. Across from her, Sava was still busy with her phone. Her fingers moved quickly as she scrolled, occasionally stopping to read something before scrolling aimlessly again. Hearing her name, Sava finally looked up. Nayla didn’t give her a chance to interrupt. “I’m sure you’ll get accepted. I mean, you’ve spent the past year taking all kinds of training.” Nayla raised one finger, then a second. “You’re smart. You’re competent. What’s the harm in trying?” Sava immediately set her phone on the table. Her expression changed in an instant. “I know that too!” Her voice came out higher than usual. She even leaned forward a few inches, both palms spread on the table. “But just imagining the boss you’re always talking about makes my whole body break out in chills.” Nayla, who had been serious a moment ago, suddenly raised an eyebrow. Sava didn’t stop. “I could end up dying from stress.” Her hands moved rapidly with every sentence. “Or I could come home traumatized by men in ties. Then I’d panic every time I saw a black suit. What then? My life is already in danger before I’ve even started working!” Nayla stared at her without expression. Sava stared back. Several seconds passed.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Sava finally asked, furrowing her brow. Nayla leaned back in her chair. “Do you realize you’ve never even met the guy?” Sava fell silent. Only for a moment. “Exactly,” she replied. Nayla’s brows drew together even more. “What do you mean, exactly?” “I can feel his presence from your stories.” Nayla closed her eyes for a moment. She had known Sava long enough to realize that this conversation wouldn’t end anytime soon if she kept leaving openings for her. “You’re so dramatic,” Nayla muttered as she picked up her drink. Sava immediately pointed at herself. “I’m realistic.” “You’re paranoid.” “I’m cautious.” “You’re scared.” Sava lifted her chin. “I value my physical and emotional safety.” The corner of Nayla’s mouth finally lifted. She almost laughed, but quickly held it back. Then she set her glass down again. “Do you want a job or not?” This time, Sava didn’t answer right away. She fell silent, staring at the surface of the table. The truth was, she did want to work. Very much. For the past year, after completing her bachelor's degree in psychology, Sava hadn’t immediately started looking for a job. Instead, she had spent her time taking various training courses to expand her skills before truly entering the workforce.
Business communication. Business administration. Office management. Executive assistant training. Project management. Even several other courses she thought would be useful once she started working in a corporate environment. It wasn’t that she lacked confidence in her abilities. She simply wasn’t sure whether she was ready to face the supposedly high-pressure working world. Especially if her first job involved becoming the personal assistant to someone who was supposedly intimidating, cold, perfectionistic, and stingy with his words. Nayla’s boss. Someone who appeared far too often in her friend’s stories. Someone who always managed to make Nayla sigh whenever she talked about him. Sava let out a long breath. “Fine, fine, I want it!” This time, she answered so quickly that Nayla almost laughed. Sava quickly grabbed her phone and slipped it into her bag. “I’ll apply tomorrow!” she said, rising from her chair. “I’m heading out!” Nayla, who was still sitting down, immediately furrowed her brow. “Where are you going?” Sava had already slung her bag over her shoulder. She even took a moment to check her reflection on her phone screen before answering casually. “I’m out of skincare, Nay.” Nayla stared at her. “And?” Sava raised her index finger. “And my bag doesn’t have the latest collection yet.” Nayla blinked. Sava raised a second finger. “Shoes too.” Her third finger went up. “I think I need clothes.” “No!” Nayla cut in quickly. Sava ignored her. “And I need a new lip product too. The last one turned out to be—” “Bottom line, I want to go shopping!” Sava concluded with complete conviction, both hands raised as if she had just announced an important national decision. Nayla merely stared at her. It was a deeply judgmental stare. Sava answered with the most innocent smile she could manage. A few seconds later, Nayla gave in. “I’m coming with you.” Sava’s face immediately lit up. “Okay, then, hurry up!” Sava had already turned around before Nayla could even stand. She walked toward the café’s door with a light step while Nayla hurriedly grabbed her bag. “Don’t bother changing,” Sava called, glancing back from near the door. Her eyes swept over Nayla’s appearance from head to toe. “You already look great.” Nayla stopped putting her phone into her bag. “Really?” Sava nodded firmly. “Really.” Nayla looked over her own outfit, then back at Sava. “Seriously?” “Oh my God, Nay.” Sava sighed and rolled her eyes. “Hurry up! I’m going shopping, not attending Fashion Week.” Nayla finally got up and walked over to her friend. “You’re the one who asked me to come.” “Then don’t take so long.” “I’m just putting my wallet in my bag.” “Fine, put your wallet in while you walk.” Nayla stopped where she was. She stared at Sava’s back as Sava continued on ahead. “Sava, that makes no sense!” Sava turned around while continuing to walk backward. “The important thing is to hurry!” “Do you ever think before you speak?” Sava immediately turned around. “I do!” Nayla caught up with her, chuckling. “For how many seconds?” Sava pointed at herself, looking offended. “Two seconds!” “No wonder.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Your mouth runs faster than your brain.” Sava immediately opened her mouth to fire back. But before a single word could come out, Nayla had already grabbed her arm.
“Enough. Walk.” “Hey, I’m not done!” “I know. That’s why I’m dragging you along.” “Nayla!” Their laughter eventually filled the narrow hallway leading to the exit. That afternoon, Sava didn’t think about what her first day would be like at all. She only thought about the skincare, bags, shoes, and new clothes she absolutely had to buy before starting work. That afternoon, Sava didn’t think about what her first day would be like at all. She only thought about the skincare, bags, shoes, and new clothes she absolutely had to buy before starting work. Sava didn’t know that tomorrow, a single job application sent with one click would do more than change her carefree routine. It would become the ticket that hurled her straight to the front lines—turning the entire list of fears that had existed only in her imagination into reality: a man in a black suit, with a cold voice, standing ramrod straight right in front of her eyes.