The next morning came too quickly.
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit for the tenth time. A soft cream blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt, my hair in a neat bun, and a hint of pink gloss. I looked professional and elegant: exactly how I wanted to look for my interview at VOSS Couture.
"You look like you already work there." Arica whistled behind me.
"You think so?" I asked, smiling nervously.
"Absolutely. You're stunning". She cooed.
Her words were kind, but something in her tone made me glance at her reflection. Her smile looked too perfect.
I shook it off and picked up my portfolio. "I should go. The interview's at ten." I mumbled.
Arica grabbed her bag. "Actually… I got a call this morning." She said.
My eyebrows shot up. "From who?" I asked.
"VOSS Couture," she said, her eyes sparkling. "They want me to come in too! For a different position, though: assistant designer."
"Oh my God, Arica! that's amazing!" I hugged her tightly. "We might both end up working there!" I whimpered.
She laughed, hugging me back. "Wouldn't that be something?" She smirked.
The cab ride to Manhattan was quiet. My hands trembled as I held my portfolio, my heart pounding with every passing streetlight.
Outside, the VOSS Couture building came into view: the building was made entirely of glass. It looked like something out of a dream. The gold letters VOSS COUTURE gleamed at the entrance.
"This is it," I whispered as we stepped out.
Arica nudged me. "Show them who you are." She teased.
Inside, the reception area smelled of perfume. Everything was gold and minimalist: like the people who worked there didn't know the meaning of chaos.
The receptionist looked up with a polished smile. "Good morning. You're here for the design interview?"
"Yes," I said quickly. "Berlin Hooke".
"Please take a seat. Mr. Voss is running a few minutes behind schedule." The receptionist spoke, softly.
I froze. "Mr. Voss? As in Vicar Voss?" I mumbled.
"Yes, he'll be conducting the final round himself." She replied.
I felt my throat tighten. Arica gave me a quick grin. "Looks like you're meeting the big boss after all." She teased.
While we waited, I studied the people moving around. Men and women in stylish suits, whispering over sketches, balancing coffee cups, talking about fabrics I could only dream of using. It felt like I'd stepped into another world: one that sparkled with money.
When my name was finally called, my stomach did a somersault.
"Good luck," Arica whispered.
I took a deep breath and followed the assistant through the glass hallway. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor. At the end of the corridor was a large office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
And behind a sleek black desk sat Vicar Voss.
I'd seen his pictures online: on magazine covers, business websites, and fashion editorials: but they hadn't prepared me for the real thing.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. His hair was dark brown, his jawline sharp enough to cut glass. But it was his eyes that made my breath catch. His eyes were grey and assessing. The kind of eyes that saw everything and gave nothing away.
"Miss Berlin," he said, his voice was deep and calm. "Please, have a seat." He instructed.
"Thank you, sir," I said, trying not to sound nervous.
He didn't smile. "You graduated top of your class from Manhattan School of Fashion, correct?" He asked.
"Yes." I confirmed.
He glanced at the papers in front of him, then looked up again. "Why VOSS Couture?" He asked.
Because it's my dream. Because your designs changed how I saw fashion. Because I've wanted to be here since I was sixteen.
But I said simply "Because I want to create designs that mean something: and VOSS Couture makes art, not just clothes."
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes: something like a faint spark of interest.
"Show me your work." He demanded.
My hands trembled slightly as I opened my portfolio and laid out the sketches on his desk. They were elegant dresses made with soft fabrics, and designs inspired by emotions.
He studied each one in silence. The ticking of his watch was the only sound in the room.
After what felt like hours, he looked up. "You designed these?" He asked.
"Yes, sir." I agreed.
"And this one?" He pointed to my moonlight-inspired gown.
I nodded. "It's called Luna. I designed it for my final project. It represents calm strength: how light can be soft but still powerful." I explained.
He leaned back in his chair, studying me. "You think light can be powerful?" He asked.
"Yes, sir," I said quietly. "Sometimes the softest things leave the deepest mark." I replied.
For a moment, his expression changed: a ghost of a smile. "Interesting answer." He said softly.
Then he stood. "Congratulations, Miss Berlin. Welcome to VOSS Couture." He declared.
My eyes widened. "You mean… I got the job?" I stammered.
"You start on Monday." He urged.
For a second, I couldn't breathe. "Thank you, Mr. Voss. I won't disappoint you." I assured him.
"I expect you won't," he said simply. "My assistant will handle your paperwork." He added.
As I turned to leave, he spoke again. "Miss Berlin?"
I stopped, my heart racing. "Yes, sir?"
His gaze lingered on me. "You have talent. But talent can attract envy. Be careful who you trust." He muttered.
I blinked, confused. "I…I will, sir."
"Good." He returned to his papers. "That'll be all."
I walked out of his office in a daze, barely feeling my feet.
Arica jumped up from her seat the moment she saw me.
"Well? I got it," I said breathlessly. "Arica, he hired me!" I screamed.
Her eyes widened, then she laughed and hugged me tightly. "Berlin, that's amazing!"
I hugged her back, smiling from ear to ear. "What about you? Did you—?" I asked.
"They gave me the assistant designer role!" she said. "We both got in!"
My heart soared. "This is insane! We're working at VOSS Couture, Arica. Can you believe it?" I gasped.
"I told you we'd make it." She grinned.
But when I looked closely, her eyes didn't shine with happiness. There was something else.
I decided to ignore it.
We celebrated that night at a small cafe across the street.
Arica talked about how this was our big break. I agreed, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Vicar Voss.
His voice and eyes? The way he had looked at me: calm but intense, like he was trying to read something I didn't even know was written on me.
It was strange. I'd only just met him, but he felt… familiar somehow.
When we got home, I placed my sketches on the table and sat quietly, staring at them. The excitement had faded into a nervous kind of calm.
I didn't know it yet, but that interview, that one moment: had changed everything.
The next chapter of my life had already begun, and nothing would ever be the same again.
As I turned off the lights, my phone buzzed.
A new message.
It wasn't from Arica. It wasn't from VOSS Couture.
It was from an unknown number.
"Congratulations on your new job, Berlin.
Let's see how long it lasts."
My heart stopped.