Chapter 2

That was why I was racing headlong toward the new building, taking the stairs two at a time and squeezing through the crowd of people rushing to work. I was terrified—really, really terrified—of being late! And it didn’t matter that just yesterday, the thought of an interview had made my knees shake and my palms sweat. There was simply no time for doubts that morning!

The interview had been scheduled for eight in the morning, and when we asked in surprise, “Why so early? And on a Monday, too?” Zhanna Arnoldovna answered, “Because the people at GBG-Project don’t sit around counting sparrows in the trees like some people do—they work for a living. They’re not going to waste their busiest hours on us. Anyone who doesn’t like it can stay home. And besides, what do I know?”

“Hello! I’m from SNiPTechPromGaz! Could I get a temporary badge, please?” I asked the stern-looking security guard. I remembered to smile, too. “Do you happen to know whether everyone else has arrived yet?”

“Don’t know,” the man muttered into his mustache, without even noticing my smile. That’s what you call a serious company!

“Oh, okay, never mind. Sorry. Where do I go?”

“Where were you told to go?”

“The technical director’s office!”

“Third floor, then,” he said, waving a hand. “That’s where management is. You can take the elevator. Wait, miss!”

But I’d already turned around and was charging toward the stairs…

“Thanks, I’ll take the stairs!”

Until I smacked my forehead into someone’s shoulder.

“Hey, watch it!” My purse fell from my hands, and I had to bend down. I looked after the man who had just walked past me, heading through the beautiful lobby to the elevator. Or rather, he’d flown past me. From behind, he looked all puffed up and expensive, like a prize goose. He hadn’t even shown his badge to security.

I wondered if he would have stopped to help me if I’d been dressed in an evening gown and all dolled up.

Jeez, what a crazy morning. Everyone was rushing around.

I turned and hurried to the stairs too, pulling off my hat and unzipping my puffer jacket as I went. I could feel it in my butt—something special always happened at moments like this!