Chapter 3

“I studied the tender market—its structure, its key players, their offers, and the step-by-step process for taking part in commercial bids. Mostly, I focused on the specifications of promising projects and procurement efficiency.”

“So, you consolidated confidential information, so to speak?”

“Not always confidential, but yes. You could put it that way.”

“And if I asked you specifically about design work?”

“I’d tell you I’m very interested in it!” I had an answer ready.

“Tell me, Maria, considering your entire team, which of your colleagues would you recommend we hire? Name two, please.”

I thought about it and answered:

“Devyatko and Shlyapkin. They’re the best.”

“And you?” The look he gave me over his glasses was sly, with a nasty little edge.

I got it. They’d decided to put me in my place. Now they were probably waiting for the show called “Please, Hire Me!” to begin. Well, everyone had their own idea of entertainment. Apparently, the engineers at GBG-Project had invited us all here to make themselves feel better. We were a joke to them.

Not a chance! I adjusted my hair and lifted my chin.

“I’ll be the best. Soon! I just need time,” I answered, nervously tugging my simple little dress straight at the sides.

“Hear that, Dima?” The man tapped the table with the cap of an expensive pen. “Overconfident engineers aren’t found only abroad. As you can see, we have plenty of them here too. Heh-heh.” He chuckled. “Soon, she says. At this rate of digging up secret information, Berry, I’d say you’ll become a hacker, not an engineer!”

I probably would have walked out right then. I mean, it was obvious how this movie ended. If I hadn’t heard a loud snort from beside me—dismissive and insulting.

What big shot was that?

I frowned and turned, bracing myself for the blow… But instead, I let out a startled cry when I saw my former classmate sitting at the table:

“Dimka Gordeev?! Is that you?!”

I hadn’t seen him in almost six years, ever since he’d finished his freshman year of college and gone abroad to study, and for some reason, I was happy to see him.

“Dima, wow. Look at you—you’ve really grown into a man!” I exclaimed. “And you’ve grown your hair out. You always had a buzz cut!”

The general director’s secretary cleared her throat disapprovingly beside me, and I came to my senses. I explained:

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect to run into a former classmate here, at Garant’s headquarters.”

“Dmitry, surely you know this young woman?” one of the important-looking ladies asked, smirking at my silly grin.

Us? Of course we knew each other! Wasn’t it obvious from my pleased little face?! We knew each other all right! Whew! I could breathe again. The oranges vanished, and a happy future began to shimmer before my eyes once more: me and my Berries, sitting in front of a gigantic TV and stuffing ourselves with mountains of candy!

Any second now, Dima would say yes, and they’d… they’d…

Oh my God, what if they actually hired me?!

Gordeev calmly turned away and looked at the technical director and the lady.

I smiled. Little wings fluttered at my back…

“No. First time I’ve ever seen her.”