Chapter 5
A week later, Grace finally finished her portfolio.
"Tomorrow, you will have a job interview at my friend's company. Are you ready?" Brian asked.
"Yeah." Grace took a deep breath. "Honestly, I'm a bit nervous."
"Trust yourself. You are outstanding," Brian encouraged Grace.
The next day, Grace in a professional suit showed up for her job interview.
The company was mid-sized and known for its women's clothes.
The interviewer was the design director, Judy Smith, and she was in her thirties.
"Your designs have a style of your own," Judy commented as she flipped through Grace's portfolio. "The problem is that you have been out of the field for three years."
"It is my drawback, I know," Grace replied earnestly. "I don't mind starting as a beginner."
Judy nodded. "What do you think of working as an assistant? Your trial period will last for three months."
"Okay." Grace's heart pounded with excitement.
Finally, Grace was back in the field.
She rang Brian up the moment she left her new company.
"Good news!" she exclaimed with excitement. "I got the job!"
"Congratulations!" Brian sounded just as thrilled. "How do you like a celebration tonight?"
"Good idea!" Grace replied.
That evening, Brian held a small party at his café to celebrate Grace's success.
The cafe was decorated with colorful streamers, and there was a cake on the table.
"It is way too much," Grace said, touched.
"Not at all." Speaking, Brian lit the candles. "Come, make a wish."
Grace closed her eyes and made a wish.
'Let's get a bit better each day,' she wished secretly.
"What was your wish?" Brian asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Don't ask. It won't come true if I tell you," Grace replied with a mischievous smile.
She then shared the cake with Brian and talked about her new job.
Brian gave Grace a bunch of practical advice. "Be wary, but don't get too defensive."
"Stay true to yourself, and don't be blinded by business interests."
"Don't be afraid of troubles. Use your brain, and there will be a way out."
Touched, Grace listened intently.
'His support and encouragement always come in time,' she thought.
"Brian, I am curious about your past." Grace suddenly changed the topic.
Brian's fork paused for a moment. "Why?"
"You look pretty young, but it is easy to tell that you see the world. Plus, running a café requires a lot of money. Is your family rich?" Grace analyzed.
After a moment of silence, Brian said, "My family situation is a bit complicated, so sorry that I can tell you nothing."
Grace dropped the subject since Ben didn't like it.
Everyone had some days they didn't want to talk about.
As for Grace, the three years of marriage with Ben were her taboo.
"What about you? Any other relationships besides the one with Ben?" Brian asked.
Grace shook her head. "No, he was my first love."
"You must be in agony now." Brian had a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.
"I have gotten over him." Grace gave a smile. "At least, I now know what kind of man I like."
"What kind?" Brian asked.
Grace thought for a moment. "Honest, kind, responsible. Above all, he will respect me."
Brian nodded. "Not demanding at all."
"True, but it's difficult to find one." Grace showed a bitter smile.
"You will," Brian said earnestly. "You deserve happiness."
He talked with Grace late into the night. In the end, he drove her home.
"For your first day at work, have an early night," Brian said.
"I will. Thanks for everything you did for me today," Grace replied.
"It's no big deal," Brian said casually.
Grace watched Brian drive away, and a feeling she couldn't quite put into words lingered in her heart.
She thought, 'He helped me a lot, but I know little about him. He is kind and helpful, and whose help does he need?'
The next day, Grace went to work.
Her colleagues were friendly, and the atmosphere in her workplace was good.
Grace soon fit right in with her team.
As an assistant, she was serious about her work.
Judy was quite satisfied with Grace's performance.
"Grace, you have a solid foundation," Judy commented. "Keep working, and I believe that you will soon get an official offer."
Grace was energetic and studious at work.
After work, she had some coffee at Time's.
There, she could completely relax.
Her peace lasted for half a month.
Grace had thought that her peaceful days would last forever.
However, she ran into someone unexpected in the cafe, and it was Daisy, the home wrecker.
To her surprise, Daisy knew her.
"You are Ben's wife, aren't you?" Daisy walked up to Grace with a defiant smile on her face.
Grace gripped her coffee cup.
She had never expected to run into Daisy at Time's.
"Hi, I'm Daisy." Daisy stretched her hand towards Grace with a sweet smile. "You know who I am, don't you?"
Grace didn't shake hands with Daisy, and she coldly stared at the latter. "Why are you here?"
"I am here for coffee." Daisy brazenly took the seat across from Grace. "You don't own this cafe, do you?"
After a deep breath, Grace managed to keep her cool. "I have nothing to say to you."