The Morning That Changed Everything

Back home, the bathroom filled with steam as Doris stood under the shower, letting the hot water run over her skin in slow, steady streams.

For a while, she did not move.

She just stood there, eyes closed, as everything from the night replayed in her mind whether she wanted it to or not.

Tom’s face.

The way he smiled like nothing had happened.

The sound of her hand hitting his cheek, the crash and then… him.

That man in the car.

His voice had been calm, almost detached, as if nothing in the world could disturb him, and somehow that stayed with her more than everything else.

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides as she exhaled.

Why am I even thinking about him?

The thought irritated her, and she pushed it away, stepping back from the water before reaching for a towel. She dried herself slowly, then wrapped the towel around her body and walked into her room.

The silence there felt different.

She moved toward her vanity and sat down, staring at her reflection for a moment without really seeing it.

Her hair was damp, falling loosely over her shoulders, and her face still carried the weight of everything she had been through.

“I really messed everything up today…” she murmured softly.

Her voice sounded smaller than she expected.

For a moment, she just sat there, letting the quiet settle around her.

Then…

A soft beep broke through it.

Her eyes shifted to the phone lying on the table.

She frowned slightly and picked it up, her thumb hovering over the screen before unlocking it.

An email.

From the company she had applied to weeks ago.

Her heart skipped.

Slowly, she opened it, her eyes scanning the message carefully, as if reading too fast would somehow make it disappear.

“You have been selected for an interview…”

Her breath caught for a second before she let it out slowly.

A faint smile tugged at her lips.

“Finally… some good news,” she whispered.

Relief spread through her chest in a way she had not felt all day, soft but real.

Maybe everything had not gone completely wrong after all.

She set the phone down gently, leaned back slightly in her chair, and closed her eyes for a brief moment.

Then she stood, changed into something more comfortable, and climbed into bed.

This time, sleep came easier.

The next morning, her alarm cut sharply through the silence.

Doris groaned softly, reaching out to silence it before pushing herself up almost immediately. There was no lingering in bed, no hesitation.

Today mattered.

She swung her legs over the side and stood, her movements quick and purposeful as she headed straight to the bathroom.

The shower ran, and she stepped in without wasting time, letting the water fall over her as she mentally went through everything she needed to do.

Don’t be late.

She finished quickly and stepped out, drying off as she moved back into her room. Her wardrobe stood open in front of her as she scanned through it, her eyes moving with more focus than uncertainty.

She reached for a fitted black skirt, simple but clean, and paired it with a light-colored blouse that gave her just enough contrast to look good.

She dressed quickly, smoothing the fabric down before moving to the mirror. Her fingers worked through her hair, pulling it back neatly and securing it into a low bow at the back. A few strands slipped loose around her face, but she left them.

It softened her look.

She grabbed her bag, checking that her documents were inside, then headed out.

The moment she stepped outside, her steps slowed as soon as she approached her car.

The dent stared back at her like a reminder she could not ignore.

She stood there for a moment, her expression tightening slightly as she looked at it.

Then she exhaled.

There was nothing she could do about it now.

Turning away, she walked toward the road instead, lifting her hand to stop a cab.

It did not take long before one pulled over.

She got in, gave the address, and sat at the back, her fingers tightening slightly around her bag as the car pulled into traffic.

The city moved around her in a blur, but her mind stayed fixed on one thing.

The interview.

She could not afford to mess this up.

The company building stood tall and polished when she arrived, its glass exterior reflecting the morning light in a way that made it look almost untouchable.

Doris stepped out of the cab and paid quickly before turning to face it properly.

For a moment, she just stood there.

It was bigger than she had imagined, refined and more intimidating.

You applied here. Walk in.

She adjusted her bag and stepped forward.

Inside, everything felt… different.

The space was sleek, expensive, and carefully arranged, and even the way people moved made her aware of herself in a way she had not expected.

She approached the receptionist, introduced herself, and explained why she was there.

The woman checked briefly before nodding. “Please have a seat. You’ll be called.”

Doris nodded and moved to sit, placing her bag neatly beside her.

Then she waited.

Minutes passed, then it turned into an hour then another 

Time stretched in a way that made her shift slightly in her seat, her fingers tightening around her bag as she watched people come and go, each one looking like they belonged there.

Did I come too early?

The thought lingered, but she pushed it aside, she had not come this far to leave now.

Finally, the receptionist looked up.

“Miss Doris?”

She straightened immediately. “Yes.”

“You can go in now.”

Relief washed through her so suddenly she almost did not react fast enough.

She stood quickly and followed the direction given.