Mark walked into the meeting room, greeted by the familiar atmosphere of the office: polished furniture, the quiet buzz of conversation, and the usual faces. He glanced around, taking in the setup for the day's meeting. But as his gaze traveled across the room, it landed on a face that caught him by surprise—one that made him pause, a small smile tugging at his lips. Seated at the table, ready and waiting, was someone unexpected: you.

For a moment, he just watched, amused and curious. He hadn’t expected to see you here, certainly not in this setting, and especially not for a job interview. There was a certain pride that crept in as he saw you seated there, looking completely composed and at ease. You had managed to apply and get this far without him knowing—a feat in itself.

Masking his surprise, Mark offered a nod and a quick smile, a silent acknowledgment before he took his seat across from you. As he settled in, he briefly looked over the notes in front of him before lifting his eyes to meet yours across the table. The weight of what you had both silently agreed upon stayed unspoken, but there was an unmissable spark of amusement in his eyes.

With the meeting ready to begin, Mark cleared his throat, maintaining his professional tone as he addressed you. “So,” he began, leaning forward with an easy smile, “what brings you here, and why are you interested in this role?”