Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters other than the original character that I'm responsible for, neither do I take credit for the pictures I have put and will put in the other chapters. The credits go to the owners of those photos.

Note: single quotes ' .....' are thoughts and "....." doubles are spoken words.

*****************************************************************************

Your POV

I got up next morning and prepared for the day. I wondered what challenge they will give us. Since Ms. Song would be calling us for the next round I have no choice but to wait at home. I double checked my bag and went downstairs to see what I could do. Mom was preparing some food for me before she leaves for work.

“Seriously mom! I can do this by myself you know! You go hurry up and get ready for work!” I reasoned.

“Aww! I can’t even cook for my daughter now? I’ll be done in a minute.” She pleaded with a pout.

I sighed. “Well hurry up then! You’ll be late.” Moms are awesome. They never tire of caring for their children.

She smiled and turned back to the pot she was stirring as I sat down on the couch.

“Don’t you have college today?” she asked.

“I’ll be leaving a little later.” I don’t want to tell her about the interview yet but I don’t want to lie either.

“Okay.”

“Oh dear I need you to run to the store and get me some things!” she said.

I looked up with a raised brow. “You’ll be late if you wait for ingredients, then cook and leave for work.”

She waved her hand dismissively and said, “Just run to the store and get them for me. I still have 20 mins to spare.”

I sighed again and got up to grab my wallet and took the list of things mom had ready. I quickly went to the store nearby and bought all the things on the list and hurried home. A block away from my house my phone started ringing. I stopped and went to a side to receive it. It was an unknown number. “Hello?”

“Good morning Ms ____________. I’m Ms Song calling from KN Group.”

“Good morning Ms Song.” I was nervous all of a sudden for the next round.

“I’m calling to inform you to arrive at the office at 11 am sharp and be prepared for the next round.”

“Y-yes, thank you!”

She then smiled into the call and said, “Best of luck then!” and ended the call.

I stood dazed for a moment and then realizing mom is waiting I quickened my steps. After she had finished cooking and left for work, I got ready and made my way towards the KN Group building. I reached at 10:30 am and waited at the gates. While waiting I kept thinking about yesterday and how Kyu seemed to be unable to recognize me. No matter how much I try to push these thoughts out I can’t. I keep having second thoughts on this interview. Maybe it would be better to leave and not take part anymore. That way I can remove all chances of seeing Kyu or having to interact with him later. It’s not like I aspire to be a corporate employee. Just when I got up to leave I heard that annoying voice.

“Well, well. Hello ___________ -ssi.” Seoyoon said. “Are you giving up and going home? Maybe you should. The next round is beyond your abilities.” She laughed while staring me down.

I was so sick of her antics that I had to lash out but was interrupted by someone.

“All of us have a lot of work to do now, Seoyoon-ah. Don’t waste time.”

Kyu walked out of the gate and looked towards Seoyoon. I was shocked with no words again. I looked at him hoping to see some sign of recognition from him but inside it was like I knew he wouldn’t bother to acknowledge me.

Seoyoon now turned to him with sparkling eyes. “Kamsahae oppa for waiting for me! I was so nervous I wouldn’t have been able to go through the round without knowing you are there for me!” She gave a sugar coated smile and entwined her arm with Kyu’s and walked away. I was so angry at myself for not saying anything to Kyu. I was angry at myself for being a coward and wanting to give up. I can’t live my life with fear and hesitation and if I have to make it anywhere in life and fulfill my dream I need to think about myself and not bother about what others are doing or saying. With new found resolve I stepped up to the gate and upon my ID verification went inside anticipating for the challenge.

An hour later at college

I kept spacing out in class where I was supposed to be drawing a live model. I kept thinking back to the interview and what was given to me as a challenge. If I had been feeling determined before entering the KN Group’s building in the morning, then I certainly am at the depths of despair and helplessness now. I was right, when I went for the first day of the interview that this is not the right place for me. I know nothing of business! I don’t even know much about the professions outside of art, and here I’m trying to make it through a round of interviews with no plan in mind. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so stubborn and just left when I had thought I would give up.

“Ms _______________, the model will not be able to sit through the night for you to finish your work.”

I snapped up to see the class snickering at the teacher’s comment at me. Blushing red I stammered an apology and resumed sketching the model.

After the class was over I went to find myself a spot for lunch. Sitting down at my favourite spot in the garden I munch on the sandwich and again start worrying about the task at hand.

FLASHBACK

After entering the same hall from before I noticed that now it was empty except a single table that was placed at the center of the room and Ms Song standing before it. I went up to her and greeted. She bowed back and then picked up a file from the table handing it to me.

“Your next task is mentioned in detail in this file. You may use internet for research but your concept should be original. You’ll have 3 days to present an idea starting from this moment which means you’ve until Thursday 11am when you’ll have to present your work in front of a panel of judges. Any questions?”

I was dreading what the file contained. As I looked at the cover, it just showed the KN logo. I flipped the plastic cover to see what was in store for me but I was interrupted by Ms Song.

“You can check the contents of the file after leaving the office premises.” She smiled a little encouragingly and said, “Don’t worry. The tasks assigned to each of you are based on your skills and area of study.”

I sighed and put the file in my bag. Ms Song then gestured towards the table again and I followed her hand direction to see a paper and a pen.

“Please sign on this non-disclosure agreement as the projects assigned to you all are actual projects and not just examples or case studies. Please understand failing to do so will have serious repercussions both for the company and you.”

I was slack-jawed for a few moments.

“W-why are we given real projects?? What if we screw up?” I was nervous and quite frankly scared.

Ms Song gave me a hard stare for a minute and said, “This is the KN Group’s way of selecting the best leaders for its businesses. In order to achieve success one must learn to take responsibilities.’

I gulped as I looked down at the form in front of me that I had to sign.

‘Can I really afford to take such risks? I can just back out right now and have nothing to do with this anymore. ........... But then again, who am I going to discuss this with? I can put in my best efforts and if I don’t make the cut I’ll not be selected, that’s it. There’s no harm in trying right?’

I took a deep breath and signed on the form. I bowed to Ms Song and made my way out.

“I wish you good luck with the project and a few words of advice.” Ms Song’s words stopped me in my tracks and I turned around to face her. “Whatever you decide to do, think out of the box. Only then can you succeed!”

I frowned at her words. ‘Think out of the box? I don’t even know what I have received in this round is within my ability!!!!’ But I couldn’t just disregard her words so I nodded and bowed again, thanking her for her advice and took my leave.

The moment I was out of the gates I whipped out the file and sat down at a bench. As I flipped over the cover page my worst nightmares were confirmed................ This was way out of my league! The project title read “KN Group Food Mart”. The next page listed the brands under KN and some other food chains as the companies that’ll be opening up shop in this mall. My hands trembled and I couldn’t find the courage to turn to the next page.

‘What do I have to do here, huh? Sell food? Promote brand names? Cook? I started imagining myself as a waitress, handing out leaflets of promotional and discounted food items, or ushering in people to try food at restaurants, etc. I’ve done some of these jobs as a high schooler and I wondered if this was a joke or maybe a mistake. Should I go back in and ask them if they gave me the wrong file or something? ............. W-w-w-wait. Let’s just see what the rest of the file says before jumping to conclusions.’

I turned over to see what the instructions were and was even more shocked. I flipped through all the pages and did it again just to be sure.

“They want me to design the building??!!!!!” I whispered to myself.

I looked down again at the file to see if I read wrong the first couple of times. No. It was real. The instructions were to design a unique building concept that would be “a trendsetter in food marts business and draw in customers with its ambience and give them a total food and cultural experience.” That’s what the instructions read.

‘Ambience? Cultural experience? They want a theme based food mart? And how is this based on my  skills and area of study? I’m an art student not an architect!!! What do I know of buildings and I’m supposed to hand in the design on Thursday???’

“I’m officially screwed!” I said to myself, all the determination and thinking power leaving my body with every sigh.

*************************************************

I'm sorry guys I didn't update sooner like I promised. Had to deal with exams and only now I'm able to give you all a proper chappie! Thank you all for your support and for not unsubscribing!!! ;) Also thanks to my first upvoter "suju-exolover" for your vote!