“You also speak a little bit of French,” she points out, and, once again, I nod. Mrs. Lu does as well, still studying the words on the page. “I can see here that you are applying for a position in the tennis department since you have fifteen years of experience as a tennis player,” she states and lowers the paper to look directly at me. Her brown eyes stare at me with an intensity that makes me shift in my seat. I avert my gaze, bringing it to Ms. Martin instead, but she’s gone back to her laptop to work.
“That is correct. I sustained an injury, which unfortunately ended my career in tennis, but I’m very passionate about it. I know everything there is to know about the current top players, their statistics, and—” Mrs. Lu cuts me off before I can finish my sentence.
“I have no doubt that you are well-versed in the language of tennis. Unfortunately, we do not have a position open in that department at the moment,” she informs me, causing my polite smile to fade as disappointment washes over me. Ms. Martin notices my change in mood and frowns at her business partner.
“Oh, okay. I understand,” I mumble, but Mrs. Lu confuses me when she lets out a small chuckle.
“No, I don’t think you do yet. Ms. Fuchs, I hope I’m pronouncing that right—” She stops to look at me, and I laugh a little.
My last name has caused lots of confusion over the years. Every English-speaking person pronounces it wrong, and it always sounds like ‘fucks’ instead of its actual pronunciation, ‘f-oo-ks’.
“Please, call me Nevaeh,” I suggest because it’s easier than my German last name.
“Alright. Nevaeh, you have great recommendations and spent over three years at media companies as an intern and later an assistant. They speak very highly of you in their letters,” she says and leans forward. “I do have one position open, which I would like to offer you.” Suddenly, my heart beats faster than it ever has before. “How familiar are you with Formula One?” Mrs. Lu asks, curiosity now written all over her features.
“Pfft, too familiar, if you ask me,” I say with a laugh before I remember that this is a job interview, and I’m not behaving professionally. “I apologize, I have a hate-love relationship with the sport.”
Probably not the best thing to tell someone I hope will be my boss in the future. Mrs. Lu tilts her head to the side, scanning my face while Ms. Martin grins at me.
“What I meant is, I am very familiar. There is not an aspect of the sport I don’t know.” My father, the team principal of the Grenzenlos team, made sure of that by always talking to me about his work.
“Brilliant. Then how would you like to shadow and assist our head journalist as he travels with his team around the world to interview the drivers?” Mrs. Lu asks and stands up to walk over to a file cabinet.
I would love to instantly agree, to be excited about this job offer, but I don’t know how to feel. Formula One is a great sport, and I’ve enjoyed watching it my entire life, but it’s also the reason why Papa and I have barely spent time together. Not to mention, Lincoln Nash, the guy I hate the most in the world, is now racing for my father’s team. I already can’t avoid him at home, since our families are close friends, which is why I was hoping my job would have nothing to do with him…
Then again, I can’t let my emotions cloud my judgment.
This is an incredible job opportunity.
Can I really pass this up?
I’m about to answer when Mrs. Lu says, “I know this is not a job for everyone, but I think you’re highly qualified for it.”
I’m surprised she thinks this much of me, but I don’t question it. My resumé must be better than I thought it was when I applied.
“Your expenses, such as plane tickets and hotel rooms, will be paid for by us. You will be expected to do everything Mr. Fender tells you to, and we expect an article about the performance of the drivers, teams, or FIA decisions every race weekend. Whatever you think is the most exciting, you write about,” Ms. Martin explains with a strong French accent.
I’m overwhelmed by all of the information for a moment. When Ms. Martin looks at me, she must read it on my face.
“Oh, I’m sorry, dear, we haven’t even received an answer from you yet, and here we are, piling on information on top of information.” A breathless laugh escapes my slightly parted lips, and both of the women across from me smile.
“I would be delighted to be a part of the team,” I finally manage to croak out, unsure whether or not this is the right decision.
They flash me approving smiles in response.
Mrs. Lu and Ms. Martin go on to tell me about the weeks of introduction and training I will go through before the season starts.
They also give me the task of writing an article about what exactly Formula One is to get a sample of my writing and point out areas of improvement.
That’s not nerve-racking at all.
I take the contract Mrs. Lu hands me and force a smile at them both before leaving my boss’s office and making my way home.
Chapter 3
Nevaeh
WhenIwalkintomy family’s ridiculously big house, I let out a sigh of fear. I have no idea how my family is going to react to my news. Nova, my sister, might be the only one who will be excited for me.
