Chapter 17 - The Interview

Emma stared at the assignment sheet on her desk and sighed.

Lily looked up from across the library table.

"Another project?"

"Worse."

Emma slid the paper toward her.

"Our lecturer wants us to interview someone from a completely different profession and analyze how their workplace influences the way they work."

Lily skimmed the assignment.

"That doesn't sound impossible."

"It is when everyone I know is either an architecture student or works at a bakery."

Lily raised an eyebrow.

"You know one office worker."

Emma blinked.

"...Daniel."

"There you go."

-

That evening, Emma was reviewing lecture notes when her phone vibrated.

Daniel: How was your day?

She smiled.

Emma: Busy.

Daniel: Architecture busy or bakery busy?

Emma: Both.

Another message appeared.

Daniel: Sounds exhausting.

Emma: I also have another assignment.

Daniel: Can I help?

Emma hesitated before typing.

Emma: I have to interview someone from a different profession about their workplace.

Almost immediately—

Daniel: Interview me.

Emma laughed.

Emma: You?

Daniel: Why not?

She smiled to herself.

Emma: Coffee tomorrow after work?

Daniel: I'll be there.

-

The café was pleasantly quiet.

Emma arrived carrying a notebook, several colored pens, and the assignment brief.

Daniel glanced at the stack.

"I feel underprepared."

"You should."

She placed the paper between them.

"This is official."

He nodded with mock seriousness.

"I'll do my best."

Emma uncapped her pen.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

She smiled.

"First question."

"What do you do?"

Daniel took a sip of his coffee.

"I work on the business side."

Emma nodded and wrote it down.

"What company?"

"Veridian Group."

Her pen stopped.

"The Veridian Group?"

Daniel nodded.

"You know it?"

Emma laughed.

"Know it? Every architecture student knows Veridian."

She leaned forward.

"You developed Eastgate Square, didn't you?"

"We did."

"And Harbor District?"

"Yes."

Emma smiled.

"We studied both projects last semester."

"I didn't know that."

She underlined the company name.

"So... are you an architect?"

"No."

"Engineer?"

He shook his head.

"I'm on the business side."

"Oh."

She nodded in understanding.

"So you don't actually design the buildings."

"No."

"I guess you're the people who tell architects they're over budget."

Daniel laughed.

"Sometimes."

"I knew it."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You've been way too calm this entire interview."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is."

She continued writing.

"So what does someone on the business side actually do?"

Daniel thought for a moment.

"I spend a lot of time reviewing proposals."

She nodded.

"Meeting with different teams."

Another note.

"And making decisions that keep projects moving."

"That sounds like endless meetings."

"It usually is."

Emma made a sympathetic face.

"I'll stick to architecture."

Daniel smiled.

"I think that's where you're supposed to be."

-

She flipped to the next page.

"Now for the actual assignment."

Daniel chuckled.

"I was wondering when we'd get there."

"What kind of workspace helps you work best?"

"Natural light."

Emma looked up.

"Really?"

"I think people make better decisions when they don't feel boxed in."

She quickly wrote the sentence down.

"What else?"

"A quiet room."

"Makes sense."

"And enough space for people to disagree."

Emma stopped writing.

"...Disagree?"

Daniel nodded.

"If everyone agrees immediately, someone probably hasn't challenged the idea enough."

She tilted her head.

"That's a surprisingly thoughtful answer."

"I've learned good projects rarely come from people who are afraid to speak."

Emma smiled as she wrote.

"I like that."

"I'm glad."

-

The waitress arrived with another round of drinks.

Emma thanked her before looking back at Daniel.

"Last question."

"I'm still alive."

She laughed.

"What motivates you to keep doing your work?"

Daniel looked down at his coffee.

"I like building things."

Emma frowned.

"I thought you worked in business."

"I do."

He smiled faintly.

"But every project starts with an idea before it becomes a building."

She quietly wrote the sentence down.

For some reason...

She liked that answer.

-

As they continued talking, Emma absentmindedly began sketching in the corner of her notebook.

The café window.

A coffee mug.

The lamp above their table.

Daniel noticed.

"You draw while people are talking?"

Emma looked down and laughed.

"I didn't even realize."

"It helps?"

She nodded.

"It helps me think."

"Can I see?"

She immediately closed the notebook.

"No."

"That bad?"

"That unfinished."

"I'll respect the artist."

"You should."

-

A little later, Emma stood.

"I'm going to grab another drink."

She left her notebook open on the table.

Daniel's eyes drifted toward it.

At the top of the page she'd written:

Interview Subject: Daniel

Below were a few observations.

Patient.

Good listener.

Thoughtful.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

His eyes almost wandered farther down the page.

Instead, he looked away.

The rest wasn't meant for him.

When Emma returned, she caught him looking out the window.

"You didn't read it?"

"I was tempted."

"But?"

"I figured some things should wait until you're ready to share them."

She smiled without realizing why that answer made her happy.

-

Outside, the evening air had turned cool.

Emma hugged her notebook against her chest.

"Thanks."

"For helping with my assignment."

"My pleasure."

"I think it'll turn out okay."

Daniel shook his head.

"I think it'll be excellent."

She laughed.

"I hope you're right."

"I usually am."

She rolled her eyes.

"I'll let you know what grade I get."

"I'll be waiting."

As the train carried her home, Emma reread her notes.

There were observations about office layouts, collaboration, and productivity.

But scattered between them were little reminders of the man she'd interviewed.

She paused at one sentence she'd circled twice.

Enough space for people to disagree.

For some reason, she had a feeling she'd remember that answer long after the assignment had been graded.