I checked the address on the black business card for what had to be the tenth time.
Moritz V. Irwin.
Even now, holding the card in my hands felt unreal. Just a week ago, my biggest worry had been whether anyone would even listen to my business proposal. Now someone had invited me to their office.Not out of pity.
Out of interest. I tightened my grip on the folder resting against my chest before stepping out of the taxi. The Irwin Corporation headquarters towered above the surrounding buildings, its glass exterior reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. Employees hurried in and out through the revolving doors while luxury cars lined the entrance. "This place is huge." For a second, my confidence wavered. Do I really belong here?
I took a deep breath. One step at a time, Aurora. The moment I entered the lobby, two security guards stopped me. "I'm sorry, miss. Do you have an appointment?" "I... I think so." I quickly opened my handbag before carefully taking out the black card Moritz had given me. "He asked me to meet him this evening." The guards exchanged a brief glance. One of them examined the card before immediately straightening his posture. "My apologies, Miss. " He pressed a button on the reception desk. "Please wait a moment." Less than a minute later, the elevator doors opened. A young woman dressed in a charcoal-gray suit walked toward me with a professional smile.
"Miss Aurora?"
"Yes."
"My name is Elyn." She extended her hand politely. "I'm Mr. Irwin's personal assistant."
"It's nice to meet you." "Mr. Irwin has been expecting you. Please, follow me." The elevator climbed higher and higher until the city unfolded beneath us through the glass walls.
The office occupied the entire top floor. Minimalistic. Elegant. Everything from the polished wooden floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows reflected quiet luxury rather than unnecessary extravagance. Elyn stopped outside a pair of dark wooden doors before knocking gently. "Sir, Miss Aurora is here."
"Send her in." His voice was calm.
Confident.
I stepped inside.Moritz looked up from several documents spread across his desk before smiling. "You came." "I hope I'm not late." "Not at all."He gestured toward the chair opposite him. "Please, have a seat." I carefully placed my folder on the table.
"Thank you for inviting me." "The pleasure is mine." He leaned back comfortably. "I've been curious about your work ever since the party." A small smile escaped me. "I brought everything." "I was hoping you would." For nearly two hours, we discussed my business. I showed him sketches I'd drawn months ago. Crochet bouquets that would never wilt. Handmade plush toys. Blankets.
Seasonal collections.Packaging ideas.
Future plans. Unlike most people...
He never interrupted. He simply listened.
Occasionally asking thoughtful questions that made me think even harder about the future I wanted to build. Finally, he folded his hands together. "You've planned much further ahead than most people starting a business." "I've had a lot of time to dream."
"And now?" I looked down at my notebook.
"Now I just need the chance." He smiled faintly. "No." I blinked. "You need a plan."
He stood before walking toward a large whiteboard mounted against the wall. "Money helps." He drew several lines across the board. "But money disappears."
Another line. "A strong business survives."
For the next hour, he explained things I'd never considered.
Budget allocation.
Supplier negotiations.
Brand identity.
Customer trust.
Marketing.
Expansion.
I filled page after page with notes. When he finally finished, my notebook was nearly full.
"I had no idea there was so much to learn." "There always is." He returned to his desk before opening a drawer. "I'd also like to support your first collection." He slid a neatly prepared envelope across the table. I stared at it. "What's this?" "Initial funding." My eyes widened. "I... I can't accept this." "You can."
He smiled calmly. "Think of it as an investment in potential." I looked from the envelope to him. "I don't know how to thank you." "You don't have to." The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard. For the first time in a long while...The future didn't feel impossible.
By the time our meeting ended, darkness had settled over the city. As we stepped into the lobby together, Moritz glanced outside.
"It's late." I nodded. "I'll call a cab." Unfortunately every ride I requested was unavailable. I frowned at my phone. "Nothing?" I sighed. "Apparently not." Moritz slipped his hands into his coat pockets.
"I'll drive you home." "Oh, no." I immediately shook my head. "I couldn't possibly trouble you." "It's no trouble." "I'll just walk until I find a taxi." He looked toward the nearly empty street before returning his gaze to me. "I'd rather know you reached home safely."
For a moment, I hesitated. Then I smiled.
"All right." The drive home was surprisingly quiet. The city lights blurred past the windows while soft music played through the speakers. Neither of us spoke much.
Some silences didn't need filling. When his car stopped outside my house, I gathered my folder and turned toward him. "Thank you." all could i say. He smiled politely.
"Good luck, Aurora." I stepped out of the car with one last grateful smile. As the vehicle disappeared down the street, I looked at the folder in my hands.
Tonight It felt as though someone had finally opened a door I'd spent years trying to unlock.
I just hoped...
I was walking through the right one.