At exactly 6:35 p.m., Saturday evening , Aurelia's phone buzzed.
She opened the mail without much thought, but the moment her eyes landed on the word selected, her entire body froze.
The Montclair Group. Round 2. Monday. 11:00 a.m.
For a second, she just stared.
Then she shot up from the couch. "che cazzo— I got selected? I actually got selected!"
She laughed, half in disbelief, half in pride, pacing around the room. "Okay, calm down. Act normal. This is fine. You expected this."
A pause.
"…but this is Montclair."
That thought alone made her smile wider.
She immediately called her mother.
"Hello, Mom!"
"Aurelia? Is everything alright?" her mother asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"I got selected. Round 2. Montclair Group." Her words came out fast, unable to hide the excitement.
There was a soft silence, then warmth. "I knew it. I always knew you would reach there."
Aurelia leaned against the wall, her tone softening. "I wish you were here."
"So do I, my dear… but you know the situation."
Aurelia closed her eyes for a moment. "I know. And that's why I have to make this work."
Her mother didn't question further. She understood more than what was said.
"My blessings are always with you."
"That's enough for me."
They ended the call, but the warmth stayed.
The next morning, Aurelia woke up earlier than usual.
Instead of rushing, she walked into the kitchen and decided to cook.
Pancakes.
The smell alone made her pause. It was familiar, comforting. She poured honey over them slowly, watching it spread.
"This… this feels right," she murmured.
She took a bite and smiled instantly. "Perfect."
Another bite, softer this time.
"I could eat this every day and never complain."
For a moment, she just stood there, enjoying something simple, something hers.
Later, while walking in the garden, her phone rang again.
Unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Miss Vale, this is Mr. Martinez from Blackwood JLE."
Her steps slowed.
"I'm pleased to inform you that you have been selected for Round 2."
Aurelia stopped walking.
For a second, she didn't react.
Both.
"I… thank you," she said, her voice quieter now, more controlled.
When the call ended, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Okay… this just got serious. I think I might actually pass out." She did a small victory dance before heading to her home.
When she reached her home,she didn't waste time. She called Elena and Charlotte.
Elena picked up first, energetic as always. "You sound important. Speak."
Charlotte joined, calmer. "Something happened, didn't it?"
Aurelia grinned. "Round 2."
Elena gasped. "Which one?"
Aurelia paused just for effect. "Both."
There was a second of silence.
Then Elena almost shouted, "I KNEW IT!"
Charlotte laughed, shaking her head slightly. "That's actually impressive."
Aurelia sat down on her bed, smiling. "So obviously, I go for both, right?"
"Of course," Elena said instantly. "Why would you even think otherwise?"
Charlotte nodded. "Prepare for both, attend both, then decide. Keep your options open."
Aurelia exhaled, relieved. "Exactly. That's what I thought too."
Just then, her phone buzzed again.
"Wait, I just got the Blackwood mail. Let me check."
She opened it casually, still smiling.
Then her expression changed.
"…no way."
Elena immediately caught it. "What happened?"
Aurelia reread it. "Monday. 11:30."
A pause.
"Montclair is 11:00."
Silence dropped on the call.
Elena spoke first, slower this time. "That's not scheduling. That's sabotage."
Charlotte leaned back, thinking. "You can't make it from one to the other. Not realistically."
Aurelia ran a hand through her hair. "So my brilliant plan just died. Looks like I now understand Robert Frost situation in The road not taken poem."
Charlotte replied sarcastically. "Sis, What a great thought , so moved!"
Elena laughed but continued without hesitating. "Then choose Montclair."
Charlotte responded just as quickly. "Or choose Blackwood and secure your position first."
Aurelia sat up straighter. "Guys, don't just say names. Give me reasons."
Elena crossed her arms, voice firm. "Montclair gives you exposure no one else can. You don't just work there, you become known."
Charlotte countered calmly. "And you also become vulnerable there. One mistake and everything is public. Blackwood gives you space to grow without destroying you."
Aurelia frowned slightly. "So it's risk versus stability."
"Exactly," Charlotte said.
"And ambition versus comfort," Elena added.
Aurelia let out a small laugh. "Great. I love simple decisions."
After the call ended, the room felt quieter than before.
Aurelia opened her diary and sat down.
"Think properly."
She drew two columns.
"Montclair," she said under her breath, writing slowly.
"Pros… reputation. High-profile cases. Fast growth."
She paused, staring at the word.
"Reputation."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pen. "That's why I came here."
She continued.
"Cons… pressure. No mistakes allowed."
She let out a soft breath. "So basically, if I fail… I fail loudly."
She moved to the other side.
"Blackwood."
"Pros… stability. Structure. Less chaos."
She nodded slowly. "Safer."
Then she added,
"Cons… slower growth."
Aurelia leaned back.
"Will I be satisfied with that?"
"What TRAGIC fate I have." She said with a sigh.
She closed the diary halfway.
"If I wanted comfort… I wouldn't have left Rome."
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
She went quiet for a moment.
"…that was never the reason."
Or maybe it was part of it.
She didn't continue that thought.
Aurelia stood up and walked toward the window.
"I didn't come to California just for money."
Her voice was steady now.
"I came here for myself , to prove myself. I must do that"
To who… and why here… she didn't say.
She looked back at the diary.
"I can't try both."
A slow breath.
"But If I choose one… I might actually win. Although that will need my 200% but I can do it."
Her eyes settled.
Montclair.
A small smile formed.
"Mistakes aren't allowed there."
A pause.
"Good. I already prepared myself for no mistakes. Perfection is priority here."
She opened her laptop,
Wrote the draft, rechecked it thrice
AND
Then sent it.
Withdrawal from Blackwood JLE.
For a moment, her heart raced.
Then it settled.
"No backup needed Vale."
She nodded slightly to herself.
"That's exactly how I wanted it."
She glanced at the Montclair details again.
Monday. 11:00 a.m.
Round 2.
She closed her diary.
"This is it. The moment I prove I belong here."