Catherine opened the door, and a mischievous breeze burst into the office, which immediately ruffled her hair and blew the tulle on the windows with a sail. The girl hesitated on the threshold, holding the hem of her dress. In the first instant, three pairs of eyes simultaneously stared at her and, without hesitation, began to examine, then the men looked at each other in bewilderment. Enzo, who had almost been lying in his chair before, straightened up and, turning to his friends, quietly said: "This is already curious." Even Arno raised an eyebrow in surprise. But Maxim's mouth parted in amazement, his eyebrows involuntarily crawled onto his forehead, the coldness and arrogance on his face gave way to confusion. But he came to his senses in time: he pursed his lips, crossed his arms over his chest and looked suspiciously at his friends, wondering if this was not their stupid joke. But they themselves looked discouraged.

"I need this job!" Katya repeated, like a mantra, and confidently walked from her hip to the huge table, noting for herself who was where. It was easy. For the past few days, all she has done is collect information about the Compi-Max company, read the business magazines Echo and Expansion - all issues over the past year, which covered in detail the life of each of this inseparable trinity. Near the open window stood Maxime Bigard-Montpier. She had studied his photographs with particular care; she knew every feature of his face, the mole near his upper lip, the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that appeared when he smiled; and his light gray eyes, framed by thick black eyelashes, fascinated.

Mentally gave herself a slap on the back of the head and looked away from the slightly surprised face of the CEO. Found through the eyes of Arno Bensalam. The man smiled kindly at her.

"Sit down," he suggested, pointing to a chair opposite the chairs. “Here you will be comfortable.

— What can you tell about yourself? asked his neighbor, Enzo Masnada, carefully examining the girl. - In what area are you an expert?

My name is Catherine Velber. I am twenty two years old. This year I completed my studies at the university. Graduated with a degree in Applied Arts and Design. She thought for a moment and added, “With honors. I work in architecture and interior design.

What do you know about our firm? Arno asked, nodding his head to some of his thoughts, finally beginning to understand the purpose of the visit.

— "Compi-Max" is the largest company in the field of high technologies, it occupies a leading position among manufacturers of computer equipment. Producing almost all kinds of devices, from printers to portable computers, she repeated the excerpt from the magazine by heart.

Why did you decide to look for a job with us? Maxim asked, coming out from behind the girl and stopping near Enzo's chair.

- It was Monsieur Bochard's recommendation - to apply to your firm for a job. - The girl immediately felt an unbearable desire to scratch her nose ... her ear, and at the same time her neck. — It became known to me that in the near future your company plans to convert the whole floor into an office.

How do you know Clement Bochard? Maxim asked again, meeting Arno's disapproving gaze and raising his eyebrow meaningfully.

“I was remodeling a studio for his twelve-year-old daughter. - She still could not resist and scratched the tip of her nose, as it seemed to her, completely unnoticed by those present.

- Good. Maxim's gaze turned cold and prickly. “Why did you even decide that you would suit us?”

Can I show you my work? Katrin asked timidly and, without waiting for an answer, she began to get folders out of her bag.

- You just graduated from high school. You have no experience in this area - this was not a question, but a statement. Maxim pursed his lips, becoming more and more annoyed at the fact that he was wasting his precious time. "I still should have let Arno conduct the interview in his office." - What can you offer us? He smiled condescendingly: “Show me how rich your imagination is?” Well, we are not interested in 3D projects, where everything was done for you by a computer and a special program. We are only interested in projects of implemented objects.

I have a portfolio of interior design and architectural planning work with me. In it you will find functional planning solutions, sketch ideas, style selection, author's ideas. Katya rose from her chair and politely handed the folder to Arnaud Bensalam, ignoring the CEO's outstretched hand, and didn't notice Enzo grinning. — I started to collect it during my studies: this is practice and work in the summer months, completed orders from individuals during my studies. You can get acquainted with 3D-projects of the interiors of apartments, houses and cottages, offices and commercial premises, as well as here you will find photos of completed objects. I did the shooting myself, so I ask you to make allowance for the fact that I am an amateur, not a professional.

— What else do you have? Enzo asked, craning his neck and looking at the rolled sheets in the girl's hands.

- And here are my own ideas printed on the printer, how you can beat the space.

- Really curious! Arno said quietly, leafing through the girl's portfolio.

And then questions rained down one after another: tell us about your achievements; what is your dream job? why do you think you are worthy of this position (this was asked by Arnaud Bensalam); your marital status; how far do you live from the office, will it prevent you from coming to work on time (these questions were of interest to Enzo Masnada).

Katrin only had time to turn her head and alternately answer one or the other director. Maxim Bigar did not participate in the interview, he went to his desk and sank into an armchair, from where he watched what was happening with a bored look.

Door opened. A gust of wind scattered sheets of paper from the table. The girl rushed to catch them in the office. And three respectable men watched her actions with interest.

- Sorry! the secretary said in an indifferent tone. She swam over to the table and carefully set down the tray of tea utensils. On the way, she casually brushed away the sheet of paper, as if from a bored fly, thereby sending it under the table near the far window. With a smile on duty, she arranged the cups and poured tea. She went to the open window and closed it, shifted her languid gaze to the general director and asked: - Will you still need me?

- No thanks. You can be free, she answered politely.

The smell of expensive tea with lemon balm floated through the office. Katrin followed the girl with her eyes, bent down and picked up a few more sheets from the floor. "Well, who asked me to pull them all out of the files?" It was already clear that the mission - to show oneself from the best side - failed miserably.

“And in general, the whole idea was stupid! I imagined who knows what about myself. And most importantly, I believed that it could turn out. And what was the result?” I lifted the sheet and saw a few more under the table. “It just couldn’t be worse!”

Without thinking, she crawled under the table. I heard Enzo switch to Italian and joke quietly about keeping your knees together just in case, you never know. Maxim's restrained laughter and the delicate coughing of Arno, who nevertheless crossed his legs, were heard.

Katya rolled her eyes in horror and stood up abruptly. She hit her head on the countertop, spilling her tea from the cups. Also, squatting, looked at the table. On it lay tea-drenched projects that she had previously distributed to the directors.

There was grave silence.

"Worse - it can still be!"