One Word

"Ms. Silva" Ethan Taylor looked at Tamara questioningly as he saw her when he opened the door.

"Mr. Taylor." Tamara nodded. "I'm here to inform Mr. Ingram of the list of new applicants for the laboratory technician position. I was told to let him know if people from Hopton Research Institute will apply."

Ethan nodded in understanding. He opened the door wider and let Tamara enter. He stayed with them in the office.

"Good day Sir. Here is the list of the applicants. There are two people from Hopton Research Institute who applied for the position." Tamara said, giving the folder with the applicants' resumes. Lucas flipped through the files. "There's a Mr. Cook with managerial experience and the other is a Senior Laboratory Technician."

"I see. Let them appear for the interview. I want you to be thorough in evaluating the applicants." Lucas instructed, looking at her pointedly.

"Yes, sir. Of course." Tamara nodded.

Lucas waved his hand in dismissal. Tamara left, nodding in Ethan as she passed.

Ethan also left the room after her.

Picking up his phone, he scrolled until he found the app he was looking for. A faint smile hovered on his face.

At lunch break, Diana was putting away her things when she saw there was a missed call by Professor Kenneth Lim only 5 minutes ago. She had put her phone in silent mode so she won't be disturbed at work.

"Hey, Diana. Do you want to have lunch with us?" Kate Lane invited kindly. She and her other coworker Miriam Chudwell are friends. They are only a year older than Diana. The rest of their coworkers are at least 3 years older than them and they usually take their lunch together as well.

"Yeah, Diana. Our cafeteria has a variety of cuisines. It's like those at a buffet restaurant." Miriam quipped, smiling. Already planning what to put on her plate.

"Sure. Let me just make a call and then I'll follow you to the cafeteria." Diana agreed, smiling.

"Okay! We'll save you a seat then!" Kate waved, dragging Miriam to the cafeteria.

Diana went to the balcony near the laboratory to have some privacy and pressed a call to her professor. After three rings, Professor Kenneth Lim picked it up.

"Hello?" Prof. Kenneth said on the other line, absentmindedly. He seemed to be in the middle of a task when she called him back.

"Good day professor. Am I disturbing you?" Diana asked.

"Oh! Diana! It's you. Yeah--no, you're not disturbing me. I was just signing some papers when I picked up your call.. Hehe.. So you got the job already? That was fast! Congratulations." Prof. Kenneth said excitedly, still in disbelief at how fast Diana got the job.

"Yes. It's thanks to your recommendation." Diana thanked him humbly.

"Eh? You're very welcome.. But I don't think my recommendation alone can achieve such a result. Haha.. How I wish.. I have recommended other graduates before, but it would take at least a week until they know whether they got in or not. Even then, they would need to pass an interview and evaluation." he explained.

Diana was taken aback. She was speechless. She was so happy that she got the job right away that she thought that her professor's name must have helped.

"Even so. I'm thankful that you would even recommend me." Diana said.

"Why--of course. You're at the top of your year. It's only natural that I will recommend you. With your ability, you can achieve great success for yourself. There's no doubt about that." Prof. Kenneth said proudly.

"You flatter me, Sir." Diana chuckled, blushing.

"Speaking only the truth Diana." Prof. Kenneth said, solemnly. He would probably not forget this former student of his. She was intelligent, skilled, and eloquent. She was also humble, approachable, and kind. She didn't have that pretentious air that some people have when they think they're above others and yet they also want to be seen as saints. She was different. She didn't go out of her way to make the teachers impressed with her. She didn't do things she didn't want to do so her teachers would approve of her. They just are. She was just being herself, her brilliant self. That any teacher would forever be proud of her and would like to claim credit as to how she turned out. Sometimes they wonder whether or not she's actually A.I. Because of how perfect she seemed.

Diana thanked him once more and bid farewell.

She had a nagging feeling that someone played a part in her fast acceptance of the job. She had just sent them the resume and one hour later, she already received the call from them. It was as if they were waiting for her to send in her resume. It was definitely suspicious.

On the contrary, she thought that because of what happened at Hopton Research Institute, others would be wary of her. She didn't expect that she would get accepted into the biggest Research Institute instead. Lady luck has been on her side this time.

She wondered if it has something to do with Lucas, but dismissed the idea since he never contacted her. It could be just a coincidence.

Shaking the thought off, she headed to the elevator to go to the cafeteria. Her phone beeped. She opened it while waiting for the elevator's door to open.

She opened the Chatify app. There was a message by Ingram_Lucas.

'Hi.'

It was just one word. Diana stared at it for what felt like forever. 'That's it?'

They haven't messaged each other since then and the first message he'd sent is this. One word.

Just then, the elevator's door opened and snapped her out of her daze.

There inside the elevator is a tall man dressed in a slim-fitting blue herringbone check suit that has stylish gold contrast lining, one hand in his pocket. Beside him is a man who is almost the same height as him, and wearing a grey suit, and holding a suitcase.

'It's him!'

Diana gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock.

At that moment, she may have looked silly with her mouth open, eyes widened and brows knitted together.