The Interview List

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Monday morning arrived with the kind of tension that made even the elevators feel quieter.

The shortlist for the mentorship programme was supposed to be released at noon.

By ten o’clock, nobody was pretending to work properly anymore.

Designers refreshed their emails every few minutes.

Tailors checked the notice board as if it might magically update itself.

Even the receptionist looked nervous.

“You look calm,” Amaka said.

Zai laughed.

“I’m acting.”

“It’s convincing.”

“Thank you.”

“My stomach has been doing backflips since morning.”

“Mine started yesterday.”

They both laughed, though neither sounded relaxed.

At exactly twelve o’clock, an email notification flashed across the studio.

Every conversation stopped.

Someone whispered, “It’s out.”

Phones came out immediately.

Zai opened the email with trembling fingers.

Shortlisted Candidates

10 selected

1. Amaka Eze

2. Daniel Ogunleye

3. Zainab Adebayo

4. Rita Hassan

5. Kelvin Obi

6. Bisi Afolayan

7. Tunde Bakare

8. Ifeoma Nwosu

9. Chika Nnamani

10. Lara Ojo

For a second, she simply stared.

Then Amaka grabbed her arm.

“We made it!”

Zai blinked.

“We made it.”

Relief washed through her so suddenly that she had to sit down.

Funke walked over with a proud smile.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“You earned it.”

The words mattered.

Especially because they came from someone who had warned her when nobody else would.

Not everyone looked happy.

Across the room, one designer closed her laptop a little too hard.

Another muttered, “Of course she made it.”

Zai pretended not to hear.

But she did.

An hour later, the shortlisted candidates were directed to the executive conference room for interview scheduling.

Adanna stood at the front beside the external consultant and the business strategist.

Raymond was nowhere in sight.

“First,” Adanna said, “congratulations.”

Her voice carried the same composed authority as always.

“Being shortlisted does not guarantee selection.”

“It means we believe you have potential worth examining further.”

She distributed interview schedules personally.

When she reached Zai, their eyes met briefly.

“Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.”

“Thank you, Ma.”

Adanna nodded and moved on.

Nothing unusual.

Nothing anyone could question.

As the meeting ended, the external consultant stopped Zai.

“You’re from Surulere, right?”

“Yes.”

“I reviewed your portfolio.”

He smiled.

“Interesting work.”

“Thank you.”

“Especially the rain-inspired concept.”

Zai frowned slightly.

That sketch had never left her desk.

Unless…

Funke had submitted copies for the competition review.

Before she could ask, the consultant was already speaking to another candidate.

That evening, Raymond was preparing to leave when his assistant entered.

“Sir, the mentorship interview schedules have been finalized.”

He took the document.

His eyes found Zai’s name almost immediately.

Wednesday. 2:30 p.m.

He set the paper down.

“Good.”

“Should I brief you on the candidates?”

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Madam is handling the process.”

“Yes, Sir.”

After the assistant left, Raymond looked at the schedule again.

For the first time since creating distance, he felt completely outside the process.

And strangely…

He wasn’t sure whether that was a relief or a disappointment.

Meanwhile, in her office, Adanna opened the final interview file.

Ten names.

Ten careers that could change.

She paused on one name.

ZAINAB ADEBAYO

Then she wrote a single question in the margin:

What happens when ambition finally gets the opportunity it has been waiting for?

She closed the file.

Wednesday would begin answering that question.

Engagement Question

Do you think being shortlisted will strengthen Zai’s confidence, or will it increase the pressure and suspicion surrounding her?

To be continued…