It was shaped like a flower, with a bright blue stone at its center. She said it had belonged to her mother and was considered a symbol of good luck. I tried to refuse, but she insisted, smiling softly before disappearing through the door.
I stood there for a long time, holding the brooch, wondering if I’d done the right thing.
The next morning, my manager reviewed security footage and questioned my actions. Despite my explanation, he focused only on policy and decided to let me go. I left the bookstore carrying my belongings and the small silver brooch in my pocket, unsure of what came next.
A week later, I wore the brooch to a job interview at an architectural firm, hoping to start over. Midway through the conversation, the hiring manager noticed it and asked about its origin. When I told her the story, she led me to meet the firm’s owner.
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