01. Interview

My peaceful slumber broke as I heard the loud noise of my alarm. Frown appeared on my face as the beautiful dream I was seeing was broken too. I groaned in frustration tapping my hands around to stop the irritating sound of the alarm. I opened my eyes and looked at the time, it was 7.30am and I had no more time to sit idle.

Let me introduce myself first. I’m Nandini Martin and I have completed my graduation recently and am looking for a stable job.

I stepped down from my bed and walked to my bathroom. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and relieved myself. After that I head straight to my kitchen to get myself started on a cup of coffee. Coffee is my first love and it’s the only thing which keeps me alert and improves my mood as I wouldn't want anything to set me back today.

I lazed around for a few more while, then I had to prepare myself for my interview later in the morning. I walked back to my room with my love; my coffee still in my hands. I had no more time to waste. It’s better I start getting ready right now. I couldn’t afford getting late for the interview. I pulled open my closet and looked for something presentable. A perfect formal wear for the interview. 

Suddenly my eyes fell on a black dress. It’s the same dress which I had got with all my savings. I picked it up. "This should do." I thought as I placed it on my body. I took out my white bag which has all the necessary items a woman like me would need.

  

My interview is set to begin at eight. So, I should be able to get my hair dried before then. After I had showered and washed my hair, I dried my hair and styled it in a simple ponytail. It took forever for me to do it but it was finally done.

"I don't want to get there looking like I'm a model from a runway show." I mutter to myself before applying a little makeup which just involves a little foundation, kohl and eyeliner. I don't forget to apply my nude lipstick to finish the look. I put on my dress and I gave myself a final look before leaving.

It was past eight so I had to leave. I didn't have breakfast cause I'm a nervous wreck right now and that must have ruined my appetite. I picked up my house and car keys. I locked my door and headed downstairs to the garage to get my car. Once I was seatbelted and comfortable enough, I started driving to EJ Corporation.

Fortunately for me, EJ Corporation is not too far from my apartment. It's a Fifteen minute drive from my apartment so I have approximately fifteen more minutes to spare when I get to the company.

EJ Corporation! 

EJ Corporation is one of the top business companies of New York. I have heard that the company is run by a very young CEO. Yes, I have only heard of him. Because no one has ever seen him. You must be thinking, being the youngest CEO his photo must be everywhere but it’s not like that. He avoids gatherings or parties. He only attended mask-parties till now. So, no one has ever managed to grab his single glimpse. I have also heard that he makes every employee sign an agreement saying they wouldn't disclose about him to anyone. If they do so, then they will be jobless for all their lives.

I drove to the company and headed to the receptionists. She was looking damn busy attending the calls as she was picking up the calls one by one. She put the telephone down and looked at me, passing a formal smile to me. "Welcome to EJ Corporation, how may I help you?”

I was nervous as hell from inside but didn’t want to show it on my face. So, I tried to maintain a plain look with a small smile. Because first impressions matter. I didn’t want to show her that I was so nervous. "I'm here for an interview for the personal assistant position". I said as confidently as I could.

"Oh!!! yes, you must be, Miss Nandini Martin?"

"Yes, that’s me." I replied back with a smile.

"Wait a little. Let me pick up the call and then I'll show you where the interview will take place." she replied. I nodded and followed her into an elevator by the corner. She pressed the button to the last floor and I began to get more nervous. "I'm Lily and I must warn you that Mr. Johnson is not in a good mood this morning, not that he is ever in a good mood. Just try not to make him angry and everything will go well."

"Thanks?" It came out more like a question from me and I wasn't sure if that was supposed to boost my confidence or to make me more nervous.

We arrived at the top floor and Lily picked up the intercom to inform Mr Johnson that I was there for the interview. After the call, I was told to go in. I braced myself as I knocked on the door. 

“Come in.” I heard a seductive manly voice from inside which managed to pass a shiver through my spine. I gulped down my saliva.

I opened the door to see a man whom I will call a hot specimen. ‘Hot’ would be less for him. I wasn't prepared to grace my eyes with such homo sapien at this hour. He was just like the heroes from the books I read. I doubted this could be the reason he never made a public appearance else girls would be going gaga over him and guess what I was ogling at him instead of giving the interview forgetting my nervousness. 

But he was worth ogling for. His jaw was as sharp as a knife with light stubbles trying to cover it. I could see his muscles flexing as he typed on his laptop with a few of his white shirt’s buttons undone. He was looking so handsome in that attire. I couldn’t confirm if it’s only in white or he would look the same in every other color. I could see his tanned chest with his jet black hair messed up, just the way I like them on men.

My gaze traveled from his chest to his pinkish lips which any girl would love to kiss. I didn’t realize when I bit my lower lip. My eyes raised up to meet a pair of chocolaty brown eyes and I was lost in them for some moment. He was extremely attractive and of course intimidating.

Crap!!!

I just realized that he caught me staring at him and I also noticed a smirk appearing on his face making him look devilishly handsome. At that moment, I so wanted the ground would open and swallow me up. It was embarrassing. 

I quickly avert my eyes to the ground. And that's when I heard him speak for the first time since I walked in when it should be me greeting him. "Miss Martin, make yourself comfortable". 

Damn!!! 

His voice was sexier than his. It was enough to make me turn on. My legs started turning jelly before that only I chose to sit so as not to make myself embarrassed anymore.

"Tha… Thanks.” I stuttered to even mutter a single word. I wondered what’s awaiting for me. I was facing him and forwarded my files towards him.

"You know it's rude to stare." He uttered in a low tone but that hit me hard in the quiet room. He was still eyeing my files. I was flushed hearing him, I'm probably as red as a cherry right now.

"Okay, let’s start.” He averted his gaze to me from the file. Another shiver ran down through my spine. I tried to smile as our gazes met. “I'm quite impressed, you have graduated with a high CGPA." He bent down a little, leaning on his desk. "So, tell me why should I give this job to you? What would make you different from my previous assistants or the other applicants?"

I inhaled a deep breath as it was not time to be nervous. I needed to answer him back and I couldn’t afford messing up. I badly need this job. 

"Mr. Johnson, I haven't worked for you before but I can assure you that I am very focused on my work. I will try to complete each of your works with utter perfection. I'm also very good at multitasking and finally I'm good with people, so working as your assistant would be the perfect job for me." I ended with a smile.

"What is your current occupation?"

"I would tell you, but it's rather embarrassing." I chuckled as my cheeks flushed.

"Ms. Martin." He ran his palm through his hair brushing them back. "Nothing is more embarrassing than you walking out of my office with tears down your face." He gave a chuckle.

"You could say I was a waitress." I looked up and expected him to look away but no. 

"If I gave you this job, will you follow my guidelines accordingly?" He asked me while still staring into my eyes like before.

"Yes sir. I will do as best as I possibly can." I replied back with confidence.

"Okay, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself as I liked your confidence. You've got the job. Lily would show you your office and direct you on how things work here."

"Wait!!! I got the job?" I couldn’t believe it.

"Yes, and don't disappoint me.” I could see the amusement in his eyes seeing my outcome.

"Thank you, sir, I won't disappoint you.” I managed to utter trying to hold back the urge to stop myself from jumping out.

"Good. Be here 8am sharp, I will email you everything you need to do tomorrow morning.. All you have to do for now is to create my schedule for the week, prepare the conference room for my meetings in which you'll be there with me to write down important points.”

I nodded.  

Then he most probably called Lily and asked her not to send anyone else as he got his pick. He ended it and looked back at me. "Now Miss Martin, I have high expectations. Therefore you shouldn't break them."

"Yes, Mr. Johnson. I understand, you're a hardworking, busy CEO and have no time to be working with enuous assistants. That would cause you loss only which no businessman would like." As I finished, I was surprised with myself. I couldn’t believe that I could sound so professional like that. I was surprised I got this job this quickly and I behaved like that. I was surprised at this situation.

"Now, sweetheart, one more thing." He cleared his throat, breaking the track of my self talk.

Sweetheart!?

He addressed me as ‘sweetheart’ which made my heart race all over again. I clutched the fabrics of my skirt tightly in my grip not wanting to blush in front of him which seemed next to impossible. I looked at him waiting for him to continue.

"You need to sign this contract to complete the hiring process. It’s our policy for every employee working under me." He stood up and handed me the contract, as well as a pen. Then sat back. 

My eyes went wide looking at the file. There were easily ten pages. The countless directions, guidelines, etc. I scanned over. One caught my eye. The personal assistant must be with the CEO all the time, including business trips.

"Mr. Johnson?" I looked at him in confusion.

"Yes?" He looked up from his computer. “Any doubt?” 

"What do you mean by 'The personal assistant must be with the CEO all the time?" I shook my head, furrowing my brows in confusion at the page. I really didn’t get what that line meant.

I could see him smirking once again looking at me.