Chapter 3: Got the job

The orange hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the modest but neatly maintained apartment complex where Hema lived. Located a little away from the city’s bustling heart, the area was quiet and filled with the sounds of everyday life—a barking dog, children playing in the distance, and the occasional chime of a bicycle bell. It was the perfect haven for someone like Hema, who valued simplicity and peace.

As she walked through the narrow alley that led to her apartment, her heart raced with excitement. The crisp confirmation message on her phone that she had been hired at ZN Corporations felt surreal. She couldn’t stop glancing at it, the words “Welcome to ZN Corporations” lighting up her entire being.

Hema adjusted her bag over her shoulder, her steps quick and lively despite the long day. The slight ache in her feet from walking in heels all day didn’t matter anymore. She paused briefly at the entrance of the three-story apartment building, her eyes automatically drifting to the second-floor balcony where her grandmother’s plants flourished in a riot of green.

Inside the apartment, the faint smell of spices wafted through the air. The kitchen window was open, letting in the cool evening breeze. As soon as she stepped in, she spotted her grandmother by the stove, humming an old tune as she stirred something fragrant in the pot.

“Dadi!” Hema called out, setting her bag on the table by the door.

Her grandmother, a petite woman with soft, wrinkled features, turned to look at her with a smile. “Hema, you’re back! How was the interview?”

For a moment, Hema couldn’t find her words. Her chest swelled with pride and excitement. Finally, she grinned wide, holding up her phone. “I got the job, Dadi! I got it!”

Her grandmother’s face lit up with joy. She turned off the stove and came to hug Hema tightly. “Oh, my darling! I knew you could do it. I told you, didn’t I? Hard work always pays off!”

Tears prickled Hema’s eyes as she hugged her grandmother back. “Thank you, Dadi.”

Her grandmother pulled back, cupping Hema’s face in her hands. “You’ve made me so proud. Look at you—my smart, ambitious girl. ZN Corporations is lucky to have you.”

“ yeah, they are so lucky” replied whit a sly smile.

Hema laughed softly “I hope I can live up to their expectations. The CEO himself was there today, Dadi. He interviewed me. It was nerve-wracking!”

Her grandmother’s eyebrows shot up. “The CEO? That’s a big deal, isn’t it? What’s he like?”

Hema hesitated for a moment, her thoughts drifting back to Chris Zayden . His sharp gray eyes, the way he exuded authority without even trying, and the way he had looked at her during the interview—all of it had left a lasting impression.

“He’s… arrogant ,” she admitted finally. “But also very sharp and focused. You can tell he doesn’t tolerate anything less than perfection.”

Her grandmother nodded thoughtfully. “Well, then you’ll have to show him that you’re up to the task. I know you can.”

Hema smiled and nodded, her confidence bolstered by her grandmother’s unwavering belief in her.

Across the hallway, Hema’s childhood friend, Arvind, was lounging on the sofa in his living room, scrolling through his phone. His mother, a warm, cheerful woman with an endless supply of energy, was folding clothes nearby.

When Hema knocked on their door, Arvind called out, “Come in!” without even looking up.

She stepped inside, her excitement bubbling over. “Guess what, Arvind?”

Arvind looked up from his phone, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

“I got the job!”

For a second, he just stared at her, processing her words. Then he jumped to his feet, a grin spreading across his face. “You did it? Really?”

Hema nodded, laughing as he came over and pulled her into a tight hug. “I got the message just now. I start as a trainee tomorrow !”

“That’s amazing, Hema!” Arvind said, pulling back to look at her. “I knew you’d get it. You’ve worked so hard for this.”

His mother joined them, her face beaming with pride. “Congratulations, beta! This calls for a celebration. Arvind, go get some sweets from the shop downstairs.”

Arvind groaned. “Mom, can’t we just order something? It’s the 21st century.”

“Don’t argue. Go!” she insisted, swatting him lightly with the folded towel in her hand.

Hema laughed as Arvind reluctantly grabbed his wallet and headed out. She turned to his mother, her eyes sparkling. “I still can’t believe it. It feels like a dream.”

“It’s not a dream, dear. You’ve earned this. Now, remember, stay focused and work hard. This is just the beginning.”

Hema nodded, her resolve strengthening. “I will, Aunty. Thank you.”

Later that evening, back in her apartment, Hema sat by the window, sipping on a cup of chai. The city lights twinkled in the distance, and the sounds of the neighborhood quieted as the night deepened. She thought about everything that had led her to this moment—the countless hours spent preparing for interviews, the support of her grandmother and Arvind, and the sheer determination that had kept her going.

But as much as she was excited about the new chapter in her life, a part of her couldn’t stop thinking about Chris Zayden . His intense gaze, his sharp questions, and the way he had dismissed the other candidates with a single word—it was all so vivid in her mind.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. “Focus, Hema,” she muttered to herself.

Still, as she turned off the lights and lay down in bed, the memory of his piercing gray eyes lingered.

Next day,

Zayden leaned back in his high-backed leather chair, his eyes fixed on the large monitor mounted on the wall of his office. A live CCTV feed from the 12th-floor conference room played before him. He rarely involved himself in the details of new trainee orientations, but today, he found himself drawn to the screen.

His sharp gray eyes caught sight of a familiar figure seated among the group of trainees. It was her—the girl who had captivated his attention during the interviews. Hema Singh.

There was something different about her today. She wasn’t drenched from the rain, nor was she fidgeting nervously under his gaze. Instead, she looked calm and composed, dressed in a simple white kurta with a delicate pink border and a matching pink shawl draped over her shoulder. Her earrings, small and understated, swayed slightly as she moved her head to listen attentively to the HR manager.

She looks different-Zayden muttered to himself, tilting his head slightly.

It wasn’t just her appearance. There was an air of quiet determination about her today, a contrast to the nervous girl he had interviewed. Yet, the innocence in her eyes remained untouched.

his lips curving into a faint smirk.

“Sir?” Mark, his assistant, stepped into the office, interrupting his thoughts.

Zayden turned his chair slightly but kept his gaze on the monitor. “Prepare a performance tracking system for the trainees. I want weekly reports starting immediately.”

“Yes, sir.“