Chapter 4

Elarie held Daniel’s hand tightly as they walked through the mall. The chatter of people surrounded them as they made their way toward the clothing store. Today was an important day. She needed to find formal clothes for her upcoming job interview at Scott Corporation.

Daniel bounced beside her as he darted his gaze from shop to shop. “Mommy, are we getting something special today?” he asked.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Elarie replied. “Mommy has an important job interview on Saturday. So I need to find the right clothes for it.”

Daniel tilted his head, pondering her words as they entered the store. He watched as Elarie picked out a few blouses and skirts, holding them up and examining them in the mirror. “Are those clothes for superheroes, Mommy?” he asked innocently.

Elarie chuckled, shaking her head. “No, love, just clothes to help Mommy get a good job. But I guess it’s kind of like a superhero mission.” She bent down, smoothing his hair. “If I do well, it means I can take better care of you. So, in a way, maybe it is a bit like being a superhero.”

Satisfied with her explanation, Daniel grinned and went back to fidgeting with the Rubik’s cube she had bought him. While Elarie tried on the clothes, he continued to twist the colorful blocks, occasionally showing her his progress.

After a while, she settled on a modest yet professional outfit. It was a simple navy-blue blouse and black slacks. It wasn’t expensive, but it made her feel confident. And that’s what she needed most right now.

The next few days flew by in a blur. Finally, the morning of her interview arrived. And since there was no school, Elarie decided to bring Daniel with her to Scott Corporation. As they stood at the door of their apartment, Daniel tugged on her sleeve.

“Good luck, Mommy!” Daniel cheered as he stood on his tiptoes to kiss her cheek. “You’re going to do great!”

Elarie smiled down at him. “Thank you, baby. I’m going to try my best.”

They arrived at Scott Corporation, an imposing skyscraper in the heart of the city. Elarie’s heart raced as they entered the lobby. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor. Daniel looked up at the towering ceilings and the large reception desk with wide eyes. His little fingers were still fidgeting with the Rubik’s cube in his hand.

“I’ll be right back, okay?” Elarie told him, kneeling down to meet his eyes. “You stay right here in the lobby and wait for Mommy. You’ve got your Rubik’s cube to keep you busy.”

Daniel nodded. “I’ll be fine, Mommy. I’ll solve it again!”

With one last smile and a quick kiss on his forehead, Elarie straightened up and walked toward the elevators, trying to keep her nerves in check. This was her chance. And she couldn’t afford to blow it.

The interview went by in a blur of questions and answers. Elarie did her best to stay composed. She answered as confidently as she could.

When she stepped back into the lobby, Daniel looked up from where he had been sitting. His face immediately brightened when he saw her.

“Mommy!” He ran toward her. He wrapped his arms around her waist, then he looked up. “How was it?”

Elarie opened her mouth to respond. But the words got stuck in her throat. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to tell him how unsure she felt. But then, a smile broke through her uncertainty as she looked down at her son.

“I passed, Daniel! Mommy passed the initial interview!”

Daniel’s face lit up in pure joy. He jumped up and down, clapping his hands. “You did it, Mommy! You did it!”

They hugged each other tightly. Their laughter echoed in the grand lobby of the building. “Ice cream! I promised I’d get you ice cream if I passed, didn’t I?” Elarie said.

They left the building hand in hand, heading toward the nearest ice cream shop to celebrate.

***

Three days later, Elarie received a phone call. She had been invited back for the final interview at Scott Corporation. The position was within her reach. All she had to do was to do her best to secure it 

The morning of the final interview…

Elarie sent Daniel off to school with a quick hug and kiss, telling him she’d pick him up right after. Then she made her way to the company.

As she stepped into the waiting area, she noticed the other applicants seated around her. They were all dressed in immaculate, expensive suits, far fancier than her simple blouse and skirt. She tried not to let it bother her, but she could hear their whispers.

“Did you see her clothes?” one of the women murmured to another. “Doesn’t she know this is a final interview? We’re meeting the CEO today.”

Elarie’s stomach twisted with anxiety. 

The CEO? 

She hadn’t realized she would be interviewed by Danreb Scott himself. She had heard of him, of course. The man was a titan in the corporate world. He was successful, powerful, and notoriously intimidating. Her fingers trembled as she discreetly searched for his name on her phone, pulling up images and articles about him.

Danreb Scott was every bit as imposing as she feared. His sharp features, cold gaze, and commanding presence exuded dominance. Elarie swallowed hard as she read about his reputation, demanding, tough, and not easily impressed.

She glanced down at her outfit again, suddenly feeling painfully out of place. The other applicants looked polished and professional, while she felt like an imposter. But then, she thought of Daniel, his smile, his faith in her, and she knew she couldn’t back down. She had to do this for him. No matter how intimidating the CEO was, she would give it everything she had.

An hour passed before her name was finally called. Elarie stood up. Her heart pounded. She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt. As she approached the door to the conference room, cold beads of sweat formed on her forehead, but she steeled herself. She couldn’t afford to let her nerves win.

The door swung open. Elarie stepped inside. Her breath got caught in her throat as her eyes met Danreb Scott’s cold, piercing gaze. He sat at the head of the long conference table. His fingers were laced together as he watched her enter with a detached, analytical expression.

“Ms. Newton,” he called. “Take a seat.”

Elarie’s hands shook slightly as she pulled out the chair and sat down across from him. The room felt heavy with tension as his gaze bore into her, as though he could see through her very soul. But she had to stay strong. For Daniel, she couldn’t let this moment defeat her.

“Let’s begin,” Danreb said. His voice was as cold as his gaze.