Chapter 4

CLARISSA

The queue was as I expected when I came out this morning, long, plenty of people in the line, and they all looked so confident.

I might have heard one speaking of her high qualifications, and I swear I felt like turning back. What is a college dropout looking for somewhere like this place?

I know the course that made me find my way to this place, so giving up isn't an option.

Ten of us were taken through the elevator to the third floor, where the interview was meant to take place.

Seats were already organized, and two more persons were sitting down and waiting

We all joined her and the others through their impatience asking how it has been going for those who left already.

Gosh, I can feel myself already breathing too hard, feeling the perspiration forming on my head as I stare at each one of them and I know there is no way I could get in.

“Trust me this is real and from Chanel, I mean I don't expect to wear something classless to an interview like this” one of them chuckled and then threw her face at me.

I ignored it, of course, I did, and their conversation continued.

I mean she was right anyway, I had to do a quick marathon at Target to get myself this chic blue shirt and the black jean trousers that seemed more appropriate for the interview.

After sitting around for close to 30 minutes, I was finally invited inside.

I stood up, took the small pouch I had brought with me, and dusted off my dress before walking inside.

As soon as I walked in, my feet stopped moving, it felt like I had been transfixed as my eyes couldn't stop staring at one of the interviewers seated there.

Adriel Jaime himself is in this interview.

His eyes are down as he flips through a file. He is in a black Armani suit that seems to make his shoulders broader from that day. His full concentration is down but this place screams of his presence.

“You can sit down,” the only lady here with a blue-inspired tee said to me, and I nodded before moving fast and settling down.

Gosh, I think my nerves have skyrocketed more, his face is still down as his full concentration is on what he is flipping through.

God, I hope he doesn't remember me, I hope so.

I'm a little distracted as I watch his hand flip a page, the one they move impeccably, the ease at which he sits there and the hem of his expensive suit is flipping through, and his full concentration on what he is doing.

He doesn't have to raise his chin or look this way for his handsome features to be seen. Even right now, through his dark hair that shines thick and the long arms that seem to fill that suit, you can imagine the handsomeness that only he possesses.

“Miss Miller” I raised my head trying to blink away the distraction that I had just encountered.

Gosh, why is he here? Doesn't he have a million and a half more things to do in the world than be in an interview place? Oh, God!.

“That's me” I answered the lady with the sweetest smile I could mutter.

“Umm, seeing the file you submitted there isn't a full college….”

“Oh that” I interrupted her, looking down at my feet.

Gosh, I should have just stayed at home and then come here to get reminded that I didn't finish up.

“It's a requirement, Miss Miller,” the man said.

I nodded, looking at the full table, finally, he looked up and stared at me.

There wasn't a spike of recognition on his face, instead, it was the hard plain of it, of a businessman who is here to supervise the employment of a soon-to-be employee.

“Actually umm I know it's a requirement, but I'm a hard worker, I don't sling off or snooze, and I can do my job exceedingly well.”

“The requirement cannot be ignored” I close my eyes as his deep masculine voice fills the place.

Everywhere grew silent as his voice radiated through the whole place.

“What do you have to offer if you are employed 'cause you are underqualified,” He asked me, his hands on the table, and they were gathered and staring at me.

“I umm as I said before, I'm a hard worker, and I …"

“Isn't everyone??” He interrupted me and looked around seeking assurance from the others, and they all nodded “Everyone is a hard worker Miss Miller, there must be something else you can offer” he relaxed back against the seat, his left hand to his chin.

I know what he is doing, throwing me off from answering anything. This is a skill and I must give it to him because I'm tongue-tied right now and don't know what to answer.

He raised a curl of his chin in a smirk, and I lost it.

He remembered, he remembered me from the party and is purposely throwing me because of what??

“Well I guess that ends it, you can invite the next person” He stood up, and I did the same, knowing this was the only opportunity.

“When I say I'm a hard worker I don't mean how you see it” he stopped walking out, turned around, and had an interested look pricked on his face.

“I may not be qualified, but I can take on as many tasks as possible, and I know my way around people, which should be an added benefit to you. You can check through my file and see that I worked in a library for a long time”

“This isn't library work,” he said, immediately interrupting me, also seeming amused.

“I know it isn't, but working there gave me an edge, and now I know my way around people, which I'm telling you will be super helpful”

Suddenly, a gush of confidence was thrown around and the more I kept speaking the more assured I knew I sounded.

He gave me one last look, then something passed between his eyes before he turned around.

“I think that should be all,” the lady said

I looked at them as the feeling of dejection draped over my shoulder.

Looking down, I picked up the bag I had dropped and without another word, I turned back and left the office.

God, I suddenly feel like crying or screaming, knowing fully well I have let this opportunity pass by.

“How was it??” Someone rushed towards me and asked.

One look at her, and she is turning away

“Oh, honey, do you need to ask? Just look at her face, and with that cheap target clothing, where does she think she is going??”

I could hear their laughter as I turned around and started toward the elevator with my heart dropping on my feet, knowing I am nowhere near getting this job and it hurts a lot.