Chapter Three

The last person I ever thought I would meet here was him. The jerk from the airport. 

"What are you doing here?" we both exclaimed. I couldn't stop myself from glaring at him.

The other two members of the panel stared at us questioningly.

"I should be asking that," he tutted.

"I asked first," I spoke, folding my arms across my chest.

A smile stretched across the jerk's face. I immediately felt like smacking it off but I tried to keep my cool.

"I'm the CEO of Sheldon holdings and you are?" he cocked his head, weighing my reaction.

Fuck. Why am I so stupid? He was fucking sitting among the panel, how could I have not figured it out?

Damn. 

What do I tell him to change his thoughts? Can he just let go?

I tried not to act surprised but my facial expression already betrayed me.

"Yes? I'm waiting for you," he spoke calmly now wearing an evil smirk. It was obvious, he knew what I was thinking.

"I... I..." I was dumbfounded. I had no words left.

This can't be me. I always have words to say, I'm eloquent, fluent and... whatever it is that they always say about me.

But at this moment, my head was as blank as a plane sheet of paper.

"In.. interview.." I stuttered, finally finding my voice but I sounded like I was not sure.

Fuck, Heaven. What are you doing?

He stood up immediately with uttering a word, packing the files and folders on the table. The other two members of the panel mirrored his actions.

I stared at him bewildered. What was he doing? He was going to give me a chance, right?

"I'm afraid I cannot interview you, miss slut-finder," he looked up at me smiling mockingly. What?

"Why.. why?" I foolishly asked. 

I couldn't have asked that but I couldn't think of anything else to say other than asking him what he thought he was to refuse my interview but that was still dumb, Heaven!... He is the fucking CEO!

"No reason," he replied. "Try again next time."

My eyes followed his movements as he strutted to the door.

 He turned when he got to the door and with a smirk on his face, he said,

"And if you still apply next time, I still won't give you the job. Nevertheless, you can keep trying," he smiled and walked out of the room.

"What!? Is that it!?" I exclaimed and groaned loudly as I shut my eyes. 

What the fuck does he think he is?

"The CEO of the company with a fat salary," my subconscious whispered mockingly.

Fuck you.

I sighed and face-palmed myself.

It's all over.

I had my shoulders down as I walked out of the company in short slow strides, almost shuffling on my wedge.

I was sure I looked like shit now as people kept casting sideway glances at him. They'll never understand, who would not look like shit in this state?

 Pass the interview with my eloquence and degree, get the job, save money and move out of Elisa's house, change my wardrobe and buy lots of food. In that order. 

I thought I would have been able to make it but nature had other plans for me. That jerk!

"Hello," I heard someone greet me as I was almost at the door. 

I paid no attention and continued walking. I was not interested in any useless conversation.

"Hello, young lady,"

I bit my inner cheek and swivelled around preparing to vent my anger on the person but I bit my tongue when my eyes settled on an older woman who looked like she was in her late forties or early fifties.

She was dressed up in an expensive-looking gown and had a necklace which I couldn't take my eyes off for a moment until I brought them back to her face. In short, she looked expensive.

She wore a smile on her face that made her look familiar. Where did I know her from?

I tried to think of where I must have seen her but I failed to, so I forced a smile on my face 

"Hello, ma'am," I greeted. 

The woman chuckled. "I'm guessing that you can't recognise me?" she said and nodded.

It was my second day in London, where could she have known me from?

"I'm the lady you helped this morning, dear," My smile turned genuine as I recalled her face. "You can call me Maria. Thank you for earlier,"

"It's nice to meet you again, Maria. It's nothing," I withheld my name purposefully. I was sure we were not going to meet again. 

"What's the matter? You don't look good," she noted, her eyes studying my facial expression. 

I exhaled. "I didn't make the interview," I didn't know why I was telling a stranger this but I think I needed someone to talk to.

"Why?"

"That scumbag didn't give me a chance," I frowned and bit my lip. 

Maria laughed. "Can you come with me? I would see what I can do about your job," she told me and I raised my eyebrow questioningly. 

She chuckled. "I have a meeting with my husband, you just have to wait for me for a while," 

What? I wanted to protest but I found myself following her whilst wrestling with my thoughts. 

Why was I doing this? What if she was going to sell me?

Oh stupid.. that shit doesn't exist anymore.

We took the elevator back to the third floor but this time, as passed the room where that scumbag was to the conference room.

"Wait for me here, honey. I'll be back before you know it," she had a sweet smile on her face as she pointed at the chairs in front of the room. I have her a tight smile and sat.

An hour padded and she still was not out yet. I was beginning to lose my cool. 

I had prepared to bury my head in a large bowl of ice cream after I get home to drown my sorrows until she showed up. I thought she was going to be quick but I was wrong 

I was preparing to leave when she came out looking stressed with lines of worry etched on her forehead.

She grabbed my hand immediately, taking me by surprise.

"I have a job for you," she offered, looking into my eyes pleadingly.

I tried to smile. "what's that? Is something I can do?"

She led me into the conference room and my eyes darted around.

A jolt of fear coursed through my frame as I stared at the men sitting around the rectangular table.

They were up to thirty in the room with a hand full of women. Some had a menacing look on, while some looked impatient and others conversed in loud voices, producing sounds like that coming from a local market. 

"I apologize for taking too long," Maria spoke loudly, causing the noise to die down, their eyes now settling on the both of us.

I almost melted as I squeezed Maria's hand. What was taking too long? What was my job?

"I had to collect my daughter in-law,"

Wait. What? What in the heavens was going on?

I was aware of the confused expression my face held as I furrowed my eyebrows, casting her a questioning look. I tried to remove my hand from her grasp but she held unto my wrist tightly. How was she so strong?

"This is my daughter in-law," she pointed at me and my lips parted.

Was this the job?

"I do not understand, mother," a familiar voice barked from beside me causing me to turn.

I have not even been able to process the fact that I'm now a daughter-in-law to someone I've only known for a few hours and now that scumbag is here.

No, wait. Don't tell me it's him I'm getting married to, no this can't be happening.

I looked at Maria questioningly and she nodded, giving me a small smile.

Who the fuck was smiling with her?

I can't get married as a job and most of all, I can't MARRY HIM.