A Step Forward

Before I went to bed, Jace gave me the contact information for Smithing and Co. company. He told me to call the CEO, as they were close friends from their time together in Spain.

I called the CEO before bed, and as we spoke, he asked for my name.

"Okay, what is your name?" he asked.

"My name is Eunice Splendor Jonathan," I replied.

"Ah, Eunice Splendor," he repeated.

"Yes, that's correct," I said.

"Is there any problem, sir?" I asked.

"No, no problem," he said. "It's just that the name sounds familiar."

"As if... eh... I've... well, yeah... whatever. You're not the only one with that name, Eunice. Just forget about it."

"Tomorrow, you will come by, eh... by eight o'clock. Don't be late," he instructed.

"My secretary resigned yesterday, and I'm looking for a new secretary. I hope you pass the test."

"Yes, sir. I will make sure I pass the test. I will make sure I won't fail you."

"I will be right on time, by eight o'clock, like you said."

"Okay, good night," he said.

"Good night, sir," I replied.

I smiled and hung up. When I looked at the bed, Jace was already lying down, apparently asleep. I lay down beside him.

The next morning, I woke up late and felt rushed. I was supposed to meet with the CEO, but I was running behind schedule. I arrived at the company thirty minutes late, feeling flustered.

As I entered the CEO's office, I apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry, sir. I'm late."

The CEO looked up, seemingly unimpressed.

"Ah, Mrs Eunice, you're late."

"I'm deeply sorry, sir," I repeated.

He waved his hand dismissively.

"It's okay, it's okay. You can sit down."

I sat, placing my purse on my lap.

The CEO studied me intently.

"Your face looks familiar to me."

I smiled politely. "I don't think we've met before, sir."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Maybe many people have similar faces. Perhaps I'm mistaking you for someone else."

I nodded. "That's possible, sir."

The CEO leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine.

"Eunice can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, sir."

"Can you tell me the name of your father-in-law?" he asked, his tone neutral.

I felt a surge of unease. Why was he asking about my father-in-law?

"His name is Alison James," I replied.

The CEO's eyes widened slightly.

"Ah, yes... his son is... Jace, I met him in spin"

My heart skipped a beat.

"Yes, that's my husband."

The CEO smiled warmly.

"Now that we've established the connection, let's get down to business. Miss Eunice, can you tell me what motivated you to apply for this secretary position?"

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with a reputable company like Smithing and Co.," I replied.

"My organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities make me a strong candidate for this role."

The CEO nodded, taking notes.

"That's impressive. How would you handle confidential or sensitive information in the workplace?"

"I understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality," I said.

"I would ensure that all sensitive information is handled with care, and I would only share it with authorized personnel."

The CEO looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"What do you think sets you apart from other candidates, Miss Eunice?"

"I believe my unique blend of administrative experience and technical skills sets me apart," I replied confidently. "Additionally, my strong work ethic and ability to learn quickly will enable me to make a positive impact at Smithing and Co."

The CEO nodded thoughtfully. after all the questions and answers, I was wondering if I will get the job cos my heart was beating so fast, he take a look at my files the CEO beamed with a warm smile.

"Wow, nice, Mrs Eunice. Well, congratulations... you get the job!"

I was taken aback, surprised by the sudden offer.

"Really, sir? Thank you so much! you won't regret this" I exclaimed, trying to contain my excitement.

The CEO chuckled.

"You're welcome, Mrs Eunice. I think you'll be a fantastic addition to our team. We'll discuss the details of your employment, including salary and benefits, with our HR department. But for now, let's just say... welcome to Smithing and Co.!"

I left the CEO's office feeling elated and relieved. I couldn't wait to share the news with Jace. As I walked out of the building, I pulled out my phone and dialed his number.

"Hey, how did it go?" Jace asked, answering on the first ring.

"I got the job!" I exclaimed, barely containing my excitement.

Jace let out a whoop of excitement. "That's amazing, Eunice! I knew you'd nail it. When do you start?"

"I'm not sure yet," I replied. "The CEO said they'd discuss the details with HR, but I'm assuming it'll be soon."

Jace congratulated me again, and we chatted for a bit longer before he had to go. I hung up the phone, feeling grateful for his support and encouragement.

As I walked home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had faced my fears and doubts, and I had come out on top.

When I got back home, I did a few chores and took a nap. When I woke up, it was already time for Darna's dismissal from school. I rushed to her school, worried that I might be late.

When I arrived, I was greeted with some disturbing news. Her teacher told me that Darna had hurt her leg while playing with the other kids.

I rushed to the school clinic and found Darna with her leg bandaged. "Oh, baby, what happened?" I asked, concern etched on my face.

"Mummy, Michael pushed me when I was running, and I fell down and hurt myself," Darna explained, her voice trembling.

I gasped, shocked by the news. "Oh my God, that's terrible."

One of the teachers, who was taking care of Darna in the clinic, spoke up. "The kid is a bully. I scolded him, and I'm sure he won't be doing it again."

I apologized to Darna, feeling guilty for not being there to protect her. "Baby, I'm so sorry."

I carefully lifted her into my arms, and the teacher handed me her backpack and lunch bag.

We headed home, Darna's head resting on my shoulder as I carried her. She was quiet, still in pain from her injury. I tried to comfort her, speaking softly and reassuring her that everything would be okay.

As we walked, I couldn't help but think about Michael, the boy who had pushed Darna. I felt a surge of anger and frustration, but I knew I had to remain calm for Darna's sake.

When we arrived home, I settled Darna onto the couch and went to get her an ice pack for her leg. Jace was in the living room, working on his laptop, his so mysterious, nobody knows when he leaves and when he returns. he looked up with concern.

"What happened?" he asked, immediately noticing Darna's bandaged leg.

I filled him in on what had happened at school, and he listened intently, his expression growing more serious by the minute.

When I finished explaining, Jace got up and walked over to Darna.

"Hey, baby, I'm so sorry this happened to you," he said, his voice soft and comforting.

Darna smiled weakly, clearly still in pain.

"Daddy, I'm okay," she said, trying to reassure him.

Jace looked at me, his eyes filled with concern.

"But I'm going to have a talk with the school about this Michael kid, not with my precious daughter."