Chapter 1 : The Interview

Chapter 1 : The Interview

Vicky's POV

I slammed the alarm clock on my vanity after it woke me up from my slumber. With weary eyes, I woke up with a yawn and checked the time.

7:00 AM.

I grudgingly walked from my bed to the bathroom, making sure to not to wake up Aysha, my roomie.

She wasn't much of a morning person and I didn't want to be her scapegoat this morning.

After a successful mission to the bathroom, I started to get ready.

I had an interview today at one of the biggest companies in my area ; Mark&Co.

I applied for a secretary job, as I already had a history of failed office jobs in the past ; guess my bachelor's degree in Business Administration went down the drain.

So, I decided to settle for this job since the pay was worth my time and effort.

I started out with my morning skincare routine ; my cleanser, scrub, and facial soap.

After I was done, I took a shower and started to get ready for my interview.

I wanted to look my best, as this company was a very modern and high ranking company with very high stock prices.

After settling to go with a knee length lilac dress with stones embedded at the hem, I took my signature black bag and put on my white heels.

I was not much of a heels person, but I had to wear this for my interview.

Once I got the job, believe me I would be rolling into the company with flats.

After applying a small amount of makeup, I put all my documents and necessities in my bag, ready to leave.

My moving and noises must have woken Aysha up, because at this point she was sitting up on her bed, with her hair like a bird's nest.

"Morning Mama bird". I said to her, pointing at the masterpiece on her head.

Ignoring my teasing, she greeted me.

"Have a good interview, I'm sure you'll nail it".

"Remember to not get nervous when they drill you okay?", she said.

"Yes Mama bird", I said before leaving the house.

I got out of the house and boarded a taxi and headed for Mark&Co.

Looking at my watch, I realised I was 5 minutes late.

"Shit, shit shit", I cursed to myself as I made my way to the interview room. It was a Monday, therefore the company was crowded as usual.

I managed to get my way through the crowd as I tried to get to the elevator.

I had successfully reached the elevator entrance when I suddenly bumped into a hard wall ; only that it wasn't a wall but a man's chest.

The impact caused me to fall on my butt, and sent my bag flying with my documents.

"Watch it lady", The man said with a deep and husky voice.

"Why don't YOU watch it mister?"

"Hmmph!", I said without looking at him.

I hurried to pack my scattered documents on the floor, dusted my dress and was ready to move when a finger poked my forehead and prevented me from moving.

I was forced to meet two brown eyes, which had a hint of curiosity and annoyance behind them.

I had never looked a man straight in the eye for God knows how long, so this moment felt like slow motion to me.

I used that opportunity to take in the sight of the man who was before me.

He was bent to my height, from the looks of it, he was about 6'1 while I was 5'6.

I looked so small compared to him, although I was a bit chubby in appearance.

He had a perfect nose with a chiseled jaw line and full eyebrows.

His hair was matte black and was a bit messy but still presentable.

He was dressed in a white dress shirt and black pants with dress shoes that gave off a semi-casual vibe.

Coming back to reality, I remembered my interview and I slapped his finger away from my forehead and glared at him for touching me without my permission.

With my documents in my hands, I scurried to the elevator.

Taking one last glance at the man who was probably dumfounded by now, I said to him ;

"Don't think I forgave you mister, now bye!."

"And I hope we don't meet again", I said as I clicked on the elevator button.

I could swear I saw a hint of amusement on his face but I didn't bother to spare him a glance.

Luckily the interview had just begun when I arrived and it was almost my turn.

_____________

The interview was almost done when the judges said they needed to ask one more crucial question.

One of the female interviewers looked up at me and smiled before speaking.

"Miss Smith, may we ask if you know how to do basic house chores?"

"Like cooking, cleaning, and whatnot?"

I was bewildered at this, because the last time I checked, this wasn't a question asked at a secretary interview.

I then looked around to make sure that I wasn't at a nanny or housekeeping interview.

The interviewers must have realised this, because they said ;

"Don't worry, miss Smith."

"The CEO isn't very familiar with house work and he lives alone currently."

"He may need a hand in the kitchen sometime."

"Wait, did you say the CEO?".

"I didn't know that I was going to work for THE CEO of Mark&Co!!"

"I thought it was a regular share holder who didn't matter that much in the company".

"Now that you mentioned the CEO, I'm starting to get a bit scared."

"I heard he fires his secretaries every week".

"I don't want to work for 1 week and then start looking for another job next week", I said honestly.

I had seen rumors online about how harsh and wicked the CEO was, and now I just walked into the lion's den.

They all laughed and said it was just a groundless rumor and that the CEO was one of the kindest bosses they knew.

I wasn't fully satisfied with their response, but I had no choice but to say yes. I really needed this job and I wouldn't have a problem scrubbing a tile or two at the CEO's house.

After 5 minutes, I was done and they said they'd contact me if I got the job.

I then said my goodbyes and left the building.

I made my way to a convenience store right across the company to get a few stuffs that I'd need for the weekend. Aysha and I didn't go shopping last week, so the house was pretty much empty. She must have been starving by now.

After getting groceries and necessities, I walked into the cookies and chocolates isle for a treat when I saw my one time favourite chocolate chip cookies.

"Nothing beats choco cookies on a warm day", I said to myself as I stretched my hand to get it from a shelf that was slightly taller than me.

Within 5 seconds of struggling, I realised that I wasn't gonna get the cookies because it was on a higher shelf and that was the last pack on the shelf.

"I need to get it before someone else does", I thought to myself.

Before I could think of a solution, a masculine hand emerged above me and took the cookies.

I turned around to get the cookies back but I was faced with someone's chest.

I looked up and saw the same man that I bumped into earlier today at the company.

"I knew that dress looked familiar", he said.

"Excuse me mister, I thought I said we shouldn't meet again", I said in annoyance but he smirked at my response.

"Scratch that, may I have my cookies sir?", I said, trying to sound as nice as I could, although one could literally see smoke coming out of my ears due to annoyance.

He only laughed at my question, making me more annoyed.

"I saw it first and that is the last pack on the shelf", I said, a bit too loudly for other customers to hear, which made me feel embarrassed.

He must have seen how embarrassed I was, because he started to tease me.

"Why should YOU get it when it's in MY possession?", the obnoxious man said.

"Ugh, You know what, you can have it", I said in defeat as I tried to make my way to the checkout table.

I didn't want to see this man again.

I once heard that if you met a stranger three times, you both were meant to be.

I clearly didn't want to be with this idiot before me, he was so annoying and was getting on my nerves so bad that I wanted to punch him in the face. Hopefully, this was the last time I would see him again.

After checking out my groceries, I turned to my heels, ready to leave this annoying man's presence.

I was about leaving, when he called out my name.

"Victoria, wait!"