Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Can you stop that?”

The woman beside me captured my attention when she suddenly said that. Annoyance was painted all over her face. I did not answer anymore and stopped tapping the floor with my foot. I often do this whenever I am nervous. It's already a mannerism of mine ever since. Instead, I heaved a light breath to calm myself.

There are many of us lined up outside the office of the company's CEO. I swear, I am not confident that I will be hired with my small credentials.

“I graduated as a Magna Cum Laude,” I heard the others say. They were all bragging since I arrived here; it intimidates me even more. I have nothing compared to them. I did not graduate college as I am just an undergrad. I did not even become a Dean's Lister during college—I was just the average type of a student. While them, their credentials are gold and piling up.

Really? Why are you here, Dahlia? I shut my eyes firmly.

“What's taking so long? No one is being called yet.” One of the applicants said.

“Excuse me, are you all the applicants for the secretary position?” A woman arrived, asked. Judging by her looks, I can say that she's an employee here.

“Yes, we are.” I replied.

She sighed with disappointment and bit her lips. I can predict that there is bad news for all of us.

“I am the current secretary and I will be leaving after one of you is hired. However, this day is not really a good day for Mr. Cohen—I swear. I don't know if he will come here today. I'm sorry, I guess no one informed all of you.”

“What?”

“We waited here for so long,”

“We waited for nothing,”

I heaved a heavy sigh after hearing that while all of them were complaining.

“I'm really sorry for th—Mr. Cohen!” They all turned silent after a man just arrived in a black suit. It was just a few seconds but I was able to see his face. He was indeed handsome, but he looked cold and tough, which scares me a little. He walked towards his office without even giving any of us an eye.

“The interview will start,” the secretary delightedly announced, which relieved all of us.

So, I waited for an hour with my entire body feeling cold. I don't even know if I can pass the interview. At least, I'm trying, right?

“I heard, today is the death anniversary of Mr. Cohen's dead fiancé.” My eyes simply shifted to the women beside me, gossiping.

He had a fiancé who's now dead? I tilted my head. I cannot imagine how much pain he carries.

“Yeah, the designer, Celeste Veran.” I raised my brows. I have no idea about who she is.

“Maybe that was the reason why the secretary told us earlier that he might not come.”

“Definitely. It is a surprise that he still went to work beyond this day.”

“Have you seen his ex fiancé?”

“No. Actually, many are not familiar with her face.”

I shook my head. I guess they do love gossip.

“Everyone, it's already lunch break. For those who are not yet interviewed, you have to go back here after lunch, around 1 pm.” I heard how many of us sighed after hearing that. I lazily grabbed my bag along with my white folder where my résumé is inside before I headed out to eat lunch.

In the elevator, I checked my money inside my wallet. All I could do was to sigh. If I don't get a job sooner, I'll be found on the side of the road, becoming a beggar. The landlady of my place will probably kick me out at this point.

“I guess I'll have just rice,” I mumbled as soon as I came out of the elevator.

My phone rang and I saw Charlotte calling.

“Hey,”

“What's with the low tone? Aren't you hired?” She asked.

Charlotte Salvador, my rich best friend. She owns a company after her father passed down the throne.

“Not really, but I guess I'm expecting that to happen.”

“You're being negative. What if you get hired, right? We never know, Dahlia.” I smirked and just sighed.

“I hope so,”

“Anyway, where are you? I'm actually here in the company’s cafeteria. Have you eaten your lunch?”

My eyes widened and shone immediately after hearing that. It's because I know that Charlotte will treat me again and I can save up until I get a proper job.

“I'm on my way!” She just filled up my energy again.

“Dahlia!” Charlotte exclaimed from a far and waved her hand. I saw multiple foods already served on the table.

“It’s a good thing that you came. I'm running out of money,” I uttered and sighed heavily.

“You know that I got you,” she simply winked at me.

“Anyway, I'll be back there. I haven't been interviewed yet,” I mentioned.

“Then, dig in now.” She said and started to eat.

Right after lunch, I went back upstairs while Charlotte left immediately for a meeting.

“Number 38?” The secretary called aloud.

“It's me!” I stood up immediately. Finally.

“You can now go inside,” she didn't even glance at me anymore because of busyness. I guess if I get hired here, I'll be as busy as her.

I heaved a sigh before I opened the door and invaded the room. I can smell a man’s perfume, which is probably my boss’.

“G-Good afternoon, Mr. Cohen.” I greeted nervously.

My d*mn hands are shaking for god’s sake.

He was busy reading out a lot of papers on the desk while he was not yet giving me an eye. I was only standing in front of him, and couldn't even move a bit. I just want to finish this whatever the result would be.

My brows crossed when he extended his hand as if he's asking me to give him something. It took a second before I realized that he was pertaining to my résumé.

“Here,” I said and handed it to him.

When he opened the folder, my heart almost left my chest. I almost trembled when he suddenly glanced at me with those surprised eyes of his. His lips parted as he looked at me, as if I was a ghost that he suddenly saw. Confusion was definitely all over my face right now.

“I-Is there something wrong?” I couldn't help but ask.

I kept my feet glued on the ground when he began to walk towards me, wearing that shocked face. As I stared at him, I saw how those brown eyes were about to throw water. Slowly, the upheaval of torturous was painted all over him.

“Mr. Cohen, is everything fi—”

I wasn't able to finish my words when he suddenly embraced me, saying no words. He just hugged me so tight that I could not breathe properly—as if he didn't want to lose me. I even felt his hand, brushing the back of my hair and all I could do was to widen my eyes.

What the hell is going on?

“Celeste,” I heard him mumble.

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