SECOND ENCOUNTER; REVELATION

   Guess what Hazel? I have a better job for you. 

   I woke up and smiled at the voice of the lady that shouted that statement.

   The last fifteen months of my life had been between France and Turkey, learning how to make the best jewelry designs in the highest level of it. Now my training was over and I was ready to put all of my practised skill to the test to impress the C.E.O of the best jewelry company in my city. I was told that the company could be very competitive because they always needed the best, highly skilled and qualified designers but whoever is recruited will forever earn from the company even after resignation or any other curt exit except for termination or disqualification.

   

  Father threw me out of the house to get myself a better life and to stop my habitual theft... that was what my goals were after being thrown out. I wanted dad to be happy to see me again. I knew I had caused them so many pain and I wanted to put an end to it.

   I had originally been planning to spend the first few weeks back in Scotland settling down and exploring familiar places but of course, not a place I would be recognized before trying to make contact with my friend who happened to be a sister of the company's manager but something very important came up few days ago stopping me.

   I heard that the C.E.O of FRASER'S GEMONDS JEWELRY INC. prioritized quality over quantity and that company had put out a recruitment notice for a jeweller. Of course, I had signed up immediately. I had always dreamt of working for a company as big as this one. 

    I had a few things to do before leaving the apartment and I busied myself designing an amazing set of jewelry that I would be taking to the interview. I wanted to make the best jewelry designs that would attract not only my interviewer but the C.E.O himself and the board of directors.

 Wait! What did this people I was talking about even look like? Especially the C.E.O? Although, I had been visualizing a 6'7 man with no beards and short black hair always on black suit, white shirt... It was just a rough imagination but I hoped he would be good. His attitude mattered.

  My designation wasn't so simple, I spent lot of bucks making it. I made a diamond necklace, golden diadem, earrings, bracelets and diamond ring. All beautiful and set. This was actually what my team made for our last project while I was taking my trainings. It was my idea and it was the chosen Jewelry set to represent the institution in the world best jewelry designs. And guess what? We were ranked top three.

  Making a similar design, adding more beauty and elegance to it should make them see the potentials in me. I was good for this job. I wasn't so confident but I hoped they chose me.

    ***

   Getting off the cab in front of the company, Hazel walked through the garage of the company with her heart throbbing faster and her palms sweating profusely. The company building was fancy building with glass walls, arched roofs with lots of chandeliers and washed stone floor. This said it all. It was perfect. She giggled as she headed towards the main building.

  Gerald Fraser picked up his jacket and walked into the reception area. He nodded at the staff members he passed but didn't speak. He was known for that. He doesn't speak unnecessarily and he only speaks when pissed or over excited not before he experienced a heartbreak that shattered his heart completely. He was just healing after several months. He never shared the story of his heartbreak to anyone but everyone could feel it.

 Only Arin, his personal assistant, who understood him and his signs did the speaking. Taking care of public relations and socializing for him. His mind followed a familiar pattern and he tried to pull himself out of the black mood that he could feel was coming.

 At the reception desk was a young lady holding a box in her hand. Something about her back felt familiar and Gerald's mind was pulled out of its depressing spiral and his attention was completely focused on the young lady. All he could tell was that she was blond and judging by the box she had in hand and the visit to the reception desk, she had come from an interview.

  The lady accepted the visitor's pass that had been handed over to the receptionist and turned around. Gerald saw her face and he scented trouble on the horizon.

  The lady was extremely good looking and in a few minutes, she was going to be interviewing the jeweller candidates. The mysterious lady caught sight of him and smiled at him.

 That was heart shifting. The smile actually made Gerald's heart skip a beat. All he could do was nod and carry on walking to the stairs. He settled himself in his office and looked over the CVs that were waiting on his desk. His P.A knocked on his door a moment later and came in after his permission.

  "All the candidates are ready. Just let me know when you will like to send them into your office for the next procedure." She said, smiling.

   "You know what? Send in the first candidate, if it flows well the way I wanted, I'll let you know." He told her, ignoring her seductive moves. Arin has been openly crushing on Gerald from day one but Gerald never paid attention to her. Not even once.

   After the heartbreak that shattered Gerald completely, his mother thought he would need a companion whom he could share things with and she assigned Arin who is the daughter of her friend as his personal assistant. Gerald never needed a P.A, but his mother insisted and he wouldn't want to go against his mother so he accepted her. Arin had nothing to fear, she made it known to everyone that she loved Gerald yet, Gerald never let her come close but who gave up? Only a loser. And Arin wasn't ready to be a loser.

    The first few candidates were passable with good qualifications and amazing jewelry designs but he still couldn't see any potentials. This had been going on for two months. The company needed competent and highly skilled jewelers but Gerald believed that none of the candidates that had been coming for interview were suitable enough. He had to stop being too picky and find someone today.

   Fraser's Gemonds Jewelries Inc. had to move with time in order to stay in the market. He had come up with different business ideas that could actually help the company to gain new faces and also revitalize the company.

  His idea was to open an all culture jewelry store. It would hit completely different market to their normal western jewelries that were sold in shops. Many people from different countries can patronize them for different cultural jewelries. He knew it wouldn't be as easy it sounded because they would need someone very skilled for something like this. Not just skilled but someone that could be trusted too. Someone that wouldn't expose their marketing plans. 

    Gerald just needed to keep the company thriving if he wanted the company to remain the best jewelry company in the city. He wanted to give it a new status. Best jewelry company in the country, then to best in the continent and then to the best in the world. That was definitely a bigger dream but he was ready to do everything to get there. He wanted to forget everything that had happen in the past and move on. He was ready to eliminate whatever was going to remind him of that dirty past.

   "Next candidate please." He called out to avoid thinking about it too much.

   The morning passed just like that and finally the last candidate on the list was brought in by Arin who still had the same look on her face.

   It was the same lady she had seen earlier.

  The lady stepped forward and sat down opposite to him after his permission. Gerald was able to analyse her appearance closely. She had a friendly open face accompanied by a charismatic set of hazel eyes and neatly combed blond curly hair. There was something familiar about this lady, he thought, but he couldn't figure out what it was. Anyways, he was supposed to be interviewing her for the jewelers job, not staring at her.

    “Ms. Willoughby is the appellation." The lady introduced himself. "Actually, I have a few requested selection of cultural jewelries that's going to suit any neck that has it on. I heard that you have an assistant who is a lady, so I made an Asian cultural bracelet for her. And a ring, if you like one... I have many with me. The secretary can as well have a look for her choices too."

    Hazel's bubbly character made Gerald's mouth twitch into a reluctant smile. He would really love new jewelries, especially cultural jewelries. Ms. Willoughby was attractive and caring. That made him smile again.

   "Show me what you've got." He said gently. Hazel quickly opened her boxes and placed them in front of Gerald who was astonished at the sight of the designs in front of him.

    "O.M.G isn't this the Uzbekistan kinda necklace? You really did this yourself?" Gerald couldn't hide his astonishment as he pulled out the necklace from the box, adoring its beauty.

   "Yes. I made everything you find in the box. I actually designed the continental cultural jewelries. There is this particular turquoise trail too, you will love it. Just check everything." Hazel said, giggling excitedly. She was happy to see Gerald's reactions. Gerald continued to check out on after the other what were inside the boxes, admiring everything about it. When it seemed like Gerald was done checking all the items in the box, he steeled himself and looked up at the lady.

   "Tell me about your favorite piece of jewelry and why it's your favorite. You must be very talented."

  "My favorite piece of jewelry is a lovely ruby ring my aunt gave me for my birthday. It was my first piece of jewelry that I actually needed to care for, as it was a professional piece and more expensive than what I wore before that point. I researched how to care for it, and I learned so much about gemstones and jewelry. It really sparked my love of jewelry and makes me think of my aunt every time I wear it. Infact, that's one of the reasons I decided to choose this jewelry designing as my career. My curiosity lead to it all." She answered chuckling and even Gerald didn't know when he started chuckling together with her but the laughter was cut short by the abrupt entrance of Arin.

    "She should be done with the interview by now. Why is it taking so long?" She asked as she approached the desk.

   "I'll tell you everything about it later okay? I still have more questions to ask her, you can leave." Gerald said before diverting her attention to the lady again.

  "Your designs are really good and I'll like to share it with the board of directors. You have a wide range knowledge of this jewelry designs, you should be suitable for this job.... A sec please." He paused and brought out his phone from his pocket. He took the first shot of the items then again, and then again. "Yes, done. I will send it to the board right away."

   The interview followed a more predictable format after that point. Gerald was nothing short of impressed with Hazel's credentials and experience.

   Then the time came to close the interview and Gerald made an impulsive decision. Hazel was everything he could want for the project and he had to grab hold of the opportunity while it was still there.

    “You are really perfect for this project were about to start working on. Actually... we were going to recruit a teacher as well but I think you're perfect for both position. A designer and a tutor. Would you be willing to take on both roles?"

   Hazel answered in a heartbeat. She couldn't believe she was about making it. Her dream was finally coming true.

   "Of course, I am willing. I am ready to do anything for this company. It's always been my dream."

   "Alright then. I'll speak to you again soon so we can discuss more on the arrangements and sets." He said formally. 

  "One more thing,.." He pulled out a sheet of paper and placed it in front of Hazel. "You should put your signature on that. Everyone wants you in our company. Once you sign this, you'll become a permanent staff member of this company." 

   Hazel pulled out her pen excitedly and drew her signature on the paper. She smiled and handed over the paper to the man. "I'll really appreciate this. I'll be so happy to work with you. Thank you." She said, smiling broadly.

   "Nice meeting you... I am Gerald Fraser." He said, extending his arm for an handshake. Hazel shook him with a broad smile on her face. "I am Hazel Willoughby."

    "Wait what!?" The two snapped at the same time releasing their hands immediately with their eyes widely opened.

    "Are you the Hazel I know? You shouldn't be?" Gerald asked slowly, still unable to believe what just dawned on him. Hazel stood frozen, heart racing faster like someone who just ran  a marathon.