Chapter 1: The Interview

Ashley

I woke up and checked the time on the watch that hung on the wall. It was still 6:55 AM and I could sleep peacefully for another five minutes. I swear I will wake up after 5 minutes, I am very sleepy.

I dozed off for another nap as laziness took control over my brain and the next time I opened my eyes, fear engulfed me.

God, please tell me that I slept only five minutes…

I looked up at the same watch that showed me the time… 7:34 AM.

I better die.

I got up and ran towards my wardrobe. I took out my clothes and changed them. It was good that I already decided on my outfit yesterday. I couldn’t have possibly done that today.

I washed my face and getting my hair done, I picked nothing else than my phone and resume and left on a cab to the Brown Headquarters.

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The cab stopped right in front of a massive building. It was such a beautiful place that I can not even dream of working there. It was a very tall one and covered with what looked like the most expensive marble and glasses. It wouldn’t be a totally wrong thing to think that it was full of precious gems, like even diamonds.

I paid for my taxi and went inside the gate. It was quite expensive for me to always take a taxi here and there. I need to buy a vehicle that too very soon.

I shrugged my thoughts. I first need to pass this second interview.

I went inside and the receptionist smiled brightly looking at me.

“Hello. How may I help you, miss?”

“Ah… I-I am here for the second interview for the PA’s position”

“PA’s position…” she checked her documents. “Of Mr. Brown?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Y-Yeah!” I replied and she nodded. “Great because he is already here. But you might wanna be really careful with him, okay? PAs don’t last for long with him. And you look like a girl who needs a stable job”

“Yes,” I nodded. “I will be careful”

“Okay. Good luck. Go to floor 47. He might be on the round. I don’t know where exactly he is, but he was seen on Floor 46 just three minutes ago. So, hurry and go to the 47^th floor. Go”

“Thank you!” I smiled at her and went to the elevator and pressed the 47^th button. I looked at the last floor. This building had 66 floors. Isn’t it too much?

The elevator stopped and I went inside. I have seen Mr. Brown before, so I can recognize him. Actually, I have seen him on TV. My first interview was conducted by someone else of this company and now that I finally passed it, and they said that it was very rare, I am here to meet him and get his approval.

I glanced here and there whilst moving forward. There were many cabins, followed by many rooms. There were different names written at their door and the building was way too luxurious to work in.

“Who are you?” I heard a voice and my heartbeat raced. I turned around and saw Mr. Brown standing with his hands in his jeans’ pockets.

“I-I… I am here for the second interview, sir”

He looked at his watch. “I thought the time was 7:15 and I never think wrong. The time right now is 7:45. Why do you think I’d take your interview now?”

I looked down as I realized my mistake. I curse myself for thinking that I’d wake up after five minutes. If only I had woken up, I would have been here on time.

“I apologize, sir. Please don’t think that I am not sincere. I just overslept, that would never be repeated” I finally spoke.

I don’t really get afraid a lot and I always speak my mind so that others can understand me instead of misunderstanding me.

He sighed. “Meet me in my cabin at 8” he left.

Where is his cabin?

Oh yeah, I better hurry and ask the receptionist.

I went down to reception. “Um… where is Mr. Brown’s cabin?”

“Which one?”

I stared at her blankly. How am I to know that?

“Ah… he told me that I should meet him at his cabin in 15 minutes. Now, do you have any idea where?” I questioned her as I found myself very confused.

“Yes. You should go to the second room on the second floor itself. That is his interview room, and also his cabin. But remember, the next time you are asked to go to his cabin, go to the first room on the second floor. Okay?”

“Oh, okay. Thank you” I smiled at her. “My name’s Ashley by the way”

“Great to meet you, Ashley. Kate here”

“Bye Kate” I left the reception with a smile.

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I reached the second room and I can see Mr. Brown written on the door. I can go inside already, but should I wait till it is 8? It is still 7:58.

I decided to wait and as it turned 8, I knocked on the door.

I went inside and he was sitting in his seat.

“12 seconds late, what were you thinking?” he looked at me.

What is this guy?

“Sir… 12 seconds…” I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.

“Anyway” he closed his laptop. “Your resume?”

“Yes sir!” I handed him my file and kept standing because he didn’t tell me to sit down. I mean, I don’t need it anyway.

“Hm,” he handed me it back. “Now tell me about yourself”

“I… I am Ashley Jones—”

“I read your file. Tell me something that is not there” he interrupted.

“Well, I guess I haven’t included that I really need this job and I am determined to do this with sincerity”

He half-smiled. “ What are your strengths?”

“I don’t think that I should be the one telling this. I mean, of course, I only know about them. But I think that anyone would tell them after they see me work for a week because I don’t feel like bragging about myself”

He nodded, a playful smirk on his face.

“So, what are your weaknesses?”

“I really sleep a lot!” I accidentally spoke and then got embarrassed. “b-But, I will change it!”

“Well,” he looked at me. “I guess I got one of your strengths. You can’t lie”

“I think that is a weakness” I murmured to myself as he raised an eyebrow.

“Okay” he nodded, but I don’t think he really heard what I said. “Now, tell me why did you leave your last job”

Remembering why I left my last job; it isn’t the most pleasant experience.

“Personal reasons,” I said but he didn’t seem to be satisfied by my answer. “My… my mom… actually, it is really personal” I cut myself off.

“Okay,” he nodded. “What do you expect from this job?”

“I just” I started thinking about my family. “I just want something to keep me busy while I wouldn’t lie, but I also want this job for money. My sister lives abroad and I really can’t live without her. So, she is my only family. This is quite a personal reason, but yes, that is it”

He nodded. “How much salary do you expect?”

“Anything to let me and my sisters meet every once in a while”

He nodded as he stood up. “Great. But this isn’t it” he smirked. “Get ready for your task one”