Chapter 2

"So what do we have here?" I asked as I picked up the first file. Coincidentally, the first person in line was the same man I met in the elevator. "Stav Trajano." I gritted under my breath.

"He is the son of Christopher Trajano. Hiring him will be the best decision." Aero told me. Aero Cruz was the man who taught me everything about this business after my father died. He was the only person I listened to, but what he was saying right now was against my ethics.

"I am not giving this job to anyone just because their father owns a multinational company. This will be solely on merit." I commented.

"But Alice, he called us this morning to grant his son some relaxation. It will give our bad image if we don't listen to him." Aero argued.

"He called?" I lifted my eyebrow. I hated people like these, who depend on their parents and other people to help them succeed, instead of making it happen on their own. Making up my mind to show him his place, I said, "Let's meet Mr. Trajano then, shall we?"

Saying this, I called for the first interviewee and rested back against my seat. picking up his file, I assessed his qualifications. For someone who needs his father to secure him a job, he had an impressive resume.

I was busy assessing his resume when the door opened and someone said in a loud voice, "Fuck."

Lifting my head, I watched Stav Trajano staring at me as if he had seen a ghost. A smirk appeared on my lips as I responded, "Fuck indeed, Mr. Trajano.”

His face paled all of sudden and drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. Under my calculative gaze, he reached the desk and sat down in front of me. By the look on his face, he would rather be in hell than being here in this room.

"So Mr. Trajano, give me a reason why I should hire you." I asked, leaning back in my seat.

He put a mask of confidence on his face but I was experienced enough to see right through it. "I am ambitious, hardworking, competitive and..."

"What else?" I asked.

"I have an excellent academic record---"

"So do the rest of candidates." I said sharply.

"I am quick in actions, decisive and..."

"Tell me something you didn't pick off Wikihow?" I said and another layer of sweat appeared on his face.

"I... Um..."

"Quick. I don't have all day." I said.

He took a deep breath, realizing I wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily. Clearing his throat, he said, "I don't know what to tell you but I do know that I am the best person for this job. I will never let you down and you will be lucky to..."

"Lucky? You think we will be lucky to have you work with us?" I asked and he nodded, his Adam's apple moved up and down.

"I think..."

"You have the nerve to call me a Monster, a Mean Queen, Satan and what was the fourth word if I may ask?" I asked.

"L... Lady Hitler." He said and both men sitting beside me gasped.

"Ah, yes. And you had the nerve to ask your father to put in recommendation for you. You Mr. Trajano are a stupid, insubordinate brat and you think we will be lucky to have you?!" My voice was rising with every second.

"I... I..."

"Get out!" I shouted and his face flushed.

"Alice, calm down." Aero whispered in my ears.

"I said, get out!" I yelled at him once again.

Without wasting another second, he stood up and walked towards the door. But once he reached it, he turned around and walked back to us. "You know what? I am not leaving. What I did in the elevator was wrong but what my father did wasn't my fault. I didn't even know he had put in a recommendation. So I think I deserve a chance to at least finish this interview, like every other person here." He said all in one breath.

He kept staring at me, ignoring the other two people in this room. For a moment, an awkward silence prevailed in the conference room that was finally broken by me. "Fine. Have a seat." I said.

He sat down once again. His green eyes pierced into mine and for a very brief moment, I felt overwhelmed which was not something that happened to me anymore. "I am ready." He said.

"Do you have any previous work experience?" I asked, ignoring everything I had already studied in his file.

"I did two four-month internships in some local companies after high school. Then in third year, I worked as assistant of the finance manager and Co for three months. In fourth year, I did an internship in Bolivia, and after graduation, I did an observership in our company," he replied confidently.

One by one, I asked different questions and he answered each of those questions effortlessly. I tried to find anything I could use to humiliate him but he didn't give me any chance, which the people who know me know isn't an easy task.

"You can leave. We shall contact you if you get the job." I said in the end.

"Okay. Thanks for giving me another chance." He said and extended his hand for a shake. When I kept glaring at him without moving, he shrugged and left the room.

"You have to admit, the kid has guts." Aero commented.

"A little too much for his own good." I said and called the next person.

•••••••••••

"So which one is it going to be?" Aero asked, spreading all the files in front of me. It was about 9 in the evening and I had to make the decision before leaving the office building.

"I don't know. This new batch just redefined the word disappointment." I said after taking a long sigh.

"What about the Ateneo graduate?" Aero asked.

"Him? He couldn't even pronounce his own name right." I commented.

"What about that redhead?" He asked.

"Oh please. I don't want a blushing mess to work for me." I threw the file into the garbage can.

"What about this one?" He showed me the file.

"Really Aero? Do I look like I have time to deal with a walking talking inferiority complex?" I said and threw another file in the garbage can.

"This one?" He showed me the second last file.

"Pass. Her name is Cupcake. Seriously? Who names their kid Cupcake?" I said, rolling my eyes.

"Well, we have only one candidate left." Aero picked up the file of Stav Trajano from the table. "You have to admit, he is our best option."

"He is also a cocky, arrogant jerk." I reminded him.

"So what now? Do you want me to arrange another interview?" He asked.

I stared at his file for a minute. This was the fourth interview this month for the position of my assistant. My last assistant ran away after just one week into the job and it's hard to admit but I was in dire need of someone who has enough guts to survive at this job.

"Miss Montelebalo, Mr. Forbes is waiting for you downstairs." Someone entered my office to inform me.

"Didn't you tell him to wait?" I asked.

"I told him," she said and took a gulp before adding. "half an hour ago."

"You should go." Aero said.

I rubbed my forehead to relieve me of some of the stress. It was date night. Dustin I had the ritual of having a dinner date every Saturday and I had been putting it on hold for three weeks now.

"Call him." I pointed at Stav Trajano's file. "Tell him to be here at 8 am exact."

Saying this, I hurried towards the elevator. Seeing me enter inside, all the people already there slowly walked out and I pressed the button to the lobby.

As I walked out of the elevator, my eyes fell on my boyfriend of four years, Dustin Forbes. Dustin was a chef by profession and we met when I was in my last year of college. His drool-worthy smile and gentle mannerism left me in awe. And his eyes! We started dating one month into meeting and have been together since then.

"I am so sorry, Dust," I said on reaching him.

He looked away with an annoyed look on his face. "You said the same thing last time. And the time before that."

"I had to take interviews for my new assistant. Come on now. Let's go." I said and walked forwards.

"In a business suit?" He asked, following me to the parking lot.

"I don't have time to change. I'll put on makeup in the car." I said, pulling my hair up in a ponytail.

He opened the door for me and I slid inside the passenger seat. He drove us to one of the best restaurants in town and the whole drive, he didn't utter a single word. I knew I was testing his patience and nobody was feeling worse than me but I had some responsibilities. I was not the same girl he met four years ago, who only had to worry about her acne and frizzy hair. Things have changed and so have I.

Once inside the restaurant, he led me to a silent corner on the balcony he had booked for us. The waiter gave us both a menu card and I decided to have a steak today.

The waiter left with both of our orders and I leaned further in my seat. "I already said sorry. What do you want me to say now?" I asked when I noticed his sour mood.

"Just tell me how long are you going to act like this? For God's sake, Alice. We all lose parents but you changed so much after your Dad's death." He whispered.

"Don't go there, Dustin." I stopped him straight.

"Why? Do you not realize what you have become? Where is that girl who always had a big smile on her face?" He scooted closer and held my hands in between his large ones. "I loved that girl."

"That girl didn't have a business empire to run. People change, get over it." I said and pulled my hand away.

"Alice, I can't do this if you act like this." He hid his face in between his palms.

"I..." I was about to say something when my phone started ringing. Picking up the call, I answered Aero who told me that we had an emergency and he needs me back in the office. "I need to go." I told him.

"Are you for real?" He glared back with widened eyes.

"I have to go, Dust. I am sorry." I said, standing up and then picked up my handbag and mobile from the table.

"For God's sake, if you walk out now---"

"Try to understand." I said and booked an Uber. "There is an emergency."

"Fine. Go." He said and stood up to leave. "In fact, take this with you." He took out a small red box from the pocket of his coat and placed it on the table. After doing that, he walked away without giving me another glance.

I picked up the box and opened it, only to find a ring inside. It was a thin, sophisticated band adorned with small crystals and a big crystal in the middle. My head started pounding at the sight of this ring and I felt my knees buckle under my weight.

"Oh, Dustin," I said and put the box in my bag, deciding to deal with it later.