CHAPTER 5

“Good morning, ma'am,"  I greeted the receptionist, trying to sound as polite as possible. 

“I'm here for the interview,” I told the receptionist at the front desk on the ground floor.

“We don't interview for cleaners here. Just go to the back of the building; you'll see the office of the chief cleaner.”

I was taken aback by what she said. Cleaner? Is that what she thinks I'm here for?

“I think you're mistaken; I'm not here for the cleaning job; I sent an email to the hospital last night,” I corrected her.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't check; what’s the name?” She still seemed unconvinced, critically glancing at me.

I noticed that she didn't really seem convinced, so I had to speak up for myself: “It's Judith, Judith Summers, “I applied for...” 

She cut me off before I could even finish. “PA?” she asked in disbelief.

“I'm sorry, is there a problem?” I asked, feeling embarrassed and sensing my confidence slipping away.

“No ma'am. Here’s your tag. I think you're already late,” she added with a fake smile.

“Really?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yes. It's on the third floor, last room,” she directed me while handing the tag.

“Thank you,” I said, hurrying towards the elevator with the thought that I had already missed the interview.

I got to the third floor and was trying to find my way around when I bumped into someone. He pushed away from himself forcefully, avoiding me like I was a plague. He was rude until our faces met.

I stared at him for a long moment, still dumbstruck. I didn't know if I would be exaggerating by calling him the most handsome man I've ever set my eyes on. Something about his face seemed familiar, but I must be hallucinating, because how in my freaking life would I have known him? He seemed equally stunned, staring back at me. 

I was mesmerized, still glancing at him when he spoke in a soothing and clear tone. “Ma'am,” I was jerked back into reality as he gently tapped my shoulders.

“Are you ok?" 

Maybe I was still hallucinating, but he kept staring at me too. He had this look on his face; it was sober and filled with pity, and he kept on staring. This time around, I broke the strange trance.

“Are you ok?” I tapped him. 

“I'm sorry,” he stuttered. I watched how his rude countenance changed to a more appealing look. 

“It's my fault; don't apologize. I'll be more careful next time,” I insisted.

He helped me pick up my files and papers and, without saying a word, left immediately, increasing his pace as he retreated to the hall on the other side of the room. 

I managed to find my way to the interview room, where I met many other applicants, mostly young women and a few men.

“Hi, can I see your tag?” A young man at the corner asked. 

“Yeah, sure.” I handed the tag to him. “Judith Summers, applying for PA to the head”

“Yes, why does everyone feel like I shouldn't go for it?” I finally asked, as I was already tired of the embarrassing looks they gave whenever I told them the role I applied for.

“Only the brave ones go down that path. I wish you luck. You're number thirty-seven on the line.”

I collected my tag back and could only think of why people are so eager for the interview if only the brave ones pursued the role. “Maybe they're all so brave,” I thought.

I sat down and waited till it was my turn. The interview was taking longer than usual, and the people coming out never smiled or showed an atom of happiness and excitement on their faces as it was before they entered. Perhaps that was why they said it was only the “brave ones.”

Finally, it was my turn. I walked in as confidently as I could. To my surprise, the interviewer was the man I met at the hall earlier. 

“Hi, good morning.” My voice became a bit shaky, and I wondered where all my confidence had vanished. 

“You came for the interview?” He asked me with astonishment on his face. 

“Yes, I heard this was the lion's den" 

He laughed out loud. “I too wonder why they call it that.” I must say he had such a killer smile that made my heart race a bit.

He was getting too friendly, familiar, and totally informal with me. This wasn't the same person who was initially rude to me in the hallway earlier today. 

“Tell me a little bit about yourself." He was composed now. He pointed at the seat in front of him. 

I took the cue and sat down. “Uhm, I'm Judith, from Rome.” I watched as his eyes stared at me, unsure if it was shock or amusement. 

“Rome,” he repeated. “Any reason why you left there for London?” he asked in a serious tone with a powerful dominance over him.

“More of it is a personal reason I wouldn't like to talk about here; I mean, I'm here for the interview,” I quipped. 

“I'm the one asking the questions, aren't I?” He stared directly at me, and I could feel the heat all over my body. 

“A tragic incident befell me, and I needed a change of environment to allow my peace to flourish,” I told him.

“How long have you been in London?” he asked.

“Three years,” I answered timidly. 

“That's it. We’re done,” he snapped. 

“We're done?” 

“Yes, we're done. You have the job.”

“You don't have to give me the job out of pity.” I insisted. 

“No, it's not out of pity. If I didn't see potential, I wouldn't consider giving it to you. I’m a businessman, and I won’t employ someone who won’t be beneficial.” He boasted.

“You've barely asked me any questions related to my work experience.”

“It's nothing to worry about,” he said, looking at my CV. “Judith, Summers, right?”

"Yes, sir, Judith Summers.” I was really confused at that point. 

“I know more than enough, and I've gone through your CV; that should be a pass on my side—so many qualifications here,” he said, tapping the file that held my CV. 

“But I'd still appreciate being treated like the other applicants that entered this office.”

“You have the job, Judith Summers; you begin as my PA on the next working day,” he concluded, giving me the cue that the interview was over. 

I stood up and walked out of the office with thoughts in my head. His face still kept resurfacing, and I couldn't figure out why. Well, we’ll find out on the next working day. The door slammed shut.