Chapter 4: Deja Vu

Ramina was secretly scolding herself for acting unprofessional earlier. She couldn't believe that she just talked with the CEO of Mattheios Company! She scolded herself for not researching enough about the CEO of the company. She just knows its name but not the face! 

As she lines up for the interview for the position: of CEO's Exclusive Assistant, she can't help but sweat buckets. Her hands are kind of trembling and she keeps on gulping from time to time. 

"Mrs. Ramina Maxine!" a staff called her.

She immediately stood up. "Correction, Madam. It's Miss Ramina Maxine," Ramina told her.

The staff nodded. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding," she said. 

Ramina just smiled before entering the room where the interview takes place. She'll be talking with the hiring manager first and when she pass this interview, she will be interviewed by the CEO she's going to work with. 

"Good morning, Ms. Montalvo," the hiring manager uttered with a small smile on her lips. 

Ramina calmed down a bit after seeing that smile. "Good morning, Madam," she greeted back and smiled.

"I am Mrs. Fujimoto, the hiring manager of the company. I've already read your resume and I wanted to know more about you. Can I?" 

Ramina nodded confidently. "Yes, Madam. I can provide you with my background profile and tell you that I am efficient for the job," she said. 

The interview started and it went well. Ramina answered the questions confidently even she was a bit anxious. 

"I have a daughter and I want to give her a comfortable life just like other mothers. Aside from that, I am aware that you are passionate about sustainability as a business and this was one of the first aspects that attracted me to your company. I always take pride in my job... and I believe that I can work and help your company to sustain its performance." 

Mrs. Fujimoto nodded with a small smile, amazed by the confidence Ramina is showing. The other employees did not satisfy her earlier, and now as she interviews Ramina, she knows that the woman will be receiving a good opportunity in terms of her career. 

The interview lasted for half of an hour because Ramina was asked follow-up questions. 

"Our staff will call you for your next interview with Mr. Mattheios. Thank you."

When Ramina got out of the office, she let out a heavy sigh. 

"God, I hope it'll turn out well," she whispered to herself.

Ramina roamed around the company after her interview. She encountered a lot of employees, both friendly and unapproachable. 

She bit her lower lip when she saw the CEO with his black formal attire from afar. She can't deny the fact that he is handsome. No, handsome is not enough to say that he is a beautiful man. 

When she had enough of staring at him, she scolded herself again before leaving the company. She went home to her daughter to ease her uneasiness.

"Mr. Mattheios." 

A week had passed and Percy will be entertaining the applicants for the secretarial position. He read the resume of each who passed the pre-interview and only one applicant caught his interest.

"Yes, Mrs. Fujimoto?" his baritone voice filled the room. 

"Next on the line is Ms. Ramina Maxine Montalvo. She's outside," Mrs. Fujimoto said.

Percy simply nodded. "Get her in," he commanded. 

Mrs. Fujimoto exited the room to give a heads up to Ramina. Ramina smiled and thanked her. Ramina became nervous all of the sudden! 

When Ramina entered the room, she can't help but shiver. Percy was busy reading a document and only looked up when he saw the next applicant.

"G-Good morning, Mr. Mattheios," Ramina stuttered. 

Percy raised a brow before leaning onto his swivel chair. "You were that lady?" he asked randomly.

Ramina's forehead creased, not expecting what he said. "I am here for the job, Mr. Mattheios," she answered. 

Percy stifled a smirk after hearing her answer. He did not expect that too. 

"Ms. Montalvo... If ever that you'll be hired for the position, you know that you'll be working with me, right?" Percy suddenly changed his tone which made Ramina nervous.

Ramina gulped and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Mattheios." 

Percy's face became cold and serious. "Can you do your job professionally?" he asked.

Ramina nodded confidently. "I am already a professional, Mr. Mattheios." 

Percy loosened his tie before staring at her intently. "What can you offer for the company to maintain its sustainability?" he asked. 

Percy's forehead creased when his heart beats faster after seeing Ramina's smile. He looked down and silently cleared his throat. 

"I can offer you my 100%, Mr. Mattheios. Besides, I am a worker who promotes a friendly environment even in my former company," Ramina uttered confidently.

The interview continued and Percy can't deny the fact that there's something in Ramina that he can't tell. Her confidence, principles, and professionalism got him in awe.

Ramina went home with tiredness visible on her face. She was drained by the questions of Mr. Mattheios. Or was it really because of the questions? His presence made her anxious all the time. His presence felt familiar to her... for an unknown reason. 

Good day, Ms. Montalvo!

We are glad to tell you that you passed the final interview for the secretarial position at Mattheios Company. Our supervisor will be calling you for more information. We can't wait to work with you. Congratulations! 

For further questions and information, contact us through this email: ****************@g***l.com.

Ramina gasped exaggeratedly after reading the email sent to her. It's been a week since her interview with the CEO and today when she woke up, she was welcomed by this good news. 

"God is good!" she squealed.

She announced the great news to her friends, Cristal Haze and Maria Nicole. 

"[Let's celebrate tonight!]" Maria Nicole uttered on the other line. 

They are having a conversation through video chat. Ramina smiled and nodded. "Sure!" 

"[Congratulations, love. Let's hang out tonight.]" Cristal Haze uttered.

Truth be told, Ramina and her friends went to their favorite bar. She left her daughter with Yaya Grace and told her that she will come home late.

"Be safe, mommy! Enjoy!" 

When they arrive at the bar, Nicole immediately ordered a bucket of drinks for them. 

"It's too much!" Ramina complained.

The music inside the bar is so loud that they need to shout just to hear each other. Many people are dancing like wild animals on the dancefloor.

Ramina is wearing a red fitted dress paired with black ankled boots. It was a gift from her friends. 

"It's okay! We rarely drink anyway!" Nicole told her. 

They started drinking and luckily, Ramina has a high alcohol tolerance so she was sure she won't end up wasted.

After finishing two bottles, they were already tipsy that they went to the dancefloor to dance. 

"Our friend right here got a job! Let's congratulate her!" Maria Nicole's drunk ass shouted. 

Ramina covered her face because of embarrassment. "Shut up, Maria Nicole!" she snorted.

"Girls, oh my, God. Nicole, are you drunk?!" Cristal Haze uttered in surprise after seeing her friend getting wilder at the moment. 

"I'm not!" Maria Nicole giggled.

Ramina was just dancing, swaying her hips as the sexy music plays. She's a bit drunk because of the many glasses she drinks.

Not a minute after, she felt a man's hands on her waist, guiding her as she sways.

"Hi, gorgeous," the man whispered.

It sent a high voltage of electricity to her system. Maybe it was the alcohol in her that she did not complain about. The man came closer to her and buried his face on her neck. 

Ramina's heart beats faster when the man started to give her wet kisses on the neck. She continued dancing while the man was kissing her. 

"Wanna extend the fun with me?" the man whispered once again, touching the small of her waist.

Ramina came back to her senses after hearing that. She gasped and stayed away from the stranger. She did not stay any longer and immediately came back to their table, scolding herself silently.

Ramina stayed at their table to relax and lessen the dizziness she was feeling. She held her head and let out a heavy sigh.

A part of her wants to come back to the guy... and it was making her frustrated.

There's something about his touch that was familiar to her... It felt like a deja vu to her. Before she could even do something she might regret the next day, she gathered herself up and stormed out of the bar to go home to her daughter.