07 Never Expected

Author’s POV

Naomi straightened her gaze again, pushing her cart to get to their house. Along the way, there was no meaningful conversation between Naomi and her father. When they got home, that tiny black-haired girl cleaned herself up before she went back to her work. After a few hours of working on the design, she stretched her body for a moment to relieve the tiredness and fatigue she felt. Often she also yawns because she takes her bedtime back to do her work.

"Keep on going!" she said as she pulled her fists,

After few hours, she took a break by opening her phone and social media. Naomi just got an email from a client who wanted her to revise the character she has drawn. She immediately worked on the design according to the client's request. Shortly after she submitted the design, she moved on to another job waiting for her to be done.

She couldn't deny that she often complained about his life. But she really likes productivity which requires her to work extra. For her, it was a challenge. Naomi has been used to pushing herself to work harder since she was in high school. She believes the effort will never betray the results.

Since she was in school, she often studied until late at night. Especially when she goes to college while working, she has to use her sleep time to do her college assignments. She also has to maintain her scholarship so that she can continue to study without having to take leave in the next semester.

She once took time off during her college days because she failed to get a scholarship and she didn't have any money to pay for her college cost. During her furlough, she worked to increase her income so she could pay for her college. Therefore, she was very used to living with heavy pressure.

Accompanied by ballad music, Naomi finally finished her work. She sighed and stretched his body again. She glanced at her bed and she began to walk over to her bed to rest for a moment.

She smiled, tomorrow she could help his father because she has complete her task.

Naomi turned around, took her to bolster for her to hug. Her body was very tired, but her determination was very high.

Her thoughts turned to the application she gave to the company where Seira worked. She put hope in her heart, at least she was called for an interview. She's trying to imagine if she worked in Louis Studio. It must be a great honor for her to be a part of such a giant company.

She hopes that her entry into the company can change the economy of her and her father.

****

Alex was swamped checking and reading all the files on his oversized desk. On the sidelines of his swamped life, suddenly his phone rang. As soon as he saw who was calling him, he immediately picked up.

"Have you bought them all?" Alex asked a woman on his phone. 

"Yes, sir ... and sir, there is Naomi too,"

"Oh, really?" he asked in disbelief. He felt like he wanted to approach her as soon as possible,

“Yes... By the way, sir, is it okay if I continue to buy up all the food, sir? Naomi's father has begun to suspect me," said Lina, waiting for Alex's reply to her,

 Alex thought for a moment before he finally decided to say, “Tomorrow is your last day to buy all their wares. I will send someone else to do it, "said Alex who nodded understandingly by Lina,

“And…” he said who still wanted to ask Lina something,

"Yes, Sir?" 

"Does Naomi look happy?" asked Alex curiously, even his voice sounded smaller.

"Yes sir, even she can't stop smiling when I buy everything," she said, reaping a steady smile from Alex.

"Okay, I want to continue my work. Tomorrow morning I will send more money to you to buy their wares again,” said Alex before he ended the call.

That good-looking man leaned back in his oversized chair, imagining Naomi's smile that he still remembers to this day. He also couldn't stop smiling because he had made her smile because of it. Ah… he really wanted to see her smile directly.

In the past few days, he hadn't shown himself to her due to work and other constraints. He wondered how if she was looking at him at this time, could it be she was feeling sad because he had not shown any signs of chasing her back?

He hopes so.

His schedule was very full, so he didn't have time to approach her.

Again and again, he was swamped with the papers piled up on his desk. Being a CEO is not an easy thing, he has to understand a lot and follow the trend that is currently being hype. Not to mention that the project he is currently running takes up a lot of time and ideas that he has to consider.

"I want to see your smile," he said quietly, closing his eyes, relaxing his tired body. He took his phone, for he opened the gallery. He still keeps his photos with her. Even though it's an old photo, he still keeps it as a medium to fulfill the longing that he's been hiding.

He has done all the best in his life and she continues to encourage him and support him. Thanks to his meeting with Naomi, he learned to give his best in all aspects. This is what pushed him to continue to excel until he got the position he got today. It wasn't easy to get this position since he was too young to be a CEO. Since he was in high school, his father already taught and prepared him to be the next CEO.

Naomi really made a good impact on him. Therefore, he always gave thanks for their meeting, even though his meeting with her was not based on a good meeting.

That shaped-eyed man started to straighten his body as soon as he remembered something. He called Darius to come to face him. And not long after that, Darius appeared before him and greeted him politely,

“What about the vacancies we have open? Did you ask Seira and Adrian about this?” asked Alex curiously,

“So far, about 200 people have registered. They intend to take 10 people who will be interviewed on Monday," Darius explained to him. 

"Didn't registration close this afternoon at 12?" Alex ensures again to Darius. 

"Yes, that's right, sir..." said the tall and well-built man nodded,

“I've asked Seira and Adrian to focus themselves on this vacancy first. Have they sorted the 200 registrants into 10 people?”

"So far they have sorted it into 50 people, sir," said Darius,

Alex nodded in understanding before his eyes returned to Darius,

"Ask them to send CVs of the ten people who were selected for the interview tonight," said Alex who returned his gaze back to his papers.

Seeing that there were signs of Alex to take care of the vacancies, Darius ventured to ask Alex,

"Are you going to the interview session later?" asked Darius doubtfully.

Alex shook his head, "No, I just want to know who will be elected," said Alex without looking at Darius. Darius nodded and he politely withdrew from Alex when he felt he had nothing more to discuss with Alex.

****

It was 9 pm, and Alex was almost done with all his work. For a moment, he leaned back in his chair as he finished checking and signing the files. He stretched his body, letting go of the fatigue and aches that had been eating him away,

His phone rang, meaning an incoming message.

Darius: “Hello sir. The CVs of the ten people selected for the interview have been sent via email, sir. You can check right now."

Alex pulled himself to open his laptop. Curious, he began to open and see the contents of the works per person. Alex nodded understanding why Seira and Adrian could choose them as a candidate to replace Adrian.

And when he started to go through his last profile and CV, he saw a familiar name. He paused in his place, thinking that this might be a different person even though he wished otherwise. To begin with, he opened the existing works and he was amazed by the results of these works.

Stiffly, he began to open the profile and the photo. For a moment he fell silent.

Naomi Tjahara.

What an unexpected encounter.