CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Diane's POV

Caught off guard.

Is this where I’m supposed to lie and say that I aspire to a career with Dela Paz Hotels? I debate my answer for a few heartbeats and finally decide on the truth.

“Honestly, I’m not sure anymore. I was supposed to get married and help run the family farm, but my fiancé and I are—”

I stopped myself with a deep breath and then an embarrassed little smile. So inappropriate for an interview.

“My personal situation is in limbo,” I said instead, my voice growing husky, my eyes burning with the threat of tears. It’s all still too fresh, too raw.

“I’ll probably go back home. My family’s there.”

“And help run the farm?”

Her eyes graze over me, over my thick braid that I can’t help but toy with when I’m nervous, over my favorite royal-blue button-down that’s probably been washed one too many times, over my generic jeans, and down to my sneakers and I know she’s judging me.

I sit up straighter, feeling more self-conscious than I already do being in front of a camera. I look nothing like her or any of the other recruiters here. They’re all put together, with smooth, richly coloured hair and perfectly painted faces. I don’t wear much makeup, just a little lip gloss and, on occasion, shimmery pink nail polish. I don’t use hairspray, and not a drop of dye has ever touched my hair for fear that it’ll make the color worse than it already is.

“Yes.” That has always been the plan.

But now I feel like I need to defend myself. I’m not just another farm girl getting ready to bake pies and pop out little farm babies.

“I started a side business making soaps, moisturizers, and essential oils a few years back. It’s called Sage Essential. I’m going to focus on expanding that.”

Sage Green is my favorite color, though my products involve everything from mint to lavender to lemon. Up until this point, the bulk of my sales have been thanks to the annual Christmas bazaar and summer fair. I can’t complain, though; that money will pay for my flight home.

“My, you’re quite the enterprising young woman. And so busy. Landscaping and soapmaking businesses, college, farming...”

I can’t read the woman’s tone to tell if she’s genuinely impressed. “And what do you do for enjoyment, Diane?”

I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from saying “Umm” while I think. Dela Paz Hotels is one of the most popular hotel lines in the world. I need to sound smart if I have any hope in hell of getting this job.

“As you have noted, I’m quite busy with work and school. When I have free time, I spend it with my family and with my church, solidifying my faith.” Which is in some dicey water as of late.

“I also volunteer at the local animal shelter, both here in Chicago as well as at home.”

“So you like animals?”

“Yes!” I nod emphatically. “I’m excited to see Apollo’s wilderness.” She offers me a tight smile.

“Right. Last question. Why should we hire you to work Hotel Dela Paz?”

I look down at the pamphlet in my hand—pictures of white-capped mountains and vast wilderness, glacier valleys and volcanoes.

Thousands of miles of serenity, of nothingness.

Thousands of miles from my current life.

They don’t want to listen to my sob story, and it’s sure as hell not going to get me hired. I struggle to smile as I stare into the camera, silently pleading with my eyes to whoever is making the hiring decisions.

“Because I’m smart, hardworking, diligent, and ethical. I respect people, and I love a challenge. Plus, I’ve always wanted to visit Palawan, and this looks like an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

I clear my throat. “I have nothing to distract my focus. I will give everything I have to offer this summer.”

She presses a button and steps around.

“Great. Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”

“When will you be making your decisions?”

"It’s the beginning of April; I’d be flying out in four weeks if I get hired.

“Shortly. We’ve already filled many of the positions from our pool of current employees who are interested in the Palawan location.

We’re just plugging some last-minute holes with outside recruitment.” She sticks my application into a red file folder.

Is that the rejected file?

“Do I have a chance? Honestly.” I can’t believe I asked that, but I have nothing left to lose.

“We tend to hire people who already have luxury hotel chain experience. But we’ll be in touch.” She stands there with her arm leading the way to the exit.

My shoulders sag. I force myself to leave before I beg her to put in a good word for me.

There’s no way I’m getting this job.