Chapter 2

Mr. Peter halted when he heard her calling and running towards him. He stood just few meters from the elevator.

“Good morning sir. My name is Lena sir. I got the mail sir.” She spoke, nervously.

“Oh you did. So what does it say?” 

“Approved sir.” 

“Be specific young lady, what was approved?” 

Mr. Peter seemed to be in a hurry to return back to his office, like he had some unfinished business to attend to and that made him respond to Lena swiftly. 

“It’s the Job application sir.” 

“Oh you’re the one who has been sending us articles we didn’t ask for. “ he said, forcing a smile.

Lena couldn’t help but to return a smile too, and said “Yes , I am. It has always been my dream to work here sir and I thought I had to do something to get your attention sir.”

“Well, that really got my attention. Well done! Some of the articles you sent cannot be published though, because they don’t have tangible proof to back them up, but they were really good.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Follow me.”

Lena looked back at the receptionist, with a smile , but she returned a frown instead.

“what did you say your name is again?” The manager asked, as he pressed one of the button.

“Lena sir.”

They both entered the elevator and went to his office. Lena was super excited that Mr. Peter has been seeing her articles and stories, and now she’s about to become a journalist for the company. 

Mr. Peter has been the manager of the company for more than ten years. Because of the competition in the industry, he’s always on the neck of his journalists to get interesting stories to be published.

 He is a very ambitious man and even though he is in his 50s, he was still fully active. He doesn’t like seeing his workers relaxing when they should either be writing, making research, gathering facts and data or coming up with different ideas to keep them ahead of other publishing company. Some of his workers find her too strict.

“Please sit.” He offered her a seat and went round his desk before falling to his own chair. 

“Thank you sir.” 

“So tell me, why should I employ you?” 

“ahmm, because I’m the best?” Lena answered, not sure if that was a good response.

Lena had make sure she looked into different possible questions asked in an interview, and all stored in her head, but she had no real answer to that question. Her eyes were striking straight into Mr. Peter’s, anticipating for his next words. 

“In what way are you the best? We have journalists and I’m sure there’s nothing you can possibly provide right now that they cannot.” 

“Sir, I can assure you. I’m here to give my very best, and I promise not to disappoint.” She said, with a very determined look on her face. 

“I believe you. We receive mails from people everyday, who wants us to pay them for every story they come up with, but you, you kept sending even without demanding for any royalties.” 

While they were still talking, the office door opened, and a lady walked in. It was Mr. Peter’s secretary, Caroline. A young and beautiful lady, dressed in corporate; white shirt on a red trousers, with her red heels.

“Good morning Mr. Peter.” She greeted while approaching the desk.

“Morning Caroline.” Mr. Peter responded, making a hand gesture to Lena, to hold on a second.

“Sir, we just got a call from one of our interns confirming that Mr. Ethan will be at the City Hill Hotel in three days.” She stated, passing him her iPad. “If we can get few minutes of his time for an interview, it’s going to be a big blow for us.”

Mr. Peter fell back to his chair, with his both hands still on the table, and was thinking of what to do next. 

“This is happening too quick.” He said, tapping his fingers on the table.

“Sir, we need to act fast before words get out there.” 

“Uhmm, you’re right.”

“You should call for a brief meeting to decide who should handle this Job.” Caroline suggested. 

“Who do you think will be up for this? Everyone is occupied with the task given to them already.” 

Lena stayed still, listening to all that they were saying and wished she could suggest something but she had no idea what was going on. 

Mr. Peter then turned to her, “Lena, I’ve got your first assignment for you. You said you’re the best, it’s time to prove it.” 

Her eyes were widely opened in shock. She was about to be given an opportunity to launch herself to the company, if she succeeds.

“Yes sir, I am very ready for anything sir.”

“Good. You’re going to get Ethan to have an interview with you.” 

“Get? Is it that you can’t ask him for few minutes of his time. You know, get him to stop by after work and have the interview with him.” She said, innocently.

“You don’t know Ethan, do you?” he asked, glaring at her.

“Well, I know lots of people sir. I’m sure Ethan is one of them.” She said, in a sarcastic way, still putting out a warm smile. 

“Alright, here.” He passed a brand new iPad to Lena. “Welcome to the team, you have less than 48 hours to find out everything about him, convince him to sit with you for an interview and make sure you make the most of it.” 

“Yes sir. Thank you sir. I’ll do my very best.” She said, trying to control herself from bursting out of excitement. 

“That will be all for now.” Mr. Peter opened his laptop lid and continued with what he was doing. “Caroline here will fill you on other things you should know.” He concluded.

“Thank you very much sir.”

“Follow me please” Caroline said to Lena, as she make her way to the door. She took her to her own office, and to also brief on things she needs to know.

“I’m Caroline” 

“Lena! I love your dress.” She gave out a warm smile again.

“Thank you. Anyways, don’t get used to Mr. Peter’s friendliness. This minute, he’s smiling with you, the next minute, he’s yelling. To be on his good side, you just have to deliver your job very well.” 

“Thanks for the heads-up. I will do my very best.”

“Good, I’ll show you to your office now.” 

Lena was given a very clean office, with the company’s laptop and one other monitor on the desk. 

“May I ask you something please?” 

“Yes.” Caroline responded immediately.

“Has anyone ever had an interview with this Mr. Ethan?”

“Not that I know of. Ethan is one of the few people we don’t know much about their story and how they grew to become so influential. That’s to show you how important this is to Mr. Peter.”

“So what happens if I’m unable to?” 

“Let’s wait and see, but I’ll advise you don’t blow this up. “

“Thank you.”

“Get to business.” Caroline said, and walked out of her office.

Without hesitation, she began making research about Ethan. She thought it would be an easy job, not until she saw some information about who she was to deal with. 

The day came for her get the job done. She dressed in her most cooperate dress, and tried to appear comely. Mr. Peter had called her the previous night to wish her good luck on her first assignment, and hopes she succeeds.

As she approached the Hotel, she became nervous, but tried to suppress it.  

“You can do this Lena.” , “It’s not a big deal.”, “Be calm. It’s just an interview, okay.” She said to herself, and still manage to give off some of her smiles.

“Hello”

“Hello, welcome to City Hill Hotel, Do you have any reservation with us?” one of the receptionists responded. 

“No, but I’d love to get a room here.”

“Excellent. What kind of room please? 

“Ahmm, tell me about your room services, please” 

Lena looked around and noticed the kind of people who were going in out of the building. They all rich people.

“ Everything to know is already on how website.” 

“I’m sorry I must have forgot to look it up. Do you have like a flyer for that?”

“Yes please. Here” the lady handed her one of the company’s flyer to her, make her choice. She looked through the flyer for the cost of booking a room with them, while she was also looking out for Mr. Ethan or anyone who looks like him. 

Suddenly, people began talking in whisper as the main door opened. 

Her attention was quickly drawn to the young man who just walked in to the hotel. And as he walked towards her, she could feel her heart beating rapidly, for no reason. She couldn’t stop admiring everything about him; his physique is just too perfect. 

“Hey” he spoke. 

His voice sent a chill down her spine