Chapter Two

Estela's POV 

The following day came by very fast and I dragged myself out of bed to make my usual meal, with what I had in the fridge, to an episode of groaning in pain. I ate and had my bath. Today was my day off at the cafe, and I had nothing to do with my morning. I decided to check the applications I sent out to see if there was any reply. But there was nothing. 

I sighed as I relaxed back on the couch, staring at the picture of my mother that was on the opposite side of the wall. We looked alike. It was like I was staring at the older version of myself. 

The heaviness in my heart did not ease as I continued to look at it. Not knowing, tears start to roll from my eyes. I do not regret that I was in debt to pay for her treatment, but that I could not do anything for her before she died. She died in pain and there was nothing I could do. I just stood by and watched as it happened. Not able to do anything about it. 

She was the only one I had. Worked her ass off for me. I never knew who my father was. She said he took off before I was born and that he was never there. But she made sure I didn't feel his absence around me. Life was hard, but we pulled through together until she was diagnosed. 

The money I used to pay for bills then was gotten from a loan shark who always came unto me, asking me to be his woman and that he'd take care of me. I snorted just at the thought. 

He's giving me time, but I know that it's just a matter of time before he finally snaps. I can see it in the way he looks at me with leering and disgusting eyes. He knew I had no other way to pay him except for my jobs and he'll exploit it. 

My phone suddenly rang and it jerked me out of my thoughts. I shifted from the couch to bring it out from under me. It was a strange number. That made me furrow my brows. I hardly got calls. 

“Hello?” I said hesitantly as I picked up the call. 

“Hello. I'm I speaking with Estella Davis?” A very professional voice sounded through the phone and that made me sit up. 

“Yes. Who Am I speaking to please?” I asked cautiously.

“I'm calling to inform you that you've been hired for the post of secretary at Beaumonts’ Group. And your interview is scheduled to be held Next week. Will you be available?” She asked in a very strict tone 

The phone almost fell through my fingers. They were shaking. This was the first time I was called back for an interview. 

“Hello?” Her voice rang through the phone unsure if I was still there. 

“I'm sorry. A..and I'll be available for the interview next week Monday.” I said shakily, trying to sound mature and professional, so as not to get blacklisted even before I got to the interview. 

“Good. You are expected to be here by nine am tomorrow morning. Tardiness will not be tolerated.” She said with a tone of finality. I nodded like she could see me, unsure of my words. 

“Thank you.” She said, and before I replied to her, she dropped the call. 

I looked into the space in front of me as the phone dropped from my hand and I shouted in happiness. I was so happy I did not know what to do. After a few minutes of smiling like an idiot, and my cheeks hurt, I rushed to the kitchen to get something to eat. It was rare for me to suddenly feel like eating. 

So, now that I am happy, I should as well get myself something to eat. 

**********

The weekend flew by so fast as if it never did exist. I was on the moon throughout. But I was nervous too. I didn't know what would happen when I got there. I might be rejected. 

After making sure that I had everything in place, I stepped out of the house, leaving my umbrella behind because it said it wouldn't rain today in the forecast. 

The white shirt I was wearing was old but not tattered. I wore it mainly when I had presentations when I was in university. It clung to my boobs. My skirt was pencil straight and the shoe was an old one too. I knew I looked presentable but I felt insecure a little about what I would face where I was going. 

I did my research during the weekend about Beaumonts. It was the biggest company in the country and they had connections that are literally into all businesses. Without them, the country's economy will plummet a little. They are that important. 

As soon as I got to the bus station, drops of rain started to fall on my shirt. Well, shit. 

What should I do? My hair was what I was scared of the most. I tried my best to put it in place. But water touching it could fuck up all the work I did on it. 

The bus came, and I prayed that the rain would stop before I got to where I was going, but it was like it grew worse. I felt down already. 

After a few minutes, I found myself in front of the company, but I was not able to admire how tall it was because of the heavy rain. I was already looking like a soaked rat. It must not get worse. 

“Hi. I'm here for the interview.” I asked the receptionist, asking for directions indirectly. 

She looked at me for a few seconds before she answered me. 

“You'll take the elevator to the fifty-second floor. That is where it is happening.” She said and I nodded a thank you to her. I started to walk away when the lady shouted, 

“Good luck. You'll need it.” I smiled at her. 

The ride up to the floor was rigged with tension. I was not the only one in the elevator too. 

As soon as the elevator dinged and the doors opened, I suddenly felt out of place. I stepped out of it, gently looking around the place like I'd never been to a place before. 

I immediately knew how Anastasia Steele felt when she stepped into Christian Grey's office. The people here looked like they belonged on another planet entirely. They were mostly ladies moving around in sync and putting things in order. I willed my leg to walk and walked up to the receptionist's desk. 

“Hi. I'm Estella Davis. I'm here for the interview.” I said nervously. I knew it reflected in my voice the way the lady looked at me. 

“You will be called in soon. And you're late, Miss Davis.” She said in a stern tone. 

“I'm sorry….I..” she waved me off and pointed me to a door. 

“Enter, and wait your turn.” She then continued what she was doing. 

“Erm…thank you.” I guess …

I walked into the room and true to what she said, it was almost my turn. I was the next person to be called as the lady holding the pad in hand called my name to confirm if I was there. I checked the time to see if I was late and I was not. I mean, it's just nine right now. 

“Estella Davis.” She called my name with a clipped tone and I answered. 

“I'm here.” I stood up and rubbed my palms on my skirt out of nervousness. 

The lady inside walked out with a downcasted look on her face. That kind of ignited it again.  

“Thanks,” I mumbled to her and walked into the room. 

It was a large one with a chair in front of the long table that the interviewer sat on. I stood and waited until I was told to sit, tweaking my fingers in front of me. 

“Sir down.” The older man said. 

“Thank you.” 

“Introduce yourself.” 

“I'm Estella Davis. I have a degree in company management and…” 

“That's all written here. Tell me something I don't know about you, Estella.” The man said and my eyes widened. I don't know what to say to him. 

“Erm….I..I work well under pressure. I work two jobs at a time and you will not regret hiring me.” Immediately, the words fell out of my mouth, and I regretted them. I knew I fucked up. 

The older man looked at me from underneath his glasses. He then folded his hands in front of him. Then after almost a minute,

“The man you will be working for is a very strong-headed person. He has his own will and you must bend it. He also has a very nasty temper that is terrible. Do you think you can work with that?” He asked. 

“I am perfectly capable of handling any situation that is brought to me if I'm given the job,” I said with assurance. 

He nodded his head and clicked his teeth. 

“You have the job, Estella. And I hope it lasts long.” He said and stood up, walking out of the room. 

I was so shocked that I did not stand up from the chair for a few seconds until I was shaken out of it by the lady that was standing by the door the other time. 

“I got the job,” I said to her, still dazed. 

“Congratulations to you and I hope it lasts.” She said.