Nine

EVE'S POV 

After settling in my new home, I had one more thing to do, finding a job. The sooner, the better. 

I was no longer getting any money from my parents, and Morgan’s financial situation wasn't the best. So the sooner i got a job, the better it would be for all of us. 

Once I find a job, maybe I could look for a new apartment to rent. Although, the house we were living in wasn't exactly the worst, it was practical at best.

 Living with Morgan in the same room when we were only pretending to be a couple had its own share of challenges I wished to fix soon.

With a good job, I could be able to afford to rent a good apartment where we could each, have our own rooms. Also, once I find a job, I would have fewer things to worry about and finally focus on finding ways to raise funds for Sandra's medical bill. I had high hopes of finding a job quickly. 

Just the other day, I had received a call for an interview from Edwards Group, a famous design company that was renowned in the fashion industry. 

They reached out to me because I had won the first place in a design competition and received many accolades.

I was determined to ace the interview and get the job. Working for Edwards Group would be a dream come true. As a jewellery designer, it was the most lucrative spot I could hope for in the industry. As long as she got a job with them, I would have a decent income.

Other than a good pay, I would also get a chance to work with some of the best talents in the industry. I would also have access to the best resources that would help me advance my skills and build my experience quickly.

If I was lucky, I would get to meet the company's CEO. 

Edwards Group's CEO was a legend in the industry, but, oddly, not much was known about him. But l didn't need to know anything about him to know he was someone worth meeting. 

Leading a company like Edwards Group and achieving its level of success and

popularity was no mean feat. Meeting and learning from such an accomplished figure would be an honour.

I arrived at the company at half-past eight, which was half an hour before the time scheduled for my interview. 

That was enough time to gather myself with, and ensure I was completely calm for the interview. Interviewing for such a company was surely no joke. I had to be on my A-game.

There were definitely other talented designers eyeing the same spot I wanted, and I couldn't afford to make any mistake.

After getting past the security at the lobby of the company building, I got into an elevator to take me to the floor where my interview would be taking place.

While I waited for the doors to close, I caught sight of a familiar figure in the lobby. I craned my neck, trying to get a clearer look, but he was obstructed by a group of people. I felt like I knew him.

 But Instantly the doors closed, and I shook my head. I surely was overthinking things. How could I recognise anyone from their back?.

At exactly nine o'clock, I and the other interviewees were led to the interviewing room. It was set up like an examination room, and I was directed to take a seat at a desk. I politely greeted the interviewers as I took my seat.

 It wasn't until after I was seated that I recognised one of the panel members. It was impossible to forget the girl. Her name was Ella, we had been classmates in college.

I remembered her well because we had once competed for the same scholarship program. Luckily for me, I won the scholarship, and since then, Ella had a grudge against me.

"Hello, Eve. It's so nice to see you here," she greeted as she approached with an examination paper in hand. 

Her bright voice caught me off-guard. Was this the same girl who had sneered at me all the way through college?

"Hi, it's nice to see you too, Ella" I replied, smiling. 

She was probably only being nice, because the other interviewers were around. Well I was glad for that. Otherwise, it would have been too awkward.

"Here's your paper," she said, giving me the paper.

"All the best”

"Thank you;" I replied, getting ready to begin the exam.

When I was done with the interview, the HR told me that the results would be emailed to me. So, I left to go back home, hoping for a positive response. 

The exam paper, although I had noticed it was prepared for more experienced designers, it hadn't been hard on me.

 I had confidently answered the questions and felt that I would pass.

However, a little worry nudged at the back of my head because of Ella. Having someone who hated me on the panel deciding whether to give me a job or not didn't exactly bring on positive feelings. 

I knew very well that if Ella was influential enough and didn't want me in the company, then, it wouldn't matter how well I did on the paper.

ELLA'S POV 

After Eve left the interview room, the panel of interviewers went through her examination paper.

It didn't take long for them to realise that she had done exceedingly well on all the questions.

"Wow, this is amazing;" one of the female interviewers commented after seeing her impressive answers. 

"Ella, you gave her a paper meant for senior experienced designers, but she got everything right. Are you guys sure she is just a beginner?"

Another interviewer nodded. 

"She won the design championship for junior designers. She is brilliant for someone with so little experience. It will be great if we can bring her on board before another company snatches her up. I'm already excited to see the pieces she works on".

At this point, their words and praises were beginning to anger me. 

"Guys, I think you are exaggerating" iy said from mh spot on the panel table. 

"She is good, but not any better than others we have interviewed!"

The interviewer sitting next to me turned to face me.

“You are kidding, right?" he asked.

 "She managed to finish a paper that was above her level on time, and with very good answers. I feel she even did better than many senior designers, who have taken the same examination. She is definitely above the mark among her peers. Personally it's been a while since l came across such a brilliant interviewee."

"Just because she scored well on the paper doesn't mean she is the right designer for our company”, I argued even harder, now hating how my co-workers were praising Eve. 

I hadn't expected Eve to complete the paper on time, let alone pass it with flying colours. 

It irritated me to no end. But there was no way I was going to let that woman work at Edwards Group. 

Going to the same college with her had been unlucky enough.

"But she essentially passed the interview;" the female interviewer told me. 

"This examination is designed to reveal a designer's strengths and weaknesses. Someone with poor skill or knowledge cannot possibly pass the paper, let alone so well. Also, don't forget we have managed to find some of our best designers in this manner"

"If you had given her the right paper for her level, she would have undoubtedly aced it too. Come on, you have to admit she is the kind of person we are looking for. Why exactly do you think she is not a good fit for the company?”. The last panel of interviewer chirped in.