Chapter 1: Getting Ready for my First Interview

Angela Anderson, despite what happened in the past has managed to put it behind her and completed her college education with good grades. Ten years after the tragic incident which happened on her birthday, she was now ready for the real world. With the help of her father, Mr Anderson, Angela was able to apply for a position in a well-known prestigious trillion-dollar company called Diamond Corporation. She had been called for an interview and she prepared herself for it very excited. Angela appeared to have pushed everything behind her growing up and is now focused on her future.

The day for the interview finally came and Angela got ready for it. She put on a simple white blouse over a black skirt and completed her dressing with a simple necklace, small earrings and black full shoes with a 2-inch block heel. She held her hair up in a bun and checked herself out in the mirror after applying some lip gloss on her dry lips. Satisfied with her appearance, she exited her bedroom and went down the stairs to bid her mother goodbye before leaving for Diamond Corporation.

"Mum, I am leaving for the interview," Angela said kissing Mrs Anderson on the cheek.

 "I wish you the best. Your father will drop you off," Mrs Anderson said and immediately Mr Anderson joined the two in the kitchen, casually dressed.

"You don't have to Dad. I can always get the bus," Angela said. "I am not a little girl anymore," she added drawing Mr and Mrs Anderson's attention to herself that she was all grown.

"Don't be silly. It is your first interview and I need to be there. Subsequently, you can do the bus," Mr Anderson said and greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek making her smile.

"Hmm, I love everything about this family except this old tradition of being present at the first of everything," Angela said throwing her hands in the air as she walked towards the main door. "At this rate, I guess you will drop me off at my boyfriend's on my first visit. At my husband's, when I'm moving in for the first time," she added.

"That wouldn't be a bad idea. That way I will know you are safe at all times," Mr Anderson said as they walked out the front door.

"Are you going to be present when I decided to lose my virginity to my husband?" Angela asked standing next to the co-driver seat door.

"Hmmm, that, I don't want to be present," Mr Anderson said after pretending to be thinking through her statement making Angela laugh.

"I wouldn't mind dropping you off at the hospital for your first pregnancy test, first antenatal check and first birth," Mr Anderson said as they both got into the car and Angela shook her head in disbelief while smiling.

"Someday when you start your family, you will have a tradition of your own when the little angels start coming in. It would be your way of ensuring your family is safe always," Mr Anderson said and Angela smiled.

"I love you, Dad," Angela said and hugged Mr Anderson behind the wheel.

"I love you too kiddo," Mr Anderson said hugging her back. "Now let's go and pass that interview," he added pulling away from the hug and bringing the car engine to life.

The car drove out of the compound and headed for the company. Mr Anderson decided to ensure Angela was well prepared for her interview so he threw a couple of questions at her to answer to help her build her confidence for the interview. Angela did her best to answer them all.

"You will do fine. Just relax. Pay attention to the questions, and answer them to the best of your knowledge. Remember, always mention your skills in your answer and don't forget to add how that will benefit the company," Mr Anderson advised and the car came to a stop.

Angela stuck her head out and stared at the entrance of the company with the tight security. She moved her gaze beyond the gate and, sitting inside a compound surrounded by tall walls, was a towel with Diamond Corporation bolding inscribed at the top.

"Oh God help me," Angela whispered on her lips staring at the giant building.

"You will be fine. Just believe in yourself," Mr Anderson encouraged and Angela hugged him one more time with a smile before getting down from the car.

She held the strap of her handbag and walked towards the gate after taking in a deep breath. She looked back at her father who was driving away and waved him before turning her gaze back to the main gate.

"Who are you and what do you want?" the security man asked after Angela confirmed she wasn't an employee.

"Angela Anderson is my name. I am here for an interview," Angela replied staring at the two men who looked like one wrong word from her and they would have her arrested.

"Rico, give her the visitor card and scan her in," the man said in a deep voice and Angela gulped looking at the huge man with a world-built body.

Another man issued Angela with an electronic card with Visitor writing on it and Angela was given something like a pad to sign and she did. She was directed to the reception. Angela walked into the compound and soon entered the reception.

"Good morning," Angela began and the receptionist spoke.

"You are welcome to Diamond Corporation, Angela. Kindly walk down this hall and make yourself comfortable in the waiting area. You will be called," she said with professionalism and her smile was on point.

"Thank you," Angela acknowledged wondering how she knew her name.

The receptionist was dressed in a suit. She had on light make-up and looked like she was going to deliver a speech at an international programme. Angela suddenly felt out of place with her dressing but she still headed in the direction the receptionist had shown her.

When Angela got to the place, she pushed and walked through a door in front of her, and she realized it was a waiting room just like the receptionist had told her. Other applicants were waiting to be interviewed. They were all dressed in fine suits and the ladies had on a full make-up. It looks like Angela was the only one who didn't get the memo on the wearing of a suit and makeup. The ladies appeared to be wearing shoes with long pencil heels which ranged between five-inch and seven-inch. Angela looked at her two-inch block heel and felt odd.

She greeted the other applicants with a smile before taking her seat even though she was beginning to feel awkward looking at everyone's appearance and comparing it to hers. She was not poorly dressed but her dressing appeared too casual looking at the sophisticated dresses of all the applicants. Angela focused her gaze on the file in her hand.

The room was very spacious and the were two doors facing each other. One door was inside the room and the other other was the room exit door. They were all sitting in a padded single but were linked to each other in an L-shape.

The inner door opened, and a woman entered the waiting area from an inner room. She wasn't in a suit, but she wore an expensive close-fitting grey office dress with a belt around the waist. She was standing in seven-inch heels and her hair was neatly styled.

"Greetings to you all," she greeted, standing in the middle facing the applicants boldly. "I am Susan," she introduced. "I know you are all here for the position of a secretary. We only need one person, and we will be arriving at the decision today," she said.

Angela stared at the lady as she spoke. She had such a beautiful smile plastered on her face and her make-up was perfect. Angela only applied lip gloss, a pencil and eyeliner. Angela started feeling she had failed the interview before it even began. She didn't belong to the class of people sitting in the room.

"Give your best and remember everything counts," Susan said.

Her statement made Angela lose all her hope, but she remained seated.

"With that said, the first person, please come with me," Susan said, and the first applicant in the queue stood up and followed her in.