Chapter 3 - The Interview

Lia walks inside.

Confidently, heads up.

She likes how things have been going so far and will only hope for the best to happen in the rest coming to her. And well right now, the most important thing is nothing other than this interview which Lia is so ready to just do the best with.

When she sees the man sitting behind the desk, looking so intimidating and like he takes about a hundred interviews daily which means he comes with mercy at anyone, Lia's nerves almost shot up by a few at the sight. But then she remembers the most important tip of being interviewed: that the person doing the job is meant to be intimidating and scare you away, she isn't going to fall into that trap at all. Not in any way so Lia places her files on the table as she sits down on the chair, hands folded on her lap with a straight back just so to have a good posture and look like she is meant to be here.

The man in front of her leans forward and folds his hands on the table, looking directly at Lia in the eyes and she gives him a small smile.

Lia looks at him and back to her documents because it was getting to her head as the nerves are growing while she tries hard to suppress them.

She remembers the conversation she once had with the people she used to be friends with back in college days, the tip of being in an interview was to be honest and crystal clear with the kind of a person you are and Lia is going to do exactly that because she wants this job and has been wanting to be dependent for so long. Now, living in a city where the need to be dependent on herself fully is high makes her really aware of how important today is for her.

Lia, therefore, looks at the man and regains herself because this just doesn't mean for her to have financial independence but also will unfold a part in her life that she's been wanting to for so long, a new step she's wanted ever since and it's finally in front of her. This is when she grabs it and lives whatever shall come to her. Lia can do it and she repeats that within her head to remind herself of the said. She's a confident young woman and that's all there is to it.

"Good morning, sir." Lia says and there's not even an ounce of worry or low confidence coming through in her voice which she's thankful for, makes her feel better and more confident.

He reaches for her documents as she slips them to his side, "I've looked at the one you sent over to us prior, they're all up to the mark." He says and Lia's heart feels lighter in happiness because it's so far going well.

She can only see it getting better. The only hopes for her are now to do well in whatever is going to happen.

"You did your higher studies from Harvard, very impressive."

Lia nods her head at that and goes on to explain whatever she had done and with the GPA she had. She likes it because as she kept progressing into the conversation, she kept getting more and more confident, saying all that she wanted clearly and to the point. In a detailed yet brief at the same time kind of a manner and that makes her really happy because this is Lia's strength which is also the top most quality a project handler can have. That is what Lia tried to set forward as well, to let them be aware that she's the right match for that position and would do that job with all that she's capable of. This matters to her the most.

"Out of all the candidates we have applying for this job, why should we hire you?"

Lia takes a fraction of a second to think before answering, "I'll be the best match because I believe in not only just meeting deadlines but also delivering great results. That will definitely be my priority to keep the company's reputation and name ahead of everything. I'll make sure to fit into the team and take everyone's beneficial opinions into consideration."

The man named Mr. Lucas looks at Lia and leans back into his chair slightly before nodding his head.

"What can you bring to the company?"

Lia looks at how Lucas is now more relaxed than before and that makes her feel more at ease as she tries to answer the question.

"Dalton's Corporation seems to be doing extremely well in exchange values and market shares but I believe there's more to be done in collaborative projects and while I am the one applying for a similar position, I strongly think that we can move ahead more in that direction and put more work into it which I'll make sure of, if I am given the job."

Lia likes that, the answer she has given is satisfactory to at least her and that makes her just more happy, content to be present.

Lucas looks like he's even more happy with that when he leans forward and nods his head, passing a smile to Lia.

"You did your research."

"That's a part of my job." Lia says and Lucas looks like he is indeed happy with that.

"What's your biggest weakness in a professional set up?" He asks and Lia had not expected that question to be thrown at her even though it's not that big of a deal. She remembers being taught about how tricky this question is. To answer it sounding neither cocky about being perfect nor pointing out something that could stand against herself.

She doesn't look like she's bothered by it though. "I'd say not being able to say no and often at times offering help to people. It, at times, brings added workload but I'm working on it."

Lucas looks at her before diverting his attention back to the documents in front him as he unfolds and opens the files before taking out some

He takes out the papers and reads through them, they are all about Lia's achievements and all that she had studied. Her palms are sweaty and Lia is doing the best job to not show that at her face while rubbing her hands below the table.

"You've been a bright student." Lia likes to hear that because that makes her feel like all her efforts have paid off well. She worked hard in her studying days and likes to be acknowledged for it because they do take a lot of effort.

"And your project involvement history is great as well." Lia's chest swells with pride at that. She sees this going in a great direction and that makes her feel very relieved. Also, happy about it all.

"What's lacking is work experience. There is not much of it."

Lia nods to that because she's young and has recently passed out after completing her higher education. She has worked with people in the past one year but not for so long. Lia had been aware of the fact that this question was going to come out and it is probably the most difficult to answer question for her.

Lia looks at him still going through her documents thoroughly because obviously, getting a job in this company is not at all an easy thing.

"I did work as a Project manager in Massachusetts for around six months before I quit the job because moving to New York has been a thing I have wanted for so long." Lia explains and pauses for a little, unnoticeable amount of time before she continues further.

"I'll agree that there's no such job experience backing me up but everyone has to start somewhere. Dalton's Corporation is barely four years in works yet it's one of the most successful in the field of work. I strongly believe that you can build experience with time as long as you're willing to put in efforts to polish your new self, like this company did and like I am willing to do."

Lia is sure she couldn't have answered this better.

Now, this is something Lia gave her all to and if the results aren't in her favor, at least she won't have anything to regret. She feels happy with how she has done at this point.

"You're very smart. Aware of how to answer everything." Lia smiles at that. She likes that trait; it works well for her and would work well for her job. She's grown so much throughout time that it's made her have qualities she had only admired in people. That makes her happy because Lia five years ago would be so proud of Lia sitting here and sorting out her life.

"Your statistics are great. You seem well enough as a person as well." Lucas pauses and Lia's heart rate quickens. She's so eager to hear what is coming to her because she doesn't know what else could that bring to her.

"The board of interviewers will look through your portfolio and you'll be called back by the afternoon or so." Lucas says and Lia nods her head, crossing her fingers and praying inside her head that it would work in her favor.

"Thank you, Miss Lia." He says and Lia grabs her files before standing up.

"Thank you." She says and departs from the room, feeling light hearted and happy. She feels content because she has a great feeling that it will work out well for her and she'll have this job.

She searches for her phone inside her purse and takes it out only to see a missed call from Emery. She has been her best friend from ages and will continue being the most important person in her life other than her parents. It feels absolutely wonderful to have her by her side through all the ups and downs in life.

Walking to the elevator, she dials Emery's number and places the phone next to her ear as she steps inside and presses the button inside the lift.

"Hello?" She says while she hangs the purse on her shoulders after shoving the documents in it.

"How'd your interview go?" She asks immediately, sounding enthusiastic and Lia chuckles at that. She looks at people all around her looking blankly in the front.

Thankfully, she steps out and walks out of the building. "Good! Actually, really good." Lia says and she feels so happy saying that because the chances of her getting the job appears to be very high.

"I'm so happy for you! How do you think the results will be?"

Lia walks to the sideway and walks over to the Starbucks that was right beside the office building and Lia is definitely craving a coffee. She loves it and can't seem to live without one. It's all that makes her feel energetic and alive. The lack of it in her system is clearly very visible and she can't go without one right now, so she steps inside and gives her order, excusing herself from Emery a bit.

"I do think the chances of me getting the job are high. They said I'll be informed in a few hours." Lia says sitting on a table and placing her bag on it.

"That's so good to hear. How's New York treating you?"

"I love it actually. It's so pretty all around." Lia says looking around and sipping the coffee, she loves a cold one. It makes her feel better automatically.

"How's it back at home?" Lia asks and hears Emery sigh. Lia can't help but look all around and notice how well dressed and posh everyone looks. It's not that different from Massachusetts but also totally different because it's the aura this city has. It lives up to its name and that's certainly very true.

"The same. It's good though, nothing too bad."

Lia lightly nods her head at that, "How are you?"

Lia hears Emery chuckle at that. "I'm fine, how are you?"

Lia answers that and looks around to observe the people coming in, sitting with others and it's just such a lively atmosphere. Kind of gives Lia the vibes that this is almost what Instagram looks like, just that it's a real life she's seeing. It's sad to her because there's no more social media is not real type of consoling that will happen.

Her eyes immediately fall onto a man entering the place as Lia excuses herself from Emery for a while. He looks so dapper in a three-piece suit that although Lia is wearing the same, he has just an unreal aura around him. One that demands attention as soon as he stepped inside the place. All eyes on him but it's rather weird that he comes in wearing a black mask and sunglasses as if purposely hiding his identity and he went on to place his order.

He's tall. And he has all of Lia's attention to him. Even without seeing an ounce of his face, Lia can tell he's insanely attractive and that baffles her so much. He's built so well, fit and the clothing sticking to his body except the blazer hanging on his body, not buttoned up and he pushes it back, shoving a hand into his pocket. Lia can only see his back and she's sure she looks like a madwoman staring at a man she has no idea about.

She has to take away her eyes, she wants to but it's a physically impossible task to her. Like she can not do it, no matter how she tries.

Lia has the weird urge to look at his face because he looks oddly familiar. Like Lia has seen him but not at the same time.

"Is something wrong?" Lia hears Emery's voice through the phone and she flinches slightly, being back into the world taking her eyes off of him. He looks like he's rich and that's not something rare in New York but he looks different, sets himself apart from all these people around and anyone she has come across. He has the aura of being the richest, the most powerful man and that's what's different about him.

Lia wants to look away. She really wants to so she tries but keeps failing miserably and it's even embarrassing at this point.

"No. Everything's okay." Lia says and Emery hums as Lia tries to focus on the coffee in front of her.

Tries to bring her mind back to the conversation and also wait for the phone call. She wants to hear the good news and focus on life ahead.

Not on a man because men have not been the kindest and the best to her. She has not had the best experience and she isn't willing to repeat it.

Lia doesn't want a man. She's not looking forward to it either.