I stood and looked at the building in front of me with uncertainty. Of course, what harm is there working here? Jada was right, I had gotten a wonderful opportunity, and just now, she gave me a piece of my shit.
I looked at this tall building, built for the heavens. A skyscraper. I have never felt this nervous in my life. I bet it looked exceptionally beautiful at night with lights glaring at it. I guess if my new job was here, well with the possibility of landing the interview, it would change my life. I took a deep breath to calm myself.
'Here goes', I whisper to myself.
I walked up the steps and into the lobby. The interior of this building was even more impressive, it had a column design and a perfect layout. I stood for a moment and saw what I taught would be the floor receptionist, and walked towards it.
"Good Afternoon," I said as I peeked slightly over the counter that separated us. Her attention was elsewhere as she shoots me an upwards glance over her glasses. I looked at her crimson brown eyes.
I could help but notice her pale skin, which was now emphasized with a charming foundation to enlighten her oval face. I particularly noticed her long nails and a mole on the side of her chin. She had heavy lower lips with natural-colored lipstick and tapered eyebrows with dark eyeshadow and dark eyeliner. What was memorizing was her hair, shoulder-length, slightly curly half black on left, and half crimson red split on the right.
"I have an interview at 1 pm," I started, then she butted in.
"Really?" she said, sounding astonished, as she placed one of her hands underneath her chin. "Your forty-five minutes early."
"Yes …" I answered almost underneath my breath, but enough for her to hear me, as her gestures amplified my nervousness.
"What's your name?" she uttered, resumed her typing on the computer she had, eyeing me slightly. Her question confused me a bit, at first.
"Soraya Harrison." Quickly as I said my name she dials a number.
"There's someone here for an interview, with Mr. Hayes," she glanced at me when she said his name. I stood there, thunderstruck when she said his name. Him? Why him? What happened to HR?
Patiently I waited as she continued to murmur into the phone, as I tried to console myself. 'I was going to speak to the actual founder,' I thought to myself trying to get back to reality.
"Okay, Miss. Harrison," as she put down the phone, waiting for me to acknowledge.
"Yes, Miss. Harrison."
"Oh, how wonderful," she replied scanning me again with her googly eyes. "Take the elevator, and stop at the twenty-ninth floor, then ask for Miss. Flowercakes. He's waiting for you."
"Thank you," I said as spun my way to the elevator, her gaze never leaving me.
I followed a group of people into the elevator and as stood inside the small cubicle looking at the numbers they changed. The anticipation started to kill me.
Finally, I saw the twenty-ninth number, and the sound of the elevator made my heart jump. I stepped out with a few people, who seemed to already know where they are destined for. I quietly walked in observing, then I spot a desk that seems like the receptionist. She seemed busy searching for something.
"Good Afternoon," I began. "My name is Soraya Harrison, I am looking for Miss. Flowercakes." As I said this she raised her head from underneath the table with a dreadful look on her face.
"Hi," she said, whimpering. "You're the person for the interview, right?" She said to me as she gracefully tried to remain calm around her desk.
"Yes," I said, trying to read her expression. She then shuffled some papers on her desk as if she was trying to find something. She sighed.
"My name is Miss. Flowercakes," she said so smilingly, staring straight into my eyes. She had short, fine, dark brown hair featuring a side parting. She had a squared face, dark eyes, a small nose, a pointed chin, and thin lips.
"I know this is sudden, it's sudden for me as well," she paused trying to read my emotions. "But I seemed to have misplaced your resume."
She leaned forward saying this with a lower voice. "Is it possible, perhaps you have a copy on you or you can send it now via email for me to reprint?" I could see the desperation and plead in her eyes. I guess I wasn't the only one feeling misplacement.
"Oh, no worries," I looked in my bag and took out the folder I had and pulled out one of the resume copies I had, and gave it to her. Her cheeks lighted up like a primrose, coming to life.
"Oh my goodness," she gave the best smile I could imagine, "You don't know how much this means to me." She got up and walked around her desk while looking at me. She held my resume like it was a trophy, I guess having my resume meant a lot to her. I smiled back at her, hoping it would mean as much to get the job.
"Follow me," she said. "Now, I know this might not help much but," she whispered to me. "Mr. Hayes is not a bully, he's quite charming and willing to hire." As she guide me down a passage where you could see everyone else was busy working on each side.
"Oh really," I whispered. 'That's a relief,' I thought. At least she was calming me down.
"Oh, yes." she emphasized, "Just give him straight eye contact, be polite and answer the best way possible." She slightly stops to look at me, catching me slightly off guard. Gave me a proper glance from head to toe, and walked off again. I guess my appearance and outfit were suitable.
"Note to the wiser," she paused as if to say something. "Um... I doubt she will be there anyways, so no matter," she shrugging her shoulders. I wonder, who she could be talking about.
"I have a question," stopping her in her tracks. Since she's been so talkative and supportive as well. I wonder if I should ask her. I guess why not, her friendliness was so appealing.
"Do you... What is the position? It wasn't clear," I manage to say. At least I would know what I was walking into exactly. She looked sad-struck.
"Oh dear, I wish I could answer that question. I don't know myself." She said waiting a moment as if to give me another opportunity to ask something else.
"I guess I'm ready for whatever is ahead," I said as she acknowledges my response with a smile.
It wasn't far away now when she approached a huge office door, metallic in color.
"Wait here," she whispered as she knocked and entered, leaving me at the entrance. The door wasn't fully closed so I could hear whispers.
"Did you find it?" A voice said harshly.
"Yes, I did."
"Good, next time don't waste my time, Flowers."
"She's outside, right now." I heard a sigh.
"Let her in."
Miss. Flowercakes walked out shyly, with a gleam on her face.
"Mr. Hayes is waiting on you," she said as she gestured to the door. 'Good luck' she whispered to me as she scampered away. I stood there for a few seconds and gracefully knocked on the door and entered.
******
(Mr. Marcelo Hayes's POV)
******
I chimed through the documents and stared at a few things that puzzled me. 'Why were we buying more inventory at just an alarming rate?" Fishing through the papers. I heard a knock and looked at the door only to see Miss. Flowerscakes sliding through the door.
"Mr. Hayes," she said.
"Did you find it?" I asked harshly. Scarlett had personally given her the resume and, now she had misplaced it.
Miss. Madison Flowerscakes had always been my assistant, but it seemed that my one-year leave was more than enough freedom she could handle. She nearly choked, when she saw me staring at her across from her desk as caught her watching a tv-series. She was so caught up, that she did not realize my presence.
I didn't notify her, so I guess I shouldn't expect better. She was always organized, but my absence and sudden appearance were more of a shock. On top of that, I told her to switch floors abruptly and prepare a room temporarily, for me to do this interview. She sure was prompt, but somehow misplace this document.
"Yes, I did," she smiled brightly.
"Good, next time don't waste my time, Flowers," I replied, a nicked name I gave her. She handed them to me, and I took the papers from her.
"She's outside, right now," she said, still smiling, and gesturing her thumb to the door. I sighed and closed my eyes for a bit. I then placed the other troubling papers aside, and quickly glance at the new ones I had just received. I looked at the name, 'Soraya Harrison'.
"Let her in," I said.
I continued to read her resume. Everything was well coordinated, line space was perfect, work experiences and company names were names bold, titles emphasized, and job details organized in list items. There weren't any discrepancies nor could I find any red flags. She majored in financing and even studied at a prominent university. Yet she seemed to be taking odd jobs and lacked years of experience in her current field.
"Hello, my name is Soraya Harrison," she said as she slowly stepped forward and gestured her hand to me.
I glanced at her. She had a small body and it was quite slim. She had long brown straight hair, now caught up in a ponytail, with a few strands out of place. It appealed to her oval face, with her bright brown eyes and thin lips. She didn't seem to be wearing any makeup.
She gave me a cheerful look and seemed to be trying to control her composure when I didn't even bother to acknowledge her hand.
"You can have a seat," I said. I scanned her paper once more as she sat, but all I had on my mind were those reports. All I had to do was hire her, according to Scarlett's wishes, and maybe ask a few questions for formality.
"Look, I do not have the time," I began. "So tell me, why should I hire you?" I said as I raised my gaze at her, uninterested.
"Umm," she spoke but hesitated. Her hands were clasped on her bag in front of her as if she were unsure of herself. "Well, this is a wonderful chance for me to get even get interviewed at such an eminent company, Redwood." She avoided eye contact, staring into her lap.
"Honestly, I do not have much experience working elsewhere but I do believe I have the required skill set for your company. It would be a wonderful step for me if I could start working here," I soughed, in my chair. As I placed the papers on the desk and stroked the temple of my head.
She paused for a moment. How many times have heard this, in different ways, everyone wants to work at my company. I was bored by her response, I just wanted her to finish talking and return to my problems.
I glance back at the reports.
"Why not?" She said firmly. I looked back at her, somewhat surprised by her response.
Her composure was dignified and assuring. Her gaze fixated on me. Not too long ago, she was hardly giving eye contact. Now it seemed like her, nervousness was now swept underneath the rug.
I reclined in my chair. I looked at her steadily. She was more relaxed, she sat upright and her legs crossed at her ankle, with hands clasped together now. Her change in demeanor immediately put me on edge, it piqued my interest.
"What?" I replied.
"You asked, why I wanted this job, and I said why not," she said intently, "You do not seem to have any other candidates," she tilted her head slightly. "So, why not hire me?"
It seemed like my nonchalant behavior from before had gotten to her. She darted her eyes at me, waiting for my response.
"Who said, I do not have more people to interview?" I asked.
"Then why was Miss. Flowercakes searching only for...," she squinted her eyes. "My resume."
I smirked, at her response. She was very observant. "You seemed to be smart."
"Well, I would rather be smart than dumb," she quickly responded, as if to challenge me. Her expression was questioning my motives, as realized I still didn't answer her first question.
"Oh forgive me. For a moment ago I thought you were playing dumb. Clearly, I was wrong," I said smiling, now I was amused.
"Ah I see," she seemed to take a moment, to brush something off her clothes. "I didn't realize you were an expert on the topic."
I ran my hand through my hair. I then sat upright, placing my elbows on the desk and resting my chin on my hands. This woman was doubtless unfazed by me.
"You're the one who said you wanted to work here. Aren't you the one supposed to be selling me your expertise?" I boldly stated.
"Oh how I would love to sell," she started and then stared at her fingertips, "But I'm wondering if you can afford my skills."
I scoffed, as I relaxed back into my chair. Her withitness was certainly charming.
"Look," she said exhausted, "You 'literally' said don't have the time for me and I'm searching for a job. I'm great with numbers and dealing with people."
"I can tell," I uttered, interjecting.
"More than you, that gave me five minutes earlier," she snapped at me, cocking one of her eyebrows at me while being serious. 'She still has that fire in her, and looked cute with expression as well,' I thought.
There was a moment of silence. She wasn't accepting my hogwash.
"My apologies Miss. Harrison," I said, pacing my fingers on the table. "Your right, I have been preoccupied."
I picked up some of the reports that had me smothering since I saw them. She did study finance and had a quick eye on things. I glanced back at her and I thought came to mind.
"Well, you see I just came back from a long trip, and one of my... personal assistants that dealt with my finances has... sadly left," I looked at her, seeing her interest.
"She was a key person, that did these things for me. Now I find myself very flustered. I would have asked Miss. Flowercakes, but she doesn't even know where to being."
She hummed, "Interesting Mr. Hayes. Are you asking me if I want the job?"
"No, more as if... can you do the job?" I suggested.
She smiled in approval.
"Great, I'll ask Miss. Flowercakes to prepare an office for you, you can ask for her on Monday."
"What?" her words somewhat amazed me, as I pretend to be occupied by the papers in front of me.
"Is there a problem, Miss. Harrison?" I glanced at her.
"No," she said slightly shaking her head.
"Then you can leave."