THE INTERVIEW
1052 Words
CHAPTER TWO - THE INTERVIEW
“Mom, I'm home!” Lyra screamed at the top of her voice while running into the house.
The little girl was dressed in a white shirt and a small black skirt that swayed around with every step she took.
Her short black hair danced in the air as she ran into the house. Upon hearing her daughter's voice, Clio took off her apron.
She stepped out of the kitchen with a wide smile spread across her face and lowered arms to receive her daughter.
“Sweetie, how was school today?” Clio asked, wrapping her arms around her daughter tightly. “It was fun, I just didn't like English class today,” Lyra replied with her head placed behind Clio's.
Clio withdrew Lyra from the hug before leading her towards the couch so they could sit, “What happened honey?”
Lyra pressed her lips together, “Well.. Miss Anna asked everyone in class to write a story and she said to be creative,” Lyra made an air quote to emphasize on the last word.
Clio folded her arms across her chest as she watched her daughter talk.
“She gave us fifteen minutes to write the story and I was done in ten minutes,” Lyra shrugged as she finished.
“Oh. That was fast,” Clio stated, sounding surprised.
Lyra slid a palm down her face, “Mom, that's not the point. Just keep quiet and listen to me,” She instructed.
Clio was taken aback by Lyra's words. She wondered if Lyra was doing too much for a seven year old but then she knew better than cutting Lyra off when she was sharing one of her school stories so she listened quietly.
“She asked me to submit after I said I was done and after reading my story, she claimed it was too short.”
Lyra started pacing back and forth, “And then I told her that she never stated the length of the story, that she only stated the time duration and I did well to finish on time.”
Lyra stopped abruptly with her arms akimbo as she stared at her mom, “Do you know what she did next?”
Clio shook her head in the negative.
“She then decided to read my story to the class just because I finished early.” Clio let out a soft gasp, feigning shock.
“That was very bad of her.”
“I know right?! And she didn't stop there. She said it wasn't creative enough. I don't know what creativity I was supposed to add to a story about hamburgers. I even added that the cheese could talk,” Lyra finished with a frown but Clio couldn't help but mouth a giggle.
“Honey, I'm sorry you had to go through that. What can I do to make you feel better?” Clio inquired affectionately.
Lyra's white face broke out in joy upon hearing that.
“A trip to the amusement park, right now!” Lyra declared as she tucked the falling strands of her short black hair behind her ear.
Regret washed over Clio when she realized she had lost her job and hadn't been paid her outstanding wages for the past month.
How was she going to take Lyra to the amusement park?
Clio hummed softly, stalling her response as she gathered her thoughts, trying to create the perfect excuse.
Meanwhile, Lyra's bright black eyes sparkled with unchecked excitement, as she awaited Clio's response.
“Umm, I wouldn't be able to take you to the amusement park today.” Lyra’s lips curved downwards, “Why?”
“Well...I was preparing your favorite dish before you walked in. So...” Clio stopped herself in hopes that Lyra would get excited over that instead.
“Really? Let me see!” Lyra's voice tinged in happiness.
Clio heaved a sigh of relief as she watched Lyra run towards the kitchen but the burden of being able to take care of her little girl bothered her...
Later that night, Clio thought about searching online for a job after putting Lyra to sleep.
After wearing her pajamas and rolling up her ginger hair into a bun for the night, she pulled out the chair in front of her study table.
With her laptop open, she was ready to begin her search.
A few scrolls here and there and Clio finally found a sponsored post about the vacancy for a secretary at Greg’s industries.
She immediately sent her application.
“That was fast.”
Clio muttered in shock when she got an email notification with a response from the company. Clio's interview was due the next day.
Following this news, Clio slept no different from a complacent woman.
*********************
Clio adjusted her brown handbag on her shoulders as she approached the building.
With a slight push of the glass door, Clio walked carefully towards the reception.
“Good morning. I'm Clio Clarke, I'm here for the interview.”
The receptionist's face automatically wore a smile, “Good morning ma'am. Please walk straight into the building, the first turning on your left leads to the CEO’s office. Best of luck ma'am.”
“Thank you so much.” Clio appreciated the receptionist.
Following the receptionist’s direction, Clio walked towards the CEO’s office.
The passageway to the CEO's office was a sleek, modern corridor, lined with crisp, cream-colored walls adorned with framed artwork that seemed like a jumble of painting to Clio.
As Clio got to the door of the CEO’s office, she made a quick prayer in her heart that she'd be accepted for the job because it was her last hope.
Clio stood outside as the placard outside read that he was in a meeting.
Clio took a seat by the edge of the door in her waiting.
Minutes ticked by and some men started coming out of the office.
“I guess the meeting is over,” Clio muttered to herself while smiling tightly at the men.
Clio paced forwards, “Knock knock!”
Upon hearing a voice from inside that invited her in, Clio stepped into the office.
The moment Clio set her eyes on the CEO, she lost grip of herself, unable to believe who it was.
- Writer
