LOVE IN A SWEET POISON

Time 9.20 AM The door opened and revealed two more candidates for the interview. Giggling their way inside the waiting hall and sat at two empty seats next to her. HER ''Young people these days are least bothered about time and puntualities'' she sighed . she looked at the ID number wrapped around their wrists "302 and 303 hmm".... Each the year number of wanting to work in this company increases at a drastic level. This year it hit 300 and above. "It's gonna be fun. "She smiled to herself. Candidate No. 107: "Did you read the recent article about the company? It has been just 3 years since the company broke their partnership with Mr. Smith's company, yet they managed to increase their individual revenue to 60% of what Mr. Smith's company does." Candidate NO. 303: "There must be some other underground activities going on! I mean.. How can a company which was under the verge a of destruction bounce back to one of the top paramedical Korea within 3 years?'' Candidate 10-148: 'Exactly I thought the same too and I've heard they give more importance to female candidates than male. Could that be they do s*x trafficking?" She sighed while listening to them. Candidate 78: Did you notice the in change for the interview at the entry gate OMG.. He is such a hottie a other make wonkers here. hottie... Wonder how are other male workers here are. Candidate 214: (OTP) "Hey Mom.... No, No. Still in waiting room.. I don't know whether I'll get through the interview just giving a try... Sure mom, Bye.." She rolled her eyes and looked up the clock, 9.48 AM. she started tapping her legs impatiently. "It's almost time she." thought The exact instance, the door opened revealing handsome man with some paper in their hands. I looked at him emotionlessly. Candidate 78: "Looks like all male workers here are hotties." "Hello. Ladies and gentleman, I'm extremely sorry for making you wait for such a long time. I'm Steven Smith, organizer of today's interview. So, I have a list of people who has been shortlisted for the Second round. Kindly co-operate till I read your ID numbers, on your wrists so that we could more to the next venue. Candidate no 146: "Excuse me, sorry for the interruption but what do you mean by shortlisted to the next round? I believe we are all waiting for round 1 and it still hasn't started. All the people in the room nodded and looked at steven confused. "I believe, we have informed you all to be here in the waiting hall by 9:00 AM as the round 1 of the interview will start by the exact time." Everyone turned to see who spoke and she slowly stood from her seat and walked towards Steven. Steven smirked at her while she glared at him and turned around towards the people . "So the interview for round 1 started exactly at 9.00 AM." she said white facing them. Everyone in the hall room was looking at her like she was an alien. She just ignored everyone's glares and extended hand towards Steven without looking at him . He handed her the papers he was holding. She looked over the papers and smiled ... "OH I forget to introduce myself. I'm Adalia Bake, your Round 1 interviewer and .."she stopped before Speaking again, "The current CEO of the Han-Yak paramedics. Everyone in the room gasped and Steven's friends gaze turned into a more professional one, eyeing everyone carefully. Adalia Continued. "We Han-Yak' group's started at 2008 partnering with Smith Industries. 3 years ago we decided to part our ways upon a 'Healthy discussion' considering each other's version on future workspace and service customers." Steven looked at Adalia and lowered his gaze, images of the day where the HEALTHY CONNECTION happened between Smith's family and Bake's family flashed before his eyes. He clenched his jaw. Adalia looked at candidate 107 and said, "All the articles don't publish the exact revenue about the company, one must never believe what Others Say or what other show. "Series of verifications, information collections and detailed fallow up's would provide us the proper solution we're looking for." Adalia turned towards candidate 303 and said, "s*x trafficking?" she scoffed, "oh sweety that would indeed bring us a fortune, But we dwell on saving lifes not destroying them and Mr. Cardidate 214. I'm extremely sorry to say this, but we don't hire people who has no confidence in themselves." and last but not the least she walked towards candidate 78 and said, "I believe we all work to earn money to provide necessities for our family and serve the society we live in, about Our co-worker being a hottie." She bend down and whispered, "Try to get employed before talking about co workers." "Round 1 of the Interview is all about your conduct, mind set inside and outside of the office premises. A small known/unknown misconduct, you can give up your dream on getting into Han Yak." Adaila said looking at them. She read 20 ID's in the paper shortlisted for round 2, Only 20 out of 303 candidates procceded to the round 2. "Rest of the people better luck next time." With that she walked out of the room. steven handed the papers to his assistant "I'm counting on you" and left the room following Adalia. "What's on the shedule next?"She asked Steven. "Board meeting." he sighed. [Time skip 2:00PM] Adalia slumped into her chair, looked up to the piles of records on her table. She grabbed the most file while a hand stopped hen from opening it. "What now, Steve?" She asked without looking at him. "You look like you are going to pass out anytime. Did you eat anything?" He asked as he grabbed the file. "I'm fine. I had some juice." She said as he pushed his hand away. steven let out a sigh. Adalia ignored him and was looking at the file. " ARE YOU PLANNING TO KILL YOURSELF?" He shouted. Adalia looked at him with no emotion. She parted her lips to speak.. "What? Are you going to lecture me that you are doing your job as a CEO? Oh Screw it. Adalia ....Not at the cost of your heath and wellbeing." Steven's voice softened and he again continued, "3 years.. it's been 3 years since I saw you sit properly for a meal or properly sleep on time. What are you trying to prove Yuri? Adalia glared at Steven. MY NAME IS ADALIA BAKE. "She shouted. Adalia stood from her seat and walked towards the door. "Is It because of him?" He suddenly making Adalia stoping dead on her tracks . Steven insisted, "Is it because of him, you aren't giving a single moment for yourself in your life!!! Are you scared that even 5 mins of ideal time would bring back his memories. Adalia turned around and faced him and said," Him? I have no idea who you are referring to. 3 years ago the company was at his dead bed. You know how hard my father worked for this company. Han-Yak was his hard work, life, build with every energy from his cell. I had to save it somehow and I did and what I had to. Sleepless nights, peaceless meals.. I'm not bothered as long as 1 meal a day, and 2 hrs of sleep Keeps me alive. That's enough." Adalia saw how worried and concerned steven was, she moved closer to him and smiled. STEVEN She moved closer to me and smiled "What a lifeless smile." I THOUGHT. "Don't worry, I'll leave soon today. I have a date." She winked at me. I sighed. " Yeah Yeah good luck with your date." I murmured letting her hear me. [ Time skip - 8:20 PM] Adalia arrived 10 min early, she was escorted to a VIP room. ADALIA "Wow!!! This time he really chosed a fancy restaurant." I smiled to myself as I seated and waited for my date. I took my phone and started looking at the picture we took at our last street food date. He took me to mall and we had the best day ever. He always takes me out in public, he knows I like being outside but what's wrong today." Adalia looked at the private room specially reserved for VIP's. It was on the top floor of the building. Adalia could see the whole city down, and beautiful stars up through the window. "It's beautiful." She whispered looking at the stars. "It's a clear sky today."" Clear sky brought a lot of memories of him... "Steven Knows me very well." She smiled sadly. The door opened suddenly interrupting my thoughts. "Hey princess" He looked into my eyes, "You look beautiful as always" He came closer and hugged me."And you look handsome too. "I smiled at him as I continued "I missed you... Dad." "I missed u too princess." Mr. Bake aka my dad said. There was slight knock at the door, my father smiled and opened the door revealing who two more men of my father's age in suit. "Oh, Calvin-Ah, you are here welcome. Meet my daughter Adalia." Mr. Calvin turned towards me and looked up straight through my eyes. His eyes was so piercing like he can look through my soul . It had a bit of warmth in it yet intimidating. I smiled and and extended my him, He shook my hands towards him. He shook my hands and said, "It's a pleasure meeting you, Adalia. You are indeed pretty more than the rumors. he said in a low voice. "Uh Sorry??" I confusedly asked. " I mean your father always talks about you So basically I know you since birth." He smiled. I looked at my father confused. "He and I were close friend since High school. So you know , we know each others dark secrets." He laughed . you know, we know each others dock secrets." He laughed. I nooded then my eyes followed the other person in the room. Mr. Calvin understood my gaze. "He is my PA Mr. Ader!" Mr. Calvin replied. I bowed at him as I said, "It's nice to meet you Mr. Ader"I noticed some files in his hand and understood its not just a friendly dinner. "Please, Let's all take our seats" Me, my father and Mr. Calvin sat.. Mr. Ader hasitated. "Please take a seat Mr. Ader. Correct me if I'm wrong but guessing from those files. and records, I feel it's gonna be a business talk." My father and Mr. Calvin smiled. "Thanks for the consideration but I have to leave now."Mr.Ader kept those files on the table and left the room leaving the three of us alone. "Let's order and a eat something. Then let's talk" I smelled something more fishy but decided to keep quiet and let them break the ice. "So, Adalia, Me and your father know each other for a very long time, I got married first though. He was so relucant about marriage saying he wants to marry someone he loves and known for a while," Mr.Calvin chuckled and continued, "Soon I had a son after few years he had you. I always wanted a daughter and I was kind of Jealous of him, He always brags about you like when you took your first step, when you first said dad, when you made a burnt toast for him." I just smiled while dad was proudly listening to Mr. Calvin. MR.Calvin continued, "But we had to part our ways, I had to manage business abroad and we moved out completely from korea with my family. we returned 4 years ago and planning to settle in Korea. Though we were far we never broke our contact with each other and now to make our bond stronger, we have contain things. My son has taken the business 5 years ago and You have done a great job bringing Han-Yak singlehandedly to the most desirable companies in Korea after breaking partnership with Smith's industries. "Do you want us to be business partners with your son?" I asked waiting for his answer. Mr. Calvin smiled and replied, "No, I want you to be my son's LIFE PARTNER."