Chapter 2
1416 Words
Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000156 EndHTML:0000146480 StartFragment:0000000469 EndFragment:0000146472
Morning sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of Elena’s apartment, painting streaks of gold across the modest room. For a blissful moment, everything felt normal.
Then the memories of the previous night came crashing back. The gala, the champagne, Damien Cross, the slap, and the countless phones pointed in their direction.
She groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “What a disaster…”
With a reluctant sigh, she dragged herself out of the bed. Today wasn’t the time to dwell on yesterday’s mistakes. She had something far more important to focus on. Her interview!
She hurried into the bathroom, brushing her teeth while mentally rehearsing possible interview questions. Fifteen minutes later, she stepped out, wrapped a towel around herself, and opened the small wardrobe that held the few outfits she owned. Her fingers hovered over several dressed before settling on a neatly pressed navy-blue blouse and black pencil skirt. Simple. Professional. Presentable.
After applying light make-up, she studied her reflection. “You can do this,” she whispered. She slipped her certificates into her handbag, grabbed her phone, and hurried outside.
The streets were already alive with morning traffic. As Elena walked toward the roadside to hail a cab, she noticed something strange. People were staring. Some whispered behind the hands. Others openly pointed in her direction.
A teenage boy nudged his friend before glancing at her. “That’s her…”
Elena lowered her head. So the video really had spread that far that everyone now recognizes her. Pretending not to notice, she hailed a cab. “DC Hospital, please.” The driver nodded before pulling into the traffic.
Throughout the ride, Elena watched the city blur past the window, silently praying that today be different. Nearly thirty minutes later, the cab stopped before a breathtaking glass structure that stretched toward the morning sky. Elena stepped out and froze.
DC Hospital! It looked less like a hospital and more like a five-star luxury hotel. Its towering glass walls reflected the sunlight beautifully, while perfectly manicured gardens surrounded the entrance. Luxury vehicles filled the parking lot, and staff moved with quiet efficiency.
She couldn’t help smiling. “So this is where I’m hoping to work…” For the first time in months, hope flickered inside her. Maybe this job would finally change her life.
After paying the driver, she took a deep breath and walked inside.
The lobby was even more magnificent than the exterior. Marble floors gleamed beneath elegant chandeliers reflecting the bright illumination.
Patients were attended to promptly. Doctors strode confidently through the halls. Receptionists greeted visitors with warm professionalism.
No wonder it was regarded as the finest hospital in the city. She was so absorbed in the surroundings that… Thud! She bumped into someone.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, bending quickly to gather documents that had slipped her hands.
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking.”
“It’s alright.”
The voice was warm. Gentle. Nothing like the cold tone she had heard the previous evening. A hand reached down, helping her collect the scattered papers.
When Elena looked up, she found herself staring into a pair of striking emerald-green eyes. The man before her looked to be in his late twenties, dressed in an impeccably tailored emerald suit that complemented his eyes perfectly. His features were sharp yet kind, and the easy smile on his face instantly put her at ease.
“I should have been paying attention too” he said with a chuckle. “I’m Adrian.” He extended his hand.
Elena accepted it. “Elena Moore. A pleasure to meet you.” She replied.
“The pleasure is mine.”
Adrian glanced at the file in her hands. “Interview?”
She nodded. “Yes. Laboratory Scientist.”
His smile widened. “Well, you’re in luck. Interviews here are tough, but if they invited you, it means the already saw something special.”
Elena laughed softly. “I hope they still think so after yesterday.”
Adrian tilted his head. “Yesterday?”
She immediately realized what she had almost revealed and forced a smile. “Nothing.”
He studied her for a brief second but wisely chose not to pry.
“Well, I’d better not keep you. The interview should begin soon.” He gestured towards the elevator.
“Good luck, Miss Moore.” He added.
“Thank you.”
As she walked away, Adrian watched her thoughtfully. There was something familiar about her. He simply couldn’t place it.
Elena stepped into the elevator, relieved that she’d arrived on time. She pressed the button for the twelfth floor, where the interviews were being conducted, and exhaled slowly.
“Just focus on the interview. Forget everything else.” She told herself.
The elevator doors were about to close when a firm voice called from outside.
“Hold it!”
The doors slid open again. A tall figure strode inside with another figure behind. Elena’s breath caught.
Damien Cross and someone she assumed to be his P.A.
Today, he wore a charcoal-gray three-piece suit that fit him to perfection. His tie was impeccably knotted, and a sleek silver watch that screamed wealth rested on his wrist. He looked every bit the billionaire the world admired and feared.
The moment he entered, the atmosphere inside the elevator shifted. The air felt heavier.
Two nurses already inside immediately lowered their heads in greeting.
“Good morning, Mr. Cross.”
He acknowledged them with a slight nod before his gaze settled on Elena. For a fleeting moment, neither of them spoke. Recognition flashed across his eyes.
So… the woman who had slapped him had come to his hospital.
Elena instinctively looked away. Great! Of all the elevators, of all the hospitals. Why did it have to be this one?
The silence stretched unbearably. Then Damien broke it.
“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” His tone was calm, almost conversational.
Almost!
Elena lifted her chin. “Neither did I.”
One corner of this mouth twitched ever so slightly. “You still seem fearless.”
“I simply don’t believe in pretending.”
The nurses exchange nervous glances. They had never had anyone speak to Damien Cross so casually.
The elevator climbed another floor. Damien studied her without saying a word. Unlike last night, she wasn’t wearing a waitress’s uniform. She looked… different. Professional. Confident.
There was exhaustion hidden beneath her eyes, but she carried herself with quiet dignity. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he found himself curious.
“What brings you here?” he asked.
“I’m here for an interview.”
“Position?”
“Laboratory scientist.” She replied
“Hum” that was all he said.
No mockery, no sarcasm. Just thoughtful hum. The elevator chimed. Twelfth floor.
Elena stepped out without another word. Just as the doors began to close behind her, Damien’s voice reached her.
“Miss Moore.”
She paused and turned.
“I hope you’re better at your profession than you are at carrying champagne. A faint smile tugged at his lips. It wasn’t an insult, it wasn’t a joke either.
Before Elena could respond, the doors closed.
She blinked. “Was that supposed to be funny?” For the first time since the gala, she almost smiled.
---
Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Damien remained unusually quiet. His executive assistant, Nathan, finally spoke.
“Sir…” he started.
“What?”
“You smiled.” He pointed out
Damien looked at him blankly. “I did not.”
Nathan wisely decided not to argue. After working for Damien for eight years he knew better than to point out the obvious. Still… It was the first genuine smile Nathan had seen from his boss in months. And it had been caused by the same woman who had slapped him. Interesting!
---
Elena arrived outside the conference room and joined the other applicants waiting to be called. There were nearly twenty candidates. Some revised their notes, others whispered nervously among themselves. She quietly took an empty seat and clutched her file.
“This is my chance, I can’t afford to fail.” She thought.
A receptionist stepped into the waiting area. “Miss Elena Moore?”
Elena immediately stood. “Yes.”
“The interview panel is ready for you.”
Inhaling deeply, she straightened her shoulders. One opportunity! Perhaps, this is the one chance to change her life forever.
She pushed open the conference room door.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD