The Brightest

Chapter 4: The Interview

"How are you today, Mr. Lovell?" I asked

"I am great. I am happy that I got an opportunity to be here. And I request you to please call me Rome." he replied, but his secretary looked shocked by his response, which didn't go unnoticed by me.

"As you say." He gave a soft smile while looking at the camera, which made everyone say, "Awwwwwww."

"And how can I address you ?" he asked.

"I am Vinn Benjamin. You can call me Vinn." I replied.

"Lovely." It wasn't that audible, but still, I could hear him. I just wished he was not flirty like every other man.

"You are the man everyone wishes to be. You achieved success at this early age. How does it feel to be the one conquering the world ?"

"Honestly, it doesn't feel like winning the world, but your question made me realise I could be the one. I started everything when I was in school, and while learning, I graduated from university. I hope you know the rest of the story." He answered with pride. His secretary started to discuss something with his assistant. I guessed they knew by now that the questions differed from what they wanted to be asked today.

"Everyone knows how you did everything on your own. How you built your empire. You are the only one I heard about while being in this university."

"Oh, so you are a student here?" He asked with curiosity.

"Yes, I am, and the good one. Our Dean appreciates me a lot," I answered while smiling, making the auditorium giggle. But he didn't smile but raised one of his eyebrows and said,

"I doubt that."

I smiled at him again, shook my head, and said,

"Why is that, Mr. Lovell?"

"Based on their reaction to your statement, you seem like the most interesting character here, Miss Vinn. Aren't you?" He asked.

"Not just me but my friend also. Sadly, you can't experience that because you are not always here." He smirked. I am starting to think that he is taking me lightly.

"I have a question for you. I would like you to answer it honestly.

Will you ?" I asked him like a well-behaved person.

"Of course. I am yours for the next two hours. I will be the one to finish all your questions today."

When he said that, I felt trapped. As the script stated, it should last only half an hour. Maybe he was mistaken. That's what I thought. I am finishing it as soon as possible. After all, I have to face punishment as well at the end. Since then, it has gone relatively smoothly.

"I would appreciate your honest answer on this.

What does this all look like to you? I mean this success."

My question made him smile. Instead of answering, he asked me

"What do you think, Miss Vinn ?"

"I think what I think, and that doesn't matter at all. I would like to know from your side."

He looked at the audience and then at me before answering.

"Everything, Vinn. This means everything that I have put into it. My hard work, passion, ideas and, most importantly, my time. Satisfaction is the second name of success. Once you have that, you are successful."

"Well, you are now on my favourite person's list, Mr Lovell. Thank you very much for your honesty. I asked you my question, but many like me here want to raise a question for you to answer for them. Will you?"

"As I said, I am all yours today?"

After getting his answer, I looked at the audience, particularly towards Puchi. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Looks like we already have someone." Just then, the spotlight was on Sebastian. He stood up from his seat. I could only see him being nervous.

"Hi, I am Sebastian. I have been following you for the last few years. You are an extraordinary human to me. I want to be like you. I want to be successful, too. Can you guide me ?"

I could not believe what he had asked him. I had done this whole drama to give him a few moments to ask his idol whatever he wanted. But this thick head asked him this, and I know what the answer from this Lovell guy will be.

"Believe in yourself. You can do anything. All you have to do is believe in yourself." Mr Lovell Replied to him. I knew it, the answers from this high-class society. I remained calm and asked,

"Puchi, Do you want to ask something else? Go ahead. You can ask anything you want today." He shook his head while fixing his seat to sit down back. I kept signing him to do so, but he didn't. Some other students also asked him many questions, which he answered satisfactorily. All the people were at ease as I felt it was coming to an end, and the live had ended a while ago as well. It will be finished soon.

I again looked at Daria to make him say whatever he wanted, but nothing worked. Everyone, including Mr Lovell, looked at me confusedly when I asked Sebastian if he wanted to know more when he was finished asking his one-and-only question. I was disappointed in him. Why did he not ask any of the questions from the list he was making from last week.

"Are you OK, Miss Vinn?" Mr Lovell asked when he noticed me saying something he couldn't hear.

"I am perfectly fine, but someone will not be." He was confused by my statement. I realised what I was saying to this high-class man. Before he could say any further, I interrupted him.

"I mean, it was nice meeting you, sir. I wish you well for the future."

"Thank you very much. I needed that." He smiled.

It was finished. We were just standing on the stage. Then, I felt someone's presence behind me.

"I'll talk to you later, Vinn," said our Dean. He began talking to him, so I took the opportunity to leave. I didn't look back and headed out. I called Daria, and she informed me that they were at a nearby cafe.

"I can't believe it. We nearly gave the big boss a heart attack today, and you didn't even ask the questions you'd been preparing for a week," I exclaimed as soon as I saw them sitting.

"I was nervous. What could I do?" Puchi replied, his hands were still shaking.

"Your nervousness will take you places one day," I said. We had some pastries and coffee while gossiping about what we did today.

I know I will be paying a visit to the Dean's office tomorrow as a special guest. So, I better prepare myself.