Beneath the billionaire's stare

Chapter3

Two days later, Ava is in the hospital room with Dean staring at her phone. "Maybe she's forgotten about the work she promised to help me find. It's been two days already and she hasn't called." Ava sighed deeply as she thought. Her phone rang and she breath a sigh of relief as it was Miranda calling.

" Ava,How are you doing? I'm so sorry I have not called since we parted. But I have good news for you." Miranda said as soon as Ava picked the call .

"No problem. What's the good news?"Ava replied.

" I heard that KYZ franchise is having a job interview two days from now. So I already talked to a friend there. Ava, so why don't you go and try it out. If all works well I believe it would, you would be able to cover Dean's medical fee and still have some savings." Miranda told her enthusiastically.

At the mention of KYZ franchise, Ava has dropped. KYZ franchise wasn't just any place. It's one of the biggest companies in the country, if not the biggest. It's currently ranked 3rd on Forbes list of most successful business in the world.

"Send me your CV so I can give it to my friend there so it would be guaranteed you would be called for the interview." Miranda said.

" Thank you so much. God bless you.I will do my utmost best to get employed." Ava wiped her tears as she replied.

On the day of the interview, Ava woke up very early, her heart racing with both fear and excitement. She chose a crisp grey shirt and paired it with a black pencil skirt, trying to look as professional as she could. When she arrived at the building, she paused in awe. The structure towered above her, its glass windows gleaming in the sunlight. Inside, the interior décor was so elegant it almost took her breath away. "I can do this." She repeated in her head as she stepped into the building.

She straightened her shoulders and asked where the interview would be held, then made her way there. As soon as she entered the room, nerves began to creep up her spine. A panel of interviewers sat behind a long table, their eyes assessing her closely.

Still, she answered each question with as much patience and clarity as she could. They asked about her background, her work experience, and her goals. Then one of them leaned forward with the toughest question yet:

“You dropped out of college due to personal reasons right? Why should we hire you over people who are much more learned and experienced?

For a moment, Ava’s heart nearly sank. But she clasped her hands together and steadied her voice.

“I may not have a degree yet, but I have something just as valuable,” she began firmly. “I have drive. I know what it means to fight for survival, to work tirelessly without giving up, and to take responsibility no matter how hard it gets. That is the same energy I would give to this company. I may not know everything now, but I am ready to learn, ready to adapt, and ready to do whatever it takes to protect the company’s image and reputation. I believe loyalty, hard work, and determination can sometimes outweigh what’s written on paper.”

Her words rang with sincerity, and for a brief moment, silence filled the room. One of the interviewers gave a slow, approving nod.

"Let's see how far that dedication that takes you" Another said.

Ava allowed herself a small breath of relief.

After leaving the interview room, she decided to grab a cup of coffee. As she stepped out with it, she noticed the atmosphere in the building change. Conversations hushed, footsteps slowed. A heavy tension filled the air. Ava glanced around, confused, but chose to ignore it.

Then it happened. She bumped into someone, and hot coffee splashed across his suit.

“Oh s**t!” she muttered in panic. She quickly grabbed a napkin nearby. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

Her words froze as she looked up. That face. She had seen it everywhere, on the news, in magazines, on billboards across the city. Lincolnshire. The CEO of KYZ. The man everyone feared and respected.

Up close, he was even more striking, his handsome features carved with coldness. His eyes were sharp enough to cut through her.

“Can’t you watch where you’re going?” Lincolnshire snapped.

“I’m really sorry,” Ava said quickly, bowing her head slightly. “I wasn’t looking please forgive me.”

But his gaze hardened. “Do you think your apology is going to fix the mess you created?”

Ava bit her lip . She apologized again, her voice softer. “I truly am sorry.”

Still, he didn’t let go and something inside her snapped. “I already apologized, what more do you want? Should I cut my head off just to please you?”

Gasps rippled through the hallway. Employees froze, wide-eyed, as if they had just witnessed a crime. No one had ever spoken to the CEO like that.

Lincolnshire’s expression darkened. “Do you have any idea who I am?” he asked, his tone dangerously calm.

“Of course,” Ava shot back before she could stop herself. “Someone who thinks the whole world should bow at his feet.”

As the words left her mouth, Ava’s stomach dropped. Instant regret crashed over her. What did I just do? she thought, panic rising in her chest. She had just talked back to the most powerful man in the company. The very place where she desperately needed this job.

Lincolnshire’s lips curled into a cold smile. “You will regret saying that,” he said quietly, before turning and walking away.

Ava stood frozen, heat rushing to her face. She wanted to disappear into the floor. With a frustrated hiss, she hurried out of the building, her chest tight with regret and fear.

She told herself it was over. She has messed up her chance of getting a job here.