ChapterOne
1057 Words
The Interview
It is Monday morning in the City of London. Everywhere was busy as people were moving, focusing on where they were going. Cars and buses were also moving fast. Although the clouds were heavy as though it might rain, the city was still lively.
Emma Parker had woken up early because she needed to catch up with an appointment. She had a job interview with one of the biggest businesses in London, Knight Enterprise.
She was walking fast despite not being late. She had been preparing for this for a week. This is an opportunity and she must utilize it. She held a small bag in her hands. There was a folder that was neatly placed inside the bag.
She believed if she got the job, it would change her life and make her achieve her goal.
She got to the company, but she was not surprised that she was earlier. She took a deep breath as she looked around the company with fear. “God, be with me,” she whispered softly.
She summoned the courage and pushed the glass door carefully, then entered. The floor of the office was very clean, you could hardly believe someone had stepped on it. The smell of the flowers, the arrangement of things and the big chandelier that was hung from the ceiling make everything look bright and lively.
She walked to the receptionist, and before she could utter a word. “Good morning,” the receptionist greeted her with a smile.
“Good morning,” Emma replied with a weak smile that showed she was nervous.
“Are you here for the interview?” The receptionist asked.
“Yes, I am here for the interview,” Emma replied softly. “I am Emma Parker.”
“You are welcome! Emma Parker! Please sit over there,” the receptionist said as she pointed at a seat not too far from her desk. “The CEO will attend to you soon.”
Emma walked towards the long seat. She greeted people who were seated there. She sat down. She looked nervously. Although she had prepared for the interview for weeks, she was still nervous. What if her preparation was not enough for this kind of enterprise? She thought.
She wanted her presentation to go well. She opened her bag and looked at her folder of the design again.
A few minutes afterward, the elevator doors opened, and a tall, young, handsome man stepped out. His hair was black and well-brushed. His eyes were calm, and his dress was very perfect.
Emma's heart stopped for a moment as she quickly blinked her eyes to be sure she was not seeing a ghost. She knew the man, she recalled, but she was not here for that." You are…the man asked in a deep, smooth voice. “Emma Parker,” Emma quickly said as she stood up.
He looked at her for a few seconds as if he had seen her before. “Do I know you from somewhere?” The man asked to spare his curiosity.
Emma's heart skipped, but she quickly gathered herself together. Even if she were to tell him. This is not the right time nor the right place either.
“I don't think so sir,” she said in a shaking voice and looked down immediately.
“Are you OK?” The man asked, showing concern.
“Yes, sir! I am fine,” Emma replied with a calm smile, trying to put herself together.
He nodded and signaled Emma to follow him as he walked past her. Emma took a deep breath and followed him quietly.
The man's office was so perfect and big. The man led her to a room and pointed at a large desk.
“Please, sit,” he said softly, but was still looking at her face to be sure he was not mistaking her for someone else's. He asked again, “You are sure we have not met before because this face seems familiar to me?”
This time, Emma nearly broke the news, but she felt this was not the right time and place again.
“No, sir!” She replied as she sat down. She opened her bag and took out the folder carefully. Her hands were trembling, but she managed to compose herself.
“Go ahead with your presentation,” he said calmly as he learned comfortably on the chair.
Emma presented her design in a very fantastic way. Although she felt nervous, she confidently presented it. She had worked too hard for this to allow all her efforts to go in vain just like that.
He was listening quietly, and sometimes, he would note something, but he kept looking at the face as if he was trying to recall if they had actually met.
The interview went well for Emma because she did excellent presentations, and she saw how satisfied the man looked when he was presenting. But she was not sure that she would get the job.
“That was an excellent presentation,” the man said.” You really prepared for this job. Weldone!”
Emma was very happy to hear that. “Thank you, sir,” she said with a smile.
But her happiness was cut short by the question that followed it.
“Why do you look so shocked immediately when you see me?”
Emma was shocked because she wasn't preparing for this kind of question.
“I saw it in your eyes immediately you saw me, and I felt as though we had met before,” the man said.
Emma was confused. She didn't know what to say. Should she tell the truth or pretend they have not met before now?
She gripped her folder very tightly as though she should leave.
For a moment, she wondered whether this interview was more than getting her a job, but also her past and the secret she was not ready to share with anyone.
This man was the same in her past. The past, she thought, would stay longer before it surfaces in her present.
Now that she had faced the man in her past, she didn't have any idea of what would happen to their lives now.
Is this present going to destroy them or make their lives change for the better?
- Writer
