Falling in love with my Arrogant Boss

Chapter 1

"Miss Amelia Bernadeth Miller?" the HR assistant called.

"Yes, ma'am?" I answered, slightly raising my hand. At the same time, there are two other applicants for the administrative assistant position I am applying for at one of the leading real estate companies in New York.

I couldn't help but feel self-conscious because my two companions were very confident and were obviously well-versed in job interviews, while I am twenty-four years old and have just graduated from the Business Management course. Adding to that, their clothes are obviously brand new, and mine was just borrowed from my best friend, Samantha, which admittedly looked worn. It had been almost four months since I graduated, but I still haven't been accepted for the jobs I had applied for. Most companies are looking for applicants with at least two years of experience. How can I get work experience if I am not accepted for the jobs I have applied for?

Another thing that made me insecure was that I have a medical record of having had heart surgery three and a half years ago. Other employers said that it might affect my job if I get hired. The ending was that the people I applied to just said that they would call me, but my eyes had already turned white and I hadn't received any calls at all. I can't even count how many companies I've already sent my resume to, but still, nothing happened to my application.

"You will be interviewed first, Ms. Miller." The HR assistant, with a gentle face, smiled at me. I guess she’s just my age. She led me to the room where the interviewer was. "Just relax, Ms. Miller. My boss is kind. He is the HR Manager here at Perault Land Corporation." The woman smiled at me before knocking three times and opening the door.

The man, who I think was in his early thirties, appeared before me. He is handsome and muscular. He smiled at me, and his deep dimples appeared on both cheeks, which made him even more handsome in my eyes. I suddenly remembered my ex because he also has a dimple, which is my weakness when it comes to men. I smiled at this thought and approached the man's table.

"Have a seat, Ms. Miller. By the way, I am Vance McNeil." He extended his hand and shook hands with mine after I sat down. "Well, let’s start the interview, Ms. Amelia Bernadeth Miller," he said, looking at my resume. "What is your nickname, Ms. Amelia Bernadeth? Your name is too long," he asked me while smiling.

"Amber, sir," I couldn't help but tense up. I've had several job interviews, but it always seems like my first time.

"I see," he said several times. "Well, Amber, you are applying for an Administrative Clerk position, and this will be your first job if ever you’ll get hired. It is indicated in your resume that you just graduated this year. Care to tell me why you graduated late? Did you stop your studies?"

I took a deep breath before answering. Of course, I'm going to recall some memories to be able to answer his questions. That's what I really hate every time I have an interview. Sir Vance was just looking at my resume and going over my credentials. "Ahm, sir, yes. I stopped my studies after my third year of college since I underwent heart transplant surgery three and a half years ago. I was able to continue my study after two years." All of a sudden, Sir Vance looked into my eyes. I felt his eyes suddenly darken and put the resume on the table. I was suddenly nervous because I thought he was no longer interested in continuing the interview, and like other companies, they would not accept me because of my medical records. Sir Vance smiled at me, which reassured me.

"So, you've had surgery before, Amber?" I was relieved by his question, even if it took so long for him to say something.

"Yes, sir," I answered while not breaking eye contact with my interviewer.

"Can you tell me how you got your disease? And also your family background?" I'm wondering about his questions because this seems like a strange interview. I've done a lot of research on Google about possible interview questions, and his questions aren’t included on the list, so I was surprised that he would ask about my family background and about my surgery.

"Well, Sir Vance, I was in my third year when I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, wherein my heart muscles became weak. Luckily, someone donated his heart to me, and the operation was successful. I am from a poor family; my father died a year before I had heart surgery due to a heart attack." Of course, I will tell him that for him to at least spare me some mercy. It might be one way to be accepted for the job. Sir Vance just listened to me and was obviously interested in my story.

"When my father died, I thought I wouldn't be able to study anymore, but my mother still insisted that I do everything, even crawl, just so I could study. My mother made the nights into days just to work and support my studies until I got sick. We struggled even more because we didn't know where to buy medicine for me. I told Mom to let me die because I didn't want her to suffer more, but Mom said that I am her life, so if she lets me die, it's like she already committed suicide. Mom went to everyone, including politicians and every foundation, just to look for people who would finance my medicine and bills.

That's why I'm so grateful to someone who donated a heart to me because it also reduced our expenses." I didn't realize that my tears were falling while I was telling the story. Sir Vance suddenly handed me a tissue. "Sorry, sir." I apologize because I became emotional while looking back and reminiscing about my bitter experience.

"Go on, Amber, I want to hear your story. Just continue."

"So that's it, Sir, the operation was successful, but I didn't go back to school right away. It was about one year after when I felt better. I also helped my mother with sewing clothes that she sold at the market. Last year, I went back to college and I graduated this year, so if I ever get accepted here, this will be my first job. I've been applying to other companies for several months, but most of them are looking for people with two years or more experience and I don’t have that so they don’t hire me. And I think another reason was my medical history." I told Sir Vance a long story because I feel that he is a good person, and I hope that he will accept me because of mercy.

"Well, Amber, yes, the position you are applying for requires experience," he answered, and because of that, it was as if I had really lost hope. Maybe I am better suited to sell clothes on the streets. The work there is honorable, but it's a waste of Mom’s efforts and hard work in supporting my education if I can't use it as well. "I have one last question, Amber," Sir Vance continued. "What is your dream?"

"My dream is to help my mother get out of poverty. I want to buy her her own house and land because since I was young, we have only been renting. I also want to build my own business so that I can have my own business. Mom sews well, even though she is old, so I also want Mom to have a small clothing business that she can call her own," I said to the smiling Sir Vance.

"Thank you, Amber, for sharing your story. You will only be called for a final interview if you're one of the shortlisted applicants for the position."

I completely lost hope after hearing that familiar line. It's just like the other companies that said they would call me but never did.

When I got home, Mom greeted me with anticipation.

"How was your interview, child?"

"He said he'd just call me, Mom," I said sadly. "I don't want to expect anymore, Mom. It’s just the same as the other companies that didn't call. It doesn't matter; I'll just apply to somewhere else... but maybe next month. First, I will help you sew and sell clothes," I added.

"Amber, don't lose hope. Who knows? They might call you this time. If you don't get a call, you can still apply to another company. Eat first and don't think about negative things." Mom started to serve the food, and I just watched her while preparing. Mom is already old; next year she will be a senior citizen. She was already thirty-five years old when I was born. Mom is Dad's second wife, and Dad has two children from his first wife, so I have two half-brothers who I don't know where to locate because I wasn't close with them in the first place.

There is a trace of hardship on Mom's face because of the ordeal we went through years ago. Dad's death and my illness were really hard blows because we were also deeply in debt. Fortunately, other relatives of Mom also helped us. But of course we can't always rely on relatives because they also have families to support, and sometimes they are under pressure. I really promised myself that I would save money once I got a job so that I could give Mom a good life.

"The food is ready, Amber." Mother called me softly.

"All right, Mom, let's eat."

"I haven’t eaten because I thought you could come back much later. It's a good thing you came back early so we can save money by not eating out anymore. You can still use the money for your fare for your next interview."

"Yes, Mom, it's a good thing. I will save the money.” I said then started eating. As usual, the dish is eggs, but there is a stew of sweet potato, tomato, and okra, and there is also an apple prepared by Mom. Since I got sick, I can't really lose vegetables from my diet because the doctor strictly instructed me that I really need to live a healthy life.

I finished eating and helped with the housework. Mom, on the other hand, has also started sewing for the things she will sell at the market. On weekends, Mom sidelines as a laundress for additional income. It's hard for me to see Mom struggling at work. I really feel like I'm just a burden to her. That’s why I'm trying hard to find a job so that I can really help Mom with the expenses, especially with the house rent, because it's embarrassing that we often miss the rent. Fortunately, the owner is kind to us now. We have been living here for almost five years since Dad died.

In the evening, I called my best friend, Samantha.

"Hello, Sam.” My voice sounded bad.

"Hello, Amber. How is your application going? Are you accepted?”

I just sighed before answering. "I don't know; they said they'd just call me," I said sadly.

"I hope you will be accepted, Amber. If only I owned this school I'm going to, even if you haven't graduated yet, you will be accepted right away."

Sam has been my best friend since we were first-year college students. She graduated ahead of me, and she's been at the company she's working at for three years. When I graduated, Sam asked me to apply at their company, but I was not lucky enough to be accepted. Sam was kind to me and never left me, even when I got sick. She always called me to ask how I was, and she also helped me financially. She’s not like my ex and my first boyfriend, Ken, whom I accepted after almost a year of courting me and suddenly didn’t show up when I was sick and had to stop going to college. I can't blame him because I know I will only be a burden to him.

The long talk and conversation between Sam and I was over, and I fell asleep wondering where to apply for a job again.

The next day, someone called me from an unknown number.

"Hello?" I excitedly answered.

"May I speak to Ms. Miller?" a soft voice from the other line.

“Yes, speaking. May I know who is in the line, please? ”

“This is Emma of Perault Land Corporation. You are invited for a final interview tomorrow in the Perault Building at exactly 8 a.m..”

"Ah yes, yes, ma'am. I... I am available tomorrow," I stammered. I felt so excited that finally someone called me for the final interview. I didn't really expect to be called back to the interview.

I happily told Mom and Sam about my final interview. Thank God, my hope of having a job was revived. I hope that I will be accepted so that my dreams will already come true.