Chapter Five: The Interview
1437 Words
Reyna laughed so loudly that both of them nearly spilled their tea.
For a few precious minutes, all the worries that had haunted them for weeks disappeared.
They were simply mother and daughter enjoying breakfast together.."
Today felt different.
Today felt like the beginning of something new. After breakfast she walked into her room, quickly folded her blanket, made her bed neatly, and opened the small wardrobe standing beside it.
Only a handful of clothes hung inside.
Her fingers brushed past each outfit until they stopped on a beige blouse and matching pencil skirt.
She smiled.
Her mother had insisted she buy them with part of the money she earned from helping at the restaurant.
"You never know when opportunity will come," Reyna had said.
Davina carefully laid the clothes on the bed before reaching for a shoebox beneath it.
Inside rested a pair of beige heels.
They were not designer shoes.
The soles had been worn smooth over time.
But they were precious to her.
a graduation gift despite barely having enough money to pay the rent that month.
Davina gently wiped away a tiny speck of dust before slipping them back into the box.
"Today's your lucky day too," she said with a laugh.
She headed into the bathroom
They got ready and left the apartment together.
As they reached the junction where their paths separated, Davina turned to her mother.
"Mum... it won't be long before our lives get better. Once I get this job, you'll finally quit working and start doing what you've always dreamed of."
Reyna chuckled softly.
"My dream? You still remember?"
"Of course I do. You've always wanted to own your own fashion store."
A gentle smile spread across Reyna's face before she sighed.
"I'm getting too old to start chasing dreams, my dear. All I want now is to make sure you're safe and never have to struggle the way I did. Even if you don't get this job, I'll keep working to provide for you."
"Mum," Davina said, shaking her head. "Don't say things like that. I'm going to get this job. I can feel it."
"I pray you're right." Reyna squeezed her hand. "Your day is blessed. Now hurry, you'll be late."
"I love you, Mum."
"I love you too."
Davina kissed her mother on both cheeks before hurrying toward the bus stop.
About forty minutes later, the bus came to a stop in front of the towering Kingsley Group headquarters.
Davina stepped onto the pavement and looked up at the impressive glass building.
Her heart pounded.
This is it.
Though simple, her outfit made her feel confident.
Taking a deep breath, she walked through the revolving doors and approached the reception desk.
"Good morning," she said politely. "I'm Davina Brooks. I'm here for the interview."
The receptionist looked up and smiled.
"Oh, I remember you."
Davina's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"You're quite lucky," the woman continued. "Normally, only applicants with exceptional qualifications and years of experience make it this far. I guess fortune decided to smile on you."
Davina forced a polite smile, though the comment only made her more nervous.
"The interview waiting room is on the second floor," the receptionist said. "Take the elevator up. Someone will attend to you in about twenty minutes."
"Thank you."
Davina adjusted her blazer, took one last calming breath, and made her way toward the elevator.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the second floor of Kingsley Group. Davina stepped out, her heels clicking nervously against the polished marble floor. She adjusted the sleeves of her black blazer and looked around.
The waiting room was spacious and elegant, its cream-colored walls decorated with abstract paintings and framed awards bearing the company's name. A floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooked the bustling streets of Ralivay, while neatly arranged leather chairs lined one side of the room. Everything about the place screamed wealth and professionalism.
Davina suddenly became conscious of the worn handbag hanging from her shoulder.
You belong here, she silently reminded herself. You worked just as hard as everyone else.
She walked over to an empty chair and sat beside a young man dressed in a navy-blue suit. He appeared to be around her age, though he carried himself with remarkable confidence. A neat leather folder rested on his lap as he reviewed what looked like interview notes.
Davina offered him a polite smile.
"Good morning."
He returned the smile with a nod.
"Morning."
Neither of them spoke again.
The silence stretched for nearly fifteen minutes, interrupted only by the ticking clock on the wall and the occasional footsteps of employees passing by outside.
Then the glass door swung open.
Every head turned.
A young woman strolled into the waiting room as though she owned the building.
She wore a perfectly tailored cream body-fitted blazer over matching palazzo trousers that flowed elegantly with every step she took. Black designer heels clicked confidently against the marble floor, while a small black vintage handbag dangled effortlessly from her wrist. In one hand, she held a miniature electric fan lazily blowing cool air across her face, while the other idly twirled a piece of chewing gum inside her mouth.
From her diamond earrings to the gold watch around her wrist, everything she wore screamed luxury.
Davina blinked.
Could she be one of the interviewers?
No...
She looked far too young.
Besides, why would someone dressed like that apply for a secretary position?
The woman smiled brightly.
"Hi, good morning."
Davina instinctively glanced behind her.
The woman laughed softly.
"I'm talking to you."
"Oh..." Davina smiled awkwardly. "Good morning."
"I'm Sofeya."
She extended a perfectly manicured hand.
"I'm here for the interview."
Davina shook it.
"I'm Davina."
"Me too," Sofeya replied cheerfully. "Well, I wish us both good luck."
She turned toward the young man beside Davina.
"And good morning to you too."
He stood politely before shaking her hand.
"I'm Mark Willows."
"It's nice meeting both of you."
Sofeya sat gracefully opposite them and crossed one leg over the other.
For a few moments, she fanned herself quietly before looking at Davina.
"So... where are you from?"
"I was born and raised here in Ralivay."
"Oh?"
"What about your family?"
Davina smiled.
"It's just my mum and me."
"I see."
Sofeya nodded thoughtfully before letting out a tiny laugh.
"I guess you won't be much competition then."
Davina frowned.
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh, nothing."
Sofeya flashed another dazzling smile as though she hadn't said anything unusual.
Davina couldn't quite understand what she meant.
Before she could ask, the waiting room door opened once again.
Three people entered.
Two men and a woman.
Davina immediately recognized one of the men.
The driver...
It was Erin.
Unlike the previous day, he wore a neatly pressed charcoal suit with an identification badge clipped to his jacket.
He noticed Davina almost instantly but maintained a professional expression.
The female interviewer smiled politely.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning," the applicants answered together.
"We're ready for you now."
The three applicants rose from their seats and followed the interview panel into a spacious conference room.
A long glass table occupied the center, with three interviewers seated on one side and the applicants opposite them.
Davina clasped her hands together beneath the table, silently praying her nervousness wouldn't show.
The woman sitting in the middle smiled.
"Good morning. We'll begin with brief introductions."
She looked toward Davina.
"You first."
Davina inhaled quietly.
"Good morning. My name is Davina Brooks. I recently graduated from college, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here today."
The interviewer nodded before turning to the young man.
"And you?"
"My name is Mark Willows," he answered confidently. "I'm passionate about business administration and marketing, and I enjoy solving organizational challenges."
Finally, the panel turned toward the elegant young woman.
She smiled effortlessly.
"Good morning. I'm Sofeya Greyson."
The room fell strangely quiet.
One of the male interviewers adjusted his glasses and stared at her.
"Miss... Greyson?"
"Yes."
"What brings you here?"
His tone carried genuine confusion.
"Surely there isn't a shortage of opportunities at Greyson Holdings."
Sofeya rested her elbows on the table.
"I'd appreciate it if everyone treated me like every other applicant."
The interviewer exchanged glances with his colleagues before giving a small shrug.
"Very well."
He leaned back in his chair.
"But I must admit, this position requires discipline and hard work. Most people in your social circle wouldn't even consider a role like this."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Sofeya's face before she smiled again.
"I suppose you'll have to find out whether I'm different."
The interview continued.
- Writer
