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Chapter Three: Interview Successful

Orion held the gazes of the men, observing them as they observed him. It is a smart and stupid idea to tell a company its weakness, but it is the best way to understand their problems from an outsider's perspective. Sometimes that is the best move.

"Well, if I'm not rejected," Orion said, though sighing inwardly.

The silence feels like a slow-mounting pressure, quickly suffocating him. He looks around the room, taking in the decor once more. It takes a lot of willpower for Orion not to mind-link any of his siblings for help. I've got this, he cheers himself up.

"Well, I like your thoughts—a little rebellious, but it's alright," the older man said and smiled.

Orion sighed, relieved of the tension he had built up, and gave a wry smile in return. He glanced back at the other two, their stares burning into him. The man in the middle nodded, and the tension in Orion's shoulders dropped.

"I like your thoughts; they go far, considering the outlook you have on the company's problems. I'm sure you have thought up solutions."

Orion nods. N Corps is indeed good; they don't have any internal problems, and the yearly revenue is in billions, but their aim of controlling other sectors hasn't been easy so far. Their reach is sloppy, like they barely care to communicate. It is working, though, but not in the way Orion envisions it.

"I would like to hear it," the intimidating man said.

Orion looked at him in surprise. "Now?" he asked, pointing his index finger down in demonstration.

"Did you have other plans?" the man asks, raising a brow.

"No," Orion answers, shuffling in his seat. This is weird. What am I even supposed to say?

Orion steadily started, "A communication negotiation is one of the solutions," he began.

"Hearing their plans instead of just bringing ours to their table. These companies are at the forefront of their establishments, and they prefer taking up work that helps represent the public. The people's health matters to them; our profit matters to us. They tell us how to sell it; we sell it. Most plans don't have benefits, and the cost of production skyrockets in unexpected situations, but they have their survey. We follow through with their setup; it better stabilizes us in terms of plan diversification."

"That's your plan? Effective communication?" the intimidating man scoffed, but Orion didn't waver.

"It's not the major plan, but a minor effect that becomes a trigger to other levels of solutions. I mention this because that's the main setback the company has, which has blocked most means of entering other sectors."

The man in the middle frowned. "How so?"

"Last year, PeopleCare reached out to N Corps. They wanted to create a campaign concerning donors and health care for youths. The plan is organised by them; all they needed was funding and the company's face. N Corp didn't take the deal, and negotiations didn't work out. They were able to find another partnering company, and their profit doubled from the contract."

"The issue here is...?"

"The company needs to be a common ground for people, aside from profit. Contracts need to be made, not dictated, and should be kept open on both sides of the party. Half of the projects done the past year have been N Corps putting their foot at other companies' necks, which is why project plans this year decreased. Right?"

The men exchange looks, and Orion took the time to relax. Is the room getting stuffy, or is it just my imagination?

The older man cleared his throat, drawing Orion's focus. He removed his finger from the collar of his shirt. "That is a good analysis. Would you like to join the analyst department?"

Orion, at a loss for words, smiles shyly. Glancing at the other men, he waits for their answers. An eternity seems to pass before the middleman speaks again.

"That won't be necessary, Harris. He certainly has potential for the project and planning unit." He glanced at Harris as he said this.

Harris reluctantly smiled, feeling his loss. He looked at Orion like he didn't want to let him go. Orion swallowed, looking away.

"Thank you, Orion, you've shed light on many things. I will see you on Monday." The middle man knocks the table, while the intimidating man stamps Orion's resume, his gaze fixed on Orion during the process.

Relieved, Orion says, "Thanks, you sirs." The grueling interview is over. They nod, giving him smiles, except for Mr Intimidating.

"Call me Ivan," the middleman said. "The man glaring at you is Xan." Orion smiles again, not entirely relieved by the introduction.

"You will resume the project team on Monday, 8:00 AM sharp, 35th floor." Orion's eyes widened as he nodded.

The main business corporation building had standard tiers for each floor. The regular staff occupied the first 10 floors. Levels 11 to 25 housed the major runs of the company: the analyst team, economic team, logistics, sales department, cafeteria, and meeting rooms.

The 26th to the 35th floors were for the treasure department, foreign department, human resources, project resources and planning, research and planning, and finally, the Special Adviser.

The remaining floors were general conference rooms for management and the board, and the CEO's office. For the project and planning department to be that high is surprising. The director must have worked very hard.

"Thank you once again," Orion said, walking to the door.

"See you, kid," Harris said with a smile, one Orion happily returned.