My Boss's obsession

The interview

The night seemed to be too long. I have lost count of how many times I have woken up so far looking at the watch only to find the night still young. I was allowed to sleep early tonight and it felt like a golden opportunity but now that opportunity is slowly being snatched away by my nervousness. I can't completely enjoy the night scared not to sleep in and be late for the interview. This would be my first interview and I got no idea of how it's gonna end up. All I know is that I got to give all my best in this. I've watched a few videos explaining on how to answer frequently used questions that most people don't put in consideration and I hope if one comes my way I'll definitely have a way out. It's quarter to four so I had a few hours to sleep and I made sure I increased my alarm volume to make sure once it rings I'll hear it and hugged myself to sleep.

I was awaken by someone so brutally that you would have thought I had committed a crime and the latter had an arrest warrant on me. I lazily opened my eyes only to see Becca sitted on my bed. I checked the phone only to realize it's already eight in the morning.

" What the hell... how can I sleep in like this... wait did my alarm ring or is my phone dead," I asked panicked but she parted me softly to calm down.

" Can you calm down first, you still got some time left, " she reassured.

" But how, I remember setting the alarm," I said.

" Of course you did but you didn't turn it on, you just adjusted the time," she confirmed bringing my phone closer to my face for me to see and indeed I didn't turn it on.

" Maybe your brother was right I can't do anything right except being a maid," I said face palming myself trying hard not to cry. I felt useless.

" Hey, that's not it. You can't put my brother's words in your heart, he's just a meanie and you got this. Trust me." I stared at her wondering why she's so good to me especially today. She's pain in the ass sometimes but now I think she has some senses up there in her head.

" Okay, thanks," I sincerely appreciated it.

" Why, for what?

" For waking me up or else I would be late."

" It's alright, it has been you who wakes us up every day so I was just returning the favor."

" Wow! I never thought someone like you could be this caring," I teasingly said to her.

" Why not, am also human with a living, beating human damn heart with feelings," she retorted back in a little bit loud as if my words offended her.

" Ooh come down, I was just pulling your leg," I raised my hands up in surrender as I stood up from my bed. Staring at me she broke down into a laughter and I stared at her wondering what got into her.

" What?"

" I wish you can see your face right now," she managed to say still laughing.

" What's up with it"

" Nothing. Go get yourself prepared I'll be waiting for you at the dining table." she said as she left and I shoke my head. "Since when was I allowed to dine with you guys," I managed to ask.

" They've already left, it's only me and you and there's no restrictions of me dining together with you. "

" Okay, I'll be there in ten."

" Take your time." And with that she left as I headed to the bathroom. After fifteen minutes I was done. I didn't own any fancy clothes but I was sure I could dress decently. I didn't have much staring at the mirror but I was confident in myself that I was okay with what I was wearing. I was wearing a black jeans paired with a white shirt well tucked in and a pair of black air force sneakers. I had tied my rocks up in a tidy ponytail and my appearance was perfect for a tomboy like me.

As soon as I left my room I was welcomed with a sweet aroma from the well prepared breakfast. As I approached the table I noticed Becca staring at me. Every step I made. Every corner I made. Every stop I made her eyes never left me until I stood right before her.

" Are you gonna keep staring at me the whole day," I asked bringing her back to reality. " You know staring is rude," I emphasized.

" I couldn't help it, you look handsome today and someone would hardly tell if you are a girl or a dude," I laughed at her remark.

" Can I dig in my stomach is aching to all this sweetness over hear," I sat opposite of her and so we were facing each other.

" Yeah sure," she chuckled so sweetly and we went on. It was so delicious I couldn't help it.

" Wow! I never thought you could cook so good," I complimented her.

" I could it's you who never allowed me in your world."

" What do you mean by 'my world'," I air quoted the last part which I didn't quite understand.

" You like it while in there, it's like it's the only place where you find peace and you never allow anyone in when you're cooking," her look asked for sympathy but not from me.

" Oh I didn't know, you would have tried to ask politely."

" If there's a next time I would like to cook for you," she said and I couldn't tell if she was serious or trying to flirt with me.

" Okay," I answered as stared at me like 'you're not gonna leave if you can't promise me that'.

It was a quarter past nine when I left. She was heading to school and since they had inter- classes games she didn't bother to go early so she gave me a lift. She dropped me two blocks away to where the company was. I straightened myself and wore my award winning smile on my face emitting confidence from inside. I walked elegantly to the front desk where I met a young girl of which I think it's Stella, the one who called me yesterday.

" Good morning, how can I help you," she asked.

" Good morning too, am here for the interview," I replied.

" Oh follow me." She led the way as I trailed right behind her. " The boss is in the meeting at the meantime, so you'll have to wait here," she said ushering me into the waiting room.

" Okay, thank you."

" You're welcome and in case you need anything you know where to find me."

" Sure, thank you." I was left fantasizing about the place as she left.The room was filled with expensive furnitures. The place cried money. It was the first time a sat on soft couches as the one I'm sitting on. So soft and fluffy. The color on the wall matched with the couches and also with the tiles. The layout was so pretty. I was ten minutes early and so I had enough time to prepare my mind and put all my thoughts together.

After a short while the same girl came and was ready to take me in.

" I didn't get your name."

" I'm Stella the one who gave you a call yesterday, remember?"

" Oh yeah Stella, I do remember you but you were in such a hurry to hang up the call."

" There was a question that you wanted to ask and I didn't want to hear it and if it turns out to be true I gonna face the consequences," she said planting a sad smile on her face.

" It's gonna be alright, man is to error," I encouraged but I wasn't sure who between us needed an encouragement more.

" He's waiting come on go in." I took a deep breath as she opened the office door and I guess no turning back. The office was neatly arranged. The shelves were clean, the tables were well set. The smell was intoxicating. I am not well informed about flowers but these ones were really good. Their fragrance alone calms down your mind cooling the entire system. It felt home.

" Good morning, have a sit," the boss invited me in.

" Good morning Sir, thank you," I sat on the opposite direction facing him.

" So you're Ms. Faith Williams, I saw your resume and it's so good. I .." I interrupted him.

" No Sir, my name is Faith Shepherd," I clarified. If I had to work here it's all about my efforts and not someone's efforts. I had promised myself that.

" So you mean this is not your resume," he repeated placing the papers before me.

" Oh no Sir, she dialed the wrong number by a six instead of nine at the end. I'm sorry sir." I said all my hopes going down.

" No I should be the one apologizing for my secretary's mistake. We might have given you hopes on that." he said.

" Sure. I was thrilled when I heard it's about an interview, I really wished to change my situation and I thought this was the best time." I replied my head down.

" Can you communicate in English. I mean fluent English." he asked out of no where.

" Of course I can Sir, I can also operate so well with a computer. I did IT right after high school," I said trying to earn myself some points.

" That's great. My daughter will be coming here in two weeks time and she doesn't know any other language to communicate with, apart from English. Maybe you can help her out to fit in this place. She doesn't understand any Swahili word."

" You can trust me in that Sir. I'll give her the right company and interpret anything that needs to be interpreted," I confidently confirmed it.

" One more thing can you drive."

" Yes."

" That's great. Can you tell me more about yourself."

" Yeah am a hardworking independent person, enthusiastic, optimistic and responsible.

" That's great..what about your weaknesses," he asked.

" Oh about that, I'm sensitive and tends to over think about anything but I don't take it as a weakness, I've learned to take everything on control. It's not just a weakness it's also a strength to me." I proudly said and he gave me a smile.

" You're a perfect match for my daughter but lemme say, she's handy and difficult to get along with. Back there they call her an ice queen," I freaked out but his smile gave me confidence. " But she's a good girl if you get to know her, it's just that she hasn't been herself ever since her mother died seven years ago. It's something she doesn't wanna let go. I don't know why I'm telling you this but I feel like you can bring my daughter back."

" I'll try my best boss. I guess I'll have to break the ice if not melting it," I said smiling triumphantly.

" Congratulations you're hired," he said.

" Really?" I questioned unsure.

" Yes, don't you want the job."

" I do, thank you Sir," I said as I stood up to shake his hand. I was super happy. I got the job even though not the one I came here for. He said I can move in tomorrow to get familiarized with the place since I'll be living with them henceforth.