4
914 Words
"You think you can waltz in here and take a spot that rightfully belongs to someone else?" Thomas's voice was sharp, cutting through the tense air of the examination hall.
The male protagonist—calm, unfazed—met Thomas’s gaze. "I’m not sure what you mean, sir. I applied like everyone else. If I pass, it’s because I deserve to."
Thomas scoffed. "Deserve?" He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Men like you don’t make it this far on their own. You must have someone pulling strings for you."
Silence stretched between them. The other candidates shifted uncomfortably in their seats, sensing the hostility. The male protagonist kept his expression neutral.
"With all due respect, Chief Thomas, if I had someone pulling strings, why would I be sitting here like everyone else? Wouldn’t I already have the job?"
Thomas's lips curled into a smirk, though irritation flickered in his eyes. "Clever response." He turned his gaze to the other examiners. "Unfortunately, cleverness won’t get you through this interview."
He pulled a sheet of paper from the stack in front of him and scanned it with mock interest. "Let’s see what you’re made of, then."
Meanwhile, across town, Robert leaned back in his chair, watching his son move a chess piece hesitantly across the board.
"You’re hesitating again," Robert sighed.
Daniel furrowed his brows, studying the board carefully. "I just don’t want to make the wrong move."
Robert shook his head. "That’s your problem. Chess is about control, strategy, and the ability to predict the opponent’s next step. If you second-guess yourself too much, you’ve already lost."
Daniel exhaled. "You make it sound easy."
Robert chuckled, his fingers tapping idly against the table. "It’s not easy, but some people have a natural talent for it. Just like our friend."
Daniel frowned. "You mean him?"
Robert’s smile deepened. "Yes. He’s sharper than you think."
Daniel hesitated before voicing his concern. "But what if he’s just deceiving you? You’re putting a lot of trust in him."
Robert studied his son, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Daniel, I know deception when I see it. I’ve played this game for years—both on the board and in real life. He’s not the type to fake his intelligence. He’s earned my trust."
Daniel still looked unsure. "I just worry about how others will treat him. If he keeps getting bullied—"
Robert raised a hand, cutting him off. "I’ve already taken precautions. Henry will be there today."
Daniel’s eyes widened. "The deputy minister? You actually got him involved?"
Robert smirked. "Let’s just say I made a few arrangements. Now, focus on the game."
Back at the interview site, tension ran high. The candidates sat stiffly in their chairs, some exchanging nervous glances as Thomas continued his line of questioning.
"Tell me," Thomas said, his tone deceptively casual. "Who recommended you for this recruitment?"
The male protagonist raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn’t my qualifications matter more than who recommended me?"
Thomas’s jaw tightened. He had been expecting an admission, a sign of weakness. Instead, he got defiance.
"A recommendation can make all the difference," Thomas countered. "Especially if it comes from the right people."
The male protagonist tilted his head slightly. "Are you suggesting that someone recommended me improperly? Because that would be a serious accusation."
A flicker of frustration crossed Thomas’s face. "I’m merely stating that some candidates think they can cut corners."
"Then let my performance today speak for itself," the male protagonist said smoothly.
Thomas clenched his teeth. He wasn’t about to let this slip through his fingers. He gestured to the examination panel. "Fine. Let’s put your skills to the test."
The questioning intensified. Thomas threw scenario after scenario at him—complex cases, hypothetical ethical dilemmas, rapid-fire medical inquiries.
But the male protagonist didn’t falter. His answers were precise, well-thought-out. The examiners, initially skeptical, began to take interest. Some even nodded in approval.
Thomas, however, grew more frustrated. He needed a way to derail this.
"One last question," he said, voice cool. "What makes you think you belong here? In a field where experience and connections rule, what do you have?"
The male protagonist held his gaze. "Skill. Determination. And the understanding that real power comes from competence, not connections."
A muscle in Thomas’s jaw twitched. Before he could respond, the door swung open.
A hush fell over the room.
Standing at the entrance was a tall, commanding figure. Henry.
The deputy minister’s sharp gaze swept across the room before settling on Thomas.
"I hope I’m not interrupting anything important," Henry said smoothly.
Thomas stiffened. "Minister Henry, what brings you here?"
Henry stepped inside, his presence immediately shifting the dynamic of the room. "I was invited to oversee the process. To ensure fairness."
A cold sweat broke out on Thomas’s forehead. He hadn’t expected this. He shot a glance at the male protagonist, realization dawning.
Robert.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
The male protagonist sat calmly, watching as Thomas’s confidence wavered.
Henry turned his attention to the candidates, then to the panel. "I trust the interviews have been conducted without bias?"
Thomas swallowed hard. "Of course."
Henry nodded. "Good. Then there should be no issues proceeding with the results."
Thomas forced a tight-lipped smile. "None at all."
But as Henry took his seat, he leaned slightly toward one of the other examiners and murmured something.
Thomas caught a single word.
The male protagonist’s name.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Who the hell was he really dealing with?
- Writer
