When Darkness Calls

Chapter 4: The call

POV: Elena

I woke up thinking about the rude man from the bar, his voice still stuck in my head.

I own the space I'm standing in. Who even talks like that?

I groaned and pulled the blanket over my face. "Why am I even thinking about him?" I muttered.

I pushed the blanket away and sat up, reaching for my phone. Three missed calls stared back at me, all from a number I didn't know. "Who keeps calling me?" I said out loud.

Mum stuck her head into my room. "Are you talking to yourself again?"

"No."

She raised an eyebrow at me.

I held up my phone. "Someone called three times."

"Then call them back."

"What if it's a scam?"

"What will they scam you with, your empty account?"

"Mum!"

She laughed and walked off, and I stared at the number a second longer before pressing the call.

It rang twice, then a woman picked up.

"Good morning, am I speaking with Elena Carter?"

My heart jumped."Yes, this is Elena."

"I'm calling from Vale Enterprises about your application."

I sat up straight. "Vale Enterprises?"

Mum was still by the door, so I covered the phone.

"It's Vale Enterprises," I whispered.

Her eyes went wide, and she pointed at the phone like I should hurry up and listen. "Sorry, I'm listening," I said.

"We reviewed your application, and we'd like you to come in for an interview." "An interview?"

"Yes, are you free tomorrow morning at nine?"

"Yes," I said, way too fast.

The woman laughed softly.

"Good, please arrive fifteen minutes early with your ID and a copy of your CV."

"I will, thank you so much."

The call ended, and I just sat there staring at the screen.

"So?" Mum said.

"Interview."

She smiled like it was already decided. "Good."

"I only applied there because I never thought they'd even open my email."

"Well, they did."

I jumped up and grabbed my notebook off the table. "I need to prepare."

"Elena, breathe."

"I am breathing."

"You're running around the room."

"I can do both."

She laughed and leaned over my shoulder while I searched for the company online. "What do they even do?"

"Everything, finance, real estate, technology, hotels." She stared at the screen.

"That's not a company, that's a whole country."

"Exactly."

For the next two hours, I practiced my answers out loud while Mum sat on my bed correcting me.

"Tell us about yourself," I said, straightening my back like I was already in the room.

"Too stiff," Mum said.

"How am I supposed to sound then?"

"Like a normal person."

I tried again, loser this time, and she nodded.

"Better."

"What's your biggest weakness?"

She thought about it for a second. "Chocolate."

"Mum, this is an interview, not a confession."

"Then don't tell them you eat it when you're nervous."

"I don't."

"You ate half my bar yesterday."

"I was hungry."

She just laughed and walked off, leaving me to iron my clothes and print my CV for the fifth time.

That evening, Dad came home and found papers spread all over the dining table. "What's all this?"

"Interview tomorrow, Vale Enterprises."

His face lit up. "That's a serious company."

"I know."

"You'll do fine."

"What if I don't?"

"Then you come home and try again."

My brother walked in and heard the last part."Are you getting the job?"

"I hope so."

"Then buy me sneakers when you get paid."

I threw a pen at him, and he dodged it, laughing.

***

Later that night, I stood in front of my mirror holding two outfits, switching between them until I lost count.

"Why is picking clothes harder than getting the job?" I said to no one.

My phone buzzed, and it was the confirmation message from Vale Enterprises. Tomorrow, at nine in the morning.

I stared at it for a while, thinking about what this job could mean: helping Mum with bills, finally having money that showed up on time. "One step at a time," I whispered, and turned off the light.

Sleep took forever to come, and when it did, I kept dreaming of walking into that building and forgetting every word I had practiced.

***

The next morning I was up before my alarm even rang.

Mum looked me over in the kitchen and nodded once. "Nice."

"Too much?"

"No, you look like someone they should hire."

Dad came in with his tea. "Leaving early?"

"Yes."

My brother appeared, suspiciously cheerful. "Good luck."

"Why are you being nice to me?"

"Because I want those sneakers."

I laughed despite myself, and Mum pushed a plate toward me.

"Eat."

"I can't, I'm too nervous."

"That's exactly why you should eat."

I took one bite just to satisfy her, then grabbed my bag and left.

By the time I reached the street with the glass building, my stomach was in knots.

Vale Enterprises stood above the entrance in tall silver letters, and I stopped across the road just to stare at it.

"This is just an interview," I told myself, and crossed the street.

People in suits moved through the doors like they belonged there, talking about meetings I couldn't imagine having.

I checked my reflection in the glass, smoothed my hair, and stepped inside.

The receptionist looked up and smiled. "Good morning, how can I help you?"

"I'm Elena Carter. I have an interview at nine."

She checked her screen. "Junior executive assistant, you're early."

"Is that good?"

"Very good."

She picked up the phone and said I was here, then told me to have a seat.

My knee wouldn't stop bouncing, no matter how many times I told it to.

A few minutes later, the elevator chimed, and a woman stepped out.

"Elena Carter?" I stood up fast.

"Yes."

"Come with me, I'll take you up."

I followed her into the elevator, and my reflection stared back at me the whole ride up, heart pounding harder with every floor.

The doors opened, and she led me down the hall to two large frosted glass doors.

“She reached for the handle, and my breath caught in my throat as the doors began to swing open.”