ONE NIGHT WITH THE CEO

Chapter 8: The Interview

Hailey's POV:

It's the morning of my first interview since I quit and I didn't know what or how to feel.

I had prepped a decent outfit for the day; smart pants which were long enough to cover my flats halfway and a light long sleeve shirt.

One thing I didn't need as a plus to my nervousness was heat.

Belly was also around early this morning. She called it a form of 'moral support'. I wasn't mad at it.

"With the way you look, they wouldn't even need to ask questions before you're offered the job."

"You're just flattering, that's what you always do."

"But I actually mean it."

I raised my right brow.

"Okay for real this time, I know you'd do well."

"I hope I do." I was fighting doubt and anxiety but the interviewer certainly won't care about that so I had to get my s**t together.

School drop off was really quick and I made my way to Duncan Enterprises.

Through my research, I discovered the company had been existing for so many years and was run by the son currently but for some reason, I couldn't find anything on him, no records, no media presence, absolutely nothing.

I shrugged it off and set my mind straight. Acing this interview could mean stability for myself and my kids and that was all I wanted.

I got to the company just in time. The sliding doors welcomed me coupled with the air conditioning and a mix of the room freshener.

I looked forward and observed the environment before walking up to the receptionist, she looked so beautiful and attractive.

To me, that should be one of the many features a company should look out for in a receptionist when hiring.

"Good morning."

She raised her head and looked at me while beaming a lovely smile.

"Good morning ma'am, how can I help you today?"

"Yes uhh I was called up for an interview scheduled for this morning." Saying this felt so familiar.

"Your name please?"

"Hailey Ster-. Hailey Sinclair." No way I almost introduced myself as Sterling. She stared at her desktop, typed some letters and then her eyes came back at me.

"Please, come with me." She stood then led me to a room on the right side of the hallway. Someone was there already, a lady.

From the way she sat, I could tell she was tall, an envelope clinged until her thighs, first sign she was here for an interview.

"Please have your seat, someone will be with you shortly."

"Thank you."

The receptionist was so nice and professional and I could already imagine myself working here.

She left the room, slammed the door lightly behind her, and I was left with the other woman.

"Hello, good morning." She greeted me even before I had the chance to.

"Hi good morning, are you also here for the interview?" I had to ask quickly.

"Yes, I am." That was the confirmation.

I tried to stop myself from expressing my disappointment but I'm not sure how well I did. I really don't know why I thought it'd be just me but I was wrong, very wrong.

The awkwardness in the room after that interaction was louder than my confidence in nailing the interview but when I thought about my kids and how much this job would help again, I didn't care if there were ten rivals.

About fifteen minutes into waiting, a man and lady walked in, they looked like they were in their early thirties or probably less.

I stood up almost immediately, corporate courtesy probably demands that.

They took turns to shake our hands while exchanging pleasantries.

Myself and the lady were asked to sit and they introduced themselves as the interviewers.

"Myself and my partner would be handling this interview process before the CEO takes over."

My mind raced. CEO? Taking over? From what?

None of this was stated and I could feel my heart beating so fast like I had just experienced a seizure.

"By the way" she continued. "There should have been three candidates here this morning but the last person is no longer interested so we'll work with just you both."

"Without wasting so much time, let's start with you." She pointed at the other applicant.

"Come with us please." All three of them walked out of the room and I just remained there. Where could I go?

I saw it as an opportunity to rehearse all I had prepared and that, I did. I also randomly found myself praying. This was something I hadn't done in a long long time, I think that alone showed how badly I hoped for this.

Belly kept texting and it became annoying at some point but I understand that she just cared to know.

Then it was my turn. I heard the door creek open and the lady interviewer popped her head into the door, her full body still on the other side.

"We'll have you now ma'am."

This was it, the moment that'd determine if I'd get it.

The applicant from before walked out of the room we were getting into. The time between walking past each other wasn't enough for me to place what her expression was.

"Mrs. Hailey?" The man spoke first.

"Miss." I corrected him and hoped he didn't think that was rude.

"Noted."

"Can I have a copy of your resume?"

I handed it over to him. He looked through it and passed it to the lady interviewer.

"It says here that you resigned, can we know why?"

To be honest, with everything I rehearsed, I didn't think of how to answer this question if i was asked so i just let myself speak.

"I just had my second child when I decided to quit and focus on raising them." I believed my answer didn't have to be explanatory.

"So how long have you been out of the workforce?"

"Precisely 5 years."

"You're applying for an HR role so you should understand that hiring you for this position would take a lot so why do you think we should hire you?"

"I know you should hire me because regardless that I've been out of the workforce for a while, I haven't lost my skill and passion for this role. Before I quit, I practiced HR for ten years and in these years, I gained knowledge and even certifications that prove I'm capable of this role."

That was a mouth full but anything to convince these guys.

I got comfortable after answering a couple of questions and the rest of the interview went smoothly, I believe.

"Thank you Miss Hailey, that'll be all for now, you can make your way back to that room and the CEO will meet with you shortly."

My heart raced again. Who was this CEO that needed to see us again?

Most CEOs only cared about productivity and never about the staff needless say applicants.

The other applicant was in the first room too, there was no need for baseless conversations so I texted Belly informing her on how the interview went as I got seated.

Then the door opened. My head was still buried in my phone when a familiar scent filled the room.

I racked my brain to remember where I knew that scent from but whoever it was spoke before I could pick it.

"Hello."

I know that voice. It was Cole, the stranger from the club the other night. Was I going crazy?

I looked up and there he was. I tried to process why Cole was here instead of the CEO till the interviewer spoke.

"This is the CEO."

The man I slept with two nights ago was the CEO about to decide my fate on this job.