We're Not The Same

Chapter 2 || Blake

The universe has a cruel way of bringing two people together. It enjoys messing with people who have gotten their s**t together over the past years and finding humor in seeing said people make a fool of themselves.

It was a sick joke. Maybe from an outside perspective, it was hilarious. But in my case, it wasn't. I was on the other receiving end of life's jokes, and that was enough to drive me insane.

But if I see the world from my sister Lauren's perspective, maybe, just maybe, some good will come out of it. Things happen for a reason. I don't know whatever reason the universe has for pulling this stunt. But I know that karma has come biting me in the ass.

~*~*~*~*

Today was probably the most nervous I've been for an interview. I've had other job interviews, and I was confident in them. I was sure I'd get the job, and I did. But this, this was different. It was the biggest one yet, and it offered the position I've wanted for so long. I've practiced what they could ask me last night and the way to the interview. I knew what I was going to say, but I was still nervous as hell.

It was unlike me to be this way. I tried to convince myself that it would be okay and that I would get the position, but a voice was nagging me at the back of my mind, saying this interview would not be smooth sailing. I couldn't shake it off.

I arrived at the Stark Corporation building two hours from my scheduled interview. I had to make an impression if I wanted to get the job. I waited for the elevator to open along with other employees, and when it did, I headed to the back. Before the elevator could close, a voice from outside the lift called out. "Wait! Please hold the door!"

An employee held out a hand to stop the door from closing, and a woman entered. The moment she entered, almost everyone in the lift greeted her good morning, and she replied with a bright smile and greeted them back. I wondered if she was one of those employees who knew everybody, and everybody liked her. She was probably everybody's best friend or something.

I took the entire time in the lift to look at her. She had brunette hair that fell past her shoulders in waves. She was a head shorter than me. When she walked in, I couldn't help but notice how bright her smile was. She wore minimal makeup that brought out her jade green eyes. Her skin looked almost porcelain-like. She had a petite frame, and she knew how to carry herself. She was attractive and hot if I do say so myself. I made a mental note to strike up a conversation with her if I ever saw her again.

Maybe even get her to go on a date with me.

The elevator dinged, and a few employees got off, including her. Before the elevator closed, I watched her hop off the lift and greeted her other co-workers on that floor.

When we got off the lift, I noticed the line formed outside what seemed to be a conference room. On the opposite side was a table with coffee and a few bread and biscuits. There was also a table outside the conference room where two employees sat behind, and other applicants signed documents.

Once I had signed the confirmatory sheet, I headed to the restroom. I stared at myself in the mirror and took a deep breath. I saw huge bags underneath my eyes from sleepless nights. Everything was getting to me, and it showed on my face.

I managed to look at least decent for this interview and not like a zombie in a suit. Sighing deeply, I looked in the mirror for the last time and returned outside.

I took a seat beside a blonde woman who eyed me up and down flirtatiously and bit her bottom lip. I eyed her from head to toe. To sum it all up, her makeup and attire weren't work-appropriate. It looked as if she was going to the club instead.

She was hot but not as hot as the woman in the elevator earlier.

I smirked at the blonde woman beside me, and she twirled her hair around her finger and batted her fake eyelashes. Could she be more predictable?

Since it would be a while before my turn, I might as well converse with Ms. Blondie over here. Maybe it would help ease the nerves.

It's only been five minutes since we started talking, and I already wanted to rip my ears out. Starting a conversation with this woman was a mistake. She did ease the nerves but replaced them with annoyance instead.

Relief coursed through me when it was her turn to be interviewed. Even the person on my other side felt relieved. I glanced at the woman beside me, who looked much more decent than blondie. She glanced my way too, and we both chuckled.

"I can tell that it was uncomfortable." She said, offering a sympathetic smile. "Oh, it was. It wasn't enjoyable at all." I spoke with a shake of my head. "Glad it was over?" She asked. I scoff, "Delighted." She chuckled at this.

"Hi, I'm Blake," I say, extending a hand. Her smaller hand shook mine with a smile. "Danica, nice to meet you, Blake."

"Likewise."

Danica and I had small talk. Compared to blondie, Danica was a much better conversationalist. She was only new to the city, and this was her first job interview since she was only a fresh graduate. Blondie stepped out of the room and headed my way again. I groan. Dear Lord, what have I done?

Danica snorted beside me, and I shot her a glare. "I'm glad one of us is enjoying my misery," I say sarcastically. "I'm afraid you put yourself in that situation, buddy." She patted my shoulder with a teasing grin. I rolled my eyes at this.

Blondie was now standing in front of me and was glaring at Danica's hand on my shoulder. The glare to which Danica was oblivious to. "Hey, hottie. If you wanna hang tonight," she ran her hand up and down my arm. I tried so hard not to flinch and push her hand off me. "Here's my number. Give me a call." She handed me a calling card. I hesitated to take it from her, but I did it anyway. "Uh, sure."

She winked at me, looked at Danica up and down, and sneered before walking away. When I was sure she was gone, I ripped the calling card in my hand and headed to the trash bin. "Lord knows how much I regret talking to her," I said when I sat back down.

"Something tells me you make poor decisions regarding women." Danica began gathering her things when the HR employee called her. "Well, Blake, it was nice meeting you. Hope to see you around." She extended a hand for me to shake, which I did.

"Yeah, see you around. Good luck in there." I offer a smile. She nodded and headed to the room.

Ten minutes had passed when Danica came out of the room with a big smile. She was practically skipping on her way to me. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" She squealed when she stood in front of me. "I take it the interview went well?" I asked her with a polite smile.

"Even better! I'm very confident I'm gonna get the job! It was a bit intimidating, though, since-"

"Mr. Blake Hall?" A petite blonde girl with thick-framed glasses called out. "Looks like it's my turn. Anyway, congrats!" Danica nodded, "Good luck in there!"

I passed by two employees who came from the room and offered a nod and a smile. Once I was in the office, I saw the brunette earlier in the elevator. And the best part was, she was alone. Maybe I can charm her, and who knows, perhaps it could help me get this job.

"I'm sorry, I'll just fix these for a while. Please take a seat." She said, shuffling around files on the desk. I made my way across her and sat down.

"Alright," when she looked up, I noticed her eyes had widened when she made eye contact with mine. I smirked mentally. I had gotten used to getting that kind of reaction from women. Sometimes men as well.

It took her a bit to recover, so I cleared my throat, hoping to get this interview over.

"So, um, can I see your resume, please?" She cleared her throat, and I handed her my documents. She scanned over it and nodded every once in a while. I've seen other people be impressed with my resume, but none of those people made me nervous as she did. There was just something about her that I couldn't point out.

She looked up and complimented my resume and said I was a hard worker, which pleased me. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Thank you."

The interview went smoothly, and she was genuinely impressed with my answers.

"I'm sorry, this will sound cliché, but have we met before?" She c****d her head to the side. I caught myself before a smirk formed in my mouth. It looks like I will get that date after all.

"Um, no, I don't think so, Ms...?" She scoffed, almost offended. Like I should know her name. "Stark. Ms. Rebecca Stark."

Ah, s**t. I don't know why I didn't even recognize her. She was in every business magazine and the newspapers, for God's sake!

In front of me was the CEO of the company I was trying to apply for. And I could not believe I was trying to flirt with her.

It looks like there's no date after all.

"I expected better from you, Mr. Hall. I would have expected you to at least know who your employers are. But I'll let that slide for now." I opened my mouth to fix the damage, but she cut me off.

"-And I'm also sure we've met before." What was she on about? Maybe she confused me for someone else?

"I don't want to sound rude," I say, hoping not to cause any more damage, "but I'm sorry, I don't recognize you."

"Well, then I suppose you'd recognize the name 'Buck Teeth Becky'?"

This day keeps getting better and better. Not. And to make it much worse, the only thing I could say was,

"Well, shit."

And she wasn't even supposed to hear that. With one eyebrow raised, she said, "Excuse me?"

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to swear, Ms. Stark. I was just caught off guard."

"Mr. Hall, I do not tolerate those words in my company. Whether you were caught off guard or not, this place is strictly professional. I take professionalism with high regard. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am. It won't happen again."

"Good. Well, the interview is done. We will email you as soon as HR has gone over the rest of the applications. You're free to leave now, Mr. Hall." I was about to leave the room but hesitated for a moment. It was against the professional side, but I felt the need to explain or defend my side. Who I was in high school was not who I am now as an adult.

It took me a long way to get to where I was now, and I went through a lot of maturing, but this Blake Hall was now grown up. I've gotten my s**t together. Not entirely, but most of it.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked. "I just wanted to say that I hope my previous actions all those years ago and how I reacted earlier doesn't affect my getting this job, Ms. Stark."

I'd beg if I have to. I just really needed this job. To say I was relieved when she said, "I know potential when I see it, Mr. Hall. As I have stated earlier, I was impressed with what I saw. Part of being a professional is setting aside personal feelings. What happened in the past is not a deciding factor for your employment in my company," was an understatement.

Deciding to leave it at, "Thank you..." I left the conference room and let out a heavy breath.

If I got the job, I had a lot to prove to Rebecca that I was now a different person. I don't know how I would do that, but I will. I'll make sure of it.