CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONE
Olivia tapped her feet nervously as she tried to clean off the sweat in her palms. She anxiously looked at the other people in the waiting room with her. There were eight in total, four females and three males, all dressed in pants and suits, seeking the same job position.
Olivia was certain they bagged their degrees from Ivy League colleges or at the barest minimum, a respectable college. So, what in the world was she, a dropout with no connection, financial debts, and family baggage doing here? Olivia groaned as she covered her face, she regretted listening to Tanya's inspirational speech months ago.
She knew the chances of getting the job were slim. Frankly, she didn’t expect to pass the last three stages of the interview for this job, no one expected it, not even Tanya, her ever-positive and optimistic friend.
It has always been her dream to work in this company, too bad she had to drop out of college after the death of her parents. Olivia was certain that DENVORT CORPORATIONS would never employ a dropout, except maybe as a janitor.
“Olivia Parker?” A man in a grey suit announced as he stepped out of a room.
“Yes,” Olivia put her hands up as she stood, dropping her file and bag to the floor. Everyone in the room gave a questioning look.
Olivia knew why. First, her clumsiness is sickening. Next, what in the world is she wearing? She wore a casual shirt with a tiny pink love pattern splattered all over it and baggy jeans. Tanya would be highly disappointed. She managed to catch a last glimpse of her hair before she left the house. It was supposed to be a cute mess, but it was a tousled, dark blonde mess. She tried to adjust it into a bun and she hoped it made sense as she hurriedly ran out of the house, but from the judging look of the people in the room, it was a total disaster.
“Hmm, come with me,” The man said and walked to the entrance of the room.
Olivia quickly packed her contents on the floor, shoved them into her bag, and followed him. The man knocked twice on the door before opening it. She stepped in after him but froze at the door as it closed when she noticed the sophisticated interviewers on the panel. There were three, two men and a lady. In their suits, Olivia passed them off as judges in court and she knew her sentence could never be good.
She clutched tightly to her bag as they cast questioning looks on her.
“Miss Parker, can you please step forward and take your seat?” The man in the grey suit asked as he adjusted his glasses.
Olivia shakily let out her breath as she nodded. He encouraged her with a nod and a simple smile. She walked to the only chair that faced the panel and sat down.
“Good Afternoon,” Olivia greeted.
They nodded as they looked through her file. Just then, the door opened and they all stood at the sight of who came in.
“Good Afternoon, Mr. Denvort,” The panel greeted, while the man in the grey suit ran to him.
“I didn’t know you’d be joining the panel for the interview, sir.” The man in the grey suit said.
Olivia looked at Mr. Denvort. Liam Denvort was a striking figure, tall and well-built, with chiseled chin. His grey eyes were intense and his dark hair sleeked backward with a tiny, parting line towards the right. Olivia lost her breath at the sight of his blue suit. She could see his muscles from the sleeve. He stood confidently, with his hands in his pocket as he smiled at the panel.
“Of course, I have to be here. It is my secretary we are on the lookout for. Therefore, I should be able to make the final decision on who is worthy.” The man said and looked at Olivia.
The smile on his face quickly faded. Distressed lines formed on his forehead as he went closer to Olivia. He stopped a few feet away from Olivia and he thoroughly assessed her. He scoffed.
Olivia didn’t appreciate the scowl on the face, but she could not help but want to give him a tight embrace. Her nose appreciated the nice smell from him. It was a reminiscent of freshly bloomed garden after a light rain. The scent was akin to a cozy, vanilla-scented candle and it carried soothing warmth, unlike the cold glare he had on his face.
He walked to the panel table and picked up her file. They all silently watched him as he flipped the pages.
“Olivia Parker… 26… No college degree… No experience… currently a low-budget, unprofessional barista.” He threw the file to the ground and turned to the man in the grey suit.
“Is this a joke?” He roared and Olivia winced. “How does she match the description of a professionally trained executive with relevant years of experience and a reputable degree?”
“I apologize, Sir. I don’t know how she made it past the preliminary stage, but so far, she has been the most outstanding candidate.” The man in a grey suit replied.
This was not the moment of victory, but Olivia felt victorious. She felt satisfied to know that despite her lack of qualifications, she outshined the Ivy League-looking people in the waiting room.
“Are we talking about the same person? This same person standing right there?” He questioned.
Olivia bit her lower lip. If he hadn’t interrupted, she might have gotten the job. Why did he keep addressing her like she wasn’t there? What exactly was his problem with her?
“I have a lot of problems with the fact that you all are interviewing an unqualified, inexperienced person to be my executive secretary.” He said to the panel as if to answer Olivia’s question.
“We apologize, sir. We were not aware as we just began her interview.” The lady amidst the panel said.
“Get me the person who processed her application.” He commanded and then turned to Olivia. “Leave.”
Olivia inhaled, picked up her bag, and aimed to exit the room. She walked gingerly as she headed for the door.
“A quick advice,” Liam said and took a step closer. Olivia paused and looked at him. “There are people created for the corporate world, you are not one of them. Not now, not ever.”
Olivia fought back the tears that burned her eyes and the lumps that formed in her throat. A woman in her forties entered the room and all eyes focused on her.
“Mr. Denvort, you sent for me,” The woman said.
“You processed Olivia Parker’s application?” Liam asked sturdily.
“Yes sir,” The woman said and gave Olivia a questioning look. She knew she made a bad decision with the way Olivia was dressed.
“You’re fired! Clear your desk and leave the company’s premises.” Liam ordered and turned to Olivia. “I said leave, get out!”
Olivia shivered in fear, the woman shot Olivia angry looks and then they both exited the room hurriedly.
