Chapter 2: The Interview.
1124 Words
BELLA'S POV
I woke up feeling energized, and for the first time in a long time, I actually felt like me again. Vicky and I had spent the entire weekend on a mission, prepping me for the interview today. We’d talked through the job details—Executive Assistant to a CEO—until I could practically recite the job description in my sleep.
We didn't just talk, though; we went all out. We hit the mall for a major shopping spree, went grocery shopping to stock the kitchen, and basically treated the weekend like a "life reset." We spent the afternoon at the spa and visited a nail technician to get our sets done, just checking every box to make sure I was ready for the week ahead.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my new clothes and looking at my reflection. My hair was a crown of curls, my makeup was flawless, and for once, the light was back in my eyes. The heartbreak was still there, tucked away somewhere, but it wasn't the boss of me anymore.
"You look like a total powerhouse," Vic said from the doorway, beaming at me.
"I feel like one," I replied, grabbing my bag and checking my phone one last time.
The "sad Bella" who had been sulking for two months was gone. This Bella was smart, sharp-witted, and ready to walk into that high-rise building like she already owned it.
I wasn't just looking for a vacancy; I was looking for a fresh start.
After Vic dropped me off, I stepped into the steel and glass lobby of Apex Innovation and just froze. I couldn’t help myself; I was completely swept away by the massive, beautiful architectural design towering above me. It was sleek, intimidating, and perfect.
Standing there, I felt a strange shift. It wasn't that I was suddenly a new person—it was that I finally remembered who the old Bella was. I’d always known I was sharp. I’d always known I was a powerhouse. But for the last two months, that insecurity had acted like a fog, making me forget everything I brought to the table.
I looked at my reflection in the polished glass of a pillar. I wasn't just an accountant from a small manufacturing firm anymore. I was the girl who could handle anything. The fog was gone, and the "real" me—the smart-ass, no-nonsense Bella—was back and ready for business.
I straightened my blazers, took a breath of that expensive, filtered lobby air, and started toward the reception desk. I wasn't just here to get a job; I was here to take back my life.
"Hi, I'm here for a job interview scheduled for 9:00 AM," I said, approaching the receptionist. She looked up from her computer, and her face broke into a genuine, warm smile.
"OMG! You look gorgeous!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took me in.
For a split second, the old insecurity tried to whisper in the back of my mind, but I shut it down. I remembered the girl in the mirror that morning—the one with the crown of curls and the sharp gaze—and I let the compliment land.
"Thank you so much," I replied, giving her a polished, confident smile of my own. "I really appreciate that."
"Of course! Honestly, you have such a presence," she added, already typing into her system. "Let me just buzz the executive floor for you. You're here for the Executive Assistant position with the CEO, right?"
"That's the one," I said, my voice steady and sure.
"Perfect. Head right over to those gold elevators on the left. You're going to the top floor. Good luck—not that you look like you need it!"
I thanked her and turned toward the elevators, my heels clicking rhythmically against the marble. Every step felt like I was reclaiming another piece of the person I had forgotten I was. By the time the gold doors slid open, I wasn't just ready for an interview; I was ready to run the place.
As I turned toward the gold elevators, that surge of confidence wavered just for a second. My heels clicked against the marble, but suddenly the sound seemed too loud, too echoing in the vastness of the lobby. This wasn't just another office building; this was the top tier of the corporate world I had spent so much time researching.
I felt a flutter of pure intimidation rise in my chest. It wasn’t that I didn't think I was good enough—I knew I was—but it was the sheer weight of the moment. One of my biggest dreams was actually being actualized right in front of me. I was seconds away from stepping into a world I’d only ever imagined, and for a heartbeat, it felt almost too big to touch.
The gold doors reflected a girl who looked like she belonged there, but inside, I was holding my breath. I pressed the button for the top floor, my finger trembling just slightly. As the elevator began its smooth, silent ascent, I closed my eyes and whispered to myself, “You’re here. You’re finally here.”
The elevator doors opened to a floor that felt hushed and expensive.
A man in an impeccably tailored, expensive suit was already waiting for me. He gave a professional nod and gestured down the hall. "This way, please."
I followed him, the thick carpet muffling my steps until he opened the heavy doors to a massive conference room. The space was all polished wood and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
"Someone will be with you shortly for the interview, ma'am," the man said.
"Isabella Anderson, sir," I replied.
He looked at me with clear admiration before nodding and stepping out.
A moment later, a woman from HR entered. "Isabella Anderson, right?. She asked. I nodded in the affirmative.
"I’ll be handling things today. Our CEO had to leave hurriedly for an impromptu meeting out of town and won't be back for a week."
I wasn't expecting the CEO anyway, so I just nodded, feeling sharp and ready.
"I'm ready when you are." I said, sitting up straight.
The interview lasted nearly three hours. Since my resume had already been sent ahead, the conversation was intense and thorough. By the time we finished, they offered me the job on the spot.
I walked back to the elevators, stunned that my dream was actually being actualized, i landed the job of an Executive Assistant.
- Writer
