CHAPTER TWO: THE INTERVIEW
699 Words
Mr. Peter looked up as Elena entered the room.
He didn’t smile.
He didn’t frown.
He simply pointed to the chair opposite his desk.
“Sit,” he said.
“Thank you, sir,” Elena replied.
She sat down.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Mr. Peter glanced at the file in front of him.
“You’re late.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Traffic?”
“Yes.”
He gave a single nod and said nothing more.
He turned a page in the file.
“You’ve worked with the institute for three years.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your department?”
“Medical laboratory science.”
“I know.”
He turned another page.
“You applied for Research Group Leader.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Elena met his eyes.
“Because I’m ready.”
Mr. Peter studied her for a moment.
“Leadership isn’t the same as competence.”
“I know.”
“What would you do if your team disagreed with your decision?”
“Listen first. Decide after.”
“And if they still disagreed?”
“Then I’ll take responsibility for the decision.”
Silence filled the room.
Mr. Peter leaned back in his chair.
“Your strongest quality?”
Elena didn’t hesitate.
“Consistency.”
“Weakness?”
She paused briefly.
“Taking on too much.”
A faint change crossed his expression.
It was the closest thing to approval.
He closed the file.
“That will be all.”
Elena stood up.
“Thank you for your time, sir.”
He nodded.
She turned toward the door.
“Ms. Elena.”
She stopped.
“Yes, sir?”
“You’re capable.”
A beat passed.
“Don’t let impatience make you careless.”
Elena held his gaze.
“I won’t.”
She left the room.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Just as she was about to make her way to her ride, she suddenly stopped.
“Oh…”
She looked down at her watch.
“I almost forgot.”
Cherry.
Her best friend had reminded her several times during the week.
“Don't you dare come looking like you've been studying all your life,” Cherry had teased over the phone. “We're going out tomorrow evening. My husband invited two of his close friends for dinner, and you're coming with me.”
Elena had tried refusing.
“Cherry, you know I don't like gatherings.”
“Too bad. You've been hiding in that apartment for months. You're coming, and that's final.”
Elena smiled to herself as she remembered the conversation.
Cherry was probably the only person who could successfully argue with her.
They had been inseparable since university. While Elena was quiet, reserved, and preferred her own company, Cherry was cheerful, outspoken, and effortlessly made friends wherever she went.
Their personalities were complete opposites, yet somehow they balanced each other perfectly.
Cherry had gotten married a year earlier to Jeff Gary of the Gary family, a millionaire businessman who adored his wife. Since then, Cherry had made it her personal mission to make sure Elena didn't spend every weekend alone.
Elena reached into her handbag and unlocked her phone.
Just as expected, there were three unread messages from Cherry.
Cherry: Don't forget we're shopping today.
Cherry: Meet me at Westfield Mall by noon.
Cherry: And don't disappear on me. I know you.
Elena let out a soft chuckle.
“I wasn't planning to.”
She replied with only two words.
On my way.
A reply came almost instantly.
Cherry: Good. And smile for once.
Elena shook her head with amusement before slipping her phone back into her bag.
She opened the app and booked a ride to Westfield Mall.
Daniel, who usually drove her everywhere, was on break today, so she would have to manage on her own.
The ride would take about thirty minutes.
Westfield Mall wasn't too far away, and the Uber ride would be comfortable enough.
As she settled into the back seat of the arriving Uber and made her way through the lively streets of the city, she couldn't help but think about how much had changed in just a few hours.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD