MY FORBIDEN OBSESSION

CHAPTER 2- BEHIND THE GLASS

Claire suddenly woke up to the sound of her alarm, she had set the alarm a little bit earlier than necessary so she could wake up on time and prepare for the interview but now she couldn't help but regret it.

"I think I should go back to bed I'm a bit sleepy".

She tried going back to sleep but the deed had already been done, she was awake already.

She stood up, immediately stretched, and yawned.

"Today is the day I have been patiently waiting for"

For a moment she kept on staring at her reflection in the mirror trying to feel a little confident, and tried to convince herself that she had all it takes for this interview. She reminded herself that she wasn't applying for the office of the CEO, the more she tried, the more uneasy she felt in her stomach, this job meant a lot to her and she didn't want to ruin her chance before she even got there.

She rushed to the bathroom to take her bath before her other neighbors woke up else the water would run out.

"No no no, how come there's no water, I made sure to wake up on time didn't I?"

She rushed back to her room to check the time and make sure that she woke up on time and on reaching she was right, the time was still 5:40.

"Then how the hell did the water run out, I hope it isn't a problem from the machine, not today please".

She turned the tap off and opened it again, silently hoping she hadn't turned it well before.

Nothing happened.

She rushed to her make-believe kitchen hoping the tap there would rush, the result was the same. Claire stared at it in disbelief before letting out a frustrated sigh.

She picked up her phone and dropped

it back again.

"Isn't it too early to call the house keeper, but if I don't I'll end up being late for the interview".

She picked up her phone and quickly dialed the house keeper's number.

The call was picked on the fifth ring.

On the other side she heard a grunt.

"What Claire?"

"So sorry sir for calling this early but the water isn't rushing and I have an important appointment.

Claire has always been on the right side of her landlord although sometimes she failed to pay her rent on time which made the house keeper's wife dislike her.

"It's early, where do u expect him to get a plumber" she heard the voice of his wife in the background.

"Hmm that witch, how come she was awake?" she whispered to herself .

"Did you say something"

"No i didn't"

"Sir please can it be resolved in an hour it's really important".

"Okay an hour but am not promising anything though"

"Thanks a lot, I appreciate".

Claire dropped her phone on top of her bed and let out a groan. She had never really been on good terms with the house keeper's wife. The woman had always held a silent grudge towards her, perhaps she was jealous because she was a good-looking girl whereas the housekeeper's wife was always grumpy.

She smiled at the thought and decided not to let it bother her, though she couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with that woman.

She decided that she was going to practice more on how to answer during the interview.

Claire sat at the edge of her bed and took a deep breath

"Tell me about yourself"

She stared at the mirror for a moment before answering.

"I am Claire Morgan by name, recently worked at a cafe and-"

She paused.

"That sounds awful".

She tried again

" My name is Claire Morgan and I'm twenty-six and an only child"

" Nope that sounds too personal"

She paused again and covered her face with her hands

"Why is this so difficult?".

She knew she could do the work. The problem was explaining it without sounding less confident and desperate.

She practiced for a while and later gave up because it was embarrassing, she brushed, arranged her small room and ironed her cloth while waiting patiently for the water issue to be resolved.

Around 8:00 Claire came out of her bathroom, the pump had taken almost two hours to repair.

She quickly dressed and ate her breakfast.

She contemplated calling her dad or her best friend but she changed her mind considering their earlier reaction to her job.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Claire arrived at a very tall building

And standing in the middle of the city was Sterling enterprises.

Claire stood at the entrance for a moment, staring at the gigantic building in front of her. The sunlight reflected off the windows, making it look even taller than it appeared in the photographs.

At least one of the rumors had been confirmed, Sterling enterprises was no small company.

People hurried through the entrance dressed professionally and had on expensive clothes that could pay her rent twice. Even the security guards looked serious and composed.

Claire became very aware of her own appearance.

She couldn't help but gaze at the building, the building on its own looked intimidating, she tried looking brave but deep down she knew she was nervous.

She looked at her watch 8:45, at least she was early.

"I can do this," she whispered to herself.

She hurriedly entered into the building and just then...

CREAK, CREAK

She silently hoped it wasn't what she was thinking, she tried not to glance down.

She did anyway.

One of her heels was broken but at least it was somewhat manageable.

Her eyes welled up

" Could today get any worse?", she murmured as she made her way into the reception trying not to walk awkwardly.

"Miss Claire right, have a seat, Mr. Sterling will be with you in a while.

"The interior of the building was even more interesting.

Security seemed to revolve round the company.

Everybody dressed professionally and seemed busy.

Though she had taken time to dress she looked like she didn't belong here.

She ignored the feeling placing her bag beside her.

While she walked, she noticed two employees walking past her.

"Did u finish the report?" One of them asked

" Not yet"

" You must be joking. You'd better, am sure you know how he gets when something is not done properly.

"I know"

Claire wasn't one to eavesdrop but she was curious anyway.

She glanced at them curiously.

She had heard enough rumors about the Sterling family already, but apparently the employee had their own stories too.

A staff member walked up to her

"Miss Claire, follow me, Mr. Sterling is ready to attend to you"

They took the elevator and stopped at the thirteenth floor which had only two offices, that of Mr Sterling and his assistant.

"You can go in, that's his office"

She exhaled deeply and stepped in

She was met by deep blue eyes looking at her seriously.

And she recognized him, Ethan Sterling from the photograph.

"Morgan?" he said silently bringing her back.

"Yes that's me"

"You can have your seat" he said politely.

He surely didn't look like the person in the photograph.

The man before her was serious, composed and professional.

He took one glance at her shoe, and looked up to her

"Why did you apply for this job?"

"I applied because I believe I'm capable more than what I've been doing. I want a chance to grow more, learn and challenge myself.

"How well can you handle pressure"

"Very well"

"That's what everyone thinks"

Claire stared at him

"Then what would you like to hear"

Ethan's expression changed slightly

"Give me an example"

Claire thought for a moment before explaining how she had handled a difficult situation on her previous job

Ethan listened without interrupting

"Would you own up to a mistake even if it meant getting into trouble"

Claire hesitated

I'd rather face the consequences than hide my mistake.

Ethan leaned back in his chair

"Interesting"

He went on and on.

And Claire was sure he had asked her every possible question that can be asked.

He paused for a second or two

"What was your childhood like?"

Wasn't that a bit personal Claire said to herself blinking twice to be sure she had heard well.

'My childhood".... she repeated.

"Yes"

There was something about that question. The other questions sounded like interview questions.

This one didn't.

Well I don't have much memories of my childhood, I grew up with my dad and don't have much memories of how it was like.

Ethan remained silent.

He stared at her for a while and funny enough she stared back.

"She is a bit strong", he thought to himself.

"Okay"

Just okay, she thought

"We will get back to you if you were successful"

"Have a nice day", he said in a dismissive tone.

Claire hesitated a bit but his assistant walked into the office and ushered her out.

For a minute, he stared at her till she was out of sight.

Ethan stood up and walked towards the window.

He glanced at the resume again.

Claire Morgan.

He read the name again

Something about her bothered him.

Not because she had said anything wrong, it was because she had said she couldn't remember

He reached out for his phone and dialed a number.

"CLAIRE MORGAN WAS HERE".