Bound by shadows

The Interview

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock, the morning sun streaming through the curtains. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “Today was the day of my interview at Starwave Studio, the beginning of my new life” I thought.

I checked my phone and saw a text from my mom, wanting to know how I am doing and if I am settled in my new place. I texted her back to let her know I was doing fine and that she did not have to worry. After texting her, I got out of bed, showered and carefully selected my outfit. I picked a navy blue blazer and skirt with a crisp white blouse. Professional, yet stylish, I thought, looking at myself in the mirror. After styling my hair and applying a touch of makeup, I grabbed my purse and phone and went down to the kitchen to fix myself breakfast. I ate in hurry and headed out the door.

The city was already bustling with activities as I walked to the bus station to board a bus. The drive to Starwave Studios gave me time to mentally prepare for the interview, but I couldn’t shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. The bus stopped at the next bus station and I got down and walked the remaining miles to Starwave Studio. I arrived at the towering building, taking a moment to admire its sleek, modern architecture before stepping inside.

The lobby was impressive, it’s filled with people hurrying about their business. I walked up to the lady sitting at a desk.

“Good morning, I’m Kate Dawson. I have an interview scheduled at 9:00”, I said, my voice steady despite the nervousness that I feel at the pit of my stomach.

The receptionist smiled warmly and directed me to the elevator. “Goodluck, Ms. Dawson. The interview will be on the fourth floor. I thanked her and made my way to the elevator, my mind focused on the upcoming interview. I heard the beeping sound of my phone like a text has been sent so I opened my purse as I kept walking to take out my phone when I bumped into the chest of someone coming from the opposite direction. My purse and phone fell to the floor. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, bending down to pick up my belongings.

A deep, irritated voice responded, “Can’t you watch where you’re going?”

I looked up, finding myself face to face with the most handsome man I had ever seen. He has a tall, muscular build, piercing steel - blue eyes and perfectly styled dark hair. For a moment, I was speechless, utterly captivated by his presence.

“Well?” He prompted, staring at me impatiently, waiting for me to apologize.

“I am really sorry,” I managed to say. “I wasn’t looking at where I was going”.

“Clearly”, he replied, dismissing my apology with a wave of his hand. I felt a surge of irritation at his rudeness. “There’s no need to be so rude, you know. It was an accident, plus you also bumped into me too”.

He raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing me, “what are you saying?” He asked.

“I am saying it was an accident and it wasn’t entirely my fault”.

He starts walking towards me in slow strides like a predator sneaking up on his prey, staring at me intensely, “Are you expecting an apology from me?” He asks. As he kept walking towards me, I backed away from him. My back collided with the cold steel of the elevator door as the nervous pit in my stomach, became deeper but this time not because of the interview but because of the man in front of me. He placed his left hand at the side of my head, and set his dark gaze on me.

I raised my head high, refusing to be intimidated by his commanding presence.

“Yes” I said, trying hard to look him in the eye and not back down. He smirked and brought his face close to mine. “What is this? Is he trying to flirt with me? How can he come so close to me like this and try to flirt with me after he had just been rude to me?” I thought.

Angry at his behaviour, I put my hands on his chest to shove him back but it was useless. The man was like a solid rock, I couldn’t push back. I turned my head the other way when he brought his face closer to mine. I could smell his cologne as I felt his breath in my ear.

“Not a chance, darling”, he said in a slow deep voice.

I turned my face to him and glared at him. He still had on the smirk on his face as he presses the elevator button with his left hand and I had the sudden urge to slap the smirk off his face.

“Be calm, Kate. You don’t want to cause a scene here.” I thought.

Without another word, he turned and walked into the elevator. I followed him in, still fuming.

As I stepped in, he pressed the button for last floor before I could select my destination.

He was wearing a well tailored suit that screams money so I decided that he was probably client.

“Am I that handsome or is it just your hobby to stare at people?” He asked as I kept staring at his side profile. I scoffed, “handsome my foot” I say. He turned and looked at me.

“Your eyes were saying a different thing a few minutes ago” he said while scrutinizing me under his gaze.

“Maybe it was you who misread them” I said.

He lets out a small laugh. “I don’t misread.” He said.

I glared at him. “Arrogant and rude. I can’t believe I found him attractive at first. Client or not, I hope I never see him again”, I thought.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened on the last floor. The man stepped out without a backward glance, leaving me to glare at his retreating figure. I pressed the button for the fourth floor and took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay focused on the interview.

When the elevator doors opened again, I found myself in a spacious, well-lit reception area. I approached the receptionist, who directed me to a conference room down the hall. Straightening my blazer, i took a deep breath outside the door of the conference room, pushing the rude stranger out of my mind while trying to calm my nerves. I entered the room where three people were seated at a large table. Two men were sitting at the left and right side, while a woman sat in the middle.

“Good morning”, the man at the right side greeted me with a warm smile. “Please, have a seat”.

“Good morning”, I replied, sitting down and trying to calm my racing heart.

“Tell us about yourself”, the woman at the middle asked.

“My name is Kate Dawson. I have a background in journalism with a degree from New York University, where I developed a strong foundation in news writing, research and multimedia storytelling”, I replied as I felt my nerves gradually ease as I confidently answered, showcasing my skills and expertise.

“Can you tell us about a time when you had to manage a difficult situation at work?”, the man at the left hand side asked.

I nodded, recalling a challenging project from my previous job.

“There was a major deadline approaching, and our team was behind schedule due to unexpected technical issues. I organized daily meetings to track our progress and coordinated with different departments to ensure we had the resources needed. In the end, we managed to complete the project on time and received positive feedback from our client”.

The interviewers nodded their heads as they took notes. The questions continued, each one allowing me to highlight my abilities. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment as the interview progressed.

“Thank you, Ms. Dawson”, the woman said finally. “We appreciate your time and will be in touch soon”.

I stood up, “Thank you for the opportunity”.

As I left the conference room and walked back to the elevator, I let out a sigh of relief. The encounter with the arrogant and rude man in the elevator had been unexpected, but I refused to let it overshadow the fact that I had done my best in the interview.

Back in the elevator, I allowed myself a small smile as i looked at my phone to check the text that came in earlier before I was distracted by the rude stranger. I saw it was a text from Julia asking to meet up at a restaurant, she had sent the restaurant address with the text. So, I texted her back to confirm I got her message and that I am on my way.

I took a cab and gave the cab driver the restaurant address that Julia sent to me. The cab stopped me at the front of the restaurant, Julia was already waiting outside for me, when she saw me, she rushed to me and hugged me. I paid the cab driver and we found a quiet corner table in the restaurant.

“So, how did it go?” Julia asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

The waiter came to us and we placed our order.

“It went well, I think”, I replied. “But you won’t believe what happened before the interview. I bumped into the rudest man ever outside the elevator”.

Julia raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”

I told her about the encounter, my voice laced with frustration and anger once again as i remembered the man’s rude attitude towards me.

“He was so arrogant, and so rude! He just spoke to me and dismissed me like I was nothing. Then, he started flirting with me”. The waiter came and dropped our orders on the table.

“He did that? What an asshole”, Julia said with anger in her voice.

“Men can be such jerks sometimes. Speaking of jerks, I had a huge fight with Jonathan last night”.

I leaned forward, interested. “What happened?” Julia sighed. “He being his usual self, rude, insecure and inconsiderate. I couldn’t deal with his s**t last night so I kicked him out. I don’t know why I put up with him”.

“ I still don’t understand your relationship with Jonathan”, I said, shaking my head.

“ I mean, you are divorced but you two can’t seem to move on. And you’re still having s*x with each other”.

Julia laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Well, the man gives good f**k. I mean, have you f****d that man?” She says.

I couldn’t help but laugh too. “You’re impossible”.

Julia grinned. “You should get yourself a boyfriend, Kate. It’s about time.”

I shake my head. “I have no room in my life for a man right now and I am not interested in a relationship.

“ Alright, no boyfriend, no relationship. But, at least get yourself a man to keep down there active while you are getting your s**t together”.

I gasped at what she said and beat her arm playfully while she laughed.

After our lunch, we walked out to Julia’s car. As we got in, Julia turned to me. “I’m dropping you off at your place, right?”

“Yes, please,” I replied, fastening my seatbelt.

“Thanks for lunch. I needed that”.

Julia smiled as she started the car, “Anytime, hun. And don’t worry about the interview. You’ll do get the job, I’m sure of it”.

“I hope so,” I said, looking out the window. “I really need this fresh start”.

We arrived at my apartment building, and I opened the door to get down. Julia came down also and when she got to my side, I gave her a warm hug.

“Send my love to Liam. I’ll come and see him very soon”.

“Will do,” Julia said, squeezing me.

“Take care, okay?”

“I will. Thanks again”.

I watched Julia as she got in her car and drove away, feeling grateful for my friend’s support. I walked up to my apartment, feeling a mix of exhaustion and hope.