Ordained

The Interview

Three days had passed, each day filled with anticipation. Isabella is still eagerly awaiting a response to her job application.

As she sits down on her bed, thoughts swirl in her mind, wondering when her email will finally receive a response.

Her mind buzzed with curiosity as she decided to dial Aubrey's number. Seeking solace, she strolled to the park, relishing the soothing embrace of the evening breeze.

She reached the park, sitting on the bench nestled amidst nature's embrace, she found comfort, the gentle caress of the wind rustling through the trees, calming her restless mind.

Isabelle pulled out her phone, eager to make the call. With Audrey's number dialled, she held her breath waiting for the connection. With each ring, her heart raced, as the call connected.

"Hello, Isabella", Audrey's voice echoed through the phone, brimming with delight.

"Hey, Audrey. Good afternoon. " Isabelle replied with a smile, her voice filled with warmth. "How's everything going on with you?" She asked as she paced around the park, her shoes lightly grazing the grass.

"Fine, thanks, dear." Audrey answered, with a gentle warmth in her voice." and what about you? How are you fairing?" she asked, feeling worried.

"I'm okay now, I called about the job 'cause I haven't received any email from the company," Isabelle explained, as she anxiously sat on the bench, nervously biting her fingers.

"Oh, Darling! I understand your concern, it's natural to feel anxious when waiting for a response. I already spoke with my team and did a follow-up to get some clarity. You will receive a positive response!" She responded, her words carried a comforting tone.

"Thank you so much, I didn't mean to disturb you, I just need the job urgently, " Isabelle said in an apological tone.

"I understand and totally get it. It will surely be yours, uhm…. I gotta run, but we'll talk later. Have a lovely day." Audrey hurriedly responded.

"No worries! Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful evening. Take care!" Isabelle replied, gracefully getting up from the bench.

Ending the call, Isabelle tucked her phone back into her pocket, her gaze turning towards the sky. With closed eyes, she felt a sense of hope filling her heart.

" It will surely be mine" she whispered to herself, eyes shut, letting out a deep breath as she made her way back to her flat.

Isabelle walked along the street, deep in thought. She got to her doorstep, unlocked her door, dropped her key on her table and made her way to her bed as she undressed.

Unlocking her phone, she scrolled through i********: checking her page, but a particular headline about the world-renowned Blackwood firm instantly caught her attention.

The blog post revealed an exclusive headline: " CEO's Father Continues to Attend Seminars, Keeping the Legacy Alive.". Isabelle's eyes widened with surprise as she clicked on the headline, she delved into the blog post.

"The tale of the BLACKWOOD FIRM continues to unfold with the disclosure that Mr Alexander Blackwood, the CEO, inherited his position from his father. Yet, the reason behind his father's continued presence at meetings, seminars, charity balls, and auctions, leaves us to wonder at the untold reasons behind his attendance. Despite Mr Blackwood's low-key life and absence from all social media platforms, it's his father who stands as the sole representative at these high-profile gatherings. Only a few high business people are said to engage in business conversations.

Bryan Golding, who had the privilege of having conversed with him, described him as a calculated, reserved and brilliant individual. He further described Mr Alexander Blackwood as a man who commands respect and approaches life with caution. In a previous interview, Golding revealed," Our encounter, driven by business, showcased Mr Blackwood's astuteness. The merger between our companies propelled my business to unforeseen heights."

Isabella couldn't help but pause in her reading, a mix of confusion washing over her. With every word she read, the story had her completely spellbound.

As she lay on her bed, she couldn't help but ask "How could a CEO, someone so important, decide to stay anonymous without any reason? That's odd". The thought puzzled her, stirring her curiosity.

The day flew by in the blink of an eye, and Isabella decided to make pasta for dinner. She cooked her meal and dished her food.

After eating, with a satisfied belly, she curled up in her bed, feeling the warmness and comfort that enveloped her as she drifted into sleep.

Isabelle's phone jolts her awake as it rings. She rolls over in bed, groggily reaching for her phone as she picks up her call.

"argh," Isabelle mumbled, her voice heavy with sleep, as she answered her call,

She groggily uttered the word " Yes," her mind still in a hazy state.

"Good morning," a female from the other end replied,

She said her voice was bright and professional."My name is Stella from the Blackwood firm. Am I speaking with Miss Santiago?"

Isabelle's eyes shot open, as she jolted up fully awake,

"Good morning. Yes, please, this is Isabella," she replied, her words tumbling out.

"I called to inform you about your interview which will be commencing soon. Are you with me, ma'am? " Stella responded.

"Yes, please! Go ahead. " Isabelle replied, fully focused on the conversation.

"Okay, Miss Santiago. Just to fill you in. Kindly note, the interview will be conducted as an audio meeting. You'll be answering some questions via chat, with the CEO himself leading the session. There might also be an audio call involved. Do you understand, ma'am? " Stella explained professionally, but her voice trailed with a hint of worry.

"Yes ma'am" she replied, confused.

"Please, call me Stella. Within the next two hours, a number will reach out to you. Good luck with your interview", Stella said, in a friendly manner but with a bit of worry in her tone.

"Thank you, Stella!" Isabelle responded.

"You are welcome, bye," Stella answered, ending the call, leaving Isabella to wonder what caused the fleeting sense of fear.

Isabelle turned on her mobile data, waiting for a number to chat her up for the meeting. After a while, she received a notification on her phone, an unfamiliar w******p number messaged her.

*Unknown: I won't be wasting either of our time. Just a few questions to ask and know your compatibility.

❤️Isabelle: Good morning, sir, Okay sir *

*Unknown: Can you provide an example of when you had to handle multiple projects simultaneously? How do you handle difficult or demanding individuals?

❤️Isabelle: handling multiple tasks at once can be draining, but I stayed organized by promising tasks and setting clear deadlines. For handling demanding individuals, I believe open communication, active listening and maintaining a positive approach matters a lot.

*Unknown: okay. How do you handle confidential information and maintain discretion?

❤️Isabelle:when it comes to handling confidential information, I take extra care to safeguard sensitive data and maintain strict confidentiality protocols. I also use Google Drive or Dropbox to safely keep important information.

*Unknown: What software or tools are you proficient in using for organization and communication?

❤ ️Isabelle: I make use of Google Workspace for productivity platforms, MicrosoftTeam or Google Meeting for communication platforms and Asana for project management.

*Unknown: What qualities do you possess that make you a good fit for the role of my PA?

❤️Isabelle: I am highly organized, have excellent communication skills, detail-oriented, and am a fast learner.

*Unknown: you will receive a call, I'll need you to answer all these questions verbally.

❤️Isabelle: Yes sir.

Isabelle sat on her comfy sofa in her small apartment, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise at the way the conversation was, expecting a call from the CEO himself. The man who was said to have his own reputation is described as a feared and cautious person.

Waiting for the call, Isabelle placed her phone gently on her couch. Feeling the need to ease herself, she made her way to the toilet, still groggy from just waking up.

She opened the bathroom door, ready to relieve herself. Just as she settled in, the sound of her phone ringing caught her attention.

"s**t" Isabella blurted out, her heart racing as she rushed out of the bathroom. Without a second thought, she snatched up her phone and picked up the call.

"It only took you a second to answer the call, you are obviously very fast" the unknown person sneered, with a high of sarcasm.

As Isabella listened to the voice on the other end, a sense of familiarity washed over her. Memories flooded back to a time when she had been captivated by this voice.

She stood silent, longing for the possibility that it might be the same person, wishing for the connection that could reignite the spark within her.