Damian Harrington: The Billionaire Alpha

CHAPTER 1:

I got lucky today; I got a seat on the train. I look at myself in a mirror as soon I sit down, then get a comb to recomb my hair and retouch my makeup. I’ve been commuting for almost a year but still can’t get used to this. Until now, I can't believe that I am going through this.

After I fix myself, I take a deep breath as I try to rehearse for the coming interview. It’s my first time applying for a job, and I can’t quite say what I’m feeling right now. I can't help but think about my future boss. What kind of boss the CEO of Harrington Aviation Services is, and what questions he will ask me later?

The beating of my heart gets faster and faster as I get closer to my destination. As soon as I arrived, my mind went blank. I walked into the building as if my body had moved.

I stopped walking when I got into the lobby. “You got this, Raeliana. You got this!” I whispered to myself.

According to the email I've received as notice for this interview, I must come to the HR Department first. There is an initial consultation before finally meeting the CEO, Mr. Damian Harrington. I am amazed that the CEO himself will interview us. I expect him to act like what I see in movies, who only asks his employees to handle everything. It proves that fiction is different from reality.

“Good morning. Are you one of the applicants?” A young lady wearing corporate attire approached me as soon as I got closer to the office of HR. My jaw dropped as I observed her; she looked professional, and I wondered if I could be like her ever I got this job.

I bow my head and smile. “Good morning to you too,” I greeted her, but I sounded too nervous. “Y-yes. I’m here to apply for the secretary position,” I added.

She grinned at me as she led me the way. “This way, please.”

My brows furrowed because I found her reaction weird. I wanted to ask her what was with that reaction, but I restrained myself. Because I saw how many applicants were waiting on the right side of the hallway. I expect that there are other applicants aside from me as I notice that the content of the email is in general. But I never imagine to have estimated hundreds of rivals!

There was an empty seat at the end of the line, so I didn’t hesitant to take that. I retake a deep breath to calm myself, but not until this interview finish, I can’t feel relaxed. Especially now that many of us want to apply.

My gaze shifted to the line in the front to observe what was happening. I also notice the man sitting beside me, reading notes as if he is rehearsing for the interview. I want to do that too, but nothing comes to my mind because of the tension I am feeling right now. So I kept observing until my turn arrived to undergo the initial interview.

And good news came after I ate my lunch! I am one of the top ten applicants selected to meet the CEO. I know it's too early to celebrate, but I immediately bounce from foot to foot inside the CR cubicle. I'm energized and awake, confident I will get the position.

But due to my overwhelming excitement about what happened, I felt like I was floating in the clouds. That's why I didn't immediately notice that another guy like me wasn't looking ahead. So we ended up bumping each other.

“I’m sorry!” I immediately asked for forgiveness; I even raised my hands while saying it.

He seems busy with his phone while heading to the comfort room. He only gets back to reality after we bumped each other. “You seem not familiar. Are you working here?” he asked as he furrowed his brows at me.

My mouth is open as my gaze shifts to the side. “No, I’m here to apply as secretary—”

“Ah, that’s why you don’t know me.” He cut me off.

I bit my lip while rubbing my hands down my pant legs. My eyes are already looking for the exits. “Um… It’s my first time here, so…”

“So, if ever you got accepted as Damian’s secretary, you should know who I am,” he said. His voice sounds like he’s scolding me. “I am Roderick Pastrana, the COO of Harrington Aviation Services. Is that clear to you, miss?”

I bow my head. “Yes, Sir. And again, I’m sorry.”

After that, he didn’t speak again and walked away from me to the restroom. I watch his back while walking, thinking, “If he is intimidating, what more of the CEO?” But I shake my head to erase that question because I am about to meet Mr. Harrington and don’t want to look too nervous. I should think that he is different from Mr. Pastrana.

Then the moment of truth arrived. One of the employees from HR accompanies me to another room where Mr. Harrington is waiting for me. As we finally got in the door of the said room, she left me alone, leaving me a sweet smile. I could feel the sweat in my hands, so I rubbed it in my skirt and scraped it through my hair. And before I finally enter, I close my eyes and take a calming breath.

I knock first before opening the door. Then I caught Mr. Harrington sitting in his swivel chair, reading the paper he was holding. “Good afternoon, Sir.” I greeted him, still holding the doorknob, waiting for Mr. Harrington to let me in.

His gaze never shifted on me as he spoke, “Come in.” I close the door, trying not to make any sounds. When I get closer to him, he says again. “Sit down.”

“Thank you, Sir,” I responded.

I looked at the paper he was holding. Then I noticed that he was reading my curriculum vitae. I blinked and turned away, hoping he didn’t see what I did. I'm amazed again as I thought employers never read an applicant’s resume.

“Ms. Raeliana Martinez.” I didn’t know where to look when he called my full name, so I glanced sidelong while I kept my head still.

I clear my throat and lift my chin. “Yes, Sir,” I responded. My voice sounds shaky.

Mr. Harrington put down the paper he was holding. The time came that he would ask me questions that the HR already did, but my heart kept on palpitating. I want time to speed up as I want this interview to end now because I can feel nausea right now.

“Relax, it's not like I’m going to bite you or something,” he said as he smiled at me. “I want you to take this interview as if we're old friends who haven't seen each other in a long time. Imagine we're catching up,” he added.

I am trying to make the situation like what Mr. Harrington wants, but I can’t. My hands keep on sweating, and unable to stay still.

Mr. Harrington put his elbow on his table and leaned towards me. “Forget the thought that you’re here to apply as my secretary. You can start our conversation by telling me something off-topic. You know, something you experience or see this morning before you arrive.”

My shoulders dropped as I heard what he had said. My gaze shifted to Mr. Harrington, and my eyes fixed on him. The first thing that came to my mind was my dream this morning.

My neck tingling as I thought of Mr. Harrington reminded me of that black werewolf.