Chapter 2: Moving On and Meeting the Boss
The sound of the approaching bus interrupted me from my train of thoughts. As much as I hate the place, I am now heading back to the town for my recent interview invitation as an office staff in one of the largest companies in the city. It took me a dose of confidence to hit the apply button knowing the company always takes the front page of business magazines. I pressed my back on the chair and closed my eyes silently praying I wouldn’t get to come across with Ricky. So basically, he is also working in the city and the fat chance of not getting across from him is slowly slimming as the bus slowly eats the distance between us. The city is so big, you could get lost if you don’t know how to ask and read, but who knows? Life can be a b*tch sometimes.
The building now towered over me. With utmost confidence and luck, I padded my way to the reception area. It’s deserted and you can only spot one person. The receptionist, of course. She is so beautiful with her long blonde on a bun. So wholesome and she is already smiling the moment I stepped into the building.
“Good morning. I have a job interview with Mr. Tom Dawson?”
“Okay, one moment please.”
The woman rose his eyebrows not breaking a sight while her fingers fumble to the telephone beside her. She mumbled something over the phone, impossibly too low for me to hear a word and now her smile went from ear to ear as she guides me to one of the biggest rooms.
“He will be here any moment. Please sit and wait for a while.” Mischievous glint is playing on her eyes as she eyed me with hawk-like eyes.
Okay, she is so effin’ weird.
I just stood at the center of the room encircling the spacious area while I waited and waited for nearly an hour now. The door opened and I jolt in surprise when a man coughed and threw, yeah threw his binder over the table forcefully.
“Please, have a seat.” His voice stern and hard. I counted my way back to the chair adjacent to him. We remain silent for good two minutes and I started to feel antsy. My eyes started to wander from the paper he has been holding to the doorknob back to the paper and the lone hawk-shaped ring on his thumb. Until I felt a pair of eyes drilling on my head and I snapped out of my daze to look at him. He is staring at me with cold eyes and a small breath escaped from his mouth as he placed the paper I assume my resume on the table.
“Now I can tell how it took you one year to get a work. When someone is sitting in front of you, pay attention especially when it’s your future is at stake. “
I mumble a silent sorry as he scanned my resume one more time.
“No experience, no professional training, and worst of all, no hobbies. You are living your life well, I could tell.” He said sarcastically crossing his arms over his chest. I never expected I could come across such an arrogant man yet a powerful-looking man. My now full battery of confidence slowly draining to the bottom, as my anger rises to my temple. As much as would like to bark comment to his remarks, I bit my cheek and mustered up a shy smile making him squint his eyes in my direction.
“Why do you like to work in my company?”
My company? What the heck? Is he the owner of this company? What in the world I am applying for? A manager? I am only applying for a rank and file position! Is it necessary for the owner to interview me?
“Pardon?” I asked absentmindedly. I regained my composure and defend myself from utter humiliation. “I am very sorry, I don’t know if I heard you right. You—you’re the owner of this company? Besides, I am only applying for an associate position.” I blabbered as I tried to explain myself.
“For your information, it is in the mission of the company to be transparent to its employees. So, I would like to get to know the applicants. Do we have a problem with that, Ms. Hernandez?”
“No, not at all, sir.” I smiled, quite amazed and shocked as to how this owner has a lot of time to interview employees.”
“I know that look, Ms. Hernandez. I am a busy person, I somehow choose the applicants I like to interview.”
“Okay, back to my question. Why do you want to work in my company?”
“I’ve been really wanting to work in one of the finest financial companies here in LA. I am an economics major, and I want to expand my portfolio, and it would honor if I will be given this opportunity to start my career here.”
“How can you be certain that this is a good idea for your career?” his question sounds so unbelievable. Like he is trying to sway me from pushing this.
“I did some research sir, and I have to say this is the only company that has outstanding ranks among all financial institutions.
He is staring at me like he is disappointed with how this interview is going. Or is he reading my actions if I am just sugarcoating my words or what?
The interview lasted for an hour and I couldn’t wrap my head around how things escalated. From signing the contract and him-the owner itself congratulated me. I walked out of the building with a smile on my face. It’s an ad if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder and I can finally say, I did it! I know it’s too early to congratulate myself for doing well, but finally accepted of a job offer is such a big achievement for me. I can’t wait to tell this to my foster parents who did nothing but wish me all the best.
“Okay, I deserve a drink tonight.” I half-ran to the nearest bus stop and planning to buy drinks later and celebrate. Alone.