The two women who did not get selected left the office premises dejectedly while Jennifer stood rooted to the ground. She could still not get over that the lowly woman had been selected. Her face was green with envy and she was bursting in anger from within.
Mina's eyes were still wide in shock. She had no idea that she would get selected. She immediately ran to Adrian to confront him regarding the same.
"Sir, I don't understand why I have been selected. You do remember my conditions right? Or should I remind you once again?" Mina said, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. As she waited for Adrian to reply, she took a glance at Jennifer who was standing like a statue. She could see the anger in her eyes, she did not wish to study psychiatry for no apparent reason. She had her reasons and one of them was her fake friend, Jennifer.
Mina had known about her 'so-called friend' a long time ago. She had seen her facade and had realized that all her sweetness towards her was just a lie. But Jennifer had not caused her any significant harm, yet. So, she was still entertaining her, and also she wanted to know what Jennifer had in her mind. Why she was being good in front of her when in reality it was all a pretense?
"Miss Williams, please come with me. I have something to discuss with you and it might be of your interest." Adrian said with a straight face and walked away towards the side. Steve was in charge of taking care of the two male employees, so he did not have to care about them.
Mina took another look at Jennifer who was staring back at her in a daze before following Adrian.
"Sir, I have already told you about my conditions and I cannot work here for more than a year. So, why was I selected? I cannot pay the compensation amount for breaching the contract. Please select somebody else." Mina spoke without waiting for Adrian to say anything.
"Miss Williams, please listen to me before you make any conclusions," Adrian stated, a little irked with the impatient woman. She was not even trying to hear what he wanted to tell her and was blabbering non-stop. His words shut Mina's mouth and she fixed her eyes on him waiting for him to speak.
"Miss Williams, I have an offer you might be interested in. Listen to me first and if you still feel like not working in this company, you may leave and nobody will stop you."
"Okay. Please continue."
"You may work for me for a year. If your performance is good, then you can return after you finish your studies. There will be a position exclusively for you at that time. Think about it and tell me." Adrian offered and took out his phone to read the emails from his executives from other branches of his company.
Mina thought about it. That was a good offer and it was not based on sympathy or pity. It all depended on how she performed in this one year tenure and she could return to work that actually meets her criteria. She knew a lot of people hired psychiatrists in their companies as they were useful in more than one way.
After giving it much thought, she had only one question in mind and she voiced it out. "Why me?"
"Let's just say I see great potential in you that needs a little training as of now. After that, you are ready to face any battle that comes your way. I am not losing anything in this deal, in fact, I am gaining a lot. I'll get an amazing employee, of course, I need to see that I benefit from this deal."
Mian's eyes widened in awe and wonder. It was like a dream come true for her. Adrian had offered her a contract that could benefit both of them and she had no objections to it.
"Sir, thank you very much. I am ready to work for you." Joy and excitement were quite apparent on her face which made Adrian smile.
"Then Miss Williams, welcome to King's Corporation." Adrian held out his for her shake.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Now if you will excuse me. Mr. Warren will guide you with the next procedure." Adrian gave her a nod and took long strides towards the elevator. Mina then went to Steve to see what she had to do next. The awkwardness between them that had developed in the conference room was nowhere in sight.
Steve gave her a glance and handed her a form and a contract. "Miss Williams take a look at it and see if it fits your liking. The changes have been made according to what you have asked. Take your time."
Mina nodded and took the papers from him. She turned to take a glance at Jennifer to see that she was nowhere in sight.
'She must have left when I was talking to the President.' She thought.
She went through the contract thoroughly making sure that there was nothing suspicious in it. Satisfied with the deal, she signed it without any hesitation and handed it back to Steve.
"Miss Willaims. Congratulations and welcome to King's Corporation. You can start working from Monday. The usual login time is 9 a.m. But since it is your first day, be here by 8.30. There are some procedures that have to be completed."
"Sure. Thank you, sir."
"And Miss Willaims, I apologize for my behavior in the room," Steve asked for forgiveness and this made Mina smile.
"It's okay sir. It was not your fault. As an employer you expect your employees to be punctual and it was I who was late, though I had reasons."
"Okay, let's forget about it and start anew. I'll see you on Monday."
"Definitely." Mina and Steve went separate ways. Mina was elated to get a job that would help her to complete her studies. Now she did not have to do any part-time jobs. The salary she would get from King's Corporation was way higher than all her jobs combined.
Now that one of her problems in life were dealt with, she had a huge one to face: Jennifer. By now, her face would have contorted in anger and she would be scheming against her. But Mina was not the one to fear anyone. She was ready to face her head-on.