''No, no one bullied me. It's just that… I met Mikael Sun and said a few words to him. I am just afraid that he might take it out on you, so I rushed over to check on you.''
Natalie sighed and held Alice's hands. ''Silly girl. You scared me, I thought that someone had bullied you. Listen, whatever is going on between Mikael Sun and I, we will handle it ourselves. You don't need to worry about it. You just need to concentrate on what you love and know how to do best. Alice, I know that these past years, you've suffered a lot because of me. I know that you don't mind letting everyone know that we are related but you have to trust me. The right time will come and we won't have to hide our relationship.''
''I understand; I was just worried that he might try to use our relationship against you.''
''Mikael might hate me, but he won't do that, so don't worry and just make sure you do your best. The best actress award must be yours this year, remember you promised me that?''
Alice chuckled and calmed down. ''Yes, I did promise you that. I am doing my best.''
''That's my girl. Now, let's feed you before you go back to shooting.''
''You too, eat a lot. I ordered lots of meat for you.'' Alice said and Natalie looked at the food on the table and swooned.
''Whoa, this looks delicious!''
….
Janice Jewellery
Company hallway [outside the interview room]
Natalie held her purse bag and documents tightly as she sat on the 16th seat awaiting her interview along with the other candidates.
The hallway was packed with a lot of people coming for the interview.
Natalie's phone buzzed and she turned it up, looking at the message from Alice.
''To my sister who is the best in the whole world, this is your babe sister who is also the best in the world. Wishing you success in your interview.''
Natalie smiled and put the phone on silent before dropping it into her bag. Just then, the secretary opened the door and came out of the interview room to call the next applicants' names.
''Lucy Lawson, Anita Benevater, Natalie Jun and Adams Dindin!'' The secretary looked at them as they stood up from their seats. They were supposed to be four but they were only three standing up so the secretary asked, ''Where is Miss Adams Dindin?''
A lady rushed towards them, with her bag as she spoke. ''Sorry, traffic was hell!"
The secretary looked at her before gesturing with her hand to the other applicants. ''Follow me!''
Natalie was about to step forward when Dindin pushed her aside and stood in front of her. One of the candidates immediately held Natalie's hand preventing her from falling.
''What's wrong with her?'' The lady asked and smiled at Natalie. ''Are you alright?''
''Mm, I am fine. Thanks for helping me.'' Natalie said and smiled. She looked at Dindin and furrowed her brows. When she first saw her, she had thought that she was not the same one but now she knew who she was. She was one of the friends that were with Mimi during the shopping incident.
Natalie and the other lady went inside, following behind Dindin and the first candidate.
Inside the interview room.
Dindin and the first candidate took the first seats while Natalie and the other lady took the last seats in front of the interviewers.
The secretary placed their credentials on the table before each interviewer and stepped aside. The company's president looked at them and smiled.
''Welcome to Janice, I am William. You're among the lucky ones to be interviewed today. Introduce yourselves''
'I am Dindin Adams!''
''Anita Benevater!''
''Lucy Lawson!''
''Natalie Jun!''
William's gaze shifted to Natalie and he looked at her curiously before saying to her. "Welcome to Janice Jewellery, Natalie Jun!''
''Yes, sir, thank you!'' Natalie replied feeling awkward. They were four and he only singled her out to welcome. It felt awkward and strange.
''Natalie Jun, tell me what you know about Janice Jewellery.'' William asked and everyone's gaze shifted to Natalie .
''Janice Jewellery was established in 2001 by Miss Janice Wu of Jewellery Hunters Group. Janice Jewellery first made only 3% sales at the beginning because people didn't really appreciate the quality of their products but now it has increased sturdily to almost 200% annually.'' Natalie spoke confidently despite all the eyes on her.
This was her chance and no matter what, she wasn't going to let it off that easily. She figured the man might have been interested in her because of her relationship with Thomas, but it was still a rare chance, so she wasn't going to take it.
Taking his gaze away and resting them on Dindin who was busy glaring at Natalie, William asked, startling her. ''I see you did your research well Natalie Jun. Now, Miss Adams tell me about yourself!''
Dindin composed herself and smiled saying, ''My name is Adams Dindin, I graduated from California State University and I majored in Jewellery design.''
''Your CV is very appealing. Tell me what you look for in a piece of jewellery design, Miss Adams?'' William scanned through her CV as he asked.
Dindin smiled and glanced at Natalie mockingly before answering. ''Every jewellery has its own aesthetic quality. Take earrings for instance, when we pair a piece of earrings with a suitable dress, it brings out its unique nature. Earrings enhances beauty and sets us apart from a lot of people.'' Her pitch was high as she spoke with pride. She felt elated that she was able to showcase her knowledge in front of Natalie.
Since that day at the department store, she has been looking for a chance to go head-on against her. She was thrilled when Mimi gave her the chance to do whatever she wanted when she saw Natalie.
William smiled and looked at her earrings commending her. ''I like your earrings by the way.''
Dindin touched her earrings saying. "Thank you. I personally designed this piece myself''
William raised his brows and asked. ''You did? I saw in your CV that you even won a lot of awards in your school. Okay, now let's hear from you too Miss Benevater? You completed Ashville University and studied Fashion. What made you apply to Janice?'' William quickly turned to the other candidate and asked, cutting Dindin off the moment she wanted to speak.
Anita smiled and replied. ''I have always loved fashionable things ever since I was a kid. I recently chanced upon the new jewellery by Janice and I was enchanted by it. I grew interested in Janice's products and did a lot of research and decided to apply here.''
''I see!'' William nodded and turned to the lady next to Natalie. His intense gaze made her shiver and clasped her hands together.
Natalie smiled at her and whispered quietly. ''Be comfortable. No one is better than you here!''
''But, I completed a local school.'' She said to Natalie.
''It doesn't matter; I also came from a local University just like you.''
William smiled when he noticed their little exchange. He looked at the lady's CV and asked. ''Lucy Lawson, right?''
''Yes, sir!'' Lucy answered nervously.
''You completed City B University!''
''Yes, sir!''
''You majored in Biological sciences. Why did you apply to Janice? Are you lost by any chance?'' William asked and Dindin and Anita chuckled.
''No. I intentionally applied here!''
William looked at her interestingly and asked, ''what is your motivation?''
''I wanted to be a teacher but after graduation, I realised that even schools in the local province do not accept local university teachers. I saw the ad for employment and took my chance. It didn't state in the requirements that I needed to major in any kind of fashion related course before I could apply. I'm willing to work hard and adjust to the working conditions here in Janice.'' Lucy spoke sincerely and William smiled before turning to the next interviewer by his side.
''Jason, what do you think?''
Jason furrowed his brows and said, ''I think Miss Lawson is just looking for a job to survive on, right?''
His question made Dindin and Anita to laugh again. Natalie was the only one who remained indifferent. She clutched her fists tightly. She wanted to speak up but knew better not to.
William smirked when he looked at Natalie's clenched fists. He turned to Lucy and asked, ''is that right?''
''Yes. If I don't get this job, I'm afraid my parents will force me to marry and I am not ready to get married right now!'' Lucy answered and the interviewers including Dindin and Anita laughed.
''I see. Everyone look at the screen at your right.'' William said and everyone turned to their right and the screen lit up showing a necklace. ''This necklace is still under development but we don't have a name for it. I want you all to take the piece of paper in front of you and write a perfect name for it and tell us why you chose that name. I will give you five minutes to get to it.''