* A special thank you to Franca_Augustine. This chapter is dedicated to you. 💕❤️ Thank you also to anyone reading this. I love you all!!!* ❤️❤️❤️
***** Hentritch *****
It was 6:43 AM in the morning.
A certain young man was skedaddling his way to the Headquarters of Ramsey and Sons located on Wessley Street, on foot.
He didn't need a soothsayer to tell him he would be an hour late to the interview, if he was to sit in the cab and wait for the exceptionally poor Monday morning traffic to flow.
Regardless of how he was soliloquizing like a lunatic, heads turned wherever he walked, no, ran past.
The young man named Kendrell Graham was a 24 Year Old Civil Engineer.
Kendrell's exceptional handsomeness was enough to turn heads. His features were peculiar. He was blessed with natural shinny pitch black hair, brown eyes, perfectly curved thick brows, enviable Long lashes, perfectly outlined nose and jaw line. His Rosy lips complimented his remarkable handsomeness.
At a glance, one could tell he was about Six foot tall. His masculinity was just perfect for someone his age.
The interview was scheduled at 7AM Prompt and he was still 10 minutes away from the building at 6:53 AM.
Glancing at his wristwatch, he scoffed.
" That's how you do it Ken. That's how you let your freak flag fly, by showing up to the interview late " he mumbled with contempt and sarcasm evident in his tone.
Kendrell eventually arrived at approximately 7:04 AM. He took the elevator to the 37th floor where the interview was held.
By the time he arrived, he was looking formal enough since he had taken his time to tuck in properly and sweep his disheveled hair that was long enough to reach his ears, backwards.
He sat with the others waiting for his turn.
After about 20 minutes, he was ushered in.
At the table, there were three interviewers. First , Adams Patrick, Gloria Adkins and Ambrose Bauer as Kendrell saw on the desk name plate in front of each person.
After taking his seat opposite them, he placed the file he brought with him on the desk in front of him.
Ambrose Bauer: "Gentleman, please introduce yourself. "
Kendrell: " Thank you sir. Good day lady and gentlemen. My name is Kendrell Graham. I'm 24 years of age. I'm a Civil engineer by profession. I graduated from Thudes High School when I was 17 years old and Cloveland Notch College in San Huego, when I was 22 Years old having spent 5 years studying. I graduated with a first class degree.
I left San Huego after I graduated, to work at Dreams Constructions here in Hentritch, where I eventually bagged my first work experience as an engineer, of course. I worked for over a year, before the company unfortunately closed down because it went bankrupt and had to be liquidated " Kendrell said curtly.
Adams Patrick: "Interesting"
Ambrose Bauer: " At Ramsey and Sons, we are defined by our standards. We don't want Engineers who are not up to par. The position you are vying for, is a very delicate one. That's why you see the three of us sitted here.
So, tell us, why did you decide to become a Civil Engineer? " he asked with all seriousness.
Unhurriedly, Kendrell replied
" I decided to become an Engineer because of my dad. I used to perform poorly in school but he always took out time to lecture me, especially on maths which used to be my weakness, since he is an engineer himself. He inspired me to have a quizzical mind. And in high school, I discovered that I best Incorporated that in..."
" At what time did you arrive the office? " Gloria Adkins chimed in rudely
" Well,... 7AM ma'am" Kendrell answered rather indecisively
" Do you enjoy being an Engineer? " Gloria retorted
"Yes ma'am. I do" Ken answered
" Well it seems you enjoy lying more " she answered with a snort.
" You stepped into this premises at approximately 7:04 AM . You see, honesty is a very.... very important virtue Mr Graham." she said glancing at her finger nails.
" You said earlier that your dad is an engineer? I suppose you mean a road side engineer, or am I wrong? She asked raising her head to look Kendrell in the eye, with a knowing smirk.
" Gloria, I don't think all of this is necessary " Ambrose butted in.
" Mr Bauer, I believe my question was not directed at you. I hope you are not starting to forget your place? I don't need to remind you who is ahead of the pack do I?" Gloria asked adjusting the lenses on the bridge of her nose.
Ambrose could only hang his head in shame.
" I'm still waiting for your response Mr. Graham"
" Well yes, Ms Gloria. He is a road side engineer, the best in Hentritch I can tell you for free. I am very pr..."
" Enough! A simple yes or no was all I needed to hear. " Gloria said, irritated at Ken's attempt to speak proudly of his father.
" Anyways, you lied about the time you arrived, secondly, you weren't being entirely truthful concerning your father. Who knows what else you might have lied about. I think you're a lier, you want to know why?" she paused before continuing " because first impressions matter a lot and the impression I have of you is that you are a lier. Or perhaps, lying is a hereditary trait passed down from generation and it was eventually passed down to your father and then to you. " she said smiling.
Noticing how Kendrell kept clenching and unclenching his jaws, her smile grew wider and then she decided to irk him further.
" Isn't that so Mr. Graham"
" Gloria, I'm afraid I can't answer that question" Kendrell responded.
" Oh, I didn't know disrespect was also part of it. From lady to Ma'am, then to Ms. Gloria, and now, Gloria. Who knows what's next. Tch tch tch, how sad. I pity your poor naive mother who must have suffered a lot in the hands of you and your dear da.. "
" Enough! That's as much as I can take Ms. Gorilla or whatever your name is! You have no right to talk about my family like that. And you had better thank my mom and dad. My dad especially because if it weren't for him and how he thought me to respect women, you wouldn't be sitting there spewing nonsense I assure you! " Kendrell ranted angrily.
Glancing once more at Adams and Ambrose who could only sit ice cold and watch the drama unfold
" Thank you Gentlemen for your time. " he said, before storming out.
Gloria smirked as she watched Kendrell leave.
Although she was a little surprised, as she had expected Kendrell to harass her, but he instead, gave credits to his parents again for being the reason why he had not done something hurtful to her.
Regardless, he had lost his opportunity to become an Engineer at the reputable Ramsey and Sons. To Gloria, that was all that mattered.
Ever since she saw the names of the shortlisted candidates who were up for interview, at Ambrose's office, she became curious to know if it was the Graham she suspected since the last she remembered, was that they lived in San Huego.
Checking the data of the shortlisted candidates, she saw his full bio data and confirmed her suspicion. Then she opted to join the interviewers, for that day alone. They had to wait for about 20 minutes past fixed time, since she usually arrived at her own appointed time and not the fixed 8:30 AM for all workers.
No one could really question her as she was first, higher in rank and secondly the partner of Neil Ramsey, the current CEO and son of Jill Ramsey, the founder of Ramsey and Sons.
' I hope you send your father my greetings' she thought inwardly as she grinned widely.
Glancing at her sides to see Adams and Ambrose staring at her awkwardly, she cleared her throat.
" I suppose were done for today right? " she asked
" No, we aren't. There are several others outside" Adams said with displeasure. Kendrell was the first person they had interviewed that morning.
" You should watch your tone, you know?
You know what, I think I'm done here. You both should carry on" she said excusing herself as she stood up and elegantly walked out the door as though she had won a trophy.
Could they despise someone more than they despised this woman, they both thought inwardly, as they were too scared to voice it out.
It's not like they were eager to loose their jobs.