The bustling energy of the day fills the air as I sit behind my desk, surrounded by stacks of CVs and resumes. It's a day that's been a long time coming, the culmination of months of planning and preparation for the expansion of my businesses.
As the owner of a growing salon and boutique, I've been eager to find the right people to join our team and help us continue to thrive. Today, that search begins in earnest.
I start by carefully sorting through the pile of CVs, each one representing a potential candidate eager to join our team. I scan through the details, looking for key skills and experience that align with the roles we're looking to fill. It's a daunting task, but one that I'm excited to tackle.
As I sift through the resumes, I can't help but feel a sense of pride in how far we've come. When I first started my business, it was just me and a dream. But now, thanks to hard work and dedication, we've grown into a thriving enterprise with multiple locations and a loyal customer base.
After narrowing down the pool of candidates, I begin the process of scheduling interviews. It's a delicate balance, trying to find the right mix of skills, personality, and cultural fit for our team. But with each phone call and email, I can feel us getting one step closer to finding the perfect additions to our staff.
As the day wears on, the interviews begin in earnest. Each candidate brings their own unique perspective and experience to the table, and I'm impressed by the talent and passion on display. It's clear that we have some tough decisions ahead of us, but I'm confident that we'll find the right people to help us achieve our goals.
As the last interview wraps up, I take a moment to reflect on the day. It's been a whirlwind of activity, but I couldn't be happier with how everything has gone. We've met some incredible candidates, and I know that our team is only going to get stronger from here.
With the CVs sorted and the interviews complete , all that's left to do now is make some final decisions and extend some job offers. It's an exciting time for our businesses, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.
I now just want to grab something to eat. I haven't eaten anything and i didn't even see my kids this morning. Zayn got them ready and took them to school. I haven't even called him.
As I sit at my desk, stomach rumbling with hunger and thoughts of my busy morning swirling in my mind, my focus is interrupted by the ringing of my office phone. Curious, I pick up the receiver, wondering who could be calling at this hour.
The receptionist informs me that there's a woman here to see me, prompting a furrow of my brow in confusion. Who could it be, and what could she want? I instruct the receptionist to send her up, curiosity piqued as I await her arrival.
There's a knock at my door , I assume it's the woman who is here for me. I shout out for her to come in.
I offer her a seat and introduce myself, extending a warm welcome.
"Thank you for coming in today. I'm Katie."
I say with a gentle smile. She returns it.
"I'm assuming you're here for interviews?"
She just nods, the nerves must be ruling her right now, am I that intimidating?
"Please, tell me a bit about yourself and what brings you here."
She shifts nervously in her seat before speaking.
"My name's Emily Rowland"
She begins, her voice trembling slightly.
"I dropped out of high school a while back to take care of my mom and little brother. We've been struggling a lot, and I'm the only one who can support us."
Her words tug at my heartstrings, and I nod empathetically, urging her to continue.
"I may not have any formal qualifications, but I love cooking."
She admits, her eyes lighting up with passion.
"I've been told I have a knack for it, and I'm hoping to find a job where I can put my skills to good use."
I listen intently, impressed by her determination despite her challenges. "Well, Emily," I respond warmly, "I admire your resilience and dedication. We're always looking for talented individuals here, and your passion for cooking is evident. Let's see how we can help you find a role that suits your skills."
The smile on her face is priceless.
"I was actually done for the day but thank you for coming in. You may leave your resume at the front desk and I'll call you. You will have to come early because you will have to cook from scratch and we are going to determine if you have been given a job or not , based on your cooking."
"Thank you so much , ma'am."
I nod with a smile, she gets up and storms out excitedly. I really hope she can really cook so she stands a chance ,I feel sorry for her.
I chuckle as Candy barges in, her familiar presence bringing a sense of comfort.
"Candy, you really need to start knocking."
I tease, shaking my head in amusement. She grins mischievously and places the food she brought on my desk.
"I know, I know, but I couldn't resist,"
She replies, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Besides, I figured you could use a little pick-me-up."
I thank her profusely, feeling grateful for her thoughtfulness. As we dig into the food, I fill her in on my conversation with Emily, explaining her situation and how she's looking for a job.
Candy nods sympathetically, offering her support.
"We'll figure something out," she assures me, her unwavering confidence bolstering my own. Together, we brainstorm potential opportunities for Emily, determined to help her in any way we can. She's the first candidate to get to me, I feel so sorry for her situation. Having to drop out is surely a nightmare.
I notice Candy's discomfort as I bring up Alex, and her sudden avoidance raises my suspicions.
"Candy, is everything okay?"
I inquire gently, sensing that something might be bothering her. She hesitates for a moment before meeting my gaze, her expression guarded.
"Yeah, everything's fine,"
She replies, her tone a little too forced to be convincing. I furrow my brow, unconvinced by her response.
"Are you sure? You seem a bit off."
I press, concern evident in my voice. Candy fidgets nervously, avoiding my eyes.
"It's nothing, really. Just some personal stuff."
She deflects, clearly unwilling to elaborate. Despite her reassurances, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story.
I offer her a reassuring smile, hoping to convey my genuine concern.
"If there's anything on your mind, you can always count on me to listen."
I assure her, my tone is warm and supportive.
"We've been through so much together, and I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what."
I reach out to place a comforting hand on her arm, silently urging her to open up if she feels ready.
"His fantasies... they're just not normal."
She begins, her voice tinged with unease.
"It's like he's fixated on these ideas that don't align with reality, and it's starting to scare me."
Her gaze shifts, unable to meet mine directly as she continues.
"And when things don't go his way... he changes. It's like a switch flips, and suddenly he's this completely different person—angry, aggressive, unpredictable."
The weight of her confession settles between us, the gravity of the situation palpable in the silence that follows.
"That sounds really tough."
I empathize, my voice gentle.
"It's not easy when someone you care about reveals aspects of themselves that you're not comfortable with."
I pause for a moment, considering her words carefully before continuing.
"Have you talked to him about how his behavior makes you feel? Communication is key in any relationship, and it might help him understand the impact of his actions."
Her frustration is evident as she recounts her attempts to address the issue with Alex.
"I've tried, Katie. I really have."
She sighs, her tone tinged with resignation.
"But he just brushes it off like it's nothing. He doesn't see how his behavior is affecting me or how it's not healthy for our relationship."
She pauses, a sense of helplessness coloring her words.
"I don't know what else to do."
It's clear that she's reached a breaking point, grappling with the realization that her efforts to communicate with Alex have fallen on deaf ears.
"Maybe it's time to seek some professional guidance."
I suggest gently, reaching out to grasp Candy's hand. I don't like seeing her in tears like this because I also just break down. Now we are both crying , holding each others hands.
"A therapist could help both of you navigate through these challenges and find healthier ways to communicate."
I offer her a reassuring smile, hoping to alleviate some of her apprehension. "It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with either of you. Sometimes, having an impartial third party can provide a fresh perspective and offer constructive solutions."
"I'll try telling him tonight , let me text him and confirm that I'll come over to his place tonight."
I hate seeing someone I care deeply for going through something like this.