As I stare out the window of the taxi on my way to Norman Industries for the job interview of Mr. Norman Jonathan's PA, I can't help but feel scared and nervous.
My mom was diagnosed with kidney failure, and now we are looking for a donor. She doesn't want me or my brother to donate, which is why I had to drop out to take care of her and use the money for my tuition to buy those drugs, but now the drugs are finished and I don't have money, and there has not been any news of when there will be a donor. But I can't help but think:
What if he does not pick me? or what if he does not like the way I am dressed?, I shake my head slightly to get rid of my overthinking thoughts.
"Miss, we have arrived," the driver says, looking at me through the rear view mirror.
"Oh! Thank you, and keep the change." I say nervously as I ascend from the taxi and rush into the reception of the company.
"Hello! Good morning. I am here for the interview for the personal assistant position." I say to the receptionist, feeling nervous and slightly nauseous.
This is not the time and the place for Rachel to feel nauseous, I tell myself.
"ok. What is your name?" the receptionist looks up from her desktop and asks me.
"Rachel... Rachel Silver," I reply to her,
"Well, Rachel, you are Number 99 and Goodluck; the interview venue is on the tenth floor." She tells me, smiling as if she already knows how nervous I am.
"Thank you." I thank her because I really needed that encouragement. Nobody ever believed that I would be picked for an interview as Mr. Norman's PA being, as I don't have that many qualifications because I had to drop out of school to take care of my mother and brother.
Ding ding!
The elevator door opens and I am greeted with the sight of over 90 women, some dressed like they actually came for the interview and some... well, lets just say they are definitely in the wrong setting with how they are dressed, which makes me feel nervous all over again because from the tabloids, Mr. Norman is said to be a very handsome man with a cold and powerful demeanor. It has been said that he doesn't like women, but I find that very hard to believe because of the women with him at every award ceremony, but he doesn't sleep with them.
That's really strange.
I find a seat and sit down and silently pray that he gives me the job because my mother's life is on the line and I really need the money.
"Number 99," a young man shouts from across the room.
"Number 99 is sir." I shout back and wave my hands for him to identify me.
"Rachel Silver, right?" he asks me.
"yes sir".
"So my name is Duncan Johnson and Waver. Norman's PA is well about to be ex-PA," he says, smiling smugly
I blinked at him in confusion, Why is he so happy?
"May I ask why you are resigning"? I look at him in confusion.
"I want to move abroad with my new wife, so I will be working at Norman Industries over there," he replies, still smiling to himself.
" Congratulations"! I say while giggling at his playful character.
" so his office is here; just knock and don't be scared, he does not bite," he tells me, still smiling
ok.. Rachel you can do this; just smile and greet, I tell myself but it doesn't seem to help.
I knock on the door twice and then I hear a "come in," and I push the door open.
I step into his office, and it looks so simple, with black chairs, no portraits, and black curtains; it looks more like a man cave than an office, but who cares, the man is wealthy.
I stand in front of his desk while holding my file and just study his profile. He has a very sharp chin structure, with his hair waxed backwards, which just adds to his handsomeness.
"Like what you see, Miss Rachel?" he looks at me with a very impatient look.
I look up, blushing profusely, and he just stares at me with an impatient look.
shit! he caught me; he would think I was one of them. I slapped myself inwardly, panicking at the same time.
"Please sit down, Miss Rachel, so you are a college dropout?" he asks me with the same impatient look while looking through my application and résumé.
"Errr…. Yes, no, I mean yes, sir, I am." I reply to him nervously,
"Well, Miss Rachel, then you are not qualified for the job; please leave and shut the door behind you."
"But sir," he looks up and gives me a deadly look and just goes back to the documents he has been going through, which makes me swallow everything I was about to say.
"Thank you, sir." I appreciate him and stand up to leave sadly.
Then I am hit with a wave of disappointment and anger as I reach for the door handle. turn back and look him dead in those charming eyes of his.
"You may not know, but some of us don't give a shit about your looks and money; we just want the job and the money that comes with it, so suck up that pride of yours because without all of this, I point my fingers gesturing to his company; YOU ARE NOTHING." I exist in his office and shut the door loudly.
I guess I won't be getting the job then, Oh Rahel! Now how are we going to pay mom's bills and Jills college fees? I ask myself, feeling the tears about to pour down from my eyes.
Rachel!
Rachel!
I hear my name and turn back to see Mr. Johnson running towards me.
"What happened in there? I thought you were the right person for the job; you are so nice and didn't dress like all the other girls."
I look at him with tears in my eyes and say, "He didn't give me the job because I am a college dropout, and I don't even blame him; I blame myself," still trying to resist the tears from falling.
"Oh Rachel, I am really sorry; he is not usually like that; he is probably passing through an issue; I will talk to him."
"No, its fine." I tell him sniffing.
"I don't want you to be in trouble." "Oh nonsense, he listens to me sometimes, but don't be afraid; I am happy to help; besides, you are a good girl," he tells me and gives me a determined look.
"Okay, sir, thank you." I appreciate him
"its fine," he says as he gives me a sympathetic gaze,
"I will be off now." I bid him goodbye and leave the company, hoping to take a walk so I can clear my head.