I nod, not following where he’s going in this.
“I should’ve insisted on dropping you off if I just knew you'd be the one I’ll be interviewing.” He frowns.
He glances at me, making me freeze.
“I’m sorry for forgetting, but do take a seat, please.”
Still unable to believe what I am hearing, I can still process his words, which is a wonder. Taking a slow step towards the leather opposite him, I am relieved to sit finally. It feels so awkward standing before him.
The question that has been begging to ask tumbles out of my lips. “You’re Mr. Hemmington?”
His brows draw together; lips pinch in a tight line as if what I say put a sour taste in his mouth.
Maybe I have insulted him by questioning his position here…
Ready to apologize, I open my mouth, but so suddenly he cut me off.
“You are aware that being a part of Hemmington group is critical, yes?” he trains his eyes intently on me, gauging my reaction.
I nod my head slowly; unable to comprehend where he is going. I mean I get it that he is just doing his job. But are we starting with the interview now?
“I am aware, Mr. Hemmington.” In my lap are my hands, fiddling my fingers together.
He leans forward, his fist supporting his chin. “Do drop the formality, Olivia. I prefer you call me, Luke.”
My spine went iron straight with the sound of my name on his lips. It sounds foreign to him saying it as if my name is more than ordinary. Unsure with his requests, I wisely choose not to say anything. After all, he’s not the same lay-back guy I collide with earlier. In front of me sits the powerful CEO of the Hemmington firm. Dress formally in a black button down polo with the sleeves rolls up to his elbow.
He sighs, falling back in his chair. “I understand that we started on a wrong foot, Olivia. But I will ask you to forget about earlier and focus on the now. I need to know if you are capable of handling work load as my assistant.”
My breathing starts to slow down, not sure if I hear him right.
It’s hard to cram all of that idea in your head within a small space of time. One moment I’m worrying whether I’ll be shout over by my potential boss in the future and now the person I bump with earlier is now offering me a job as his assistant? Mr. Hemmington himself is asking me! It’s not a command, and yet the pressure lays heavy on my shoulder.
“I can’t expect you to have the answer now, Olivia. But I will need your decision tomorrow.”
He goes further explaining what is needed of me, which I mostly take in silence. Now and then, he will ask me a question, which I answer with all of my knowledge.
He’s all ears, taking my answer with consideration.
After a while, the interview comes to an end. He rises on his seat and opens the door for me even I insist that there’s no need to do so.
“I’ll see you around?” he lingers by the door, preventing from slipping out just yet.
I smile softly, “See you around, Luke.”
Little do I know how much my words almost foretold the truth.
*
I live in a studio type of apartment. It’s not extravagant given my financial status, but something about the character of the place has me calling the owner. I know deep in my heart that this is a place where I can see myself coming home to. My single space bed is right beside the window that overlooks the busy road outside. It’s warm and cozy here, an atmosphere that attracts me here in the first place.
As I watch the empty streetlight up by the post lights, a black BMW rolls into a parking lot right beside my renting apartment. It does a couple of weaving around first before he can settle the car in a straight line. A man got out of the driver’s seat, making my eyes zero in on him.
I squint harder, my heart pounding in my throat.
“No. There’s no way he’s him…” my breath fogs my window.
As if the fate wanting to prove me wrong for the second time today, he looks my way, making me back away in my bed. I hold my breath, fearing that he might have seen me.