CHAPTER 7

Harley's POV

I increase my pace, ignoring the discomfort and sound my heels are producing on the marble floor of the entrance of the company. 

It's been two whole weeks of job hunting and two weeks of pure torture that I have been through just to get rid of Jim's thoughts from my mind. He hasn't been picking up my calls and he hasn't called either. I find it very hard to believe that we are truly done. Everything we have shared means nothing to him.

Reality dawns on me when I tried calling three days back and I found out he has changed his number. Sadness engulfs me, sinking in the realization that Jim is done with me and gone forever. It is still hard to let go because I still think of him once in a while, despite my resolution to completely forget about him and move on with my life. 

I guess my failure to secure another job after two weeks of losing my job is also a factor. If only I am still working, I will have no time to think about my problems. I will bury myself in my work by becoming more hard-working and that way I will have no time to think about him.

But I haven't gotten a job yet. I have tried all to no avail. Chelsea offered to help me get a job in Landon groups and companies, her father's company but I don't want it. 

First, because the old man doesn't really like me like her mother does, probably because of my poor status and he thinks I am befriending his daughter because of the monetary benefits I can get from her. 

The second reason is that I don't want to rely on any member of her family. I don't want any of them to think I am after their money. I hate to be looked at like a gold digger. I will rather go back to the street to do menial jobs than beg all these arrogant rich men for a job or money.

I am a strong woman and I am capable of doing whatever job that comes my way no matter how hard it is or how thankful it can be, excluding becoming a prostitute. I would never do that. 

This is one of the reasons why I am here at AJ Technological Company for an interview to become the CEO's secretary. I have tried to get a job in several hospitals around but none of them is offering any job at the moment. 

They keep rejecting me after going through my profile. At the last hospital I went to, I got insulted and I left in anger. It was that day I decided to try another form of employment. 

I believe with my versatility not only in Nursing science, I can also do any job, including the job of a secretary. I am confident I will pass the interview and get the job.

The pay is nice and the requirements are not too strict. Even though I am still trying to think of how to relate my course of study to what the company entails. I am already thinking of what to do to take the company to a greater height the moment I get employed.

I am a loyal worker and doctor Leonard can testify to that. He never wanted me to leave the hospital and I guess he didn't call me back because the billionaire asked him not to. 

Chelsea tried to persuade me when I told her I was not interested in working for her father. She knew my reasons but she tried to convince me. 

My mind was made up. I know how blunt I can be and I don't want to end up doing something rash when the old man insults me for doing a bad job or for being clumsy. I might lash at him and it will put an end to my friendship with Chelsea. I don't want that.

Chelsea suggested that she help me talk to her boyfriend's father or one of her wealthy cousins but I told her no too. 

At this point, I am beginning to lose hope. I have been going out every single morning since I lost my job to search for another, all to no avail. This is my last hope. I am getting tired already. If this works out, I will be very happy since the pay is good and I can have my grandma's surgery done two months from now.

I haven't been sleeping too. I began to use sleeping pills a week ago and I had to stop because of the side effects. Now, I don't even bother to sleep at night anymore, I try to keep myself busy with something and I sleep at noon.

The sight of the Personal Assistant makes me stop in my tracks with my pounding heart. She is coming out of the office with some files and I wonder if the interview is over. 

The Personal Assistant's picture was on the internet and she was the one who gave me the form to fill online before I was asked to come for the interview with the CEO.

I glance at my wristwatch hurriedly as she approaches. I am right on time.

Without recognition, she walks back past. She is gorgeously dressed and I wonder if I have to dress this way too when I get the job. She is wearing a one-shoulder maroon dress and her hair is beautifully styled. She looks beautiful and I feel intimidated. 

Nervously, I look down at my dress, hoping it is ok. I am wearing a simple slim office skirt and fitted blue shirt. I completed it with the only black stiletto heels I owe. I am not with a handbag, my credentials are in an envelope which is hugged to my chest.

I squeeze my eyes shut and mutter a silent prayer. I really need this job. I hope and pray to get it. The pay can do a whole lot of things in my life at the moment.

Opening my eyes back, I turn back to stop the PA.

"Hey, hi", I wave my hand at her as she turns back to see who it is. She still does not recognize me and I am not surprised. 

Everyone knows her because she is the PA to a wealthy man while I am a nobody.

"Erhmm I am one of the interviewers...", I stop mid-way as recognition flash across her face.

"Oh! Go on inside. The clerk will direct you to the boss's office", her sweet voice says before she turns back and leaves me standing there.

I blink and twirl back to go inside the office where she is coming from. When I enter, I see the clerk and flash her a smile. I told her what the PA said and she ask me to wait for a few minutes for the person inside to come out.

It isn't up to a minute when a lady comes out. She is dressed sexily in a short bodycon gown. It is a white dress with lacy sleeves and a V-neck, showing her cleavage. I wonder if she is here for an interview or to seduce the CEO.

I haven't given it much thought before the clerk tells me to go in. I smile in appreciation before heading into the office. 

I open the door slowly with eagerness and impatience. I want to get everything done already. I want to know if I will get the job or not so I can know the next line of action.

The CEO is staring down at a file, probably the profile of the lady that just left now. He didn't even notice my presence and I am debating on whether to go back outside to knock and hear him grant me the permission to come in or just clear my throat to make my presence known.

His head is still bent as he looks serious. I can't see his face clearly but I can see the muscular outline of his body from the shirt he is wearing. I wonder why he is not wearing a suit like most of the other CEOs do. 

Before I can do anything, my gaze falls on the suit on a small hanger beside his chair and I nod with a smile.

Typical CEO's

I return my gaze to him and I am shocked to see him staring at me. He looks familiar and he is gazing at me with a face devoid of emotions. It takes me just a few seconds to recognize and realize who he is. I guess the proud smirk on his face facilitated the recognition.

He is the arrogant billionaire I pierce hard on the buttocks the other night. The same man that made me lose my job. 

"What a small world!" His grin widens as he watches me with amusement written all over his face.

I can't hide my surprise and shock as I open my mouth and exclaim loudly in disbelief. 

"You again!"