“Wow! Congratulations! You’re all grown up now…” the auntie replied as she patted me on the back.
“You should save the congratulations for when I get the job,” I said as I began looking around the store.
After trying on a couple of options that the shop owner recommended, I decided on a matching set of black suit and skirt and a simple white shirt. I quickly paid and thanked the auntie before heading straight for home. The written exam was in two days so between now and then, I must study for it as much as possible.
...
The night before the test and interview, my mother and I kneeled in front of my father’s photograph as we prayed for luck and success. My father died from illness when I was very young. To be honest, I didn’t remember him very well. Any memories that I had of him were blurry at best, but I could sense that he must have been a good and kind man.
I got to know my father based on my mother’s words. She always had so many wonderful things to say about him like how he was a very responsible man who really loved and worked hard for his family. She would praise him for always putting us first.
Dad…please keep on watching over us from above. Please do your best not to worry, mum and I are doing well. We’re both doing our best to be happy. I’ve always worked hard and will continue to work hard to protect my mother. Tomorrow is a big day indeed, so…please wish me luck.
I prayed silently as I kneeled next to my mother with closed eyes. My mother said her prayers silently as well. When we were both done, we smiled at each other. For once in quite a while, our eyes were filled with hope for the future.
If I get the job, I will have to move to live in the city. That would mean leaving my mother behind in this town but hopefully, with the money that I will earn, I can give her a better life. My mother is getting older, and it shows in her ever-increasing backaches and lower stamina, although she tries her best to hide it. I wish that I could work and send her back enough money so that she could finally retire or take on fewer or less intense work.
That night, after making some last-minute preparations, I went to bed early. Tomorrow, I had to catch the train super early to head into the city where I will take my first written test and then if I pass that, I’ll have the interview in the afternoon.
I squeezed my eyes tight as I laid on my bed. Tomorrow, will be my day…
…
Finally…I have arrived at what hopefully would be my future workplace!
I stood in front of a beautifully decorated landscape with trees, bushes, flowers, and a very large water fountain. Beyond this was one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, the headquarters of Jessen & Hills. This place is the dream workplace for countless souls of my generation that have been captured by the art of advertising and film production.
I bit my lip with a mix of nervousness and excitement as I looked up at the shiny skyscraper looming over me. The building was made almost entirely of shiny silver glass that reflected the light, making the building seemed like a shiny diamond twinkling in the sunlight.
Everyone who walked by were dressed in smart-looking suit. Everyone looked so well-accomplished and qualified. Everyone looked like they belonged here. I looked around until I found a small bench where I hurriedly sat down. I was already dressed in my suit, but I haven’t worn the proper shoes that auntie had lent to me yet. Since I wasn’t used to wearing shoes like these and they were a little on the small side, I had decided to change into them right before entering the building.
I took off my shoes and slipped on the leather shoes. It hurts a little when I walk but I should be able to manage for the day. I breathed in deeply as I headed for the entrance of the building.
Here I come…
The written interview was conducted in a very large auditorium and the tension in the air was suffocating. I knew that this job application was competitive, but I never thought that there would be this many people here. I slapped the sides of my cheek softly to bring my brain into focus.
I spent the entire morning completing the written test along with the other candidates, silently in the auditorium. Then came lunch break where we were provided with box lunches. I was too stressed and on edge that I couldn’t taste the food at all as I quickly gulped it down. Next was the interview in the afternoon.
…
“Sir, with all due respect, there is no need for someone like yourself to join in the interview of new recruits. I could understand if you wanted to interview executive-level applicants but…we’re talking about fresh graduates here…” an old man said with a shaky voice.
“Is that all you’ve got to say?” another man spoke through the phone, his voice was cold.
“Umm…yes, Sir,” the old man replied in fear.
“Good. Then noted but my decision stands. I want to participate in some interviews for the fresh graduates,” the other man spoke as he smiled on the other end of the line.
“Sir, the interviews are already going to start this afternoon…” the old man said hesitantly. How was he supposed to move all hundreds of interviews? It would be such a disaster…
“Then move it to tomorrow afternoon instead. You can do that much, right?” the younger man said with a clear challenge in his voice.
“Yes…Sir,” the old man was forced to reply. If he couldn’t do ‘that much’ his job would be at risk for sure…
“You’re probably wondering why I’m doing this. Well, since I’ll be taking over the company soon, I want to experience firsthand how our company is viewed by the newer generation. After all, they hold the key to our successful future in their hands,” the younger man said matter-of-factly.
“Yes…Sir. Very well, Sir…” the old man replied in resignation.
“Good. Good luck,” the other man said emotionlessly before killing the line.
--To be continued…
“Attention please everyone. We are extremely sorry to inform you that the afternoon interview sessions have been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion that this may cause but we have decided to postpone the interview to tomorrow afternoon instead. Please check the board or your email for the time and room for your interview tomorrow. Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience caused,” a formal woman voice announced through the speakers.Oh…so there won’t be interviews today. I have to come back here again tomorrow in the afternoon for my interview which meant that I am now free for the day. I sighed as I took out my phone and began checking my email based on the announcement just now.Here it is. Tomorrow 3PM Room 309. The new time, date and location for my interview.Suddenly, I had the whole afternoon free and didn’t know what to do. Just like the other candidates, I left the building for the day. I had plenty of time left before my train ride late in the a
“Oh…it’s nothing,” the man said as he flashed me a super stunning smile. I wonder if he’s ever been told that he looks like a superstar actor or something along those lines…“…I see…” I said.I didn’t mind chatting to a stranger and he didn’t seem to be a dangerous man or anything but I couldn’t help wondering if there was something he wanted from me. I felt quite uncomfortable around him and wanted to excuse myself. Maybe I should just head home or walk around the train station instead while I wait for my train ride.Before I could get up from the bench, the handsome man spoke up once again.“Do you honestly think that you can get a job in one of the top companies dressed like that?” the man asked as he eyed me from head to toe and then up again.“…what?” I asked, frankly shocked at what I just heard.“I said, do you honestly think you can get a job at Jessen & Hills dressed in a cheap looking and outdated suit and a worn-out pair of shoes that seems too small for you? Ever heard of
He changed the angle of our kiss so that he could thrust his tongue deeper inside of my mouth. I couldn’t stop myself from moaning at the intensity of his kiss. His hands held my head in place as he continued to seduce my lips. My body felt hot and there was an undeniable ache in my lower abdomen that longed to be fulfilled.“I’ll take this kiss in exchange so feel free to take the money,” he said after ending our hot kiss.“But…my kiss is not for sale!” I protested loudly.“I enjoyed the kiss, so you’ve earned the money. Good work!” He said while smiling seductively at me.“Wait!” I called after him.“I’m not taking my money back, if you don’t need it, you can burn it…” the man replied without looking back at me.The man never slowed down as his long strides took him further and further away from me. I was wrong, I realized that he was much taller than I initially gave him credit for…and a lot more good looking up close. My body could still feel his body heat where his arms hugged me
Is he…my interviewer?I blinked rapidly as I tried to clear away my shock. There, sitting in the middle in between the other two interviewer, was the stranger that I had met yesterday at the park. If he’s here, then he must be one of my interviewers. What a funny coincidence…This is great, I can return the money to him. It might not be the full amount, but I must return the bulk of it that I had not spent for sure and then for the rest, I’ll pay him back as soon as possible. When I met him, he was wearing casual clothes; however, now he was wearing a formal business suit and his hair was styled differently. Although he looked different, I recognized him almost immediately. I thought he looked very handsome in his casual clothes, but he looks just as stunning or even more so in his pristine and expensive-looking grey suit.“Have a seat,” he said as he motioned for me to sit down.His formal tone somehow disappointed me. Did he not recognize me? Was it because I was dressed in my new s
Then, I felt it. A single drop of water on my forehead. I silently wished that this is all just my own imagination playing tricks on me. However, the next wave was an all-out rain pour that left everyone, including myself, scrambling for cover.This is just great. I’ve just been told that I’ve lost my scholarship for school next year and on top of that it is now pouring like the sky is falling. I hate the rain. The feel of it on my skin, the smell of it in the air, and the sound of it. Everything about it just makes me feel sick.Just like the people around me, I found cover at the nearest subway station. It really looks like it’s going to be a long while before the rain would stop. Nothing I can do but to wait it out. As I stood there and wrestled with my own worries and negative thoughts, I felt a warm wetness on my cheek. When I reached up my hand to wipe it away, I realized that I had started crying.Shit. This is the worst. While other people proceeded deeper into the station to
It was when I had left the room that I realized that I was boiling with anger. My fists were clenched to my sides, and I was biting my lower lip to control my own rage. How dare he say those rude things?! I mean, I fully respect if someone has a different opinion but that man hasn’t even seen that commercial before. The commercial was quite old from when I was still a teenager, so it was probably six to seven years old now. I doubt anyone still remembers it…I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that my feet automatically took me to the building’s exit. When I got there, I realized that I had completely forgotten to return the man’s money. I didn’t have any cash on me but if I could just find him then I could transfer the money back to him.Then it hit me. I can’t believe that I didn’t notice this before. I still didn’t know his name. I still didn’t know anything about him at all. His name, his age, his position in the company…I didn’t know anything! I was too shocked to find him in that
“No matter how much I really want to kiss you right now, I’ll still suggest that you keep the money,” he said before his hand released my chin as he stood up straight.I was stunned into silence. Was he seriously going to kiss me again? I placed my fingertips to my still-trembling lips. Was I…waiting for him to kiss me?“Why…?” I began asking but a woman’s voice rang out disturbing out conversation.“Excuse me!”An attractive blonde woman with a sparkly wide smile called out to him. Her deep red knee-length dress hugged the beautiful curves of her body as she walked. Her red lipstick matched the color of her dress perfectly. However, she stopped in her tracks when he turned around to face her. I thought that she was about to say something, but she closed her mouth immediately when the man placed his index finger up to his lips. Clearly the message got across because the woman nodded slightly before turning around and leaving the way that she came without saying another word.“See you
“Hey girls!” I said cheerfully into the group video call with my two best friends. Lillian and Jennifer. We’ve been friends since university started and went through university together. Throughout the four years, we helped each other out and worked so hard towards our graduation. “Hi hi. I can just tell by how cheerful you are that you have some good news to share. Am I right?” Lillian said with a bright smile. “Yup yup. Even I can tell that much as well. So…tell us!” Jennifer demanded. “I got the job!” I announced proudly before clapping my hands and laughing with joy. “Oh wow!” Lillian cried out happily. “Congratulations!!!” Jennifer exclaimed almost at the same time as Lillian as they both heard my good news. Although we all acted so excited, it was a fact that I was the last person out of the three of us that landed a fulltime job after graduation. Lillian was the first one who got a job as part of the PR team at one of the leading cosmetic and personal care company. I had