CHAPTER 5: Interview with Mr. Hunt

Alura stared at her phone for twenty minutes before she found the courage to call.

Grandmother Mabel answered on the second ring.

"Lily. Is something wrong?"

"Grandmother, I..." Alura took a deep breath. "I just got a job interview. It's for an executive secretary position."

"Woah, That's wonderful! Congratulations dear."

"Thanks Grandmother. But there's a problem..." Alura's fingers twisted in her shirt. "It's on Saturday. At three PM."

She paused first, then rushed to explain further. "I already signed the contract last night. I'm not backing out. I promise. But this job, it's, it's a huge opportunity. I applied months ago and I never thought they'd call me. If I miss this interview, I might never get another chance like this and I need to work, I can't just depend on the monthly allowance. Please, is there any way we can move the courthouse appointment? Even just an hour? I'll do whatever you need, I just--"

"Lily." Grandma Mabel called gently. "Just breathe."

Alura breathed in. She didn't realize she had been rambling.

"It's okay, actually something came up from my end also." Grandma Mabel said.

"Huh?"

"My grandson also can't make it to the courthouse. He has an emergency board meeting. I was even going to call you this morning to reschedule." She laughed softly. "But if you have an interview, then you should go. This job is important to you."

"....But, what about the marriage registration." Alura asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, it can be done through legal representatives. Just send your lawyer with the signed contract. Lou will send his. They'll register everything officially. You don't even need to be there."

Alura's heart pounded. "Really?"

"Yes dear, I'll arrange everything. You just focus on your interview. And Lily?"

"Yes, Grandmother?"

"Good luck."

Alura smiled with relief, "Thank you Grandmother."

They hung up.

She sat on her bed, relief flooding through her like warm water.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text message from Grandma Mabel.

This is Lou's number.

Alura stared at the message, then saved the number quickly. Lou (Helper).

She looked down at the ring on her left hand, wondering what he looked like. Was he tall? Short? Kind eyes or cold? Did he smile a lot or frown, most of all is he handsome in person?

Because if there's one thing Alura considered before dating even though she's a lower class girl, it's definitely looks. In fact she has a wild fantasy for good looking men.

But gosh, she didn't even know his full name.

She shook her head. It didn't matter. This wasn't a real marriage anyways. It was a business arrangement. His appearance doesn't matter.

Still she couldn't help wondering.

..............,.... .,

Saturday arrived too fast.

Alura stood outside Hunt Corp headquarters at 2:45 PM, her neck tilted back to stare up at the building. It was forty stories of glass and steel, gleaming in the afternoon sun.

The lobby was visible through the floor to ceiling windows.

She wore the only corporate suit she had and her shoes were polished until they shined.

"I can't believe this," she muttered to herself. "I'm going for a job interview on the same day I'm supposed to be getting married."

A security guard gave her a strange look as he walked past.

Alura straightened her shoulders and walked inside.

The lobby was even more intimidating up close. Her shoes clicked on marble floors as she walked. A massive reception desk was in the center with three beautiful women in matching uniforms.

"Excuse me," Alura said to the closest one. "I'm here for an interview? Alura Wayne, three PM, for the executive secretary position."

The receptionist smiled professionally. "Of course. Please take the elevator to the fortieth floor. Someone will meet you there."

Fortieth floor. That's executive level.

The elevator was glass on one side, showing the city as it climbed, everything below became smaller.

Alura's stomach turned; she was afraid of heights.

By the time she reached the fortieth floor, she felt like she was floating; it's a miracle she didn't throw up.

The doors opened.

A middle-aged woman in an expensive blouse waited there with a clipboard in hand.

"Alura Wayne?"

"Yes."

"I'm Patricia Evans, outgoing executive secretary. Follow me." The woman said, immediately walking away.

Alura nodded and followed closely behind her.

They walked down a hallway lined with modern artworks. Everything was perfect and intimidating.

Then they stopped outside a massive door.

"He's already fired three secretaries this month, the last one cried during her first week. So just know that he doesn't tolerate emotional displays." Patricia warned.

Alura's brow creased, "Why are you telling me this?"

Patricia finally looked at her. Her expression was pitying. "Because I like you. You seem nice. And I don't want you to be blindsided." She knocked on the door. "But honestly? You should probably run while you can."

"Come in."

The voice from inside was deep, cold and sharp as ice.

Patricia opened the door. "CEO Hunt, your three PM interview is here."

She gestured for Alura to enter, then disappeared down the hallway fast, like she was escaping.

The moment Alura stepped inside,

She froze completely.

The office was enormous. It had floor to ceiling windows that showed almost all of Cedarville.

Bookshelves lined one wall, filled with thick business books.

A massive black desk was in the middle of the office, and behind the desk sat the most intimidating yet handsome man Alura had ever seen.

CEO Lucius Hunt.

She had expected someone older, the kind of man who wore his wealth to show off like a costume .

But Lucius Hunt was the opposite of that.

He looked young and probably in his late twenties. With sharp jawline and perfect skin that made her wonder if he was into skincare.

His suit probably cost more than Alura's entire wardrobe. His hair was styled perfectly, infact everything about him screamed power, control and perfection.

"Sit."He muttered without looking up from his tablet.

Alura sat in the chair across from his desk. Her hands were sweating. She folded them in her lap.

"Goodday Sir."Alura greeted, not sure of what else to say.

Lucius finally looked up. His dark eyes swept over her once, they looked like they could see through lies. .

"Alura Wayne. Business degree. Two years experience at a mid tier marketing firm." His voice was bored. "You have Mediocre references and no special skills listed. So why should I hire you?"

Alura's mouth went dry. "Sir I'm a hard worker. I'm detail oriented and I'm willing to lear--"

"Everyone says that." He cut her off rudely. "Give me something real. Why you? Why should you be my secretary instead of the fifty other applicants who probably have better qualifications?"

Heat rose in Alura's cheeks. "Because I don't give up."

"Explain."

"Sir, I worked three jobs to pay for university. I graduated top of my class while supporting my family. I've dealt with difficult people, impossible deadlines, situations where giving up would have been easier." She met his eyes. "You want perfection? I'll give you perfection all I need is just a few weeks to learn. You want someone who won't quit after a week of your standards? That's me Sir. I don't quit."

Lucius's expression didn't change.

"Hmm, you sound confident. We'll see." He turned back to his tablet. "The position requires twelve hours a day. Weekend working sometimes. International calls at odd hours. Can you handle that?"

"Yes Sir."

"I will not tolerate crying when I criticize your work."

"Yes sir."

"No personal calls during office hours."

"Yes sir."

"You'll start Monday. Seven AM. Don't be late."

Alura's heart jumped. "I got the job?"

"Unless you want to turn it down?" His eyebrow raised slightly.

"No! I mean, yes, I accept. Thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

"We'll see about that." Lucius stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to Hunt Corp, Alura Wayne."

She stood quickly, shaking his hand. His grip was firm and cold, compared to her soft warm hands.

As she pulled back, his eyes caught on something.

Her left hand. The gold ring.

Lucius's expression shifted with a flicker of surprise.

"You're married." It wasn't a question.

"Uhm, Yes sir. Recently."

He stared at the ring. "That's a new design."

Alura's heart skipped. "Sir?"

"The ring." His voice was strange now. "It looks familiar. Like the custom design I ordered for my own wedding band."

Alura stared at him with wide eyes.

"Huh??"