Chapter 13

‎"Good morning, sir. I'm here for the CEO assistant position," she said, her voice steady but her smile tinged with awkwardness. She avoided his eyes, unsure of how to meet his gaze directly. The office suddenly felt much smaller, the air heavier with the weight of unspoken familiarity.

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‎He observed her closely, noting the nervous flutter in her manner and the way she pretended not to recognize him. It made him chuckle quietly to himself. The irony wasn’t lost on him, after everything, she was now standing before him, trying to act like they were strangers.

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‎"You don’t need to feel awkward," he said, his tone calm, laced with a hint of reassurance. "Whatever happened outside these walls stays outside. Let's keep things professional and get started."

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‎He didn’t want to tease her, although the temptation was there. He could see the embarrassment etched across her face, and he figured sparing her dignity was the kindest thing he could do.

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‎"Okay, sir," she replied, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she exhaled a soft sigh of relief. She sit there, hands lightly clasped in front of her, waiting for him to begin, either to ask questions or to glance at her CV, whichever would come first.

‎"I'm only asking you three questions. I don't need your CV," he said, his voice firm but no longer sharp, eyes scanning her with a kind of detached curiosity. He noted how her demeanor had shifted, composed now, almost serene, but there was a flicker in her eyes he couldn’t quite place.

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‎She straightened slightly in her seat, clasping her hands together to still their trembling. “Okay, sir. I’m ready,” she replied, her voice measured and even. On the surface, she looked calm, shoulders relaxed, expression neutral, breathing steady. But beneath that composed exterior, her mind was anything but still.

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‎Inside, thoughts ricocheted wildly, what would he ask? Had she prepared enough? Could he see through her? She forced herself to meet his gaze, determined not to let the whirlwind within betray her. This was just a conversation, she reminded herself. Just three questions. But each one, she knew, could shift the course of everything.

‎“Tell me about yourself,” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her face with quiet intensity, searching for signs of nerves, of confidence, of truth.

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‎She met his gaze without flinching. “I’m a focused and motivated person,” she said, her voice steady. “I’m always ready to learn, and more than willing to contribute wherever I’m needed.”

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‎There was no embellishment in her words. It was honest, perhaps a little rehearsed, but it rang with conviction.

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‎He nodded slightly, then leaned forward, the tone of the room shifting.

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‎“Why should I hire you?” he asked, his voice more clipped now, his expression sharpening into something colder, more professional. The small talk had ended. This was business.

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‎She didn’t hesitate. “I’m reliable, quick to adapt, and fully committed to results,” she said with calm confidence, her posture mirroring his professionalism. “Whatever task I’m given, I see it through.”

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‎He gave a single nod, lips pressing together as he considered her response. Then, after a pause, he delivered the final question.

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‎“The last one, why do you want this job?” he asked, but this time his tone was different. There was a trace of genuine curiosity behind the formality, like he truly wanted to know what drew her here, why his company, why him.

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