CHAPTER 3

Maya's POV:

I waited and moped around my apartment for the rest of the day. I couldn’t stop staring at my phone, anxiously waiting for the call from the company.

By the next morning, I had lost hope of being contacted. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Did I really think I was going to get accepted into such a big company? I should be a comedian.

I thought sadly as I gazed at my reflection in my bathroom mirror, my hazel green eyes were holding back tears at this point as my hopes had been destroyed.

I was about to head out in search of another job when I heard my phone ring. It was a call from an unknown number.

“Hello?” I answered the phone breathlessly.

“Am I speaking with Ms. Jensen?”, an elderly female voice spoke from the other line.

“Yes, this is Maya Jensen. Who is this please?” 

“My name is Anna Hendriks, I'm calling from Armando Corporations. Your application for the position of Personal Assistant has been reviewed and we would like to invite you for an interview at our office tomorrow”.

“Thank you so much! What time is the interview?” 

I heard the sound of papers rustling before she finally replied. “Tomorrow at 8:30 in the morning, would that be okay with you?”

“Yes of course”, I replied, elation seeping through my voice.

“Alright, the list of documents to bring along with you will be sent to your email soon”, she said monotonously.

“Ask for Miss Fae at the front desk, she'll direct you. Have a wonderful day Ms. Jensen”. The call disconnected.

“Yes! Yes! Yesss!” I couldn't contain my excitement as I jumped up and down with a wide grin on my face.

I need to prepare for this interview, I hope it goes well.

************************************************************

My alarm woke me up at exactly 7:30 a.m. 

My excitement almost didn't let me sleep.

I immediately ran to my bathroom to wash my hair, shave my legs, and take a bath. I needed to feel and look my best.

As it's a big company, they were probably used to pristine-looking employees.

I put my thick curly hair in a sleek low bun, laid my edges, and put a cute white hair clip by the side.

I didn't have fancy clothes so I had to make do with a black knee-length skirt and a white button-up shirt I got as a birthday gift from Vi last year.

I cleaned up really well, I looked at my reflection in the mirror with pride.

The time on my beat-up iPhone read, “8:15 a.m”

I have 15 minutes to get to Armando corporations, you can do this Maya!

I slipped on the only flat shoes I had and quickly but quietly left my apartment, I didn’t want to wake Mrs. Bell and receive another episode of screaming.

I walked briskly to the main road so I could get a taxi.

I gave the driver the address and we immediately started the ride. 

I tried to imagine what the interview would be like. What kind of questions would they ask? Hopefully nothing too difficult to answer.

The taxi engine being turned off pulled me out of my thoughts and back to reality.

“Here you are Miss - Armando Corporations”, the driver said looking to his right. I followed his gaze and felt my jaw drop in astonishment.

It's huge!

I had expected the company to be big and luxurious, considering they owned a bunch of resorts, clubs and restaurants spread across different parts of the world. However, nothing prepared me for the sight of Armando Corporations in all its glory.

I whipped my head to look in the driver's direction as I heard him clear his throat. He stared at me expectantly as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.

“Oh my! I'm so sorry”, I handed him the taxi fare with an apologetic smile and immediately got out of the car.

The yellow taxi drove off as I headed to the entrance.

The buildings looked like they were way above the sky. They screamed money and everything I didn’t have.

I strode pass the concrete floors which had neat elephant grasses beside it and served as a pathway to what looked like the main building.

Two big men stood by the entrance wearing suits and dark shades, probably security guards.

The automatic doors glided open for me to walk in, showcasing the beautiful white and black themed interior designs.

“Wow”, I muttered.

The tiles were so shiny, I could even see my reflection in them.

I probably looked like a dummy gawking at the tiles. 

I adjusted the file and bag in my hand and walked to the cubicle at the center of the room that had “RECEPTION” boldly placed on top.

A young woman, probably in her 30s, looked up from the typing she was doing on her computer and gave me a kind smile.

“Hi good morning, my name is Maya Jensen and I'm here for an interview”. I said shyly, smoothing down a wrinkle that was starting to appear on my shirt.

“Hi sweetie, I'm Miss Fae and I've been expecting you. You're right on time, you can use the first elevator by your right”. 

The nice receptionist gave me a red colored card which had numbers and words on it.

“This is a direction card, it should direct you to where you're to go”

“Thank you so much Miss Fae”

“Call me Nina sweetie, we'll be seeing each other a lot after you get this job”, she threw me a wink with a sly smile on her face and waved me off.

“52nd floor, door 16b”, I looked down at the red card and read the details out loud as I walked to the elevator.

“Good morning sir”, I heard someone say from behind me accompanied by brisk footsteps.

I didn't look back as I was too focused on getting to my interview on time.

I pressed the button on the elevator and slipped in hurriedly as it began to slide open.

I immediately hit the button for the 52nd floor and the doors began to slide close.

Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief as one step of this journey had just been completed, I heard a male voice yell quite rudely,

“Keep those doors open!”

I stared in shock and somewhat annoyance as a huge man in a black suit with a matching tie and dress shoes came into my line of sight.

“Would it kill you to add a little please?” I thought aloud with irritation in my tone.

Oh shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I didn't even know who this rude man was.

The brown-haired man, who had a scowl on his attractive features, looked in disbelief and vexation as the elevator doors closed on his stunned face.

Why did I say that? I thought in horror.

I didn't let it bother me too much though as my approaching interview quickly filled my thoughts.

Ding! The elevator doors opened on the 52nd floor.

I took a final glance at my reflection in the mirror before I stepped out onto white pristine tiles that seemed to sparkle in the hallway lighting.

The hallway was busy with people dressed in suits and skirts walking to their destinations.

I found the door with the label, “16b”, and knocked lightly to alert whoever was in there of my presence.

I waited for a few seconds but there was no response.

I knocked again, louder this time.

“Come in”, a stern voice called from the other side.

I walked in to see a petite figure. She looked around her late 40s with a straight expression on her wrinkly face and her partially grey hair tied in a neat bun.

“Miss Jensen?”, the petite woman sat behind a desk that had a computer, some files and a nameplate that read, “Anna Hendriks”.

“That's me”, I said quickly.

“Take a seat. My name is Anna and I called you yesterday to schedule this interview. Shall we begin?”

“Of course ma'am!” I sat down and crossed my ankles, on the mahogany chair opposite Mrs. Hendriks.

She looked through my file and hummed occasionally, I wondered what was going through her mind.

I didn't have experience as a personal assistant since I had never done this before. 

However, I included in the documents that I possess excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills. I hoped those scored me bonus points in her eyes.

Mrs. Hendriks dropped my file, smiled politely and asked me a few questions that weren't too hard to answer. 

This interview is going well.

“Miss Jensen, You're hired. Welcome to Armando Corporations”. She rose from her seat and stretched her hand for a handshake.

I took her hand in mine with a wide grin on my face. I could almost feel my cheeks splitting. 

“Thank you so so much ma'am, God bless you!” I said with so much gratitude in my voice. I could almost kiss the woman, I was that happy!

“One more thing, Miss Jensen. Since this is an open spot that needs to be filled urgently, can you commence work immediately?”

“Of course, I would love to!” My ear-to-ear smile still remained intact as nothing could spoil my mood at this moment.

I'll finally be able to pay off my debts! And be able to afford nice things! This is a dream come true!

“Perfect! As you already know, you'll be working as a personal assistant for the CEO of this prestigious company, Mr. Dante Armando. You'll be on the 60th floor which is the CEO's floor. Try your possible best to be on time as Mr. Armando detests tardiness”.

“If you have any questions, feel free to stop by or give me a call”

“Okay, I will” 

I shook hands with Mrs. Hendriks one last time as I got up and headed for the door.

“Miss Jensen! I almost forgot. Here are the keys to the free apartment we promised”. She placed a key with a card attached to it in the palm of my hand.

“The place is yours during your stay as an employee in this company. Please don't damage anything as you'll have to pay for them before you're allowed to leave”. She said with a warning in her tone and went back to work.

With another elated “thank you”, I walked outside the office and headed to the elevators.

I pressed the elevator button and waited for it to open.

Looking down at the key card, I could see an address scribbled on it. 

I can't believe my eyes, is this really happening?

I didn't have time to process my thoughts as the elevator doors slid open, I walked in and pressed the button for the 60th floor.

Time to meet my new boss, Mr. Dante Armando.

I walked into the hallway of the 60th floor.

It looked quite different from the floor I was coming from, as it looked fancier with chandeliers and other gold-themed decorations.

I also noticed that it was deserted, unlike the previous floor that had people walking about.

I noticed there were only two doors and one had a golden sign that read, “CEO’s office”. The other one had a smaller sign I couldn't read from a distance.

I guess I know where I'm headed.

Standing in front of the first door, I took a deep anxious breath before knocking briskly.

“Come in!”, a hard but slightly familiar voice grunted from the other side of the door.

I opened the door and walked in with my face turned to the ground.

“Good morning sir. My name is Maya Jensen and I'm your new Personal Assistant”. I spoke up in a polite tone.

When I didn't get a response from my new boss, I looked up in confusion.

The first thing I saw was a mop of brown tousled hair sitting on a familiar face.

A familiar face with grey eyes that looked strikingly similar to the rude guy from earlier. 

My eyes widened in bewilderment and my mouth slightly opened in shock.

Judging by the glare being thrown in my direction, I knew he recognized me.

“You!!!” Mr. Grey Eyes yelled suddenly as his full pink lips curled into a dangerous sneer.

Oh shit! You've got to be kidding me!