Chapter 4- Anne meets Ben

All the staff of my office were at the tip of their toes as it was the day of the interview for the post of MD. It was an important step for the smooth functioning of our company, and so I had already instructed them to focus their attention on the same.

Many candidates were interviewed by me, hoping to find somebody with double qualities: capability for the post and good looks. I was feeling weary by lunchtime and had lost all hopes of finding a suitable candidate. None of them seemed to be eligible enough.

I finally called Lily to my cabin and said, “Lily, I need a break as I am feeling hopeless about finding a good candidate.”

"Alright, Mam,” she said and turned to leave the cabin when a hot, handsome young man rushed inside forcefully despite being stopped by the guards.

I got fierce, as indiscipline and ill mannerism were least tolerated by me. “Who the hell let you in? How dare you break in like this?” I asked with a shiver in my voice due to anger.

But as he entered, a sweet, romantic fragrance filled the cabin, probably due to his cologne. I noticed that although his skin was pale, he was tall, fair, and had blue eyes with a sparkle in them. He had spiky, lustrous brown hair that seemed to adorn his face. He had defined, well-built curves that were clearly visible through his clothing. I was at first attracted by this charming man, but then I could not let anybody behave like that in my office.

“Guards! Just throw him out of here. How dare he violate the rules of this office and break in by force?” I said it angrily.

“Just let me explain, madam; just give me one chance. After that, I will myself leave the place.”

“Alright! Blurt out whatever you want to explain, and then just get lost! We have no place for ill-mannered people like you here.” I scowled.

“I have seen one of your employees accept a bribe from one of the candidates, and he has promised him that only he will be recruited for the post. They are now asking us to leave, saying that the interview is already over as the candidate for the post has already been selected. There is some foul play involved,” he said with frustration in his voice.

“I don’t believe such activities are taking place in my office. Lily! Call the guards who acted as ushers for the interview. I need to suspend them at once. Set up an inquiry as to who is behind all these activities.” I said as my voice quivered out of rage.

I gave a good dressing down to the guards and then suspended them on corruption charges with a warning that they should be present at the time of the inquiry, and then I turned towards the candidate. As I looked at him, I felt an unexplained magnetism towards him. I had never seen such a handsome guy in my life. But trying to hide my feelings and weakness for him, I said:

“I am extremely sorry about the unpleasant experience that you had. I will see to it that the person behind the incident is punished. Can I know your good name, and can you tell me something about your qualifications and experience as well?”

“My name is Ben, and these are my qualifications.” He said this as he handed over the folder to me. He thereby happened to touch my hand, and I felt an electric current run through my whole body. Never had I experienced such a feeling for someone else before.

“I was working at The Thomsons Automobiles Company earlier, but then there was no freedom of thought, and I had to work under pressure, so I decided to quit that job. Give me a chance, ma'am, and I will prove myself and measure up to your expectations. I have the capability and the zeal in me to do that," he said, seeming quite eager to grab the job.

I handed back his folder to him, as I had already looked at it. I was personally conducting the interview for the post of MD, and so I decided to give him a chance as I found his qualifications and experience fit enough for the post. Besides, I was attracted to him and eagerly wanted to spend time with him, and if he joined, then I would have enough reasons to do so.

“Alright! Mr. Ben! Your qualifications and your experience indicate that you are fit enough for the post, so I am appointing you as the managing director of my company. Although you might have to work hard to prove yourself because I want to achieve the highest level of success for my company, You will be offered $400,000 per year for the post along with the other perks.” Said I.

“I am highly delighted. My joy knows no bounds. Thanks a lot for the offer, ma'am. But then, I will accept only $300,000 per year, as I was receiving only $250,000 per year from the previous company. I will be eligible for the higher pay only after I prove myself.”

I was simply astonished by his foolishness. Whoever declines such a high offer for a lower one? I felt, but at the same time, I was impressed by his honesty and simply nodded, asking Lily to hand over the appointment letter by evening to the handsome young man. I could feel butterflies in my stomach after I appointed him, the reason for which I was unable to discover for myself.

In the evening, after all the staff in the office had left, Lily came and sat near me. Since she was less of an employee and more of a friend, she said, “So, you have finally met with the guy you were looking for?”

I could see a twinkle and naughtiness in her eyes, but ignoring the same, I said, “Which guy, Lily? Whom are you talking about?”

“Don’t pretend to be too innocent, Anne. I have seen that spark in your eyes. I know why you have appointed him without asking for much detail about him. I am your childhood friend, Anne. You can’t just try to hide your emotions from me like this. Just tell me frankly, don’t you just like this, Ben? I could see the way you were looking at him.” Said she.

“You are just making much ado about nothing at all. I appointed him because he is apt for the post of MD. Besides, he was working with our competitors, and I can try to get some of their business secrets from him, which can further take our company to a different level.” I said I was pretending to be casual, but then my face started blushing without me realising it.

“See how you are blushing, Anne. Whether you admit it or not, you are already in love. It is love at first sight. I can see that on your face, Anne. Now come on, just admit it.” Said Lily.

“I know that there is no point hiding anything from you, Lily. I felt a strong sense of attraction towards him.” I finally admitted it.

“Thank God! You at least accepted it. This is the first step towards your destination.” Lily said as she waved to me while getting seated on the back of her husband’s bike.

I waved back at her, but as I saw the couple move towards their home together on their bike, I too got a craving to do the same with Ben as my partner, but then I jerked the thought from my brain:

“How could I already start daydreaming without even knowing what he feels for me?" I thought.