Chapter 5

MAYA

I got into the Elevator and clicked the number three button which indicated the third floor. While waiting patiently for the elevator to get to the third floor I couldn't deny the fact that I was nervous.

Gosh, my palms were even getting sweaty. Since I stepped into this company just now, I began to feel inferior because everyone present in the company was dressed elegantly and looked very classy.

Do I even have a chance of being employed? I asked myself thinking that it was not too late to turn back in order to avoid further embarrassment, but a voice inside me urged me to go.

The elevator stopped and opened and I alighted afterward. I stood in the hallway shocked at the beautiful classy ladies that were dressed elegantly and seated waiting for the CEO. I immediately wanted to turn back but thought against it after all, the dress that the good Samaritan bought for me isn't looking bad.

I walked forward to the secretaries office and when I passed in front of their other ladies waiting for the interview too, they looked at me and chuckled. It was clear that they were belittling me but I summed up the courage and didn't let their judgemental eyes get to me.

I walked to the secretary and greeted him “ Good day sir,I'll like to apply for the interview please “ I said to her and unlike the rest outside this young handsome secretary who looked young welcomed me with a warm smile and asked me to sit down. He took out a form that I thought he was gonna give to me to fill but instead he was filling it out.

“ What's your name, “ he asked,

“ Maya Allen “ I answered her with a nervous smile, it's like she sensed it because she told me to calm down and take a deep breath which I did, and felt a little bit relieved.

“ What's your parent's name and occupation, also where do you live “ This handsome secretary whom due to the name tap I spotted on his office desk was Mr Henry Williams.

“ My parents’ names are Mr. Patrick Allen and Mrs. Belinda Allen but they died when I was 6 years old “ I honestly told him and caught a hint of sadness on her face which he quickly masked away.

This was why I never really liked opening up about my life, I hated being an object of pity, but I have no choice but to answer this nice woman because I need this job.

With Chloe now out of my life things are gonna be quite difficult because Chloe’s parents are wealthy and she assisted me financially a lot but now that I cut her off I have to carry all the load of my expenses.

I told him where I lived and again I saw a look of pity. I guess it's because the area I lived in was known to be occupied by the poor. Gosh, this is so embarrassing, I struggled not to facepalm in front of Henry.

“ How old are you? “ Henry asked,

“ 23 years old “ I answered and he wrote it down. If just filling this form is this unsettling for me, only God knows how the real interview with the CEO would be.

“ What's your qualification, “ he asked and this is the part I had been dreading the most, I felt highly embarrassed to tell him I had only finished high school. What was I even thinking when I came here, I sighed and he heard it.

“ Are you okay? Why the sudden change of facial expression? “ Henry asked me, looking concerned. This guy was simply just nice.

“ The…problem is that…is that… “ I began to stutter, not feeling confident anymore.

“ It's fine, just tell me, “ he said.

“ I stopped schooling at high school. Is that qualification enough? “ I asked him hoping at least it meant something that I finished high school.

“ Well it depends on the boss but I'm sure he'll hire you if he finds you worthy, “ he said trying to sound assuring but I saw a look of uncertainty mixed with sadness flash over his face.

“ That’ll be all for the form Maya, you can go wait with the others outside, “ he said with an air of finality.

I stood up weighing in my mind the chances of me getting this job as I walked outside to seat and wait with the other girls when Henry’s voice stopped me when I was already at the door.

“Good luck Maya, I hope and wish you get this job, “ He said and a smile appeared on his face. I nodded and went to sit outside with the rest applicants.

I wanted just to leave this company because I wasn’t confident that I would get the job, but since Henry wished me luck, I didn't want to disappoint him by just leaving without even trying. so I decided to stay even though I knew I wouldn't get the job.

The other ladies chatted and laughed with themselves but ignored me as though I wasn't even there, but who cares I wasn't here because of them.

Thirty minutes later, at exactly 4 pm, a man who strangely looked familiar to me came out of the elevator and our eyes locked on each other and a look of recognition and surprise flashed in his eyes. I could see it before the man masked it away and put on a serious and cold look.

Since Henry’s office was made of glass he immediately rushed to him and welcomed him. Oh, so that means he is Liam Taylor the CEO then, I thought to myself as I saw Henry greet him. But the greeting wasn't a formal one it was more like they are friends.

They both walked past us and went into his office. I dismissed any thought of me knowing him from anywhere because I felt someone like me couldn't know someone as wealthy as he is.

Maybe I recognized his face because I normally see him on television, yeah maybe that's it.

I saw the other ladies looking at him lustfully and rolled my eyes, I mean don't get me wrong I know that Liam Taylor is hot, if I could even call him beautiful he is, but common! Do these ladies have to make it this obvious? I ignored them and began preparing my mind for this interview, praying I would get the job.

A few minutes later Henry came to inform us that the interview had begun. The ladies that went in all came out frowning as they left and it was finally my turn, I nervously cleaned my sweaty palm on my dress and proceeded I go to his office where Henry gave me thumbs up before I entered.

The office was spacious and well-air-conditioned, but his office desk and chair looked expensive. I also observed that from the way he positioned his chair and desk, the overview of the city could be seen, his office is at the top of this skyscraper anyway. It sure was going to be a lovely view from where he sat I could tell.

That wasn't the problem, the main problem was that this man looked displeased to see me, I could feel it from the way he glared at me, but I still summoned courage and went to sit on the chair in front of his desk.

“ Good evening sir “ I greeted him politely and bowed my head slightly signifying respect.

He sighed and then cleared his throat before speaking “ What's your name? “ he asked with an unreadable facial expression.

“ My name is Maya Allen “ I answered him and forced a smile onto my face. I just hoped it looked real. It frightened me the more now that I couldn't read his facial expressions.

“ What's your qualification and which places have you worked before, “ he asked. This was the time whatever he decides after hearing this piece of information shall be my fate.

I sighed and released a breath to give myself some courage before proceeding to speak “ I stopped my schooling at high school. I have worked only at Coffee shops and flower shops.

I saw the look of shock and surprise on his face before he regained his composure, folded his hands, and placed it on his desk before asking “ So what makes you think that you can work here? “.

“ Because I can achieve anything that I set my mind to do and also I am ready to learn how to work for you even though my qualifications aren't up to your standard I have a sharp brain and I'm a quick learner “ I answered him not wanting to sound too desperate but my voice and way of speaking betrayed me.

He just remained mute for a while staring me in the eye as if waiting for me to say something else and when he didn't hear anything else from me he looked annoyed and disappointed.

He sighed and removed his folded hands from his desk and relaxed his back on his chair without taking his eyes off me. I found it weird and looked away. But the next question he asked threw me off guard.