Chapter One

Raven reached the auditorium and opening the door, went inside. The place was already full. She was surprised that nearly the whole college was here to go through the interview. She found an empty seat thankfully and sat down. On the dais, some distinguished-looking, professionals were seated, sorting through some papers. The professors from their college placement division also sat with them.

One of them suddenly announced, "We will be conducting a written impromptu test just now. You will be given a form to fill in your details along with a question paper. There are five real-life situations given to you. You have to write in 150 words on how you would deal with each one of them. You have 30 minutes to answer. Only 10 candidates would be shortlisted for the interview. Those who are still interested remain seated, others may leave now before the door closes," announced the man.

Raven saw that nearly half the students rushed to leave, scared at the mention of a test. Afterward, the remaining students were handed the form, pen, and question paper.  "Your time starts now," said the man.

The professors roamed around the auditorium, invigilating the examination. Afterward, each student had to submit their stuff and leave the auditorium.

"Go back to class. If you're shortlisted,  you will be summoned, " said the man, collecting their papers. Raven handed hers and walked back to her class. She was late and had to explain to her professor the reason for her being late.

Classes went on as usual. Five minutes after her class was over, an attendant came in to summon her and another guy, Tom Harvey to the auditorium.

"You too attempted the test?" Asked Tom.

"Yes," said Raven. They walked towards the placement department where individual interviews were to be held. They were made to wait in the reception area where eight other students were already gathered,  everyone looking tense.

After ten minutes, the interviews started. One by one the students went inside and came out with pale faces. Raven found out that they would be inducting only three interns from amongst the ten. One by one all the candidates had been interviewed, yet her name hadn't been called. Raven chewed her lips. Did they forget her? She sat fidgeting with her hands nervously when at last her name was announced. She got up and went towards the door. She knocked and after hearing a distinct, "Come in," she opened the door and went inside.

She saw two men sitting wearing suits. Suits? Her eyes met the piercing green eyes of the man whom she had kissed at the cafe. Her eyes widened with disbelief. What was he doing here? Her first reaction was to escape but the voice of the other man arrested her.

"Raven Porterfield?" Asked the other man.

"Yes, sir. Good morning, sir," she said, looking at the other man who nodded in acknowledgment. Then she looked at the blue-suited stranger and mumbled, "Good morning, sir," but he simply stared at her without any reaction, without blinking at all. She could feel his hot gaze upon her all the time. She had no idea what was going on inside his mind. She just wished that she could simply disappear somewhere. There was no way that she would get this internship.

"Have a seat, Ms. Porterfield," said the other man. Then turning to the blue-suited stranger, he asked, "Shall we start, sir?" Raven's eyes widened with surprise. The blue-suited man was his boss? God! What had she gotten herself into? They nodded at one another as Raven sat on the edge of her seat, chewing her bottom lip nervously, looking down at her hands, and up at the other man.

"I'm Anthony Baker, Production Manager at JC group Inc., London branch and this is Ralph Van Halen, Head of Production, Worldwide, Partner and Founder of JC group Inc.," introduced Mr. Baker. Raven nodded nervously, she didn't have the courage to look at his boss. He was the one and only Ralph Van Halen? She had seen his name in fashion magazines but never knew how he looked like in real life. Strangely he hadn't spoken a word so far but quietly stared at her, observing her. It made her very nervous.

"Ms. Porterfield, your answers are exceptionally good. Are you sure that they aren't too theoretical?" asked Mr. Baker.

"Thank you, sir. On paper, they might look too theoretical but in real life, all of us adopt those theories as per their circumstances and then act. The more they face such varied situations, the more efficient they become in dealing with them. I'm sure that I will too if given the opportunity," she said with conviction and confidence.

"How would you juggle between a demanding job and studies?" Asked Mr. Baker.

"I will opt for the weekend and online classes, sir," she told him, looking at him with confidence.

"That's good to hear. Are you willing to travel? We have operations worldwide. If your job requires traveling, would you be able to travel, Ms. Porterfield?" Asked Mr. Baker.

"Yes sir, I can travel," she told him.

"We are looking for enterprising young trainees who would be inducted into the company after a year of training. So, you cannot leave the job for the next five years. Are you willing to sign a contract of five years with us?" Asked Mr. Baker.

"Yes sir," said Raven. She would gain experience and expertise out of it, so why not?

"Fine,  then. Over to you sir," said Mr. Baker. Raven's eyes widened as she realized that now she would have to face him.

"Thank you, Anthony," said Ralph Van Halen in his deep, rich voice which made the hair at the back of her neck rise with awareness. He now focused his green eyes upon her, minutely observing her. She felt like a fly under a microscope. To her horror, Anthony Baker excused himself and left the room, leaving her alone with the person she dreaded facing the most.

"So, Ms. Porterfield, how important is this job for you?" He asked her, watching her reactions, her red cheeks, her flushed face, and her hot mouth. He couldn't believe that he actually had kissed her, an unknown stranger so passionately. His lips still tingled from that kiss, he could still feel her taste upon him.

Raven colored more seeing where his gaze was fixed upon,  her lips. "I need it to pay for my education, sir, " she just told him, honestly. She just wanted to vanish from the room but that was impossible.

"How soon can you join us?" He asked her to her surprise.

"Whenever you want me, sir," she informed him, trying to catch a brief glimpse of him but to her dismay, he was still, staring at her.

"Now?" Asked Ralph Van Halen.

Raven stared at him with her jaws dropped to the floor. "N-now?" She stammered out. She had classes now.

"I want you, now, " he stated, still watching her. Raven colored more not sure what he was now talking about.

"You have to give me a little time to excuse myself from the rest of my classes and reschedule them to the weekend, sir," she said bravely, not wanting to be daunted by him.

"How long will that take?" He asked, getting up from his chair. He seemed taller and more muscular within the closed confines of the room,  filling up the entire place.  Raven too got up with a confused expression on her face. Was he seriously thinking of making her join his company,  just now? What was the urgency? Were all the other interns joining just now?

"Ms. Porterfield, I asked you a question, " he said, as he walked around the table. Raven focused on him now, coming out of her trance.

"Yes sir, give me ten minutes, please. I'll just go and have a word with the Head of my Department, " she informed him, looking up to see if this was a joke or not.

"Sure. Anthony will bring you to the office. See you in an hour, " said Ralph Van Halen. Was he leaving? Raven felt a little better at the thought. She looked up only to see him staring at her lips again.

Raven colored more. "Yes sir, she whispered,  her voice not cooperating, out of nervousness. He nodded at her and strode out of the room. Raven released the breath that she was holding, composed herself, and went to see the Head of her Department to do the needful. Afterwards, she walked over to the Placement Department to find Anthony Baker waiting for her.

"Shall we go?" Asked Anthony, looking more relaxed than at the interview.

"Yes sir," she said. Anthony smiled and led her towards his car. Raven's car was at the service center after her suspension started giving her problems. Anyway, she preferred the Subway. He started the car and drove off towards his office.

"Sir, would I have to join work, right now?" She asked hesitantly.

"That's what it looks like," said Anthony Baker with a small smile on his face. 

"What about the other interns, sir?" She asked him, curiously.

"You're the only one sir has selected," he informed her and her jaws dropped with surprise.