Against All Odds

MIA’S POV

All my life I’ve thought about things thoroughly before deciding to act on them. I even plan lunch when I have breakfast so I’ll be prepared by lunch time. Don’t get me started on exams, I’m among the students that read at the beginning of the semester so I won’t get choked during exam week. But having to prepare for an interview I know nothing about a few hours before the D-day is suicide to me.

I storm out of Mr Lombardi’s room angrily. What do I know about being an editor? But I can not afford to argue with the man. Who knows what he can do to me in seconds? I enter the room where I was kept earlier and spot my phone and laptop on the bed. I quickly rush to it and switch on my phone. It is already unlocked. My guess is that Mr Lombardi and his people have already gone through it. I see a series of missed calls from Noah but my mom had sent just one text.

Hope you’re safe

My relationship with my mom is a shaky one. Ever since my dad passed away, she and I have drifted so far apart that we don’t see eye to eye unless it is absolutely necessary. Memories I tried locking rush back to my mind and I take a deep breath. I try to assure myself that it’s all in the past. I send her a one worded reply and decide to also text Noah.

Me: Hey, sorry for the late response. I’m totally fine, been a bit busy. Send my love to Mabel. 

My stomach churns at the thought of my baby sister who I left behind. A single tear falls from my eye when I realize there is a chance I might not see her again. I quickly switch on my laptop and head straight to YouTube, hoping to find something that will help me tomorrow.

***

A knock on the door wakes me up and I look around the room in confusion. It takes me a few seconds to recall where I am and the situation I got myself into.

“Rise and shine.” Stella says dryly. She walks into the room with her hands full of clothes. “The car is already outside. Breakfast is in the dining room and the interview is in 30 minutes.” She says while dropping the clothes beside my feet.

Car? Interview?

My eyes widen in fear as I realize I have an interview that I can’t afford to mess up in 30 minutes. I check my phone for the alarm which I swear I set only to find out that I had opened my calculator instead of the alarm app. I jumped out of the bed and ran straight to the bathroom. I faintly hear Stella chuckle and I roll my eyes. 

I’m glad she’s entertained.

In less than ten minutes, I am dressed up in suit pants, a simple white shirt and a blazer. I pack my hair up in a ponytail and rush out of the room. The heels I’m on make it difficult to run but I didn’t have a choice. Stella looks at me in surprise, probably wondering how I made it happen.

“Your breakfast..” she mumbles but I shake my head and dash out the front door. A car is already parked in front of the house with the back door open so I enter the car and catch my breath.

The driver looks at me with amusement in his eyes before driving off. Fifteen minutes later, we are parked in front of a coffee shop.

“Mr Lombardi instructed that no one sees you coming from this car. Laser is five buildings away.” The man says, looking at me through the rear view mirror. I check my phone and realize I have only five minutes to make it to the company.

“Thanks.”

I continue my sprint to the company. People look at me weirdly but I did not have the time to register what they think of me. It is either this interview or my life and I’m not going to take my chances. I get to the company right on time to see all the other applicants gathered together. I take a deep breath and join the crowd. 

There have to be at least 50 people here. The tiny hope I had slowly dies. These people are prepared. How am I supposed to beat over 50 candidates that are fit for the job I just had a night to prepare for?

“Good morning everyone.” A woman greets and a few people reply. “So the exam will commence in a few minutes after which only three candidates will be selected for the interview stage. I wish you all the best.”

My right hand slowly makes its way to my left and I pinch myself. This has to be a dream, right? There is no way she just mentioned an exam. 

“Candidates one to twenty, please follow me.” The woman announces. I dig out my form from my bag and see that I’m number 35. The first thing that comes to my mind is writing a goodbye note to my sister and Noah. It is obvious that this whole thing is a set up. 

How am I supposed to write an EXAM on a job I have no idea about?

The woman comes back out and asks the rest of us to follow her. I sigh in defeat.

Here goes nothing..

***

I watch all other candidates chat happily and I sigh for the hundredth time. Even if I do well in the exam, I’m sure every other person did way better. To think they only need three people. The exam was computer based so I ended up clicking the answers randomly.

The woman from earlier walks back in and the room becomes dead silent. She gives us a small smile before looking at the tablet in her hands. 

“The results are out. On behalf of Laser, I would like to commend all of you but as you know, we only need three outstanding candidates for the interview stage.” She says. I start packing my bag, ready to leave. 

I would just tell Mr Lombardi that I did really well but others did better. Hopefully he won’t see through my lie.

“That being said, candidates 16, 35 and 42 should come with me.” 

I smile as the candidates stand up. They are obviously deserving of it. I wait for the third person to stand so I can leave and wallow in self pity. The girl beside me nudges me and I furrow my brows in confusion.

“Aren’t you number 35?” She whispers, nodding towards the tag on my jacket. That was when realization set in. 

I am number 35!

This has to be a joke.