THE INTERVIEW

Two years later…..

An interview was in session for the post of a data entry operator. Hundreds of people had queued up for this post. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of the Prestigious ‘Alaric Enterprises’?

Though the opening was for a mere data entry operator, it paid much better than any other job. Hence, the rush.

Mr. Alaric Woolf was known for his generosity, but at the same time, he expected his employees to pour in their heart and soul into work, just like he did.

Vacations and leaves were hard to come by, but the candidates didn’t mind. Each of the candidates had done their best to prepare for the interview, right from research to dressing and appearance.

A lean girl wearing a loose shirt and trousers walked in. Her face was pale, and her eyes sunken. It looked like she was in desperate need of a healthy diet.

She was bathed in cheap perfume, and her face appeared as if she had painted her face rather than doing makeup.

“Ma’am, can you tell me where the washroom is?” She said, trudging towards the reception counter.

The receptionist looked at her from top to bottom and then replied curtly, “Do you think anyone can just walk into  AE’s office and use the washroom. If you need to use one, go to the public washroom.”

Peals of laughter erupted in the waiting area on hearing the receptionist’s statement.

The girl shifted from one foot to another and said, “I am here for the interview. I just wanted to touch up before the interview.”

The receptionist gave her a dirty look and said, “Name.”

“Sienna…umm… Sienna Lockhart.”

The receptionist grumbled something under her breath and printed out a token. Then she said, “Take this token and wait for your turn. The washroom is second to the right. If you have any other problem, please don’t bother me.”

Sienna took the token with her head lowered and walked in the direction instructed by the receptionist.

“What is this creepo doing here?”

“That is what…I think people like her should be stopped at the gate by the security guard. They don’t belong to a high-class office like AE.”

“Agreed, she doesn’t even deserve to be the sweeper in this office, let alone being the data entry operator.”

Sienna clenched her fist as she heard the other candidates gossip about her. She bit her lower lip in an attempt to stifle the sobs that threatened to erupt.

Once she reached the washroom, she lowered her guard and burst out sobbing. Their words had sliced through her like a knife. She didn’t want to be here too, but she badly needed the money.

When she thought about that, she drew in deep breaths to calm herself. She wiped her tears with a tissue and reapplied the makeup.

She raised her hand to spray some more perfume.

“You can do this, Sienna. No one is going to hurt you…” She muttered to herself as she stepped out of the washroom.

She walked slowly to the waiting area and sat on a chair in the corner, trying to ignore the hateful expressions on their faces.

Tap…tap…tap…tap…

She kept tapping her feet as she counted the minutes.

Out of the blue, a tall and beautiful girl came and sat next to her. She turned to Sienna and said in a sweet voice, “Let me give you some free advice…”

Sienna looked up at her in expectation.

“You should just leave. Why do you want to embarrass yourself? You are not suited to be a part of AE.”

Sienna felt like bolting out of this office, but she reminded herself why she needed this job.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped both the hands of the chair. She let out a deep sigh. People were always like that. She had been a fool to expect something better. She looked down without replying.

“Look at her attitude. I was just trying to help her, and she doesn’t even think it is important to reply to me.” The tall girl huffed in anger.

“Julie, Don’t waste your time on a waif like her. Let us go and prepare for our interview.” Another girl said, dragging her away.

“Yeah… you are right. We should stay away from toxic people. Just wait till she is insulted and thrown out of Alaric’s cabin.” Julie said with a sinister smile.

Inside Alaric’s cabin

“Jamie, what are so many people doing in the waiting room?” Alaric asked his PA, glancing at the CCTV footage from the waiting room.

“Sir, they are here to appear for an interview.”

“Which post?”

“A data entry operator…”

“What! So many candidates for the post of a data entry operator.”

“Of course, Sir. Who wouldn’t want to work with you? I have shortlisted 100 candidates from 10,000 applications.”

Alaric looked up from the computer and said, “I know it is my policy to interview all the candidates myself, but I have to leave for a meeting in ten minutes.”

“So, should I reschedule the interview, sir?”

“That wouldn’t be fair. I guess these candidates have waited for a long time. Why don’t you take the interview instead?”

“Me….sir…” Jamie stuttered with a bewildered expression. What if he chose the wrong candidate?

“Do you have any problem?” Alaric asked in a cold tone.

“No, not at all, sir,” Jamie said, gulping the lump that had formed in his throat.

“Great! I will leave then.” Alaric said as he pushed away his swivel chair.

He opened the door and strode out the cabin.

The candidates started whispering to each other when they saw him leave. It was a well-known fact that he selected all the staff himself.

“Is the interview canceled?”

“Why didn’t they inform us?”

“Maybe, he is just going for some work. He will return in a while. Now, we should all keep quiet. We don’t want to ruin our image.” A middle-aged lady suggested. After that, there was pin-drop silence in the room.

Alaric stopped midway as an intense fragrance of rose greeted him. He turned back reflexively, but then he walked out, shaking his head.