Chapter 1 Interview

I stared in surprise at the open screen of my old laptop before me. The mail open and its contents exposed before my very two eyes. I had not applied for a job in this company, how did I get an invite? Moreover, an invite to work at the biggest oil and Gas Company in the country was a dream I'd never even had, talk more of planning to achieve. Still, the words stared back at me; it was real and confirming.

I looked at the date and saw it was...today? I panicked a little as my eyes flew to the clock hanging on the wall of my room. The hour hand was pointing at two and the minute hand was at five, it was twenty five past two and the Interview was going to take place seven hours and thirty five minutes from now. I quickly stood and went through my tiny closet that was sparse with clothes. I chose two of my best so I had options to choose from and made an urgent work of ironing them. By the time I was done, it was three am on dot. I went to my mother's room and checked to see she was peacefully sleeping. I went back to my own room and set the alarm an hour before ten.

I was so revved up I could not will my mind to sleep. Possibilities and probabilities poured in, all making me nervous and excited. Soon, I drifted off and by the time I woke, it was fifteen past nine. I rushed through the morning, caring for my mother.

"Why are you in a hurry this morning?"

My mother asked, a curious smile on the woman's face.

"I got a surprise interview last night. This morning. It was around past two." I hurried through my words, buttoning the shirt I'd chosen and giving my blonde tresses a last dressing. "How do I look?" I turned away from the mirror to look at my mother, already picking up my purse and a bag containing some of my relevant documents in case it was needed.

"You look good." My mother complimented, beaming at me.

"Will you be okay all by yourself?" I asked, a bit concerned with leaving my mother to her own devices.

But the woman merely shooed me away. "Go before you run late. It's an interview and punctuality is part of it. I'll be fine."

Smiling, I went closer and bent to kiss my mother's cheek. "Take care of yourself mum. I'll be back soon."

And with that, I sprinted out of the house and ran to the bus stop hoping to catch a bus sooner. Thankfully, the company was not that far from where I lived. If transportation went well, I should be there in about fifteen to twenty minutes. I quickly boarded on one and was well on my way for my unexpected interview.

It was ten by the time my bus had stopped at my destination, but I learnt I still had to walk further down before reaching the company. I could not afford a taxi else I'll be walking home. I trekked and was grateful when I was finally seeing the gigantic building. I stepped inside and saw the receptionist. Controlling myself from giving in to the urge of gaping at the exquisiteness of the interior of the building, I proceeded to the receptionist's table.

"Hi, good morning." I greeted with a polite smile on my face.

The receptionist regarded me with coolly eyes and an equally polite smile. "Good morning. How may I help you?"

"I am here for the interview." I informed, still keeping the smile plastered on my face.

"Oh, yeah. Go upstairs. The first door by your right on the third floor." She directed.

"Okay, thank you." I said and was hurrying towards the stairs because I knew I was already late. I just hoped I was not too late.

"Uhm, where are you going?"

I turned to give the receptionist a puzzling stare. "The stairs."

"Don't you want to use the elevator? It's this way." She pointed to her right.

"Oh, thank you." I flushed embarrassingly. Great, now she probably thinks I was from the time before the invention of elevators. My mind was in a swirl and I had not really bothered about how I'd get to the interview area, I just wanted to be there. I took the direction she'd given me, walking very fast on my low strapped heels.

Soon I was one way up to where the interview was scheduled. When the elevator dinged open, announcing my arrival, I let out a whoosh of breath and stepped out. The sight that greeted me as soon as I got out was intimidating and scary; there was a sea of interviewees like myself and they were all women. The air of confidence surrounding them belittled the one I'd managed to conjure from home to this place, and they were better dressed too. Their eyes rounded on me. I swallowed and quickly walked to an isolated seat before their gazes made me fall on my face.

Soon, a woman came out and called my name. What? My name? But I was the last to be here. Maybe she was mistaken.

"Is Zendaya Huttinson not here?" The woman was beginning to sound quite annoyed.

"I'm here, ma'am." Was I the first to go? Was my name first on the list? I was unsure, also I was not prepared for the pointed stare the woman gave me.

"This way, Miss Huttinson." She briskly ushered me into a room. Before the door closed, I heard the low, dissatisfied murmurings of the other interviewees. It wasn't my fault I was to go first.

"Sit down, Miss Huttinson." One of the three interviewers gestured towards the seat before them. My heart beat wildly against my chest, I hoped how I felt inside was not radiating one face. Confidence was the key.

The interview began and I was able to express myself. Soon, nerves were gone and I was speaking with confidence and professionalism that I never knew I possessed. When it ended, nerves were back. How did I do? I looked at their faces to know if their expression would answer my question but nothing. They were blank.

"Wait outside, we'll get back to you." The woman who had come to call me said.

"Thank you." I kept the tremor out of my voice. I really needed this job. I was desperate for it. I went back to my previous position and sat quietly.

It was not long before the woman came out but it was terrifyingly long for me.

"You can all go home, we have found the person for the job." She announced to the other applicants.

There were grumbles and angry murmurs, I even heard someone curse the company. Many annoyed eyes scrutinized me condescendingly, but the woman's word had my attention at the moment. Who was the person? Was I the one?

"You can come in, Miss Huttinson." She woman gave me a smile this time, though it was professional.

I walked in to meet the satisfied gazes of the interviewers.

"Congratulations, Miss Huttinson. You have been given the job. You can start tomorrow."