Chapter 5 THE INTERVIEW

"So what happened between you and hot stuff the other night?" Jess asks me, interrupting my sip of coffee.

We are sitting in my kitchen. My laptop is in the middle of the table. I'm still looking for a job. Kenny kept his promise. No one hires me because I lack professionalism. I consider myself a professional person. It's frustrating, but there's nothing I can do now. I continue to apply, but some people reject me instantly. I had a few interviews, but nothing came out of them. Her unexpected question catches me off guard, causing me to cough and sputter on my coffee.

"Are you alright?" she asks, tapping my back.

''Yes, fine, nothing happened'' a lie and we both know it.

El, don't lie to me. I'm your sister. I know you had sex me and Elijah could hear you from down the hall, Jackson,' she says with a smile on her face. My cheeks turned red.

"Why ask then if you already know we had sex, big deal?'.

''Was it good?''.

''More than good. It was amazing, but it's done with now, so we can get off the topic''.

''Talking about that night you left without me, you bitch.''

''Hey, in my defence, you weren't done when I left. I knew you would be OK. Elijah said he wouldn't hurt you and I trusted him''.

''Wait, you're still seeing him''.

''Maybe'' she says with a smirk on her face.

My mouth is gaping open. She sees no one again. After a one-night stand, she must like him.

''You like him, don't you''?

Her cheeks turn red and she says

''yes he makes me feel special''

''Good for you, Jess. I love to see you happy.''

"want to see you happy to? Do you want me to ask Alijah for his friend's number for you?''.

''NO'' I shout out.

''Why isn't he a nice guy''.

''He faked his name. He said it was Jackson, but I know it's not Elijah kept saying something with a k, But he backtracked, I don't want someone who lies Besides, I don't want a relationship, it was just me wanting to have sex, I had a moment of weakness, it won't happen again That's all''

''Hmmm, if you say sweets so, come on, let's keep looking''

After 2 hours of looking for more jobs, I get frustrated plonking my head on the table.

''I'm never going to find one. Kenny has fucked me over for good''.

''No, he hasn't just give it time''.

After another couple of minutes, she shouts, making me jump.

''Bingo! Look el apply for this. It's just added''.

Turning the laptop to me, I read the post.

Ambrose's investments are seeking a dedicated assistant with experience, who can be on call 24/7. If you're interested in applying, please reach out to us via email. We are eagerly expecting your response.

I applied straight away, not missing a beat, and within 20 minutes I got an email back.

"Hello Miss Morrison, I am pleased to inform you that Mr Ambrose has requested an interview with you today at 11am. If you are available at that time, kindly let us know immediately so that we can schedule the meeting. Best regards, Emily Brown."

I'm in shock just staring at the screen.

''Hello Ella, anyone's home''.

''I have an interview in 1 hour. Oh! God, an hour. No, I will not make it''.

''Wait, hold up, calm down. You have work clothes still right. Use them for now. Tomorrow we will get you some new things, but you need to get ready right now this second, so get your ass up and move women.''

''OK, get me something out of the closet. I will do my makeup.''

We rush around my apartment, trying to get everything I need and be ready on time.

''Here, put this on'' Jess says when I have done my face.

''Can you see my scars?''

''Yes, a little, but it's not a problem. You're beautiful, even with those scars change, and then we will leave, I will drive you''

''I will put your hair up'', she says to me, coming behind me.

I'm finally ready to leave. Jess picked out a black skirt, pink blouse, and a black suit jacket. My hair is in a high pony, my make-up light, I can't fight with trying to hide my ugly scar, I don't have time, so this will have to do.

''Are

you OK?'' Jess asks when we get into the car?

''I'm nervous. This is way too fast. They must really need an assistant for them to interview me today. Normally it's the next day, not the same day I applied''

''Yeah, maybe the other one got fired, and they couldn't cope. I don't know''

We take 15 minutes to get to the address; I know it's the right place. The name is in big white letters announcing, here I am, You found me.

''Hey, you need to go'' You only have 2 minutes.

opening the car door, Jess stops me.

''Look at me el'' looking at her. Her face is serious.

''Be old, Ella, don't be anxious, be confident, take what you want by the balls, smash this interview. You got this girl, I can feel it''

''I will. I promise I love you''

Shutting the door, I ran to the doors of the building.

''Hello'', I say to the receptionist as I walked inside.

''I have an interview with Mr Ambrose at eleven''.

''Would that be Mr Ambrose junior or Mr Ambrose senior'' she says it in a snotty?

fuck I don't know, they never said in the email.

''I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't know. They never told me just to be here at 11 o'clock''

She tuts and all I can think to myself is, it's not my fault, lady, have it out with the person who emailed me.

''The person who signed it was Emily Brown''

She looks at me.

''That would be Mr Ambrose's senior 12th floor''

Rushing to the elevator, hitting the button. I got to the floor. I need hoping I'm not late. Breathless, I hurry down the corridor to reach the reception desk at the far end.

''Hello, I'm so sorry if I'm late, I have an appointment with Mr Ambrose''

''Oh yes, Ella Morrison, take a seat lovely, I will call you when he is ready''

Emily seems like a delicate woman. She has a big smile that shows her perfect white teeth, a lovely attitude.

Taking deep breaths, I steady my breathing. I hope I get this position. I need it, so badly my savings are going down quicker than I thought, and Kenny didn't pay me my last paycheck.

''Ella, Mr Ambrose will see you now''

''Thank you, I got up out of the seat''.

I hope this is going to go well, and the man is nice, because I really don't want another boss as a jackass.

Stepping through the doorway, I made my way inside. A handsome middle-aged man with green eyes was sitting behind an oak desk. His perfectly tailored blue suit molds to his body like a second skin. The corners of his mouth reveal smile lines. He has a dazzling smile. I froze for a minute, taking in his familiar face. Where had I seen this man before?

''Miss Morrison, are you OK'' I heard the man say?

"Yes, I'm so sorry, sir," I stammer, finally snapping out of my frozen state. As I walked towards him, I extended my hand, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr Ambrose. My name is Ella-Marie Morrison. I appreciate the chance to be here today"

He

reaches out, grasps my hand, and proceeds to shake it. "It is a pleasure

to meet you. Please take a seat''. He motioned towards the chair next to me.

''Thank

you, sir''

"so" he remarks, as he rests his hands on the desk, intertwining them, and leaning towards me.

Feeling slightly intimidated, I adjusted my posture, straightening my back and holding my head up high.

"What qualifications do you possess that make you suitable for this position, as per your reference? The record states that you exhibited unprofessional behavior during your tenure at your last job." He raises his brow.

''Yes sir, but it's not true I was very professional, I would do anything he asked me to''.

With a furrowed brow, he inquires, "Miss Morrison, what was the reason behind his statement? Kindly explain I am currently experiencing some confusion."

''I worked for a man called Kenny Jones. Don't know if you have heard of him'', He nods his head as I'm speaking.

"He ended my employment after receiving an email containing fabricated messages. I never sent them, I tried to explain it to him, but he didn't believe me, He threatened to fire me if I didn't tell him the truth, So I said to him to fire me because I would not lie just to keep my job, He told me he would make sure no one hired me in this city, He was true to his word, I have had trouble finding a job ever since''.

"Ah, so it seems that what they say about him is true," he tells me.

''What's that Sir'', I ask him, confused.

''He's a right piece of work''.

''Yes Sir, I promise I did nothing unprofessional. It was strictly professional''.

''Good for you for sticking up for yourself. Not a lot of women would do that,'' a smile came onto his face.

''Thank you, sir''.

"Okay, since I'm aware of your recent termination, there's no need for me to inquire about the reason for your presence here today. Can you tell me about your past work experience before taking on the assistant role?"

''I worked at an IT department in Chicago for 4 years. I did nothing else after that for about 2 years, and then I had the assistant job''.

''And what happened at that job? Did you get fired from? There''

''No sir, something happened in my personal life, so I had to quit. I loved that job a lot. Actually, I wish I never had to leave, but unfortunately, I had to leave Chicago''.

''I understand. Is there a legal basis for your departure? Any criminal record,anything like that? Any findings uncovered during a background check will not

surprise me. His eyes reveal signs of concern.

I bite my lip, expressing a slight sense of worry. If he conducts a backgroundcheck, will the domestic abuse report be visible? Should I inform him as a precautionary measure?

"As mentioned before, sir, I assure you I have no criminal history. However, there is a documented case of domestic abuse,"

''Was

you the abuser'', he asks me asked.

"No, sir, I assure you, I was not."

"In that case, there's no need for you to provide any further information. The background check will only reveal warnings, convictions, and similar matters" His gaze is filled with sorrow as he looks at me. Now he is feeling pity for me, not for what I wanted.

"Ella, given your background in IT, your proficiency with computers, your experience in assistant roles involving call management and scheduling, and your ability to advocate for yourself, I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected for this position."

I was sitting in shock, then I realise he's staring at me.

''I'm so sorry sir, I'm just in a little of shock,. Thank you so much for theopportunity to prove I have what it takes. I take pride in my work. I won't let you down, sir'.

''I have no doubt in my mind, my child. Come on Let.'s go meet my son''.

''Your son Sir''.

''Oh yes, I'm sorry Miss Morrison. I forgot to say you are my son's assistant, not

mine''.