Chapter 3 THE INTERVIEW

By the time my shift ended, I had already written my resignation letter and memorized my conversation with Damian Blackwell a dozen times.

Thankfully, it wouldn't be in person but that didn't make it any less nerve wracking.

The thought of facing Damian Blackwell, even through a screen, made my heart race. A man as powerful as him would be bothered to interview a first year university student like me.

He didn't even bother to interview honorary graduates that apply at his company everyday.

As I walked back to our dorm, I kept telling myself not to flop this. I needed the money for my survival so there was no way I was going to fail at this.

I pushed open the door to our dorm room, expecting Lily to already be there, casually lounging on her bed. But the room was empty.

I sat on my bed, waiting for Lily to return. That was when I got a message from her, a link. Then another message saying, 'In five minutes, click on the link'.

What?

It's going to be just us?

I thought Lily would be with me, it would have helped a lot in controlling my nerves.

You can do this Elena!

I sat down at my desk, staring at my phone. The time on the clock ticked louder in my ears with every passing second.

Five minutes. It was time.

My fingers tapped on the screen, clicking the link Lily had sent. The screen loaded, and then there he was - Damian Blackwell.

His face was stern. Serious and all business. I smiled and when he didn't smile back, I went straight to the point.

"Good evening, Mr. Blackwell."

"Miss Elena Reyes."

I froze, heart hammering in my chest.

His voice cut through the silence, rich and authoritative. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything? You don't look ready to talk."

I swallowed hard. "No, Mr. Blackwell. I'm ready."

He gave a slight nod, and the cool, detached expression he wore made my nerves spike even more.

"Lily tells me you're quite capable," he began, his eyes scanning me as if I were a commodity he was appraising. "She speaks highly of your academic abilities. But before we proceed with any arrangements, I need to be certain you're the right fit."

I barely heard him. My mind was buzzing, stuck on his last name, and the reminder of who he was. But I wasn't about to back out now. Not when a hundred dollars an hour was staring me in the face.

"I'm confident I can help Lily with her studies," I said, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. "I'm very familiar with the curriculum and I have experience tutoring."

That was a lie? Why did I lie?!

He raised an eyebrow. "Experience, huh? You're not a certified tutor. What makes you think you can handle my daughter?"

His question hung in the air, sharp and pointed.

Did he know I was lying?

Is this like a test?

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. "I'm a business management student, same as Lily. If she left seniors and teachers to come to me for tutoring, it must mean that I am pretty good."

I think I must have come off as proud.

Damian's gaze remained steady, unblinking, as if evaluating my every word.

"You're smart and you know it. That's good, but is it enough? What if you fail?"

He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing.

The tension in my chest tightened. I knew what was going on, he was trying to intimidate me and I wouldn't let him.

"I'm not going to fail, Mr. Blackwell," I said, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. "I scored the highest in my scholarship exam and you're fully aware of that. I read ahead of my peers and I can say that I am ahead in class. I am going to tutor Lily to the best of my abilities because you, Mr. Blackwell, you're going to be paying me well for that. Lily wants a house off campus and I just want the money that comes with her desires. We both have our motivations so I am certain we won't fail." I breathed deeply. "But then, if Lily fails, it'd be on her, not me."

Damian studied me for a long moment.

At that moment, I regretted submitting my resignation letter at the cafe when I wasn't sure of the job.

I would go back there, cry and beg until my job was given back to me.

I thought I saw his lips twitch for a small moment. He sat back in his chair, nodding slowly.

"Fair enough," he said, his tone softening slightly. "I'll leave you guys to it."

I nodded, trying to push past the unease that crawled up my spine. "Thank you for the opportunity."

I got no reply. The screen blinked, and just like that, the call ended.

I sat there, frozen, trying to process everything that had just happened.

I'd done it. I'd made it through the interview.

This was the beginning of something new for me. Slowly, I would learn more about Lily's rich lifestyle. It really fascinated me, maybe because I had never been around someone with so much money....as much as the Blackwell's.

Didn't Lily say she was used to people being around her for monetary gains?

What would I gain if I get closer to her?

What if I became more than a roommate, a tutor?

A friend?

A true friend....

In a matter of minutes, I had gone from being a broke university student to earning three hundred dollars everyday.

I was now part of the Blackwell world, even though it was only by association.

I glanced at Lily's bed. Maybe I could become her true friend.

Not for her money...I convinced myself.

I didn't want to use her.

I just didn't want to be left behind.

As I lay back on my bed, one thought circled in my mind: This is just the beginning.