Hired

KAYLA'S POV

Beep!Beep!Beep!

I groan as I try to turn off the ever-beeping alarm clock.

Thud...

I sulk as I fall to the hard floor. I stand hurriedly remembering that today is Evans's first day of school and I've got to get him ready for school. I rush to his room to see him still sleeping.

"Wake up sleepyhead," I say, as I shake him awake.

"Aargh," he says, as he hurriedly jolts out of bed. I chuckle and rush him into the bathroom. I tell him to have a quick bath and I run back to my room to quickly shower.

You may be wondering who I am...Hi, I'm Kayla Highlander, I'm 22 years old and I stay in a two-bedroom flat where I stay alone with my little brother after the death of our parents.

At that time, I was eighteen with no means of lively hood and a huge amount of bills to pay coupled with taking care of my little brother Evan who was then a year old. Life was tough having to work different jobs to put food on the table and cater to Evan's needs as well as enroll him in a school. If not for Noah and Lilly my two best friends who were there for me when I needed help the most, ever supportive and assisting.

Most times I think of mum and dad and how different life would have been if they were still here with us and I break down again wailing my hearts out but I have to be strong if not for my sake then for Evan's.

Today I have an interview at the biggest technology corporation for the job of the personal assistant of the CEO.

I don't think I'm cut off for the job but my two besties, Lilly and Noah persuaded me, and here I am, preparing myself and Evan before I make both of us late for our first days.

I head for the shower after picking out my outfit for the day from my limited and small closet of clothes. So finally I pick a navy blue pencil skirt and a white full-sleeved shirt.

As I wait for the water to get to the perfect temperature, I shed myself of my shorts and tank top which I slept in.

After 20 minutes of washing my curvy but petite body, I'm done and I grab a towel to rub myself dry before putting on my clothes.

I grab my phone to check the time and see I have nearly 45 minutes to get breakfast done, Evan dressed, drive him to school and reach Hawkins Corporation at the right time.

I hurry and put on a thin coat of mascara on my upper lashes and a subtle amount of lip gloss on my plump lips because I am not much of a makeup person.

Then I rush to Evans's room to see him all dressed and ready so I take him downstairs. I set his hurriedly prepared breakfast of pancakes and strawberry syrup in front of him. I grab a plate for myself.

"Kayla are you ready for your interview?" he asked and I smilingly ruffle his hair. "Yes I am and you've got to hurry up if you don't want to be late to school on your first day," I say and he hurries up.

Ten minutes later we are both done with our food. He grabs his bag and lunch, while I grab my handbag and purse. At last, we head outside to my old beaten-up car.

Fifteen minutes later I park in front of Evan's school.

"Be good and make friends, alright?" I tell him, as he hops down from the car and wishes me good luck. I kiss his cheek waving at him as he runs to class.

Sigh...

Sometimes, I wonder how my life would be if Evan wasn't in it? But I shrug it off. Because I am happy that Evans is in my life, for he made me the independent and stable person I am today. Thinking this, I rush into the car and head for Hawkins Corporation.

Minutes later, I park in the underground parking lot of the company but I couldn't help but gawk and admire the huge building which has a huge 'Hawkins Corporation' written boldly on it. I found myself thinking of how many floors the building has and my guess was sixty-seven.

Suddenly remembering why I was here, I hurriedly check my watch to see I have less than 8 minutes to spare. I hasten up my steps only to bump into a solid wall.

Aaargh.

What the...

I gasp, as instead of staring at a wall, I was staring at the most magnificent pair of blue eyes I had ever seen.

"Are you okay young lady? Don't you know that you have to always look where you are going or did you skip your primary school!" Blue eyes said and I was forced out of my reverie by his unexpected outburst.

"Are you seriously going to pin this on me? Instead of blaming me, you should reprimand yourself, as only a fool goes around on his phone and bumps into people and then blame them." I say as I walk out on him. He surely was an arrogant and unruly man.

I rush to the receptionist's desk, not wanting to be any later due to my less than pleasant encounter with that rude man.

"Please miss, could you help me with the directions to where the interview for the CEO's assistant is being held," I say to the pretty nice-looking brunette sitting at the desk.

"Go on to the last floor and head to the hall by your right, you'll see a door, then enter the office and wait for your turn." She tells me and I thanking her, head to the elevator, and press the button for the last floor which is floor number eighty-seven! Woah, this building is enormous.

I soon reach my destination and I step out of the elevator and head on to the door the brunette described. Then as I open the door, I see various people seated, awaiting their interview turn. The women dressed in exquisite brands of outfits and men in finely tailored suits. I sit in the farthest corner and I close my eyes, to find myself thinking of my parent's death.

It was their anniversary and dad took mum to a fancy restaurant for their anniversary celebration. On their way back, a drunken driver collided with them. My dad died instantly while mum died later in the hospital due to loss of blood.

Tap. Tap.Tap.

I open my eyes to see a blonde lady taping her pen with her cardboard, to awake me from my harsh memory. Then she tells me that it's time for my interview.

I stand and run my hands against my skirt to remove any wrinkles and I open the door to see the side profile of the CEO, answering a phone call. I quickly use the opportunity to access my surroundings.

Man! The office is huge. I was jolted out of my thoughts by the sound of a chair turning, only to come face to face with a very familiar set of blue eyes that I saw not a long ago but only to find them smirking at me...

I gasp as realization dawns on me.

The man with blue eyes is the CEO of Hawkins Corporation!!!

I am soooo doomed...

You may proceed...

Liam's POV

Never in my entire life, have I been treated and insulted by anyone, more or less a nobody although a pretty one at that.

"Mr. Hawkins, the people who applied for the interview are ready. May I let them in?" said Michael, my secretary. "Yes, let them in," I said, tiredly.

It's gonna be a long day.......

After two hours of interviewing females, who were openly flirting with me. And males who were trying to get on my good side, let's get this straight. I like the women, but I don't mix business with pleasure. Hence, that's why I turned this woman down.

Now it's remaining two female candidates. The door opens and a tall and shapely blonde dressed responsibly comes in. At least, she isn't looking like any of those starved ladies. So, I might as well choose her.

The interview went on smoothly for about 20 minutes and she proved to be as smart as well as responsible.

It was soon time for the last candidate. I hope she isn't any of those flirty ladies.

While waiting for her, my phone rang and it was Kyle, my one and only good friend. I don't have many friends but Kyle has been there for me through thick and thin.

During the call, the door opens and in walks a pair of fair fine legs. Damn, they were hot! I am a sucker for ladies with long legs.

I quickly hang up the call, only to come face to face with the most exasperating sparkly hazel eyes known to me!

It's her...

Well, well, well, if it ain't the talk of the devil...

Let's see how this goes.

"Good afternoon sir. My name is Kayla, Kayla Highlander and I am here for the interview for the position of your PA" she says.

Her voice is so low, I can tell she has realized and is quite frightened of what I may do to her. I decided to terrify her even more.

"And what makes you fit for the role of my PA when all you know is how to annoy the hell out of someone. I might refuse you" I said, in hopes of getting a reaction from her.

"I am sorry sir. But in all due respect, you were the one who caused everything, not me. Also, I apologize if I offended you in any way but please sir, do not let that mistake stop you from giving me a chance" she said or more like pleaded.

"Miss Highlander, don't you think that if I listen to the pleas of anyone, I will not be where I am today. Now please if you may leave, so I can make my decision on who to pick as my PA" I said to her, wanting her to break and plead on her knees. But instead, she stands and walks away saying.....

"Sir if you are expecting me to beg, you will not be getting it anytime soon. I know what happened wasn't entirely my fault and I apologize for insulting you but I assure you, I know my worth". She left my office with my mouth hanging open.

Never have I ever been, talked back my entire life. This girl will face me sooner or later and I'll make her regret talking to me like that.

I call my secretary, Michael through the telecom. Minutes later, my door opens and Michael comes in, "Sir you called for me".

"Yes, I want you to make sure, the lady that walked out of here gets the job as my PA," I said and he nodded before leaving the office.

Miss Kayla, you are so doomed. I will make you beg and plead with me, it's just a matter of time...

Ring...ring...ring...

I look down to see my phone ringing and Kyle's name is flashing. I wonder why is he calling me during office hours. I pick up the call, to hear Kyle's frantic voice over the phone.

"Hey man, your mother just collapsed and I've rushed her to the hospital but you've got to be where she needs you right now". It felt like my soul had been ripped out from my body, at the news of my mother.

I grabbed my car keys from my desk and I practically ran to the parking lot. I entered the car and sped off.

My mother is my world and she stood with me in all life struggles. She catered and cared for me when my father left us at the age of seven. I vowed to repay my mum's struggles and that drove me to where I am today, just to give her a good life and now I've failed to do that.

Five minutes later I pull in front of the hospital Kyle messaged me, I rushed inside to the receptionist desk, "Hello miss, please could you tell me which ward my mum is in? "

"Sir, if you could tell me the name of the person you are looking for then I could be of assistance to you," she said.

"Her name is Mrs. Dennise Hawkins" I watch as her eyes slightly widen as she recognizes me.

"Oh! She was brought in some time ago" she says, as she inputs my mother's name in her computer. "She is inward 324" she informs us, I thank her and rush to locate my mother's room. But this room is difficult to find.

Minutes later, I finally found the room, I stopped at the door and took a deep breath to prepare myself for whatever I am about to see.

After calming myself down I open the door to see Kyle, besides my fragile-looking mother.

"Mum" I called out and as she turned to see me due to which my heart ached even more. Seeing my mum like this just broke my heart.

"My baby..." she said and broke into tears. I went nearer to console her and I pulled her in for a hug. I waited till she finished crying and I asked her what exactly happened but she could not answer. The doctor came on to check on her and he requested to speak with me in private.

We went to his office. "Mr. Hawkins, please take a seat" I did as I was told and he continued, "Your mother's health seems to be deteriorating faster than I thought, she has to be taken extreme care of and she must avoid feeling anxiety, excitement, and rigorous activities for her to live a bit longer. You'll have to take care of all her needs and wants and you must not make her worry or overthink herself as that would endanger her health."

"Ok doctor. I will do as you've said but you've to assure me my mum will be ok." I said, tensed and scared for my mother's life.

"If you do as asked, she will be able to live longer. So, I suggest you take care of her very well".

"So when can she be discharged from here? " I asked the doctor and he said, "By next week, she should be stable enough for her to leave. I will give you a list of foods and stuff she should stop taking and names of drugs for you to buy for her."

I thank him and proceed to leave his office and head back to my mum's ward to see Kyle about to leave.

"Man, I've got to head back to the office. Some things need my attention and don't be too sad about your mum. She'll be alright. I suggest you grab lunch."

I nod at him and after he leaves, I slump onto the chair beside my mother's bed and grab her hands and close my eyes.

* a Few Hours Later*

I turned, trying to get in a better position to continue my sleep but my eyes flutter open to a slight movement by my side. I turn and I see my mother awake and smiling. I smile back, happy to see she is better than when I came.

"Mom, how are you doing now? Are you feeling pains anywhere?" She chuckles at my question and replies, "I am okay, just a bit drowsy and hungry due to the medications."

"Ok mom, let me go get you something to eat. I'll be back shortly, what would you like to have? "

"Anything nice" I nod and proceed, to go buy food for my mom, and on the way, I bump into something or better still someone I look up to see 'her'.

Ohhhhh Goddddddddddd

You may proceed...

Kayla's POV

How dare he say that I'm unfit for the job? How dare he call me annoying? Uuhhh... What kind of man is that, thinking I'll beg him, in his wildest dreams. I will never beg him or anyone for a job, I may be poor but I know my worth. l was distracted from my thoughts as the receptionist called my name.

"Hey, Kayla right?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss..."I trailed as I looked at her ID card"...Diane, how may I help you?"

"Umm...I just wanted to ask how the interview went..".

"I don't think I got the job, Mr. Hawkins was mad at me for what happened this morning"I replied and she asked about what happened and I told her what transpired between us and she felt sorry for me.

"Well I've got to go now, my brother will soon be back from school," I said and left the building and went to get my car and drove out. Today was so not what I expected.

After I left the building I went home to tidy the house and prepare lunch for when Evans comes home from school and I realized that there aren't many supplies left so I make use of the little we have and make pasta I am not a huge fan of cooking because of the lack of time but I make very good dishes if I do say so myself. After preparing the food I pack it in a bento for Evans and I grab my purse and the house keys. I lock up the front door and tuck the key into my purse as I proceed to a supermarket nearby to buy some groceries, I reach there after few minutes of walking and I picked out some of the stuff we needed at home and head to the counter to pay the cashier lady there. After paying her my phone starts ringing and I check it to see Noah's name flashing on the phone I pick up the phone only to hear Noah's enthusiastic voice booming from my years' old phone"Hey Kaybear how ya doing"I laugh at the nickname he gave me. I always hated it and told him to stop but he refused and the name kinda stuck.

"Hey Noah I'm fine, what are you up to now you've called me"I reply knowing Noah calls only when there is an emergency and he needs my help, he usually just texts me. Noah has been my best friend alongside Lilly, there were there for me when I needed them and was looking for a job and a place for me and Evan to stay and Noah found me, and he and Lilly who was his next-door neighbor in the same apartment I'm leaving in now let me say in their place for some time before I was able to get a job at a coffee shop, they helped me tutor Evan, as Lilly is a teacher when I didn't have enough money to pay his school fees and they were the ones who persuaded me to take up this job offer at the Hawkins Corp.

"Kay what do you mean" he whines through the phone and I giggle at his childish act.

"Noah what do you want I don't have all day to spend with you, "I ask and he replies quickly"Umm...can I come to spend the night at your place for a while," he asks quickly.

"Why don't you have your place"."...Umm, I've got a girl on my tail she is one of my nightstands and she has been on my tail for some time and I'm tired so can I come to stay with you, I promise to leave after some time...pretty please..."Kyle is infamous for his womanizing skills, he gets a girl today he dumps her the next, this behavior of his has constantly annoyed Lilly and me.

"Ask Lilly, "I say trudging along with the bags I got from the supermarket on my way.

"I already did and you know Lilly she refused even before I could complete my request, so right now you are my only choice and I'm sure you wouldn't leave your little cutie pie stranded now would ya," he says.

Noah is soo gonna be the death of me and I know I'm gonna regret saying this but...

"Okay, Noah you can come over for a few days nothing more and nothing less, okay?"I had to move the phone from my ear as he screams my ears off and this brings a smile to my face

"Thanks, Kay loves ya" he shouts before he hangs up...Noah...

Thump..."Oh my god I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was goi..." the rest of my words fly out as I raise my head only to see my nemesis...blue eyes. It's like the world is against me today as I just had to collide with the last person I wanted to see.

"Are you stalking me"You've got to be kidding me, he has the guts to say that?

"And why would I want to do that, huh why would I want to stalk you of all people in the entire world," I say and hiss as I attempt to leave I don't even want any trouble right now but before I could attempt to walk past him he dragged me back.

"Don't you dare walk out on me ever again Miss Highlander or you'll pay for it" he says and I secretly shiver at the tone he was using. I guess no one has ever walked out on him."You should count yourself lucky I've got somewhere to be right now and I want you in my office tomorrow morning at eight am sharp you have the job, you'll get a call very soon giving you the details and entailing you on the do's and dont's of being my PA, now I must go as I have somewhere to be"he says before leaving me very shocked, I quickly gather my things that fell when he jerked me back and hightail it out of there. As I approached my house I see light seeping through the curtains I rush in and yell"Evans are you back" and a low"Yes" could be heard from his room, that kid, and his games. By now it's just past five and I start working on dinner when my phone rings from the living room and I leave the kitchen to answer it.

"Hello, who is this?"I ask the unknown caller.

"Hello is this Miss Highlander?" the caller who is a lady reply.

"Yeah I'm the one, why do you ask?"I ask not knowing who it is.

"Okay I call in respect of the interview you did and I'm informing you that you got the job and should be at the company by eight tomorrow morning "and she continues to tell me what to do and the rest were scheduled for when I got to the company. The call ended some minutes later and I went back to the kitchen to continue making dinner, when I'm done I call Evan to come to. The food was eaten in silence until Evans asked about the interview and I tell him I got the job, and I ask him about school and he told me he made two new friends. After dinner, Evan goes up to his room and I take care of the dishes before heading to my room having a quick shower, and going to bed with an image of Mr blue eyes...