Chapter 4 Four
The young man, Zayne Ludovic, was the CEO of Markonsic Solutions. He was cold and he rarely spoke.
He had come to one of the branches of his company to be present for the interview.
He, however, appeared in casual clothes and suits to avoid announcing his presence. Only a few people knew him in person, and his face never appeared on magazines or the news. In that company, only the Managing Director and the HR knew who he was.
A few minutes ago, he was about to enter the interview room when he realized that he wasn't with an important document. He sent HR, Annie to go and prepare it while he hung around. When he got impatient, he entered a quiet room to study a magazine. That was what he was doing when Lily entered.
Zayne studied the woman in front of him. She had a warm smile on her face, but her outfit was absurd. Baggy shirts and shorts weren't even outfits worn by janitors or maids here. How the hell did she get in here?
He returned his attention to his book, hoping that it would give her the message, but she leaned in and said,
“We can study together.”
Zayne's frown deepened.
“I want to study it alone.”
His voice was cold, raw and authoritative, causing Lily to shrink back in fear.
“Everyone here is just hostile,” she thought. Just then, Claire called and she stood up to answer the phone call.
“Claire, I'm so embarrassed. Everyone's mocking me and they're all hostile here. I don't think I'll be staying. I need to go. I've lost already. Annie works here.”
“Oh my goodness, Lily. I'm so sorry. I should have done more background checks before applying for the role. I'm sorry you had to meet Annie. Hope that bitch did nothing to you?”
Zayne took out his phone and texted the Managing Director to send security to throw Lily out. Her phone call was disturbing him.
But by the time Lily was three minutes into the phone call, Zayne's heart melted and something in him snapped. Her trembling voice clawed at his chest.
The woman before him was very worried about a junior position and her sick father. It reminded him of his old self when he was still at his humble beginnings, trying to pull through. He was from an average background and had built the company from scratch.
The security tumbled into the room, greeted him and said to the woman,
“Miss, you can't be here. Please leave.”
She sniffed and wiped her tears.
“Show us some ID. Who are you?” the security continued.
“I'm here for the interview. The role of a secretary,” she answered, producing her ID card. The security inspected the card but still asked her to leave as previously instructed.
“What is your name?” Lily heard the young man ask as she got to the door. She stopped and regarded him briefly. Was he done being cold and aloof?
“Lily,” she answered curtly and left the room.
Five minutes later, the HR and Managing Director showed up with the file they had gone to prepare. They waited for Zayne to chastise them for being late but nothing of such happened.
“Please sir, it's time for the interview.”
“Check the applicants for the role of a secretary. Find out who Lily is. Do that now.”
“Okay sir.” Annie immediately began to check her records.
“Sir, we have about three applicants with the name Lily.”
Zayne sighed. He had wanted to help that woman but he didn't get her full name. Since they had met, he didn't want her meeting him in the interview room as an interviewer and giving up again, or finding out he was the boss.
“I will not be going for the interview. Ensure that you select the best applicant.”
Lily sat gingerly behind everyone else in her desperate plea to avoid more laughter and snickers. After what looked like eternity, her name was called and she entered the room.
The interview room was spacious and cold. It had a long table with three people seated behind it; two men in suits and a woman in a pinstriped jacket. The woman was Annie.
Their expressions flickered as she walked in, disappointment flashed across their faces, but they were quick to mask it with a professional smile and asked her to sit.
"There it is, " Lily thought. “The face fall.”
Only Annie did not mask her look of disdain.
“Are you sure you are in the right place and ready for this role?”
Lily forced a confident smile. “Yes, I am.”
"Miss Lily Kingston, is it? " the man asked, his tone neutral.
Lily nodded. "Yes, thank you for having me”
“Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and why you are interested in this role?"
Lily launched into a confident and articulate response, showcasing her skills and expertise.
The examiners were impressed as the interview progressed, and they all forgot about her unusual outfit.
In her desperation to disqualify her enemy, Annie began asking unrelated questions, hoping to make her fail. Unfortunately for her, Lily seemed to know everything. At some point, the Managing Director had to step in and let Lily go.
"Thank you, Miss Kingston. We'll be in touch soon.”
“Bloody bastard,” Annie cursed in her head.
At the end of the day, it was clear that Lily did better than everyone else. Left for Annie, she would have marked her down. But with the Managing Director and Person Assistant to the CEO present, she had to exhibit extreme professionalism. To her greatest dismay, Lily was offered employment in the company.
“I'll make sure you don't last in this company, you sneaky pathetic bitch!” she swore.
As soon as she received her offer letter and everything was finalized, Lily hurried out of the company and headed homewards.
But as she stepped out of the company, she set her eyes on Kyrian leaning on his Porsche car. He looked as handsome as ever, like a well-sculpted Greek God. He stared straight at her, his gaze never leaving her face as she walked towards him.
How did he know she was here? Was he so eager to divorce her that he came personally to deliver the divorce papers? A lot of thoughts went through Lily's head as she saw the man there.
