38. Connections?
Braelyn’s POV
“Excuse me.” The receptionist looked up at me.
“How may I help you?” The tone she used told me that she was plain and simple bored with her job and the last thing she wanted was to be friendly.
“I am here for an interview for the job of the public relations head.” I offered a small smile hoping to encourage her. Recognition flashed through her eyes.
“Ms. Taylor?” I furrowed my brows confused as to how she knew my name.
“Uhm, yes.” I muttered.
“Give me a second, please.” I nodded as she picked up the phone and spoke to someone. I took my time to look around.
“Mr. Price wishes to see you in his office.” Her voice brought my attention back. I didn’t know that the CEO himself would take the interview.
“Leo will show you the way.” Following the receptionist’s line of vision, my eyes landed on a blonde guy of about my age. He flashed me a smile, one that I’m sure girls would soon over before I followed him towards the elevator.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“Hey, I’m Leo.” He spoke up after a few seconds into the ride to the tenth floor.
“I’m Braelyn.” I passed a smile of my own.
“You’re hot.” This sudden compliment was not what I had expected.
“Uhh, I’m sorry. It was kind of sudden.” He scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
“No, it’s okay.” After that I could feel his gaze on the side of my face.
“Would you like to go out someday?” He asked after some time.
“I have a boyfriend.” I smiled apologetically at him.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I just…” He trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“No, it’s okay.” Just then the elevator made the ‘ding’ sound and we walked out, again me behind him.
“Here you go.” I looked at the large brown door before nodding at him. I could feel the nerves. Taking a deep breath, I finally knocked.
“Come in.” I stepped into the cabin. Mr. Price was seated behind his desk. He looked like a man in his mid forties.
“Good morning, Mr. Price. I’m Braelyn Taylor and I’m here for-” He cut me off midway.
“The job of the public relations head, I know.” I smiled nervously.
“Please take a seat.” I nodded before sitting down.
“My resume.” I passed the file to him.
“Congratulations Ms. Taylor, you have the job.” I am sure he didn’t invest more than a glance at the file.
“What? I mean… the interview?” He slid the file back towards me.
“I have seen whatever I need in your resume. You got the job.” Not shady at all. Though not convinced, I managed a smile.
“Thank you for trusting me with the opportunity.” He nodded.
“Of course, Ms. Taylor. So when would you like to start your job here?” He tapped his fingers on the desk.
“I can join from next week.”
“That will be nice.” Taking that as my cue, I stood up to leave.
“Thank you, Mr. Price.”
“You’re welcome.” I closed the door behind me. Hugging the file to my chest I thought over everything. Something wasn’t adding up but before I could try and figure out what, the conversation of two employees caught my attention.
“So she got connections?” I heard a smooth female voice.
“You see, all other interviews were cancelled today. Of course she got connections.” All other interviews were cancelled and I was the only one who came to give the interview. Clearly I was the person being discussed. I pressed my lips together, disappointment seeping in as my mind connected the dots.
“Eat this up.” Evan pushed the plate of toast towards me as I was gulping down my coffee.
“I can’t. I feel so nervous.” I got up from my seat.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” I shook my head at him before running a hand through my hair to check if everything was in place.
“You don’t understand. Yes I have experienced this before, I have given interviews before but that doesn’t take the nervousness away.” He rounded the counter and came to stand right in front of me. He held me by the arms and stared right into my eyes.
“Hey, listen to me. You don’t need to be nervous. Trust me. I know that you are going to get the job.” Taking in a calming breath, I nodded.
“That’s huge. Must be someone important who made the recommendation.” Resentment was clear in the voice of the speaker.
“Duh!” This was what I hated, the disrespect in people towards my career and Evan just subjected me to the clear derision.
Realizing that I couldn’t just stand here forever, I straightened up. Walking past them I could feel their eyes on me but I didn’t let the confident facade slip off. It was the only way I could get out of here.
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Evan’s POV
Coming in, I saw Brae sitting in front of the television, her eyes solely trained on the screen. I walked behind her and kissed her head only to get no reaction. She was watching this same show for the second time and yet it had all her attention.
“How was your interview?” I asked while going to the kitchen.
“I got the job.” I smiled at her answer as I rolled up my sleeves.
“See, I told you. And that calls for a celebration.” I poured myself a glass of water.
“You know, Mr. Price offered me the job without even the interview. All it took was just a glance at my resume.” I stilled for a second, sensing the suggestion in her voice.
“Your resume must be speaking volumes for you.” I’m sure my tone had it all covered.
“I’ll tell you something weirder. I heard that all other interviews for the post were cancelled except mine.” Could they be any more obvious? Biting the inside of my lower lip, I put the glass down before turning to face her. By now the TV was switched off and I had her complete attention, just as I wanted!
“Brae-” I didn’t get to continue.
“Why will you do that?” She looked pissed.
“I didn’t do anything.” I shrugged casually, God knew why. My cover had already blown off.
“Of course you didn’t. Let me guess, you just gave a call and casually let him know that your girlfriend is coming for an interview there, right?” I licked my lips, looking for a suitable response.
“Maybe I did that. What’s the big deal?” She crossed her arms against her chest and glared at me.
“It is a big deal and you know that yourself. That is why you hid it from me.”
“There’s nothing to hide.” That wasn’t true though. I hid it, not because I thought it was a big deal but because I guessed she would make it one.
“This is why you were so sure that I would get the job, because you knew your influence had done the work.” I frowned at her statement.
“That’s not true. I knew you would have gotten the job just based on your merit.” I truthfully said. It was my honest opinion.
“You don’t believe that.” Brae shook her head, emphasizing her words.
“Of course I do.” She scoffed at that, showing clear disbelief.
“Then you wouldn’t have done it. You would have let me try and get the job.” I didn’t quite understand why this was such a big thing.
“Why are you making this such an issue?” At this as if her control broke loose and she snapped at me.
“Because I don’t want you paving my way. This isn’t earning it. This is just letting people know that I have a rich influential boyfriend.” I smacked my lips in annoyance.
“Is that a problem now, people knowing that I am your boyfriend? I don’t understand what’s so wrong with this.” She sighed out of frustration before taking a deep breath.
“If you seriously don’t understand what’s wrong with this, there’s no point talking. Just know that I’m not taking up this job.” I watched as she went inside and closed the door behind her.
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