4
I don't remember when was the last time I had a pure illusion. I think it was when I was sixteen, before everything went dark. And now, as much as my nerves are on edge, I have to keep my wits about me and avoid any kind of illusion. It's an interview, for a prestigious company. Something that perhaps my past self would have imagined; a full and successful life.
Anyone would easily get their hopes up for something like that, but right now I have so many worries that getting my hopes up is the least of my concern.
"Done.
Carol finishes fixing my hair a bit. I'm not really in the mood to overdo it, but Carol insisted. After all, this is a pretty important event, something that doesn't happen all the time.
Eva, I know you don't want to get your hopes up or anything, but it never hurts to have a little self-confidence and carry a little positivity.
"I don't want to have false expectations.
"You don't, you just have to have confidence in yourself.
I stand up.
"Where are you going now? "I change the subject.
"I was thinking of going to do some shopping and then stop by to visit Louis.
"Do you need a ride? "I question.
He shakes his head.
"You focus on your interview, I'll take a cab. Then text me and tell me how it went. I'm dying to know.
"I will.
I pick up my bag.
"Good luck! " he exclaims as I give him one last look by way of greeting.
And finally, I finish leaving my apartment. Once I'm outside my building, I get into my car and start driving in the direction of Hills Corporation. It's not too close and not too far. It's an in-between trip, but that doesn't take away from my nerves.
I cross a few streets until suddenly I notice the imposing black building that glows and stands out from many.
Hills Corporation.
I make my way to the huge parking lot where I park my car. I turn off the vehicle's engine and pick up my purse which is on the passenger seat. As I get out of the car, I feel a slight tingling in my belly, the result of nerves. I drive through the parking lot until I stop in front of the vertiginous building with golden letters and huge windows. I carefully climb the stairs and push the glass door that leads me into the reception area. As soon as my heels make contact with the shiny marble floor, I can't help but examine my surroundings.
Black and white colors.
People everywhere in formal attire, shelves, decorations and a red carpet that welcomes you to move towards the receptionist.
She is a woman in her mid-twenties and has her blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail, making her look more professional and stylish. Her gaze immediately falls on mine.
"Good morning, miss. Welcome to Hills Corporation. My name is Ashley, how can I help you?
"Good morning. I'm here for the secretary position. I was called yesterday, I have the interview scheduled for nine o'clock.
"For Mr. Hills... "Type something into the computer." It's on the top floor.
"Exactly.
A polite smile stretches his lips.
"Could you tell me your name, please?
"Eva Miller.
She types something into the computer lying right in front of her, lingers for a split second, but it doesn't take long for her gaze to meet mine again.
"On the top floor of the building, at the door located at the far end of the hallway.
"Thank you.
"You're welcome.
And without further ado, I start walking towards the elevator. I press the button that seems to lead to the top floor and wait patiently in my place. A couple of minutes pass, when the doors open on the top floor of the building. The decor is still the same, but somehow, the aesthetics and the omen feel different. The floor is still shiny, marble, but on this top floor there are windows overlooking the city and small, sophisticated decorations. I approach the small crowd of women in the center of the reception area. They are all overdressed, with extravagant hairstyles and make-up. A rushing feeling runs through me. They all look so happy... they give you that feeling that they have their lives figured out; they have the time to put on their makeup, arrive and look perfect. I take another look at them, they all seem to have quickly become sympathetic. It's as if they've just come off a stunning photo shoot, while I barely had time to put on lip gloss and a little mascara to bring out my skin a little more. Carol took care of my hair and waved the ends a bit. As for my outfit, I can't complain at all, it may not be as elegant and expensive as what the other candidates are wearing, but it meets the formality that Hills Corporation presents.
I take a seat on one of the small sofas that function as waiting seats and keep waiting. The minutes pass and little by little, they call the women in front of me to interview them inside that office. There is still no sign of my name, so I decide to take my cell phone to try to distract myself.
Fortunately, an instant message from Carol arrives just then.
Carol: How's it going? Have they interviewed you yet? Did they intimidate you? Tell me something!
Eva: I'm still waiting.
She sends her reply within seconds.
Carol: I'm sure that interview will go very well. Don't back out, you can do it.
Before I can type my response to reply, a female voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Eva Miller.
Immediately, I stand up under the gaze of the few other women still here.
"This way.
The woman guides me to a door, which she pushes open, revealing a small but spacious office. The doors close and the woman withdraws, leaving me alone with a guy sitting on his seat behind his desk. I manage to read his name on the small gold card on his black suit:
Rocky Harper.
Surely he must be in charge of recruiting employees on the basis of interviews.
"Miss Miller. "He stands up as he straightens his suit." Have a seat, please.
He gestures to me and I take a seat across from him.
"Rocky Harper. "He shakes my hand and I accept it, I show myself polite." I am in charge of interviewing prospective employees who could go deeper into the company. My goal is to get the best secretary for Mr. Hills.
"I understand.
"We have seen her curriculum. She has two good references and I see that she has already worked as a secretary once.
"That's right "I reply. I'm so nervous." I have experience, I've worked for three years as a secretary at Clark & Business.
"What can you tell me about your experience at the company as a secretary? Did you find it easy?
"At first it was difficult, but over time I have been able to fully perform in my role. "Suddenly, I remember Carol's words. I must not let myself be intimidated, I must be more confident." Not just anyone can dedicate themselves to taking on such a role. There is a tendency to believe that being a secretary is an easy task, but this is not always the case. It requires a certain degree of experience and responsibility.
"I agree with you. "He clears his throat.". You see, working at Hills Corporation is not an easy job. It takes experience and responsibility. Mr. Hills looks for perfection in his employees, no mediocrity.
"I understand.
"Tell me about yourself, your secretarial skills.
Here we go.
"I can handle computer technology and organize schedules with ease. I have experience with it, I'm familiar with it.
She looks at me. I notice a certain curiosity in her eyes.
"Why are you interested in this company and this job? What was it that motivated you to make an application?
I try to relax. The questions slowly take on a higher level.
"Hills Corporation is the kind of company that anyone would want to step foot in. And I'm not just talking about the company itself, because of its name, but because of its projects, which carry a lot of magnitude and power. I like the way it performs and this job seems to be the best opportunity to prove that I am fit enough to be efficient with my work.
I don't know where I suddenly came up with so many words, nor how I could say that with such confidence. I just... let myself go.
"Interesting... " he murmurs.
He asks a couple more questions related to my curriculum and myself. However, the next question he throws at me makes me think about my answer for a couple of seconds.
"Why do you think you are the right person for this job? Why do you think, out of all the women who have been interviewed today, we should pick you?
I think that's the kind of question that always leaves me drawing a blank, because most of the time, I can't decide exactly what words to use. But the best thing is to show confidence, that I trust myself, isn't it...?
"The truth is, I don't know the other women you've interviewed, so I couldn't answer your second question with complete certainty. But if there is one thing I am sure of, it is that if I could consider myself the right person for this job, it would be because I want to have the chance to prove my professionalism and if there is one thing I am sure of, it is that I can handle this job and any other type of task the company assigns me. I know that words cannot prove everything, but I can trust myself and my responsibility as a person. I can better myself.
Rocky stares at me, as if trying to process what I just said. Shit... What if I screwed up? Maybe it wasn't the attitude I wanted to hear, maybe I was hoping to hear something more innovative. Besides, I said it so fast...
"Thank you, Ms. Miller. That's all for today and should you have gotten the job, we'll get back to you.
I swallowed.
"Okay.
"Good morning.
"Good morning "I return the greeting.
I pick up my things, take one last look at him and leave the office with my emotions running wild. When I'm outside the building on my way to the parking lot, I run my hands through my hair.
Shit, I think I totally screwed up. Suddenly, my phone starts ringing and I take the call when I realize it's Carol.
"How did the interview go!"I hear her say from the other phone line.
"Fine, I guess.
"I guess?
"I got too carried away, I think I was too confident and....
"Eva, relax. Just tell me, did you give long, concise answers?
"Yes, I think so.
"Did you like the interviewer? Was he nice?
"He was polite, that's all.
"Everything went well, don't worry "I hear some voices next to him." I have to hang up, we'll talk later and you'll tell me everything in more detail.
"That's all right. Goodbye.
"Goodbye, bye.
Hang up the call.