Chapter 1 - THE INTERVIEW
“Amelia, if you don’t leave this house in the next five minutes, you’re going to miss that interview!”
My mother’s voice came from the kitchen.
I looked at the time on my phone and immediately panicked.
“Oh my goodness!”
I grabbed my handbag from the bed, almost knocking over the small bottle of perfume sitting beside it.
Today was important.
Very important.
After months of sending applications and receiving rejection emails, I had finally been invited for an interview at Blackwood Holdings.
And I couldn’t afford to mess it up.
Not when my mother’s medical bills were becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
I rushed into the living room, adjusting the collar of my cream-coloured blouse.
My mother looked up from the dining table.
“Have you eaten?”
“Mummy, please. I’m already late.”
“Amelia.”
I stopped.
She stood up and walked towards me, gently adjusting my hair.
“Whatever happens today, don’t let anybody make you feel less than you are. Do you understand?”
I smiled.
“Yes, Mummy.”
“And don’t be too shy. You know how you are. Sometimes somebody will ask you a question and you’ll start looking at the floor.”
I laughed nervously.
“I’ll try.”
She kissed my forehead.
“Go and get that job.”
“Amen.”
I hurried out of the house.
⸻
BLACKWOOD HOLDINGS
The building was enormous.
I stood outside for a few seconds, staring at the glass structure that seemed to stretch endlessly towards the sky.
People walked in and out through the revolving doors, most of them dressed in expensive suits and designer clothes.
I suddenly became very conscious of my outfit.
My simple black skirt.
My cream blouse.
My modest handbag.
I looked down at my shoes.
They were clean, at least.
Taking a deep breath, I walked inside.
The reception area was beautiful.
Marble floors, expensive furniture and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
I approached the receptionist.
“Good morning.”
She barely looked up.
“Yes?”
“Good morning. My name is Amelia Rose. I’m here for an interview.”
“Position?”
“Personal assistant.”
She typed something on her computer.
“Third floor. Human Resources. Take the elevator on your left.”
“Thank you.”
She had already returned to her computer.
⸻
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting outside the interview room.
There were three other applicants.
One woman wore a beautiful fitted dress, another had a laptop on her lap, while the third was confidently scrolling through her phone.
I looked at my résumé again.
Amelia Rose.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Administrative experience.
Excellent organisational and communication skills.
I whispered the answers I had practised the previous night.
“Why should we hire you?”
Because I’m hardworking.
“What’s your greatest weakness?”
I’m sometimes too nervous.
I closed my eyes.
Please, God. Just let me get this job.
“Miss Rose?”
I opened my eyes.
A woman stood by the door.
“Yes?”
“You’re next.”
My stomach tightened.
I stood up, adjusted my skirt and followed her inside.
⸻
The interview lasted about fifteen minutes.
The questions were straightforward, although my nervousness made some of my answers sound less confident than I wanted.
The interviewer studied my résumé.
“Your previous administrative experience is interesting. Why did you leave your last job?”
“The company downsized, ma’am. Several positions were affected, including mine.”
“I see.”
She made a note.
“We’ve shortlisted a few candidates for this position. The final decision will be made by the executive office.”
I nodded.
“Thank you for the opportunity.”
“We’ll contact you.”
I smiled politely and walked out.
I wasn’t sure how I had performed.
I didn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed.
My phone vibrated.
It was my mother.
MUMMY ❤️: How did it go?
I typed a quick response.
ME: I think it was okay. I’ll let you know when I hear from them.
I slipped my phone into my handbag.
I had barely reached the elevator when I heard a man’s voice.
“Who approved this?”
The tone was sharp.
Almost frightening.
I turned instinctively.
A tall man in a black suit stood a few feet away, holding a document.
Several employees stood around him.
Nobody seemed willing to speak.
“I’m asking a simple question,” he said coldly. “Who approved this proposal?”
A young man stepped forward.
“Sir, I reviewed it yesterday.”
The stranger looked at him.
“And you thought this was acceptable?”
The young man swallowed.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Don’t apologise. Fix it.”
He handed the document back.
“Before the end of the day.”
“Yes, sir.”
The man turned and began walking towards the elevator.
People immediately moved out of his way.
I watched him, wondering who he was.
He looked expensive.
His suit alone probably cost more than everything in my handbag.
Just as I turned away, my folder slipped from my hand.
Several papers scattered across the polished floor.
“Oh no!”
I quickly bent down.
One paper slid towards the elevator.
A pair of polished black shoes stopped beside it.
I looked up.
It was him.
The intimidating man.
He picked up the paper and glanced at it.
Then his eyes moved to me.
“Amelia Rose?”
I blinked.
“Yes?”
He looked at the document again.
“Personal assistant interview?”
My lips parted slightly.
“Yes, sir.”
He studied the paper for a moment.
“You’re one of the candidates HR shortlisted?”
I nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
He handed the paper back to me.
“Follow me.”
I stared at him.
“I’m sorry?”
“I said follow me.”
He entered the elevator.
I hesitated.
Was I supposed to follow him?
Before I could decide, he pressed a button.
The doors began closing.
I quickly stepped inside.
⸻
The elevator ride was painfully quiet.
I stood in one corner, clutching my folder against my chest.
He stood beside me, scrolling through his phone.
I stole a quick glance at him.
He was handsome.
Annoyingly handsome.
His dark hair was neatly styled, his jawline was sharp, and he had the kind of face that looked permanently unimpressed.
I immediately looked away.
“What is your name?”
His voice startled me.
“Amelia, sir.”
“I know your first name. Your full name.”
“Amelia Rose.”
He nodded.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-four.”
“What experience do you have working with executives?”
I swallowed.
“I worked as an administrative assistant for a small company for almost two years. I handled schedules, correspondence, meetings and office documentation.”
“Why should I consider you for this position?”
I blinked.
I hadn’t expected another interview.
“Because I’m organised, hardworking and willing to learn. I may not know everything, but I take my responsibilities seriously.”
He glanced at me.
“That’s what everybody says.”
I lowered my eyes.
“I understand, sir.”
The elevator stopped.
He stepped out.
I followed him down a long corridor.
He opened a large office door and walked inside.
I stopped at the entrance.
The office was breathtaking.
A huge desk stood in front of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
There was a leather sofa, a glass coffee table and bookshelves filled with expensive-looking books.
He walked behind the desk.
“Sit.”
I sat.
He opened a file on his computer.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked up.
“Do you know who I am?”
I shook my head.
“Not exactly, sir.”
One of his eyebrows lifted.
“Not exactly?”
I became nervous.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.”
He leaned back slightly.
“Adrian Blackwood.”
My eyes widened.
Oh.
Oh!
I suddenly understood why everybody had been so terrified of him downstairs.
This was the CEO.
Adrian Blackwood.
The man whose company appeared in business magazines and television interviews.
The man whose name was practically everywhere.
And I had just told him I didn’t know who he was.
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
“I see,” he said, noticing my expression.
I lowered my eyes.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“Do you apologise for everything?”
I looked up.
“Sorry?”
He stared at me.
For a brief moment, something almost resembling amusement crossed his face.
Then it disappeared.
“Never mind.”
He closed the file.
“HR has already reviewed your qualifications and shortlisted you for the position. I wanted to meet you personally before making the final decision.”
I nodded slowly.
“Okay, sir.”
He studied me for another moment.
“You’re hired.”
I froze.
“I’m sorry?”
“You’re hired, Miss Rose.”
I stared at him.
“Really?”
“Would you prefer I reconsider?”
“No! I mean—no, sir. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He picked up another document.
“You start tomorrow. Eight o’clock. Don’t be late.”
I stood up immediately.
“Yes, sir.”
“And Amelia?”
I turned.
“Yes?”
“Coffee. Black. No sugar. I take it at eight every morning.”
I nodded.
“Okay, sir.”
“Good. You may leave.”
I smiled.
“Thank you again, sir.”
I walked towards the door, trying very hard not to look too excited.
Just before I stepped outside, his voice stopped me.
“Miss Rose.”
I turned again.
“Yes, sir?”
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t call me sir every five seconds. It makes me feel old.”
I almost laughed.
Almost.
“Okay, sir.”
He stared at me.
I covered my mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
For the first time, Adrian Blackwood actually smiled.
It was brief.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
“Get out, Amelia.”
I hurried out before I embarrassed myself any further.
⸻
Inside the office, Adrian remained seated.
He looked down at the résumé in front of him.
Amelia Rose.
Twenty-four.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Almost two years of administrative experience.
Her qualifications were decent.
Nothing particularly extraordinary.
He leaned back in his chair.
There was something about the way she had answered his questions.
She had been nervous, clearly.
But she hadn’t tried to impress him with exaggerated claims or pretend to know things she didn’t.
She had simply answered honestly.
Adrian picked up his phone.
“Daniel.”
His executive assistant answered almost immediately.
“Yes, sir?”
“HR has confirmed the appointment of the new personal assistant.”
“Miss Rose?”
“Yes. She resumes tomorrow.”
“Understood, sir. I’ll arrange her access and introduce her to the office procedures.”
“Good.”
Adrian paused.
“Also, make sure she understands how things work around here. I don’t have time to explain basic procedures repeatedly.”
Daniel chuckled softly.
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll take care of it.”
Adrian ended the call.
Then he returned his attention to the documents on his desk.
There was work to do.
He had no reason to think about the new employee again.
At least, not yet.
⸻
Meanwhile, in the elevator, Amelia was smiling at her phone.
ME: Mummy, I got the job!
Her mother’s response came almost immediately.
MUMMY ❤️: THANK YOU JESUS! GOD HAS DONE IT!
Amelia smiled even wider.
For the first time in months, she felt like things might finally be getting better.
She had a job.
A good job.
And perhaps, things would finally become easier for her and her mother.
She thought getting hired by Adrian Blackwood was the beginning of a better life.
She had no idea that accepting the job would bring her into a world she barely understood.
And Adrian Blackwood?
He had no idea how much his carefully organised life was about to change.
END OF EPISODE 1.
