Walking into the company, Clara couldn't help but look in astonishment.
The company's infrastructure was truly a sight to behold. The building's walls were made of a glass-like material, giving the place a majestic allure.
On the second floor, she saw a number of workers who stared at her as if she were a lost bird. Most seemed busy, but as with any company, there were always a few who liked to talk.
"Who let her in here" one lady whispered to her colleague.
"Does she thinks this is some random company she can just work into?"
"Maybe she bribed security with that pretty, innocent face", another chimed in.
The whispers didn't escape the hearing of Clara but of course, she didn't pay attention to them. Feeling that she might have missed her way, she called Ashley.
"Ashley I think I'm lost. Which elevator did you say I should take?" Clara asked in hoping to escape the piercing gaze of the people around her.
"Clara, I told you to take the elevator with the green door. It will take you straight to the top floor", Ashley replied.
"Oh, I saw that one but ended up taking the white elevator instead".
"The white one is for the staffs and other personnels. Only the CEO and his assistants can use the green one, or anyone explicitly authorized.
"Hmm I see. Lots of protocols here" she mumbled
"Alright Clara, keep me posted on your interview I will see you later. I'm quite busy" Ashley said, hanging up.
Clara quickly took the elevator down back to the ground floor lounge. Although the area was empty, she could sense it was heavily guarded.
She spotted the green-doored elevator and took it. Finally, it stopped at the top floor. As she stepped out, she realized that the interior downstairs paled in comparison to the masterpiece she was now seeing. The whole area was magnificent.
Determined not to get distracted, she continued down the hall, unaware that every move she made was being watched by camera.
---
"Bring her to my office" Master Alexandro ordered.
"Yes, sir," his secretary replied with a bow and left.
In less than three minutes, Clara was escorted in with the secretary in front of here. The secretary caught his silent cue and exited the office.
"Good morning, sir", Clara greeted him
"Morning, Clara", Master Alexandro replied, sounding unusually cheerful.
"You're quite punctal. I wasn't expecting that", he added with a hint of approval.
"Thank you, sir", she shyly replied
"Have a sit, or keep standing if you prefer", he said with a slight smile.
Clara hesitantly took a seat, and then handed him her documents. Master Alexandro glanced through them leisurely because he had already made up his mind to give her a job in the company.
As he skimmed her certificate, a particular detail caught his attention. Initially, he hadn't focused on her last name, but now, seeing it again, he paused. He managed to keep his composure, though a hint of surprise lingered.
"Clara, your surname, Wale, it's rather interesting. How are your parents?" he asked causally.
At the mention of her parents, Clara felt old wounds reopening. Taking in a deep breath, she briefly recounted her story to him.
True to the saying, "Nemesis always catches up with you sooner than expected", Master Alexandro thought to himself, recalling a past he had hoped to bury.
"I thought they all died in the car accident... I must keep the past hidden at all costs", he whispered internally.
But as a man to his word, he couldn't retract his decision to hire her.
"Miss Clara, I'm sorry for your tragic loss but in life, we lose and we gain.
Congratulations, you are hired as the financial manager of the Alexandro cartel", he said to her warmly.
Clara was overwhelmed with gratitude. She took his hand, repeatedly thanking him.
"You start tomorrow" he informed her, then called his secretary to show her to her new office. When she arrived at the office, she could hardly hold back her tears.
After years of settling for jobs below her qualification, she had finally secured one that felt right.
After spending some time taking in her workspace, she decided it was time to leave.
On her way out, she bumped into someone. Looking up, she was left stunned. The man who had caused her countless sleepless nights was right before her.
They locked eyes, time seeming to stand still for them both. Eventually, they regained their composure.
"Uhm... did you get the job" Mitchell asked, slightly stammering.
"Oh, yes, I did" she replied, smiling.
"That's nice. Congratulations" he said.
She nodded her head in response. They felt silent, neither quite sure what to say. After a moment, she decided to leave.
"I have to be on my way now" she said, avoiding his gaze.
It felt as though the more she looked at him, the more entranced she became.
Just as she was about to leave, Mitchell handed her a contact card.
"This has my number. Feel free to call me at any time". He wasn't entirely sure why he was giving to it to her.
Clara hesitated, torn between accepting it or not. She had been trying hard to push the thoughts of him from her mind, so taking his card felt like a step backwards. After a moment of internal debate, she took it, reasoning to herself,
"I'll just take it, but I won't call him". she thought inwardly.