One And The Same

Adelina gaped at the room beyond the large doors.

She had thought the lobby was impressive. However this luxurious office made the lobby look shabby in comparison.

The room was huge, with black leather couches, a huge plasma screen TV and gigantic aquarium making up an elegant sitting room.

Ceiling to floor windows lined the entire far wall, giving a beautiful aerial view of the city below. Black sheer curtains fluttered emphasizing the pink and orange clouds that were painted against the setting sun.

Masterpieces neatly decorated the dark red walls of the office.

But nothing was more dazzling than the majestic man that was sitting at his large dark cherry desk. His hair was as black as the night sky, his skin and jawline strong and flawless as if personally sculpted by God himself. His bottomless ocean eyes were trained on paperwork that was scattered across his desk.

Adelina had never seen a man as beautiful as the one before her. She gulped and pushed her admiration to the side as she carefully approached the desk.

"Hello I'm Adelina Hart. It's a pleasure to meet you." She introduced herself.

His eyes were still trained on his work before him as he waved a hand, gesturing to the seat across from him.

"Please take a seat." He commanded with his masculine voice. "I'll be with you in a moment."

Adelina nervously sat before the man in silence. She glanced around the room, taking in a masterpiece on the wall to her left.

Silas finally put his pen down and glanced up at the woman who was sitting across from him.

He froze as recognition set in.

He gaped at the woman as his mind became a whirlwind.

Why in the world was this woman sitting in front of him right now?

The same woman who had haunted his dreams the night before.

She couldn't possibly be Adelina Hart. She was a no name convenience store clerk.

Yet here she was. Sitting in front of him, looking very different from the night before. Her face glowing and her golden eyes sparkling like two pools of warm honey.

Only one word could come to his mind in relation to the woman's appearance.

She was breath taking.

His heart stopped as panic set in.

Did she recognize him from last night? He frowned at the thought.

Did she do those things yesterday knowing who he was?

"Your office is very well designed. Is that a Marcopio painting?" Adelina complimented her eyes falling back to the man who sat before her.

Silas was struck out of his thoughts.

"Yes it is. You are Adelina Hart?" He stammered quickly pulling out her file.

"Yes I am. That is a beautiful piece. I personally love his artwork. I used to admire his pieces in the museum near my university." Adelina responded looking at the piece once again.

He flipped to her work history and indeed, she had listed that she worked as a convenience store clerk.

The girl he had met last night.

And the girl he had chosen to meet with as a candidate for the marriage contract.

They were one and the same.

Silas tensed as he put the papers down. Her eyes were on the wall next to him.

"Yes he is one of my favorite artists as well." Silas agreed.

Her golden eyes landed back on him with a small smile.

Her eyes held no recognition towards the man before her. Silas felt the tension release from his shoulders. She did not recognize him.

Silas found his resolve and regained his composure.

This changed nothing. He would continue as planned.

"I am going to ask you some questions now. Some of them may be intrusive but they are necessary. Please be honest." Silas informed.

Adelina nodded in understanding.

"To start, please tell me a bit about yourself Miss Hart."

Adelina's nerves returned. She needed this secretary position and she had to make a good impression.

"I am 25 years old this year. I have a lot of experience in different occupations as I've listed. I received my degree in International Business from University A. I have a strong work ethic. I am also a fast learner and am skilled in many different areas." She rambled.

Silas frowned. He needed to know her personally in order to see if her personality lined up well for the position of his wife. She was being too business oriented and formal, which was also a good thing he supposed.

"Yes I can see that from your paperwork. However, I mean for you to divulge more of your personal life and goals." Silas clarified his blue pools never leaving the girl in front of him.

Adelina was surprised. Usually at job interviews they didn't want to know about personal lives. This was Night Corp though, and they ran very differently compared to other companies.

"I have two younger siblings and my mother at home. My father as you may know is not at home at the moment. I work to make sure I can provide for them and try to survive the best I can." Adelina began. She looked at Silas hoping that was enough.

"How are your relationships with your family?" Silas questioned, genuinely interested in how she interacted with her own family.

Adelina gave a soft smile. "Very good. I love my family and would do anything for them. My mom is my best friend and I treat my siblings as if they are my own children. I want the best for them." Adelina explained

Silas was pleased. She had experience taking care of young children.

"I see. And your father?" Silas pressed on.

Adelina went silent for a moment.

Her eyes were filled with hurt as she looked into Silas cerulean eyes. She had already expected questions to come up about her father. Although, in job interviews they were usually more concerned about how involved she was with her father's supposed crimes.

"I love my father. And as you know, he is currently serving time. I miss him and care about him. Although, I haven't been able to see him much." Adelina gripped her purse tight as she lowered her eyes.

Her father had been refusing to take visits for awhile now. He had stated that he didn't want them to see him at such a low point.

It definitely had taken a toll on Adelina and her family.

Silas nodded. It seems he may have hit a weak spot for her. He approved of her love for family though as it would be a good quality for her to have as the mother of his child.

He coughed as he decided to turn away from the subject for now.

"I see you work a lot of part time jobs, may I ask why you need to work so many? And also do you intend to continue any of them after you sign the contract?" He asked.

If she was his wife, he'd rather she not be involved in graveyard shift jobs. That may put her and his unborn child in danger as many crimes are committed in the dark hours of the night.

Adelina was uncomfortable with the question.

"Ah yes. Well my mother is unwell and unable to work at the moment. So I had to pick up a lot of odd jobs in order to make ends meet and pay for medical treatment." Adelina divulged. "As for continuing the part time jobs, I was thinking of retaining one or two." She continued.

Silas furrowed his brows at her answer. So she intended to keep working regardless of becoming his wife.

He would need to stipulate conditions in the contract. She couldn't continue to work dangerous overnight jobs when she was bearing his child. It wasn't safe and it wasn't healthy for her or the baby. His mind circled back to another issue. Her mother was ill.

"Is it an illness that is passed down? How is your family medical history?" He interrogated.

Adelina was almost offended. This was a very out of line question.

She reminded herself that she needed to pass this interview. He was probably just asking to make sure she wouldn't fall ill and neglect her work at the company.

"No not as far as I can tell. And no history of illness in my family. My mother fell ill from overwork and we have been to doctors but they have yet to find why she is still ill. But no I don't believe it is an illness that is passed down." Adelina gritted, extremely uncomfortable with the topic.

Silas made a mental note to check into the mother's illness. Medical treatment was probably the main reason she was so desperate and willing to enter into a marriage contract.

"Alright. Do you have a boyfriend or lover?" Silas questioned his blue eyes cemented on Adelina.

Adelina's face turned red as she blushed. "No. Not at the moment. I'm not looking for a relationship and not interested in romance." She sputtered, trying to rationalize why he would ask her that.

Silas internally smiled. This was perfect, there was no ties to other men and she wouldn't be looking for him to give her a real romantic relationship. It was bound to be a loveless marriage after all.

He could only love and be true to Vivian.

"Good. And what does your relationship history look like?" Silas responded.

Adelina's face went even redder. "I only had one serious relationship in college, but it didn't end well." She stammered, her face feeling hot from the blood rush.

"Okay. Have you had intimate relations?" He glanced at her with interested eyes.

Smoke flew out of her ears as she turned into a tomato.

"Wh-what?" She exploded with embarrassment and shame.

Silas raised his eyebrows. Did she not understand the question? He wanted to make sure she wasn't an easy woman, but also wouldn't feel right taking her first time.

"Let me rephrase. Are you a virgin?" He simplified.

Adelina felt like she was about to combust. This question was not one she was comfortable with. Isn't this harassment?

She chewed her lip in frustration.

She should have been, but she wasn't and there was no way she was telling him that. Interview be damned.

A thought crossed her mind.

Did they sacrifice new employees or some strange thing and that's why she had to be a virgin?

Her eyes grew wide with terror at the idea.

Silas furrowed his brows as the silence continued. He had wanted to know, but apparently it was too sensitive of a topic. He would find out later.

"Nevermind we can discuss that later. How do you feel about children?" Silas continued.

Adelina looked at the man across from her. She still felt her cheeks burning from embarrassment as she tried to find his reason for asking such strange questions so shamelessly.

Maybe he's a psychopath she thought in horror.

Adelina saw Silas gazing at her. He was waiting for an answer.

"I love children. One of my backup plans was to become a teacher, although I wasn't able to go back and get my degree in education." She relented hesitantly. She needed this job.

Silas brightened. "Perfect. Do you have any of your own at the moment?"

Adelina was getting used to the odd questions now. Maybe he was just making sure she wouldn't abandon her job to have kids?

"No. I only have my two younger siblings." She answered.

Silas nodded. "Do you wish to have children of your own?" He raised his brows, deeply interested.

Adelina thought she was used to it. But this question made the blood rush back to her face.

"I don't know. Maybe. Someday. I haven't thought about it. I have too many things to worry about at the moment." She blushed.

Silas felt relieved. If she hadn't thought about having children, it would be easier for her to let go of his heir once the contract was up.

There was still one more important question he needed an answer to. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the red faced girl.

"Alright. Now. Do you have any ulterior motives?" He blatantly inquired. He was gazing into Adelina's very soul with his stormy eyes, daring her to lie.

Adelina gawked at him. He was asking all of those questionable things and yet he was asking HER if she had any ulterior motives? She had been suppressing her irritation but she couldn't hold it back any longer.

"I don't know. Do you have any ulterior motives Mr. Night?" She seethed, her eyes turning molten like gold dripping into a pit of fire.

They both stared at each other for awhile. Neither one backing down from the stand off.

"Miss Hart please answer the question." Silas growled, growing tired of their battle.

Adelina narrowed her eyes. The thought of her family passed through her mind and she forfeited with a sigh.

"No I do not. I only wish to help my family live a good life and be able to take care of them. I also want redemption so I no longer have to walk in the shadows for the rest of my life." She revealed letting her eyes fall from their staring contest.

Silas sensed no malicious intent from the woman. He quickly decided that her intentions were pure and that she was a perfect candidate for the mother of his child.

He had witnessed her kindness and morality on his own the night before. She had also answered all of his questions to his liking and even showed strength by challenging him.

She would pass on wonderful traits to his son or daughter.

"You pass Miss Hart. We will sign the contract tomorrow and discuss the details at that time." Silas responded.

Adelina was shocked.

This job interview had been the strangest yet. She jumped up in excitement and disbelief. She had actually passed the unusual interview.

"Really?" She chirped.

"I will have my assistant contact you tomorrow with the time." Silas responded as he stood from the desk.

Adelina quickly stood as well.

Silas extended his hand towards her. She gripped it cautiously, yet her excitement showed on her face.

"I look forward to spending more time with you Miss Hart." He mused, letting go of her hand and walking her towards the elevators.

She waved goodbye as the doors closed.

Silas chuckled.

"Everything is going according to plan." He concluded.

Now all he had to do was tell Vivian and sign the contract.

Adelina skipped as she exited the building.

She was so happy and excited. This was her first real job since her family fell from the top.

She frowned. Adelina had heard years ago that Silas was a cold man and not interested in relationships. However, his demeanor during the interview was extremely questionable.

"I hope he's not a pervert." She shuddered.

But the worry only lasted a moment. Although it was the strangest interview she had ever been through, her excitement overshadowed it.

She couldn't wait to sign the contract and tell her family.