Interview

"I know I'm handsome, miss, but staring is rude, you know." He smirked.

I winced at what he said.

Yes, we all know that! I muttered a curse in my mind. The nerve of this guy! I know that Harry's handsome. But he doesn’t seem to remember me?! I was the one who helped with his assignments, gave him notes, and even bought him food! My goodness!

I know, maybe he just didn't recognize me at all, but maybe if he knows who I am, then maybe... just maybe he will remember. You're not the only one who has changed! Hah! I hissed.

I figured he would be just as kind as he was before. Years have gone by, and we just met again. I looked down when the realization hit me, that he wouldn’t know me anymore... But I do. I still remember him. How can I even forget my night and shining armor?

We became classmates in high school, from the second year to the fourth year, I may be younger, but I was accelerated because I am smart, my IQ is equivalent to 150, like Andrew Wiles. So, we both graduated from high school at the same time, even though he was older than I am

I admit I was not that beautiful back then. Not only that, I wore thick glasses, that hid my eyes, and then my face was covered with pimples. Thanks to the dermatologist, who has been taking care of my face. Now with my pimples gone, I have clearer skin, as white as a snow, and my face is glowing. I wear contact lenses now so I can read clearly.

"TSK!" I heard him say at the same time the elevator door opened, and he walked out. When I looked up to see what floor I was on, I realized that I was already on the 40th floor?! What the... I immediately hit the 39th floor again. What was I thinking? Have I gone in my head that long?!

When I got to the 39th floor, I saw a woman in her mid-20s sitting in the reception area that looked bored. I compared her to the receptionist in the lobby. She had a lot of make-up on her face, wearing a dark shade of lipstick, and even though she already had thick eyebrows, she still managed to darken them. Her cheeks were so red it made her look like a clown. "Excuse me, miss," She raised her eyebrow, disinterest showing on her face.

"I'm here for an interview as Editor-in-Chief, and I'm looking for... Mrs. Gonzaga." I said and smiled at her.

"Okay. Give me your CV." I handed her the paper and she motioned me to sit on the couch, so I did.

I looked at the area. This lobby is quite huge. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows encased the whole floor, there were three rooms with heavily tinted glass, so you don't see much inside. I saw people coming and out of the room, so perhaps these are staff of the editorial team since I knew that this floor was for them. On the right side of this floor, I saw a door that had the sign, 'EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.' That will be my office, strategically placed right beside the reception, which was right in the center. On the left side of the floor, opposite the EIC's office, is the 'CONFERENCE ROOM.' The other room had no sign. I wonder what it is because more people were passing through the doors as well. Maybe it's another staff room?

I approached the receptionist again.

"Miss, can you direct me to the restroom?" She nodded and pointed to where it was. I immediately made my way there because as soon as I sat down on the couch, I felt my bladder was full. I retouched my make-up while I was in there, and tied my waist-length hair into a ponytail. It has a natural curl at the end, so there was no need for a curling iron. I winked at my reflection. When I was satisfied with my look, I went back to their receiving area.

I was just about to sit down when the receptionist called me.

"Ms. Ashley Rodriguez, Mrs. Gonzaga called, and she can't make it today. The CEO will interview you on her behalf. You may now proceed to the 40th floor. Bring your CV with you." She said. I mouthed my thanks to her.

I felt nervous, and my heart started pounding so fast. Maybe because this time Harry might recognize me. Second, we had an encounter earlier, and it wasn't good.

Even though I was nervous, I still went to the 40th floor.

When the elevator opened, the large and spacious area welcomed me. There were only two rooms on this floor which are located on each side of the receptionist.

I immediately approached the receptionist to get this interview over with. "Miss, Good morning. I'm here for an interview as Editor-in-Chief." The woman nodded, and just like the other lady, she asked for my CV. A few minutes later, someone called her on the intercom, and a man came out of a smaller room that was unnoticeable. There were three rooms on this floor, and the latter looked smaller. The design of the door matched the wall which made it invisible."

The man immediately approached me, and I noticed that though he may be good-looking, my Harry was still more handsome.

"Are you Ms. Rodriguez?" He asked.

I got up immediately. "Yes. I am Ashley Rodriguez." He smiled. I noticed his even and white teeth. This guy could easily be a model for a toothpaste commercial. I smiled.

"I'm Luke Tuazon, secretary of the CEO." He held out his hand, and I immediately took it in mine.

“Please follow me.” He said politely. I mouthed my thanks to the receptionist, who just nodded in response.

The office was enormous, the design was minimalist, and with the grey, white, and black color scheme it felt very manly. There were couches in the middle to receive larger groups, but the thing that commanded your attention was the large mahogany table at the end of the room. It was big and ominous, and it showed who was in command, but the bookshelf behind the table, lined with several issues of the magazine and hardbound books, made it look more approachable.

I saw CEO Harry Moon facing the glass window, and his hands were placed in both pockets, his white long sleeves neatly folded up to his elbows. Luke approached him and whispered something I couldn’t hear. I just stood there and watched the two of them as they talked. Harry stared at me over his shoulder.

"Ms. Rodriguez, you may take a seat here," Luke guided me to the coffee table.

"Thank you," I smiled at him.

"You're welcome. Do you want tea, coffee, or juice?" He asked.

"Just water, please," I said, and he nodded.

I turned to the man who faked a cough in front of me and stood up, alerted.

"Sir, I'm Ashley Rodriguez, applying for Editor-in-chief," I said. Harry did not speak, but instead, he sat in front of me. Not knowing what to do I did the same. I immediately felt nervous when Luke gave my CV to him because he frowned as soon as he read it.

Oh! No! He might recognize me. I felt mortified.

He looks at me and my CV alternately.

"Ashtrella Rodriguez... Also known as Ashley," He said with a frown.

"You're hired." My jaw dropped literally at his announcement.

"Uhm. Aren't you going to interview me first? Did I hear it right? You just hired me right away?" I looked at him in disbelief.

He smirked. "Why? Aren't you happy? Besides, there was no need for a long interview. We’ve met before." My eyes widened.