Chapter 5

"Can I come in, sir?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Yes, sure," another man, Ethan Irwin, Head of Software Development, responded.

"Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon. Maya Larson, right?" Levi asked, his voice professional and calm.

"Yes, sir," Maya felt a little relieved as Levi maintained professionalism.

"You can sit," he said.

"Thompson, he texted me, he's coming in a minute. He got caught in traffic," said Kevin Smith, Head of the Marketing Department.

"Alright! Ms. Larson, please wait for a moment. The head of the Network Administration department is on his way. We're extremely sorry."

"It's okay, sir," she said, trying to hide her nerves.

"Why is he so careless? Mr. Thompson, you should do something about him later," remarked Dai Suzuki, the Advisor.

Wow, she seems tough! Maya thought. A minute later, a familiar voice from the door reached Maya's ears, "Good afternoon. Sorry there was traffic." 

She slightly looked back and saw Steven Stone.

SHIT! WTH IS HE DOING HERE? OKAY, GET A GRIP, MAYA. THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN FAIL NOW. KEEP YOUR COOL. Their eyes met, but Steven didn't react. He kept his expression neutral as he glanced at Maya, didn't react at all.

That's better, she thought.

Steven took his seat.

"So we can start now. Ms. Larson, would you please hand over your data to Mr. Stone?" Levi asked.

"Yes sir, sure." She handed over the file. Steven took it without looking at her.

Oh, he's tough here, Maya thought, feeling a bit intimidated by the gloomy atmosphere.

"From what I see here, you used to work as a software developer while studying. It was a very good company. So why did you come back?" Steven's tone was firm, almost accusatory.

"I wanted to gain experience while studying there. And I came back because I wanted to contribute to something in my hometown. I felt there would be more opportunities for me here," she explained, her voice steady but her heart racing.

"Why? Why did you think like that? You left for good, got a good job, and then came back. Most people don't do that. Any particular reason?" Steven's voice grew stern and more intense, making Maya feel cornered.

"Um... Ms. Larson? Do you mind answering the question? If you don't want to, we can move..." Levi interjected, trying to ease the tension.

"No, Mr. Thompson. She has to answer," Steven insisted, his eyes locked on Maya.

"Mr. Stone, I think you're being..." Kevin began, but Steven cut him off.

"Why?" Steven asked again, his voice sharp.

Isn't he being weird? Tch! Acting all tough after picking out carrot slices for me. Maya thought.

Taking a deep breath, she answered, "I felt like I could make a bigger impact here in Washington. I wanted to be close to home and contribute to my community."

The interview team listened intently, and Levi gave her an encouraging nod.

"Alright, thank you, Ms. Larson. We appreciate your honesty," Levi said, breaking the tension.

. . .

"Oh, you!" Sara exclaimed as she spotted Shonn turning the corner from her alley. Shonn flinched, clearly startled by her sudden appearance. He hurriedly took off his headphones, a shy smile on his face.

"Oh. Hello," he said softly.

"You skipped the morning session again?" Sara asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I overslept. You too?"

"No, I was finishing some chores," Sara replied, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern.

"Oh, I see." Shonn started walking forward, his shoulders slightly hunched.

"Shonn."

"What?" He looked back, puzzled.

"At this point, you should say, 'Alright, let's go together.' You're so awkward," Sara pouted, crossing her arms.

"Sorry. Yeah, let's go together." Shonn managed a sheepish smile.

"You should smile more. You look more handsome when you smile," Sara said, her voice gentle but sincere. She didn't realize how her words had struck a chord with him. She started walking ahead while Shonn stood there, stunned, his heart racing. Sara noticed he wasn't following and came back, grabbing his sweatshirt with her fingers and pulling him along. "Shonn! What are you doing? We're gonna miss the bus," she said, her voice a mix of urgency and playful frustration. Shonn just looked at her, speechless, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

What's with this girl?

Sara asked Shonn, finding him looking at her as they sat side by side, "Don't worry. I am not weird. I am just trying to be that friend who adopts the introverted one in their friendship."

Shonn chuckles as he heard her, "Yea, You are really good at it."

"Adopting? Yea I get that a lot." Sara spoke proudly.

"No. Getting my attention." Shonn said, looking straight into her eyes.

. . .

"Ms. Larson, you read the policy before coming here?" Steven asked firmly.

"Yes, sir."

"The employees need to sign a 3 year contract, then if they like it enough, they would have chance to be permanent, are you aware of that?"

"Yes, sir. I am."

"Good. But I am not really sure if you are really going stay for three years, I have seen employees under my department who came and went out after a year. And they all have the same background as yours, went to abroad, studied, came back, and went there again. I understand this happens because employees meet better opportunities, but that really affects us. That is why I am doubting, if you are really going to stay." Steven retorted.

"I understand your concern, sir. But I am going to stay. And I am very much sure of it."

"Alright then. Mr. Stone, can you hand me her data?" Levi asked, intrigued.

"Sure. Here."

"Alright, Ms. Larson?" Steven retorted.

"Yes, sir," Maya responded, her voice steady.

"You can answer now."

"It's true that I had almost settled back in the UK. I could have stayed there, but I felt burdened for not staying in my hometown during my worst times. It's a personal matter, so I won't go into detail. But I can say I used the master's degree as an excuse to go there even though I didn't want to. Now, I'm ready to face it all. I might not have been the strongest during my worst times, but that doesn't mean I won't be now. I'm not going back to the past."

Steven simply smirked, a gesture that irked Maya but also fueled her determination.

What's wrong with him, giving just an arrogant smirk after I explained so perfectly?

"Ms. Larson, why VISHO? With your skills and experience, you could've joined any other multinational company," Kevin asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Because I think VISHO suits me best. From what I've heard, VISHO really builds up professionalism in their workers, helping them to serve better. VISHO trains their workers uniquely, enabling them to think more logically."

"Suppose you get selected. How do you see yourself from now until next year?" Levi asked, leaning forward with interest.

"The best, sir. I want to find myself in the best position I've ever been. I'll definitely work hard to prove my worth."

Levi smiled and nodded, appreciating her confidence.

"How sure are you about not looking back at the past? Who knows? Maybe you'll leave in the middle," Steven's words once again drew the whole team's attention, his tone challenging but not unkind.

"Mr. Stone. Can I have a moment with you?" Ethan asked, sensing the tension.

Levi already had his hand on his head, sighing.

"It's okay, sir. I can answer... I'm not going to interrupt my work for the mistakes I've made in the past, sir. I'm certain of that. I won't leave my work for that," Maya replied confidently.

The team nodded once again, impressed by her resolve.

"Wow!" Levi exclaimed softly.

"I think that's all for today, Ms. Larson. You'll be notified in two or three days," Ethan said, handing her the data file with a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Ms. Larson," Levi added.

"Thank you, sir." She slightly nodded to them and left, feeling a mix of relief and lingering tension.

"Mr. Thompson, I have to leave now for an important meeting," Mrs. Suzuki said, standing up.

"Sure, Suzuki. Thanks for today." He retorted respectively.

"It's okay. But you really have to do something about Stone. He was being reckless today," she frowned, her concern genuine. Steven only glanced at her but didn't say anything.

"I'm sorry, Suzuki. I'll talk to him," Levi said.

She left the room, her heels clicking decisively against the floor.

"Dude! What the hell was wrong with you?" Ethan said to Steven after she left, his voice a mix of frustration and bewilderment.

"I won't know if she's capable of this job if she can't answer. They were logical questions, man," Steven defended himself, his tone calm but firm.

"Okay, okay. Boys, now try to be formal, okay? We're in the middle of an interview session," Levi interjected, trying to maintain order.

"How many to go?" Kevin asked, rubbing his temples.

"Four from NA and five from MD," Ethan replied, checking his notes.

"I'm already tired. But Ms. Larson, she was pretty cool, tackling every question professionally. She surely has some guts," Kevin said, nodding in approval.

"Sure she does. She's amazing for some reasons," Levi smiled, his admiration clear. Steven took a glance at him, something unreadable in his eyes.

"Try to maintain your professionalism. We're having the next applicant," Steven said, his voice a bit sharper.

"Yes, be professional and let's not be stricter, right, Steven?" Kevin reminded his friend one again.

"Don't act all dramatic, my friend. I did what I was supposed to do." Steven stayed in his demand.