Back to Back Interview.

While following the patrolling policemen, Fem took the chance to let Mark know that she was heading to the Provincial Capitol for her interview. She realized that Mark has not contacted her since this morning. He called her last night when she was about to sleep but his tone was still a bit off. Was he having his period? Fem couldn't help but smile as she typed her message: 'Hey handsome! I'm on my way to the Provincial Capitol. Be heading to the city this afternoon for my 3:00 o'clock interview.' She pressed send then put back her cellphone in her pocket. She didn't bother to wait for his reply as she was focused on her way. She climbed the stairs leading up to the gigantic building. There were about 250 stiff stairs to climb. The detour was a winding road at the back of the building and she didn't want to make her life dramatic by taking a detour.

The Human Resources personnel who was sitting in the interview room widened his eyes at the sight of the tall but slim cocky lady who emerged from the door. She was on a tight ripped blue jeans with matching brown high cut boots. Her brown jacket was suspended on her hips that accentuated her curves. Her shoulder length hair hang naturally but they were shiny black as ever. There was not a trace of make up on her face. Her lips were naturally pink that she either needs a lip gloss or just lick it once in a while to make it shiny. Under her jacket was a pale yellow shirt and a checkered brown scarf. 'It seemed she forgot that she was suppose to wear formal clothes for this interview.' The man thought. Nevertheless, her aura was breathtaking and her random erupting smiles caught the man behind the table.

"Are you sure you are coming for an interview?" The man raised his right brow at her.

" Well, I don't have a history of envading someone's privacy. Are you expecting someone else sir?" Fem smiled confidently as she brought out her notice letter, her birth certificate and the list of board passers in which her name was found. She highlighted her name since her license was not yet issued. "If it's about my outfit, I suppose I'm not applying for a receptionist or for a secretarial job. I don't see any indecent thing with this outfit, besides, I just came from the village. I hope you don't mind sir!" She added smiling her brightest smile. The interviewer was caught helpless and speechless and proceeded in his set of prepared questions. He was surprised that this young girl acted so knowledgeable and confident and was even crossing her legs as she excellently answered his questions in a bored expression.

"Do you have any connection with Congressman Wang?" The man asked lastly.

" If I say I have, would I be hired instantly? But not to say, I'm currently hired as a substitute manager at their family business down the South City. Other than that, no" Fem said.

"Okay, we'll call you soon about the result. Congratulations!" The man said and eyed at her one last time. His eyes revealing amusement and reluctance to dismiss her.

Fem thanked the man with a slight bow then exited the room. Her interview took thirty minutes because the interviewer made his questions plenty in an attempt to hold this beauty longer. Plus she was so fun to talk with. Her humor, wit and straightforwardness combined were amusing that he was caught off guard several times.

Fem leisurely climbed down the stairs while giving call to her batchmate Annie. She leaned on the handrail as she talked keeping a cautious watch around her. She didn't dismiss her hunch that she was being followed by that rebel commander. She moved aside to the side of the stairs and found a big flower pot enough for her to sit and continued chatting. She also called Rela ang Julie at South City to inform them of the plan.

"I need you to be here on the 5th so we have enough time in case there be any adjustments." Fem nagged them after receiving ridicule and teasing from the two.

After finishing her call, it was almost 11o'clock AM. She took a taxi to the bridal shop where she worked before. A baby boy was excitedly screaming inside when she was outside the shop. Her lady boss must have given birth to a boy. She smiled and entered. She twitched a smile when she recalled her encounter with Agnes.

"Good morning miss! Bride or bridesmaid? Lady Mary asked Fem not recognizing her yet.

Fem squinted her eyes. "Boss, somebody's going to marry me. What design of gown can you recommend for this figure?" Fem beamed a smile in a joking manner.

" Fem! It's you!!! How could I not recognize you? Am I growing old or you just keep on getting prettier and prettier?!" Lady Mary grabbed Fem's arm and shook her like she was a tree.

"Ha ha ha! Of course, I need to get to be pretty first before I get married." Fem said without much thinking scooping the little boy in her arms.

"Really? Then where is he? Why are you alone?" The Lady Mary moved to wipe her son's mouth.

"I just dropped by, but we'll come tomorrow. Can I check your packages, boss? I want white motif with purple accent" Fem grabbed a catalogue from the side counter while carrying the little boy at her side hip.

"That's rare but they're really nice. We only have five sets of them though. The prices vary according to the materials used. But I can give you 20% discount." Lady Mary said.

"Hmmmm... Okay." Fem nodded as she busied herself browsing the catalogue.

After having seen all the five sets, Fem closed the catalogue then chatted with her former boss as she played with the little boy. She assumed this little man must be almost two years old. She rocked him to sleep when the little boy snuggled to her like a pet. She put him down to sleep on the sofa before bidding goodbye to Mary. " We'll be coming tomorrow. I don't know what my man prefers." Fem said.

Fem took a taxi and headed to the city for her three o'clock interview. While she was inside the taxi, she checked her phone. Mark has replied her almost instantly when she texted her. She had three messages from him.

'Okay, all the best my love. Call me if you're done.'

' I'll be meeting my friends this lunchtime. I have also designed our wedding invitation already. I'll print one to show you later.'

' Your 2nd interview is at 3:00 o'clock right? That means you can come over tonight then we'll go to check the shop together tomorrow. Call me if you're done. I'll pick you up. Take care my love. Miss you already.'

Fem was touched. She felt she hasn't done anything to contribute to their relationship. He was always the thoughtful one, always the one initiating things. She considered all these.

"Hubby-not-yet, have you had lunch yet? Please take care too. I'm on my way to the city already. See you this afternoon." She replied to his texts.

On the otherhand, Mark was in a high class restaurant with his old time buddies. Jeff, Dan, Mel and Jethro who has taken a three month vacation from working overseas. Mark's cellphone 'ding'ed with a message from his woman. He has been waiting for her reply since this morning, not finding the courage to call her for fear that he might disrupt her from anything she is doing.

Mark's forehead creased as his lips pursed and smiled when he read her text. 'Hubby-not-yet!? Ha! This woman always teases me! Wait if I'm not going to make you pay for your teasing.' He can't wait to tickle her till she beg for him to fix her words.

Fem went into the small restaurant nearby the building where she was to have her interview. She took time to eat her lunch while browsing her phone. She searched for gown designs and set-ups. She found some catering services that included set-ups, decorations, and make ups. There was also food caterring services. The problem was that they were holding the wedding on a mountain!

Seeing the time was near, Fem got ready then went to the interview. The Chief of the Architectural Firm was the one who interviewed her. He just asked Fem to draw some three building designs and project them at three different angles each within an hour. Fem recalled her sketches during school years. She grabbed the mechanical pencil, paper, and foot rule in front of her then started what seemed to be just random lines. After 45 minutes, she pushed three sketch papers infront of the Chief. "

"Done sir!" Fem's voice snapped the man back from his sleepy state. ' I can make another one with my remaining time, but I don'tnt see any more sketch papers." Fem smiled teasingly.

The man flipped the three papers in front of him, unable to believe that he was seeing a detailed and very neat work all completed in less than an hour! Most of his interviewees have just completed only one, almost finishing the second but with so many erasures and uneven lines. This one, however, really astounded him and she even challenged him to do one more! Are her hands even human hands? Is she sure they not mechanical hands?

"These are impressive! What school did you graduate from?" The chief asked.

"There's a lowly government school in the Northern Province called Northern Province University chief! Its where I graduated from, but you can give credit to my genes more than the school sir! " Fem smiled lightly.

"You're not too arrogant, are you?" The chief did not look at Fem. His eyes were fixed on the sketch in his hands.

"Oh sorry, but my arrogance will not affect my job nevertheless. It's not like writing or speaking, right?" Fem couldn't help a chuckle seeing the man's face a bit displeased but amused at the same time.

"Okay, right now, we have lesser clients. Are you willing to accept our terms? I will send them to you for you to consider. Of course, you're hired but you need to read our conditions." The chief said then stood and offered his hand for a hand shake. Fem took his hand for a handshake, thanked him then bid goodbye.

Fem called Mark as soon as she stepped out of the interview room. She waited at the lobby of the building, still cautious of her safety. It's better to stay safe than sorry.

After fifteen minutes, a Ferrari parked in front of the building. The second it parked, there emerged the figure of the tall stoic military man dressed in his faded blue jeans and white collared shirt. Fem's heart skipped and her eyes widened at the sight of him. He seemed to be transforming everytime she sees him. She suddenly didn't know how to approach him.

Fem didn't have any idea how rich Mark's family is since he never mentioned it to her. Either it was because they hadn't have time to know each other before, or she just wasn't interested in his status or money or power . All she knew was that when he caught her attention at the bar three years ago, she knew in her heart that he is worthy of her respect, devotion and love. So she decided to love the man, period!