Chapter 12

Layan's POV...

I checked the time on the clock probably the 100th time this hour.

' I hope this goes well'. I thought to myself just before I heard the door opening. That must be the person who'll interview me. I sat up straight and held my résumé firmly in my hands. Last night Laila told me about Kareem's offer and I was over the moon.

A tall well built man with neatly kept hair and deep brown eyes walked into the room and sat down on the chair in front of the desk.

"So you must be, Layan Saleem".

"Yes". I said. I could feel the pace of my heart beat quicken.

He nodded. "Can you tell me why you want to want to work as an intern in this company?" He said as he looked me straight in the eye. I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes for a split second. I came prepared for this question.

"I want to work as an intern for this company because I haven't yet found the required experience I need to work full time but I know that M&C jeweller's can provide me with that experience". I swallowed hard as I looked into his eyes . He was processing my answer. I hope I didn't mess this up.

"How does this internship align with your career goals?" He asked after some time.

"I actually majored in business administration and want to use that knowledge to work as a business analyst after my internship. I want use this internship to gain adequate of the job I want to pursue. I watched him carefully and it almost seemed like as though he was impressed. I just hope it's not my mind playing tricks on me.

"Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses".

"My strength is my ability to handle stressful situations and work well with others when it's needed. But when we talk about weaknesses, I feel, mine, is my inability to see everyone as less but a competition. I feel me greatest weakness is my competitiveness ". I said as I looked down at my résumé. What if he's not impressed with me? I take a deep breath before shutting my eyes, waiting for his reply.

"Okay", the man said after some time which made my head shoot up. "Your résumé?" I handed him the documents and watched as he flipped through it. His expression slowly changing.

"Wow!" I heard him say, a broad smile plastered on his face. "This is impressive". He said in a low tone before abruptly closing the file.

My heart beat quickened as sweat beads began to form at my forehead. I watched as he got up from his seat and extended his hand for me to shake, a smile still plastered on his face. I slowly stood up in astonishment. Were they really going to hire me? A small smile began to form on my face as a wash of relief came over me. I took his hand.

"You can start work on Monday".

I stood there in shock as I slowly began to process his words. I actually got the job?!

My smile grew wide as I tried hard to compose myself. "I'm excited to have you on board". He said before letting go of my hand and flashing one last grin at me before walking out the door.

...

I exited the room after some time, ' You can start on Monday's, his words rung in my head. I still can't believe I got in. It seems so surreal yet thrilling at the same time. The fact that his few words can change a lot about the life I almost got used to just dreaming about....an opportunity just waiting to emerge.

I stopped walking when I realized that I had come across the top of the stairway. I breathed a small sigh before putting my résumé under the arm that held my handbag, and used my other hand to hold my gown from inconveniencing my walking. Stealing a glance at the flight of stairs I ignored it before taking the first step and the next, and the next, all the whole sparing a few glances at the interior of the building, admiring the exquisite decor of the building. How lucky of a person my sister is to be married to the owner of this place. And how lucky of a person I am to have gotten this golden opportunity.

I lowered my gaze to the flight of stairs and the single sole who inhabited the space with me before taking one more step. As I lowered my foot down to meet the tiles stairs, it got a hold of my gown and before I could do anything, I stumbled forward, dropping my résumé in the process and accidentally bumping into the guy walking up the stairs.

I closed my eyes, expecting myself to fall from the height and possibly end up in the hospital.

Thump, thump, thump....

My heart beat accelerated as time suddenly seemed to sieze. The air around me suddenly felt more dense. Was I falling? Was it the end?

In a split second, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me as my lids flung open.

I couldn't hear anything other than the sound of my heartbeat when I saw who caught me.

His hair was black curly, a few strands fell loosely over his face. His skin was a light brown and his eyes, a pair of hazel orbs boring holes into mine. Everything about his face just looked perfect, but one thing just seemed so familiar....those eyes...

I snapped back to reality when I realized how awkward it was being in this position. I abruptly stood up straight and thanked the man before hastily rushing down the stairs but stopped when I heard someone call my name. I didn't bother looking back knowing who the person was.

The sound of footsteps made me freeze in my spot.

"You dropped this". I turned abruptly to where the voice came from. He stood there with the résumé in hand. How did I forget that?

He flashed a small smile before handing it to me, my shaky hands took it from him before thanking him for the second time that day.

I watched as he continued his journey up the stairs and thought to myself, 'why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?'