CHAPTER FIVE

DOMINICK

'Good morning, sir. Good morning, sir.' A chorus of greetings welcomed me as I walked into the elevator filled with my workers. 'Good morning to you all.' I replied tersely.

The ride up to the firm was quiet, it was probably because I was inside with them. I've heard that I make people uncomfortable and intimidated with my daunting gaze. Even the people here in the elevator are uncomfortable and trying to look everywhere but where I stood. I rolled my eyes, I'm not going to bite them!

Finally, the elevator pinged as we arrived at our destination. Everyone dispersed to their offices.

As usual, I was greeted by my secretary, Dorcas. I feel like Dorcas is the only person not scared of me in the firm.

I'm not seeing any clients today because it was going to be a busy one. K2 Law Firm is interviewing interested students for an internship and I'm going to be there. It's not necessary I take part in the interviewing process, Tristan sure doesn't bother to show his face. But, I like gauging the interviewees to see the ones best for the firm.

This year, we had 100 applications and only 30 made it through the first cut. Even DJ's sister, Phoebe also made it with her amazing grades. I'm as surprised as hell because I thought she would be pea brained.

The interview is going to start by 9:30am and it's already 8:45am. I sat in my office, ate the breakfast Dorcas bought for me before I went to the conference room reviewing some cases. I expect all the applicants waiting outside before 9:30am. Lateness of the applicants is discouraged and will count against them as we're choosing the finalists.

When it was 9:15am, Dorcas and I made our way to the conference room. I saw and counted 20 applicants already present, sitting nervously. When I entered the room, I saw that the assistants already prepared everything needed for the interview, I nodded my head in approval.

As I settled in, the lawyers from my side and Tristan's started entering too. They greeted me and I replied in same. In addition to the four lawyers present, there are two staff from Human Resources, HR. At 9:30 on the dot, we started the interview with the first applicant

The first applicant came in and introduced himself. He was asked certain questions about his educational background, why he chose this firm, the specialty he wishes to work on. He answered the questions perfectly.

After he was done, subsequent interviewees kept entering until the 10th applicant, 2 hours already gone. We went on a 10 minute break and would continue after.

I went outside and I saw a much more beautiful female version of DJ. She must be DJ's little sister. She looked sweaty and frazzled, she must have been late. I shook my head in annoyance and to think I was already believing she was responsible!

I went to the bathroom to relieve myself, washed my hands and went back to the conference room. I checked the list of applicants with me and saw that Phoebe Jackson was going to be next person to be interviewed.

'I'm going to take the next applicant'

The rest of the staff in the room raised their heads and looked at me in confusion. I'd never interviewed any applicants, I just sat in for observation purposes, this would be the first time I'll be doing such.

'But, you've never done this before!' One of the lawyers exclaimed.

'There's a first time for everything

'Are you sure sir?' Another asked

'Of course, I'm sure! I responded harshly and it shut them all up. I'll be conducting this interview and that's final!

She knocked and I said, 'come in'

PHOEBE

The alarm read 8:30am and I have to be there before 9:30am and it will still take me at least two hours to get there! I immediately got up, rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and have my bath.

Luckily, I had already picked my clothes for the day and my briefcase is prepared. I dressed up, and packed my unruly, curly red hair into a bun at the back of my head. I ran out of my room with my briefcase in one hand and my shoes in the other. I've already wasted 45 minutes!

Amanda and Thea were already awake and called out to me as I rushed past them.

'Good Morning! We made breakfast for you.' Thea greeted

'Thanks guys, but I can't eat anything right now. I'm already late!'

'Oh no!' Amanda exclaimed

'Good luck, you got this!' I heard them say as I slammed the door shut.

I hurriedly hailed a cab to take me to the train station, I just hope the train to Manhattan is still running. I paid the cab and rushed down to the subway, luckily the train had not moved yet. I entered and as soon as I sat, the doors closed and the train started to move. I checked my wristwatch and it was already past ten.

Fifteen minutes later, I was out of the train to catch a cab. But, because this is NYC, there was traffic! The firm is only a few blocks from here and I'd rather take my chances walking there than being stuck in a traffic jam.

I stegthened my grasp on my briefcase and bemoaned why I had to wear heels as tall as these, my feet already hurt and I'm sure I'll have blisters all over them, but I can't concentrate on them right now.

Finally, I can see the outline of the Mitchell Building where the firm is located and I hastened my steps, I entered the building, made my way to the elevator, I breathed a sigh of relief, I've arrived!

But, the dread returned when I checked my watch for the time, it was 10:38am! The elevator stopped and I asked for directions to the conference room where the interview is taking place.

When I got there, I saw that there were still 21 applicants dressed appropriately and seated. I sat on an empty chair to catch my breath. After a few minutes, I meant to the bathroom to freshen up and what I saw in the mirror frightened me. All the effort I had put into my appearance earlier this morning was for naught! My face is puffy, red, my hair is almost out of tbe bun I carefully packed and I'm sweaty all over.

I immediately took a paper towel, wetted it and used it to wipe my armpits. I took another for myself and my dusty shoes, I re-packed my hair and touched up on my make up. When I looked back at the mirror, I looked better, not as good as I was this morning, but at least I looked presentable.

I went back to the conference room to see they were on a break and I'm the next as number 11. The numbers were given in the email informing us about the interview.

I sat up straighter, trying to get my breathing evenly when I saw the most handsome man on this planet coming out of the conference room.

He was tall with a height a few inches above 6ft if I'm not mistaken. He has broad shoulders you might see on an athlete, but still looks magnificent on him. His suit jacket emphasised his broad shoulders and muscular chest. I looked down to the tapered hips and impossibly long legs to the expensive Calvin Kelvin shoes he was wearing. I looked up to see the blackest eyes I've seen locked on mine and it was like staring into the dark night sky.

Those eyes looked as if they held the secrets to unlocking the man beneath. To top it off, he had thick, wavy black hair cut short that a woman might be jealous of.

I flushed, embarrassed to be caught blatantly staring. I looked down, mortified and the guy walked on. It's only a few minutes before I'm called in and I concentrated on saying positive things about myself.

'Contestant 11!' Someone shouted inside, I straightened my skirt and jacket and knocked.

'Come in'

I went in and tried not to stare at the handsome guy.

'What is your name and why are you here today?' The handsome guy said.

He's my interviewer! I panicked