Chapter 1: The Interview

Chapter 1:

"HOW ARE YOU?" her mother said worriedly from the other line.

She was in front of her laptop, looking thru job advertisements. Walked in applications in a hospital wasn't a pleasant experience for her. She got rejected couple of times, which bruised her ego. How could she not? Filipinos were said to be one of the best nurses in the world. Foreign countries preferred them instead of their own. And she considered herself a second-hand Filipino.

"I'm doing good, mom. What about you? Are you taking your meds on time?" She reprimanded, as her mother often forgot to take them on time.

"Yes, Nurse Sarah. How can I forget, when you keep on sending me messages in Kakao?" She heard the older woman chuckled.

"That's good. What about Sander and Dorothy?" She said, as she reached for her sliced apple to grab a bite.

"Oh, both are doing good. They're really busy now with their studies."

"Good, good. Well mom, I have to end this call for now as I need to send my application to multiple hospitals. I'll call you again as soon as I can."

"Yes! I miss you, Sarah. You take care, okay?"

"I will, I promise" she smiled but cleared her throat when she remembered something. "Before I forget, you should take now your afternoon medicines. It's already four in the afternoon there. Once we hang up, take it right away. Okay, mom?"

"Okay, I will. Bye" and her mother ended the call.

She smiled as she looked at her phone screen longingly. She'd only been away from them for two weeks but it felt like years. She missed them so much, especially her mother's home-cooked dishes. She also loved her mother's own version of Sinigang, a Filipino dish, with pork and sour stew.

She snapped out of it when her computer indicated that she just received a new email message. Her face fell when she saw that it's just another rejection letter. A sigh escaped out of her thin lips, as tiredness took over her. She's mentally and emotionally drained from all the turning down she got just for that day. Ready to just give up, she came across another advertisement.

Private Duty Nurse:

We are in need of a Private Duty Nurse.

Requirements:

- Must be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree holder

- Must be a licensed Nurse

- with or without any previous job experience

Kindly email your resume at t_lee @ leecorp.kr

Without second thoughts, she quickly opened her email and attached her resume. After sending it out, she shut down her laptop, done for the day. She sighed in exhaustion and jumped on her bed. Soon, her tiredness took over her and she fell asleep.

"ARE THERE ANY applicants?" Tyler Lee asked his secretary after he called her in his office.

"There are a lot of resume's emailed today, Sir. Should I forward to you all of them or should I do the phone interview first?" His secretary, Joan Kim, asked him.

"Do the interview, over the phone, first. Try finding one the soonest you can, though. Sora badly needs a personal nurse" he sighed.

Thinking about his daughter, he could only sigh. She's five years old. She's healthy but instead of getting her a nanny, he chose to get a private nurse. He preferred someone who's licensed to do the job. Nurses were way better, in his opinion, because she would be able to see to her if she caught a fever or something. With him being so busy, he rarely could make time to play with her, much more of taking care of the kid.

"Okay, Sir. Oh, and please don't forget about your luncheon with Mr. Dong later" his secretary reminded him before the leaving the room.

"Miss Kim?" He called her even before she closed the door.

"Yes, sir?"

"Please get someone who just graduated and doesn't have any hospital experiences yet" he said.

"Why, sir?" She fully opened the door again, curiosity getting the better of her. "Isn't it better if we get someone who's dealt with different patients before?"

She really was wondering why he chose nurses to become his daughter's nanny. Why would he when he could get any experienced nanny. And at that moment, wanting someone who's inexperienced in nursing care, she really found it weird.

"Fresh graduates and inexperienced nurses treat their patient better than those who have dealt with different ones before. Well, in my opinion that is."

"Okay?" She said with her brows knitted together, still weirded out.

Sometimes, she couldn't get him at all.

SARAH JOLTED UP from the bed, upon hearing her phone ringing loudly. She squinted her eyes as the morning sun hit her. She's been asleep since yesterday afternoon, after sending her application to the person who needed a Private Nurse. Yawning, she reached for her phone from underneath her pillow. It was an unknown number, but she answered nonetheless for it might be a potential employer.

"Hello?" She answered while trying her best to prevent another yawn from escaping her lips.

"Good morning. May I speak with Miss Sarah Park?" A female's almost robotic voice said.

A thump in her chest suddenly woke her up. "Yes! I mean, yes... yes! Who is this?"

"I am Joan Kim from Lee Corporations. I've received your application yesterday through email. I will be conducting now your initial interview via this call. Should we go on or do you want to reschedule it another time? If so, we could only attend to it within the day, as we are in dire need of a Private Nurse. If only you get hired, we need you to start working ASAP. Are we good?"

Sarah thought for a bit. A Sarah without her morning coffee is as good as a log. She wouldn't be able to think straight. But this might be her chance and if she reschedules the interview, the person who called her might not call her back later. Given the circumstances, she covered her phone's mouthpiece and sighed defeatedly. There's nothing left for her to do but to go on with the interview.

"I'm good, we can start now" with a newly found energy, she smiled as she said that.

TYLER STRODE IN the restaurant with class. With his gray suit, brushed up hair and his face devoid of any emotions, it couldn't be helped getting everyone's attention inside the place. His cold aura intimidated every single person he passed by. Why would they not? Everyone knew who he was.

Being the sole owner and CEO of Lee Corporation, one of the leading companies in South Korea, people knew who he was. Maybe not everyone in the country, but at least in that part of Seoul, the business district. He was also named, three consecutive years, as one of the most eligible bachelors in town.

At twenty-eight, he had to work hard just to get to where he was. It was not at all easy for him. It wasn't served in a silver platter for him. Yes, his parents were filthy rich but he had to strive harder to prove his worth. He had to work very hard for him to prove that he's more than just his family name. And after a few years, he got what he wanted, but its still was not enough for him.

Upon seeing the person he's supposed to meet, he strode faster towards him. He gave him a lopsided grin. "What's up, brother?" He reached his hand out.

His friend-slash-client accepted his hand and shook it, "it's been a long time, Ty. How're you doing?"

"Yes, it's been so long, Mike." He paused when a man approached them to serve them water. He also asked what they would have to eat and drink. Once he's gone, "I've been good."

"Yes?" Mike asked, wondering what he was talking about.

Tyler chuckled. For other people, they would find it amusing, because he even barely smiles, all the more laugh. But since Mike and Tyler practically grew up together, it's nothing new for him. He already saw him on his black and white.

"You asked earlier how am I doing. So, I answered you, I've been good."

"What about Sora? How is she?" Mike asked, concerned about his God-daughter.

"She's good. You know how busy I am but mom updates me" he turned stoic once again.

"Why not spend some time with her?" His friend asked him.

Tyler stared into Mike's eyes, "You know I do."

Tyler's friend smirked bitterly, "if by spending time you mean, seeing her for about a minute, sometimes even less, per day then I don't know how'd you call taking a day off for her!"

"Are we going to argue about this again, Mike?" Tyler spat.

The last time they saw each other was about a month ago. They fought because of the same reason. He was pissed and they ended up not contacting each other for awhile. When his anger subsided, he asked his secretary to give Mike a call regarding their business, but truthfully, he just wanted to see his friend and make amends.

"I'm not here to do that, Ty. What I was trying to point out is, try to make time with Sora. She's a bright kid and she's five years old. At this age, she needs a parent's guidance. And a girl her age is more attached to the opposite, and that should be you, dude. Not your mom" he sighed exasperatedly.

Arguing with Tyler about the same reason was tiring Mike. But he couldn't give up. At least for the kid, he wouldn't surrender reiterating to his best friend how the child badly needed him. If only his best buddy was not scarred too much, then this might not be happening to Sora. Tyler might have loved the child without reservations.

"And I am not neglecting her needs, bro! So, stop saying things like I am not doing my responsibilities as her father!" Tyler slammed his hand on the table.

The other man seated in front of the hot-headed one, sighed. It's starting again. He wouldn't want a bad Tyler at the moment. They had to discuss some things about the business they partnered and he might walk out on him, if the man in front of him would not calm down. Good thing, he knew his friend too well. He knew when to push his buttons and when to extinguish the fire he also created.

"Okay, I understand. No need to get mad at me. You always do that to me, you know? Anyhow, how's the plan going? Are we really going to venture on an Architectural Firm?" Mike asked.

The CEO of Lee Corporation bit his lower lip as he stared down at his friend for a few seconds, before he exhaled five times. "Yes, it's a good investment. Nowadays, there are many buildings being constructed and remodeled."

"But none of us is an architect, Ty" his brows furrowed together.

"Who said that it's just gonna be us two? I contacted Randall and he's going to be a part of this too" Tyler smirked.

Mike smiled upon hearing that. Learning that he'd be working together with their other best friend, he felt triumph. With Tyler Lee, one of the youngest and most successful entrepreneur in the country, and Randall Choi, a well-known and in-demand architect; he knew that the partnership would be a success.

JOAN ENTERED HIS office after knocking on his door three times. When he didn't answer, which he usually did, she just barged in. Her boss is a man of few words. As much as possible, he wouldn't talk but she knew that he's a keen observer. Plus, working for him over three years was enough to get to know what he liked and didn't like.

"Mr. Lee?" She called his attention once she reached his desk.

He was just quietly staring at his laptop screen. She assumed that it was an email from one of their investors or maybe a board member. So, she just continued speaking. "I've already conducted the phone interviews yesterday. Two nurses stood out the most. They'll be coming here after lunch for the final interview. Should we let the HR Department conduct it?"

Finally, he tore his eyes away from the gadget's screen at looked back at her. "No, I'll do the interview myself."

"Did you read the email sent by the HR Department?"

"What email?" He asked frowning.

Joan sighed. Probably there were a more than a dozen email sent to him and he didn't notice it. "We're also in need of a company nurse. So, I was thinking of suggesting to hire the nurse who won't pass your interview in our company clinic. What do you think? I haven't shoot HR an email yet."

"Oh yes, please do that. Thank you, Miss Kim" he nodded his head, without any trace of emotions.

She nodded back and went out of his room.

"HI, GOOD AFTERNOON. I am Sarah Park, and I am here for the final interview" she introduced herself.

She was told to come by at exactly one in the afternoon. She made sure that she's fifteen minutes earlier than the call time. Upon arriving, the security personnel instructed her to go to the top-most floor. If she's correct, that would be where the CEO's office was. Why would she be directed there? Still with that in mind, she just followed the instruction given to her.

The woman in front of her Eyed her quizzically. She roamed her eyes from her head to foot. Sarah felt a bit intimidated and nervous because of her gesture. Were all of their employees that serious? Aside from that, the woman with short hair had a sophisticated aura in her. She had class and elegance exuberating from her. And she's very pretty. Her eyes were round and adorned with long curled lashes, her face was applied with a little amount of makeup. Her lips with plumped and covered with matt red lipstick.

"I am Joan Kim, I was the one who you talked to yesterday, over the phone. It's nice meeting you" but Sarah didn't feel the sincerity from her last statement. She's too apathetic.

"Please have a seat first" Joan motioned her hand over the black couch on the left side. "I'll just inform Mr. Lee that you're here and ask permission if we can start the interview already, even without the other applicant."

The secretary stood from her chair and walked out of the room. Sarah followed her out with her eyes. "Mr. Lee?" Her brows knitted together.

As realization dawned on her, her eyes went wide. "The CEO of Lee Corporation?! No! Oh my gosh?!" She panicked.

She didn't know that she'd be interrogated by the owner himself. And what for? Isn't she applying for a Private Duty Nurse? Why the CEO then? She's panicking. She knew his name, hearing it multiple times from the news. How would her application go now? She really thought she'd be meeting their HR or the person from their Talent Acquisition team. She tried breathing slowly to calm her nerves.

As she started getting herself under control, the door opened, revealing Joan again. Seeing her emotionless face looking at her, her heart started thudding erratically again. "You may go in now. Come on, I'll accompany you."

Sarah felt her hands were shaking and her knees starting to get weak. Never had she felt this nervous when she tried applying for a position in a hospital. But she never faced their owner anyway. Plus, she has never met someone famous as well.

She shook her head to get back to reality and to shake her apprehensions away. She tried getting up unhurriedly, and once she succeeded without falling, she walked towards Joan. The other woman was still devoid of any emotions, her stare was blank. The young nurse bit her lips into a thin line.

"Good luck" Joan whispered when she reached her.

The short-haired lady turned her back and walked out of the room and strutted her way out, towards a dark-wooden door. She knocked on it three times and entered without waiting for any response from the person inside.

"Mr. Lee? The applicant, Ms. Park, is here now" she stated.

"Send her in" the voice said.

His voice was deep and dark. It was as robotic as his secretary's but Dara found it intriguing. It had a hint of mysteriousness to it that it almost sounded sexy. Biting her inner cheek, she tapped her foot on the floor nervously as Joan pushed the door to open wider. It revealed a man staring right into her. And she could swear, her heart literally jumped, reached her throat and decided to stay there.