The Interview

Emily couldn't believe her eyes. Now she was really getting angry with Verona. "Really, cousin?"

"Every time you call me that, you disgust me. Must you tell the entire world that we're related? Hmp!" Verona's lips were pouted and her arms folded beneath her breast. She looked away and would not turn to look at Emily.

"I told you I'm a graduate. I have potential and it's not meant to be a cleaner." Her blood was boiling now but she was trying hard to keep her cool.

Two men walked over to where they stood. "Ma'am?" One of them called out. "Our boss wants to see you."

Verona's eyes followed the direction of the man's hand pointing towards a handsome young man leaning on the wall. She straightened her posture and smiled widely. "I'll be on my way then."

However, Emily had already recognized the men before her. "They were not talking to you." She said to Verona.

"Please, they said ma'am." Holly leaned forward to say. "Of course they were talking about her and not filthy you."

Filthy me? She didn't even know who she was! Why would she look down on her like that?

"Edward, Jose, tell your boss that I'll be right back." She said proudly and they bowed their heads slightly and left.

Verona still couldn't believe her eyes because she stood there in shock.

"If you'll excuse me." Emily revealed a satisfying grin and walked away from them. However, her heart pounded as she was walking.

What was Jake doing there? Did he really come to apologize to her?? Oh it would be the happiest day of her life!...

"What took you so long?" He said, frowning at her.

Emily's smile vanished. "What are you doing here?"

"Why should it bother you?" Jake replied arrogantly.

With this attitude of his...it was obvious he hadn't changed a bit! He wasn't here to apologize to her.

"You're right. It's none of my business now since we're clearly over."

"We might be seeing each other quite often now." Jake said, but without any glint of excitement in his eyes, otherwise a disappointed look instead. "So for the meantime, stay away from me. I wouldn't want a soul to know that we had ever been married before."

There he was, hurting her heart yet again with his terrifying words. She did her best to hide the pain that jabbed at her throat.

"Whatever." 

"We'll finalize the divorce as you've said. Then it'll finally be over between us. Goodbye, Em." With that, he walked away from her. 

Her spirit sank like a stone in water. But she wasn't ready to show it to anyone. She straightened her shoulders and raised her head high up, letting a warm smile sit on her lips.

Meanwhile, Verona was already waiting for her behind, waiting to hear of her relationship with the hottie.

Holly too was quite interested. 

"What is it?" Emily asked, seeing their faces fall on her.

"What did he say?" Verona asked. "It must have been a mistake, right? You weren't the one he wanted to speak to."

Emily frowned. "Why do you care?"

The angry expression made its way back to Verona's face again. Her lips parted but before she could say anything, a man walked in.

"Ms. Verona, good morning." The man said to her.

Varona put a smile on her face. "Mr. Alvera, good morning to you too." 

"Good morning, sir." Holly greeted too.

The man then smiled at Emily.

"Good morning, sir." Emily said.

"You're here for the interview, yes?" Mr. Alvera asked.

Her brows furrowed. "Interview?"

"Good morning everyone!" A young man, maybe even younger than Emily, screamed as he ran forward.

Verona grunted and Holly smacked her forehead.

"Why did we have to let Jeremy meet us now." Verona said.

The guy they called Jeremy joined them and for some reason, he was smiling brightly. 

"You must be Emily Tinsel." He asked. 

"Uh, yes. Good morning." Emily replied.

"Good morning everyone!" Jeremy yelled a little too loud.

"For fuck sake, Jeremy!" Verona exclaimed. "Keep it down. Can't you see Mr. Alvera here?"

"Sorry, Mr. Alvera." Jeremy muttered.

"So you must be the new girl after all." Mr. Alvera said to Emily, ignoring Jeremy.

Verona stepped forward. "Yes sir. She is the new cleaner, and in her own words, she's very diligent and hardworking too! Right Holly?"

Holly agreed with a heavy nod. "Yes she's right!" 

"I didn't apply as a cleaner, sir." Emily tried to protest but Verona didn't give her the chance.

"Does it matter? Point is you're here now, okay?" She gripped Emily's arms and began to pull her away. "We'll just be on our way, sir. Holly, come on!"

"But she's Emily Tinsel!" Jeremy yelled out. "She's so cool, baby! I was so glad she could apply at our firm. Best graduate of the year 2020 in HillTown University! Whoa!"

"Shut up, Jeremy!" Mr. Alvera frowned. "Must you always be this lousy?"

Jeremy bowed his head. "Sorry prof!"

"Prof?"

"I mean, sir. I mean, what do you want me to call you, uncle? Big bro?"

Uncle? Could they be related?

Verona let go of her hand. "Jeremy, what are you saying?"

"Oh yes, that's right. You've been enlisted for the interview. Make me proud, my idol." 

"I have?" Emily could start jumping up and down now to show her excitement.

"Interview, you haven't been employed yet." Jeremy corrected.

"Oh, right. Of course, yes. I'm ready for the interview!"

The look on Verona's face was hideous. Her brows arched really high and her eyes bulged out with lips pressed against each other. She could even be fuming!

But Emily didn't care. "When do I start?"

"Come with me." Jeremy said. Emily followed and she could have sworn she felt Verona's eyes fall on her back as she walked away.

She was being led into a wide hall where they finally stopped at the entrance of a grand office. She was to step in and start her interview with a newly transferred Director and CEO. 

"Although, I can assure you, you've gotten the job. Your skills are just super! I wonder why you didn't start work immediately and waited two whole years." His words trailed off as he thought hard for an answer to his question.

Of course she abandoned her career and got married, thanks to her mother. 

"Oh well!" Jeremy spat out startling Emily. "Good news is that you're here now. Go on now, good luck!"

The air around her seized and she paused, trying to fill at least a little air into her lungs to stop herself from fainting from anxiety.

Slowly, she regained consciousness again and pulled the door knob open to enter. It felt chilly against her fingers.

Stepping in, she got to see the room was even wider than she'd thought. A chair was in the middle as she walked in further, and three figures were seated opposite her on high seats.

One woman by the left, then a man to the right. And in the middle...

Emily swallowed and for a moment, she thought her eyes were seeing double. 

In the middle was her worst nightmare. Jake fucking Hilton.

"Please have your seat, Ms. Tinsel. We don't have all day." He spat out, eyes lacking any form of sympathy in them.

How was the outcome of her employment in his hands! Why?!