Chapter 16: A Wake-Up Call

Ella had met her boyfriend, Michael, at a charming cafe for a romantic date. They had savored a quiet evening together, punctuated with smiles and shared laughter. As the evening unfolded, Michael's fondness for Ella became apparent when he led her to a jewelry shop and presented her with a stunning diamond necklace. With utmost care, he clasped it around her neck, whispering sweet words that melted her heart.

Their night continued with a visit to Ella's cozy home. Michael, who displayed not just a penchant for endearing gestures but also culinary skills, insisted on preparing a delightful meal for her. Their kitchen was filled with the warm aroma of delicious food as they collaborated on a homemade dinner.

As the meal was prepared, they chatted, their connection deepening with each word exchanged. The candlelit dinner that followed was both enchanting and delicious. The two enjoyed their food and each other's company, content in their shared moment.

With the meal concluded, they retired to the living room, settling down on the couch. A movie played on the TV, but Ella, a blend of contentment and fatigue, began to doze off. Michael, the embodiment of tenderness, watched her sleep. When the movie was over, he gently lifted her from the couch and cradled her in his arms. With the utmost care, he carried her to her bed and tucked her in, his gaze lingering on her peaceful expression.

With a soft sigh, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, bidding her goodnight. He then quietly left her room, closing the door behind him. It was a night that resonated with tenderness and affection, one Ella would fondly remember as she embarked on her new day.

Ella slumbered peacefully as her alarm clock punctually shattered the morning stillness with its shrill ring. Without the courtesy of a gradual awakening, she extended her hand to silence the intrusive noise. Still half-submerged in the tranquil abyss of sleep, her subconscious held onto the last remnants of a particularly vivid dream.

However, those fleeting moments of slumber were abruptly terminated when she felt a presence near her, determined to rouse her from her dreamscape. The sensation of being shaken vigorously forced her into an irritable state of semi-consciousness. She clung to her blanket and pulled it up to cover her face, mumbling in protest, "Love, please allow me to sleep a bit more." It seemed entirely reasonable to assume that the intrusive visitor was her boyfriend, whose motive remained inscrutable.

But her unwelcome alarm persisted. Slowly, the realization dawned that it wasn't her partner's persistence. Rather, it was a far more familiar voice, one that belonged to her closest confidante.

"Madam, you are going to be late," Sarah's voice gently intruded into Ella's ears, severing her remaining ties with her dreams. Startled by this revelation, Ella shot up from her bed, panic etched across her face, and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness!"

In a frenzy, she hurriedly tossed the blanket aside and swung her legs over the bed's edge. Her agile movements might have seemed comical to an observer, as she rushed to gather her things with astonishing haste. All the while, Sarah couldn't help but chuckle, deeply amused by Ella's uncharacteristically rapid wake-up routine.

Now fully dressed, Ella turned to Sarah, who was still grinning at her antics. "I'm ready, let's go," Ella said determinedly. But her attire was far from appropriate for what lay ahead.

Sarah took a good, hard look at her friend and couldn't help but comment, "What do you mean you're going to an interview like this? Even a cleaner wouldn't attend an interview in such a rush!"

Ella glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her appearance undoubtedly lacking the polished veneer required for a job interview. Still, she seemed unperturbed by her less-than-impressive image. "Please, madam, let's go. I need to be there on time," she replied, a note of urgency in her voice, as she trudged towards the door. Sarah, still bemused, followed her determined friend.

Across town, Lyall was in his room, savoring a quiet moment while enjoying a meal. As he savored the flavors, he was suddenly interrupted by one of his company's diligent workers, who had brought along an important file.

"Sir, here's the list of people who have applied for the job," the worker explained. "We've taken the liberty of selecting those we believe could significantly benefit the company for the upcoming interviews."

Lyall responded with a serene smile but didn't reach for the proffered file. "You need not worry," he assured the worker. "Carry on as you always do."

The worker persisted, adding that the selected applicants were scheduled to come for interviews and suggested that Lyall be present to oversee the process. Although initially hesitant to disrupt his peaceful meal, Lyall's instincts guided him to reconsider. He decided to attend the interviews himself, feeling a curious but compelling pull to be present for this particular event. He instructed the worker, whose name was Mark, to make all necessary arrangements.

With a sense of purpose, Lyall left his meal and trudged towards his room, making preparations for the upcoming interviews as his intuition led the way.