CHAPTER FOUR

Kelvin's P.O.V

I was awoken from my deep sleep by a familiar voice, my mom's. I groaned, still half-asleep, and slowly opened my eyes.

"Ooh...leave me be, Mom. I'm tired and in need of some more rest," I mumbled, yawning with my eyes half-opened.

Regrettably, those words earned me a hard slap on the back, causing me to yelp in pain.

"Oww...Mom, why did you do that? I was just about to get up," I protested, standing up and stretching my body.

"Do you realize you have a job interview today? So why aren't you up yet?" my mom inquired, clearly not pleased with my laziness.

Suddenly, the mention of a job interview jolted my memory. "Oh, yes! I have one today," I exclaimed, immediately taking off my sleepwear.

"Mom, you should have woken me up earlier," I complained.

"I really should have, but you're such a heavy sleeper. Your interview is at 8 am, and it's almost that. Now, go and take your bath before you're late," she said, pushing me toward the bathroom.

A bit startled by her urgency, I asked, "Aren't you going to leave?"

"I am leaving, alright? And if you're done bathing and dressing, come downstairs for breakfast," she replied before walking away.

"Thank you, Mom," I shouted, closing the bathroom door behind me. 

I quickly discarded my pajama pants and turned on the shower, allowing the water to cascade over my tired body.

After a refreshing shower and brushing my teeth, I wrapped a towel around my waist and ventured out of the bathroom. Grabbing my hairdryer, I swiftly dried my hair and then applied some body lotion to my skin.

Next came the task of getting dressed in a sharp, slim-fitted suit, along with black shoes and a matching belt then adorned my wrist with a gold watch.

Taking a moment to perfect my hairstyle, I applied hair lotion and styled it just the way I liked it. With my credentials and other necessary documents for the interview in hand, I descended the stairs to find my mother already setting the table for breakfast, just as I had anticipated.

"Morning, Mom," I greeted her, planting a gentle peck on her cheek.

"Good morning. Sit down and have a bite before you head out," she suggested, settling into her dining chair.

"Sorry, Mom, but I can't. I'm already running late," I said, gesturing toward the door.

"Just eat a little to have some energy for your day ahead," she insisted, concerned for my well-being.

"Alright," I conceded, grabbing a coffee and quickly gulping it down before making a beeline for the exit.

"Take care, and good luck on your interview, Kel!" my mom shouted after me.

"Thanks, bye!" I called back without looking back, focusing on the task at hand as I left the house.

Hi, I almost forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Kelvin Birtch, and I'm a 25-year-old who previously worked at a global firm before it sadly went bankrupt and shut down. My family falls in the middle-income bracket, not particularly wealthy but never lacking in our needs and most of our wants. We're doing well, and maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

I must admit, I have been blessed with good looks that tend to attract attention from the ladies. While I briefly dabbled in modeling during my teenage years, it didn't captivate me enough to pursue it further. Most importantly, I wanted to stay close to my mom.

Life wasn't easy for us ever since my father's passing, and my mom was still grieving, struggling to move on. To bring her happiness and help her heal, I do whatever I can to help because I truly love and cherish her.

As for romantic relationships, I didn't have much luck in that department. I had a girlfriend in the past, but our relationship ended when she left me for someone else. But that was a story for another time.

Recently, I found myself in need of a job, and I had an upcoming interview with a company called 'ADOWNS'. It was an odd name, but they offered good pay, and I desperately needed the money. I could only hope that the interview went well and I secured the job.

As I entered the company building, the grandeur of the surroundings amazed me. I realized I was already five minutes late, silently cursing my late-night indulgence in watching "The Vampire Diaries". I couldn't resist, especially during the gripping moments when Katherine possessed Elena's body.

Inside, amidst the hustle and bustle, I saw a woman talking with the receptionist, it seemed like she was scolding her. I minded my business and I decided to take a seat alongside four other individuals, keeping to myself.

Just as I settled down, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Retrieving it, I unlocked the screen and was greeted by a message from my caring mom.

"Good luck with your interview, Kel," she had sent. Her thoughtfulness brought a smile to my face.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll take care," I replied, switching off my phone to avoid any distractions.

Anika's P.O.V 

Returning to my office, I patiently awaited the arrival of the first candidate to interview. Though new to the task, I knew that it was going to be a straightforward process like asking for their credentials, name, age, and so on.

I had observed my father conduct these interviews in the past and felt confident in my ability to navigate the process.

As I settled into my chair, I found myself humming the tune of a familiar song. "I found a love for me, Darling just dive right in and follow my lead," the lyrics echoed in my mind. It was then I realized that it was my phone ringing, reminding me of Richard, who had set the ringtone for me. I had to change it.

Looking at my phone to check who was calling, I saw that it was my best friend, Laura. We had been friends since third grade, and our bond had only grown stronger over the years.

I fondly remember the day we first met. Laura was new to our school, and she approached me to ask for a pencil because her mom had forgotten to pack one in her backpack. I gladly lent her one, and from that moment on, we became inseparable.

Laura had always been there for me, especially during my breakups. She never failed to confront those scumbags and give them a piece of her mind once she found out what they had done.

Picking up my phone, I answered Laura's call. "Hello, Ani. How are you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine," I lied, not wanting to burden her with my troubles.

"What's wrong, Ani?" Laura could see right through me, understanding that something was bothering me. Sometimes I couldn't help but feel like she had psychic abilities.

"I'm not fine," I finally admitted, unable to keep up the facade any longer.

"Why?" she inquired, wanting to know the reason behind my distress.

"I don't want to talk about it," I sighed, feeling a mix of reluctance and vulnerability.

"Okay, take your time and tell me when you're ready. You know I'll always be there for you, right?" Laura reassured me, her words filled with unwavering support.

"I know, thanks, B," I replied gratefully. I cherished our friendship and knew I was lucky to have her by my side.

Laura then mentioned something that caught me off guard.

"That reminds me, Richard called earlier. He said he offended you, and I should apologize to you on his behalf. But he didn't tell me what he did, so for the sake of peace, sort out whatever problem you have with him. I don't want him calling my phone ever again, you know that I am not fond of him and I don't want to Interfere in both of your relationship issues because you won't listen to me, you are obsessed with that boy" she warned, her disapproval evident.

Laura and Richard had never gotten along since they first met. Laura always had a bad vibe about him, and I used to think she was being paranoid and dramatic. However, it turns out she was right, and I was the one being blind and stupid to not have seen Richard's red flags.

"There is no second chance for that guy. He is just like the rest," I sighed, feeling hurt and betrayed. "He was only with me to take advantage of my money."

"I knew that bastard was up to no good," Laura exclaimed angrily, her voice filled with anger.

"I found out when I went to his house and overheard him telling his friend that I'm his ATM and that he never loved me, nor will he ever. He even called me a fool," I sniffed, wiping away the tears that streamed down my cheeks.

"He said all of that to his friend?" Laura asked, clearly taken aback by Richard's cruel words.

"Yeah," I replied, trying my best to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"No one messes with my bestie and gets away with it. I'm going to his house to give him a taste of his own medicine," Laura declared, her anger burning fiercely.

"No, don't!" I pleaded, but she had already hung up the phone before I could finish my sentence.

Sighing, I placed my phone on the desk, feeling a mix of anxiety and fear about what Laura might do to Richard. Laura had a quick temper and a difficult time controlling her anger, and I was worried about the consequences of her rage.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I was informed that the interview process had begun so I composed myself and switched to professional mode.

A minute later, a girl with slicked-back hair entered the room. "I'm the first person you'll be interviewing, ma'am," she said quietly, her hands trembling with nervousness.

"Please take a seat," I offered, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.

"Thank you," she replied softly, I could see her slightly shaking in fear.

"What's your name?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

"B...Bianca," she stuttered, her voice quivering.

"Bianca what? Or don't you have a surname?" I snapped quietly, my impatience getting the best of me.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. It's Carano... Bianca Carano," she said, her eyes filled with fear.

"And your age?" I inquired, keeping my tone strict.

"Twenty-four years old," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Your credentials?" I asked, and she promptly handed them over, which I slowly inspected.

"Why do you need this job?" I interrogated sternly.

"Well, I want to be responsible and not rely on my parents anymore," she explained earnestly.

"I'm sorry, it seems to me that you're not responsible enough. So, if I may, kindly leave," I said, dropping her credentials onto the table with disdain.

"But..." she started, her voice trembling.

"Out," I pointed to the door, not bothering to look up from my phone, devoid of any remorse. I wanted to fairly pick out people from this job and she lacked the composure and charisma for the job position.

Bianca swiftly picked up her credentials and bag, hurrying out of the room. I could sense that she was crying, but it didn't matter to me.

"Next," I instructed Mr. Dunlop, and he called in the next candidate.

The pattern continued with the remaining three applicants, as I rejected them one by one. To be honest, none of them seemed capable of meeting my standards.

As I sank my head into the desk, exhaustion washed over me. Rejecting candidates felt like a never-ending task, and I desperately needed a break.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't bother to look up when the door opened, simply instructing the person to take a seat. But when I finally looked up, I froze in awe and disbelief, unable to blink or breathe.

Before me stood an angelic creature with blonde hair, hazel brown eyes, slightly broad shoulders, and hot pink lips.

He was undeniably attractive, so much so that it took my breath away. At that moment, someone had to remind me to breathe, or otherwise, I felt as if I might suffocate.

T.B.C.

Noeline.