Chapter 8

"Please"

"No"

"Oh, come on, just this one"

"I said no."

Emma rebuffed Stacy and swatted her hand that was holding the eyeliner. Stacy looked at her with a pout but Emma just rolled her eyes and kept arranging her stuff.

As decided Emma had to skip college today and came to Knight Corporation for her interview. Though she put up a fight with Claire yesterday, after thinking about the whole thing all night, she concluded that Claire was innocent. She was only doing her job and Emma unnecessarily vented her anger at her. She was too guilty and ashamed of her behavior so she mentally made a note to apologize to Claire the next day.

Talking about the interview, Emma was least excited cause at the end of the day, she would be simply backing off. Claire though advised her to explain her troubles to the CEO but Emma had made up her mind. She would straightway decline, that’s it.

For her interview, Emma donned a plain pink shirt with black pants and nude stilettos. She tied her silver hair in a ponytail and refused to wear any makeup. Stacy was not at all happy with her choice because the girls who were selected for the interview were dressed in branded fineries from top to bottom. And Emma despite having a killing figure resembled a teen in her formal attire. That's why she was persuading her to use some makeup but Emma strictly turned down her offer.

“Stop being so stubborn Emma. Don’t let this chance slip from your fingers. People die for such a prestigious job. The pay scale is even so high. Just think how much you can benefit from it. I don’t even understand why this insipid job fantasizes about you so much. You’re just being stupid, right now”, Stacy sneered at Emma who kept ignoring her, boiling her blood more.

“Why are you so concerned about her Stacy? It’s not like she’s gonna bag this job in one attempt. It’s good if she’s backing out. There are plenty in line who are willing to do anything to get the post of CEO’s secretary”, Grace, their colleague took a jibe at Emma.

Stephanie, from the accounts department who was second on the list, also supported her, “Grace, I heard that CEO purposely scheduled her interview first. Do you by any chance know him Emmaline Richard Dawson?”, she quipped.

Emma clenched her fists as she could feel anger resurfacing but for their sake, she ignored them and trotted to the elevator with Stacy following her trail. The thing which she avoided the most was becoming the talk of the town. Since that Richie Rich’s arrival, Emma had been getting unwanted attention which now had started to mess with her mind.

Stacy looked at Emma’s hard expressions. Emma never partook in any gossip and always stayed glued to her work. Despite that, those jerks taunted her but she still kept calm. A feeling of respect and pride for Emma engulfed her heart. The girl was something else.

Emma then pressed the buttons for the 84th floor.

“Em”

Hearing Stacy’s voice from behind, she turned back only to see a paper in her hand.

“You know nothing about business so after going through a few sites, I’ve noted down some key points for you which would benefit you in this interview. Just go through them in the lift and do your best.” Stacy said and flashed her a soft smile.

Emma’s heart swelled watching her concern. Stacy was genuinely her well-wisher and a true friend. She smiled and took the paper from her hand.

“And please apply this on your lips,” Stacy quickly spoke while giving her lipstick.

Emma narrowed her eyes, “Stacy”

“Please just this once. I promise I would be out of your hair after this,” Stacy cut her off and shoved that lipstick into the pocket of her pants before she could deny it.

“Hey!”, Emma shouted but Stacy gave her a thumbs up and ran away. She let out a sigh and shook her head. Soon, the elevator dinged and she got inside.

Taking out the lipstick, Emma looked at it keenly and then at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes then landed on the paper which Stacy gave her. She didn’t have the heart to hurt that innocent soul. So, she uncapped the tube and remove the lip brush. Coloring her lips, Emma then smacked them and put that lipstick back in her pocket. She then looked at the paper and started going through the set of questions that Stacy had prepared for her.

Meanwhile

Inside the CEO’S office

“What is taking her so long?”

Bouncing his right knee on the floor and looking at the door now and then, Damien gritted while checking his watch.

He then stood up and went to check his appearance in the vintage, circular mirror that was pinned on the wall. Combing his unruly hair with his fingers, he straightened his tie only to scowl at his reflection.

“You’re going to interview Emmaline, not the other way around, Damien. Why are you on the tenterhooks since morning?”, Scar mocked him.

Damien stilled in his place, “Oh yes. Why am I getting so nervous? Damn Scar.” He grunted in his mind making Scar chortle. Embarrassed, he then went back to his chair and slipped into it. His eyes of their own volition again went back to the mahogany door. Damien again started breathing frantically.

“Scar, it’s too late. Should I go and bring her here?”, he asked his buddy, sounding genuinely worried for Emma.

Scar huffed in annoyance, “Seriously Damien? Have you ever seen a CEO picking up an employee for his/her interview? Stop making fun of yourself and calm your ass down. She will be here at any minute.” He sneered making Damien quiet.

Damien leaned his head on the headrest and closed his eyes. Suddenly the scent of vanilla and roses wafted in his room which knocked him off his feet. Rushing to the door, Damien immediately opened it only to come face to face with Emma whose right fist was in mid-air.

His sudden act caught both Emma and him surprised. She was shocked as to how come he sensed her presence. Her heart jolted in her place when confronted with the Adonis of the modern era. His tousled hair was falling over his gray eyes which were staring at her with admiration and longing.

Why?

Emma slowly looked at his face. His clean shaved and razor-sharp jawline, knife-shaped pink lips stretched in a billion-dollar smile, and that royal blue Armani suit stuck on his well-built physique like a second skin accentuating his prominent muscles was just a sight to behold.

On the other hand, Damien was lost in her ethereal beauty. Babyface with appealing and large blue eyes that were framed with thick black lashes, a small button nose, and fuller lips that were tainted with nude peach lipstick threw him into a trance. He wondered how would they taste.

Emma noticed Damien staring at her lips without blinking. She immediately moved back and looked down. Heat rushed up to her cheeks which even took her by surprise. Damien was also startled and gulped the drool that was formed in his mouth.

‘Damn, what’s wrong with me, he muttered in his head.

He then shifted his gaze back to Emma. To ease the tension in the air, he flashed her a small smile before speaking politely, “Ms. Dawson, please come inside.” He opened the door wider for her. Emma was still glued to her spot. Damien then stepped aside when he sensed her discomfort.

Emma entered and darted her eyes around his luxurious office. Damien quietly stared at her back. The first thing he noticed was her silver-burnished tresses that were cascading down to her dainty waist.

‘She must be around 5’6”’

He thought while gawking at her slim figure like a creep. His gaze slowly glided down to her slim legs and then to her nude stilettos. Damien then walked forward and stopped near her right shoulder. He smiled watching Emma who was curiously looking here and there like a child.

‘So, adorable’

Dressed in a demure outfit, Damien couldn’t help but get attracted to her more and more. Scar on the other hand was prancing in her sweet aroma which made him chuckle.

Hearing a snicker, Emma looked behind only to see Damien staring at her with a soft smile. He then walked forward and pulled a chair for her.

“Have a seat, Ms. Dawson”, he spoke softly shocking Emma to her core.

‘This ain’t a date. What’s wrong with him?’

She was getting pissed by his bizarre behavior but what more can she do except follow his orders. Acknowledging him with a nod, Emma settled down in the chair. Damien then strutted to his seat. Unbuttoning his suit, he plopped on the chair and looked at Emma with a smile.

“So, Ms. Dawson shall we start with the interview?”