Money can't buy riches

Interviews today!

I hit the snooze for the third time this morning as I snuggled further into my blanket with the pillow on my head. I didn't feel like leaving the comfort of my bed today. I didn't feel like I had the energy to do so. Turns out staying up late at night doing office work wasn't a great idea. It never is. Look at you! What would you take for getting yourself a decent amount of sleep, Miss Workaholic? As Eric always says. And I always ignore. Maybe I should take his advice sometime.....no who am I kidding? I will never get a good night's sleep when I know there's work to be done.

The alarm went off again. I withdrew the blanket and sat up, rubbing my eyes. There was a slight pain in my head-probably due to the lack of sleep. My eyes were heavy and a bit watery. I reached out my hand searching for my phone with my eyes barely open. 7.00 a.m. I dismissed the alarm. The room felt peacefully silent as the annoying alarm was now shut off. The silence was tempting as if calling me back to sleep in my comfortable bed. I shook my head to clear off the thoughts. I looked around and found the laptop resting beside me on my bed. I must have forgotten to put it away last night. I put the laptop on the bedside table and plugged the charger in. I was too tired and lazy today, also my head hurt. So I decided it would be best for me to work from home today. Eric can surely handle the fuss at office for one day. So I picked up my cell phone and called him. "Hello, Eric?" I started as I ran the other hand through my messy hair. But before I could say anything further he cut me off, with an excited voice he began, "Jae, where are you? Why aren't you at the office yet?" I sighed as I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror across the room. 

"Yeah, about that. I think I'll work from home today." 

"Jae...." he sounded doubtful, "what about the interviews? People have already arrived and are waiting for you."

Wait, what? The interviews were to be held on 8th. I turned my head towards the calendar that was kept on my bed-side table. Heck! It was the 8th today. "Yes the interviews. Right. I'll be there." I could tell that Eric had already sensed the tiredness in my voice. "Well seems like Miss workaholic was up all night yesterday", he said mockingly.

"Actually not all night. I slept at 2.30" I said defending myself. He let out a little laugh, "Can't argue with you, huh?" I couldn't help but smile myself. "So should I push up the interview timings to 12 this afternoon then?" he asked. After a little thought I spoke up, "No it's alright I'll be there before 9." He agreed to it and cut the line.

Eric had always been a great friend throughout my journey to bring up this company. He had always supported me in whatever risks I took and always stood by my side during all the failures. He had always been a great partner and still is. His advice is always on point and it never fails me. Hence he is my best friend and hence he can detect the slightest change in me or my voice. It's difficult to lie to him, not that I ever have to. I thought I as slogged my way to the bathroom. I was still sleepy. I entered the bathroom and stood in front of the sink. I saw my reflection in the mirror that hung above it. Damn! My face would easily scare off anyone right now.

It was 7:45 by the time I came out from the bathroom. I got ready in no time. I made sure everything was alright, took my bag with my laptop in it and headed outside my room. "Jerry I'll have my breakfast in the car today," I announced as I paced towards the table in the living room searching for my shades. "I'll have Mrs.Anna pack it for you right away ma'am," Jerry replied as he headed towards the kitchen. When he returned back I was still searching for my shades. "Miss Jae, I think you left the shades you're looking for in the car, Max told me he found one pair on the front seat." I gave him a puzzled look. "Max is the new driver," he replied calmly. Eric had urged me to get a driver for emergencies like this when I was in a hurry. I loved driving but I guess in a time like this what Eric said was true. "Alright then I'll get moving," I told Jerry as Mrs.Anna handed me my packed sandwiches and orange juice.

I walked into the office greeting good morning to all the staff members as I walked towards my personal cabin. Eric was right, the waiting room chairs were all filled with candidates eager to get this job. I entered my cabin, Eric was already waiting for me inside, "Woah, good morning Jae. You look nothing like sleep deprived," he said in his always cheerful voice. It felt blessed to have a friend like him at work. There was never a dull moment with him around. "Well I guess I must be an incredible faker then," I replied giving him a light hug. I kept my laptop bag on the table and sat on the chair behind the table. "So, we good to go?", I asked him. He took a seat beside me, "Yup five minutes before we start." I glanced at the wall clock-8.55 a.m.

Soon the interviews started. Candidates came in one by one. Eric and I asked them questions. Many of them were quite impressive but not enough for me to hand them the job. Eric too did not seem pleased enough. Two hours had gone by, my legs were cramped and my back hurt. I needed a break or a siesta if possible. I looked over to Eric, squinting my eyes. "You need a break, don't ya?". I smiled and got up, with my hand on his shoulder, "You know me too well, Eric. Now let's go eat something."

We came back after twenty minutes, a little more refreshed. "So who's next?", I asked Eric. He picked up the candidate list. As he looked up at the name his lips curved in smiled. "What's the matter, why are you smiling? Who is it?". He looked up at me and said," Oh, it's Brendon Anderson, my childhood friend. We went to school together. But I lost contact with him after he shifted to another country." So Eric's childhood friend, huh? Maybe he could be the one we might be looking for. "So now he's back here and looking for a job?", I asked Eric to which he replied in rather a quiet voice,"Umm, yeah. Actually he lost his father sometime back- the reason for shifting back here. I met him in a cafe about two weeks back and asked him to try out." That was really sad. I didn't know what to say further. I really am very bad when it comes to consoling someone. Not that I had to console Eric. "Okay then, let's call him in." I said.

Have to say, this Brendon guy was kinda good. He seemed polite from what little talk we had. Impressive. Confident. 

"So what do you think?", Eric asked as we wound up for the day. I had kept Brendon on hold as I wanted to interview other candidates too. There were three others I had shortlisted but no one had impressed me like him. There was something about him that made me like him the instant he walked through the door. I knew he would surely get the job. "The Brendon guy? Your childhood friend?", I replied as i continued to pack my laptop into my bag. "Mr.Anderson it is then", he said smiling. Eric had told me earlier that they were really a good friends during school times before they lost contact with each other. The joy of reuniting with his friend could be seen in his smile. "One week trial and then we decide if he is good enough." I said as we walked to the door. "Long day!", I exclaimed, letting out a little yawn. Eric glanced at me, a little smile playing on his lips. I looked at him with an expression that asked what? He smiled and said, "Do yourself a favour and sleep well tonight."

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Hey it's my first shot at writing. I hope you guys like it! Please don't be a silent reader, do let me know what you feel about this story!