Elina stood in line with the other applicants. So many people were eager to work at this company, she thought. Of course they were—the salary they offered had to be substantial. Just look at the building. It was incredibly luxurious. Whoever owned it had to be a tycoon.
Elina scanned her surroundings, taking in the interior. Everything was done in gold tones. A large painting hung on the wall, depicting three men and one woman.
“Elina? You’re Elina, right?” a voice called from behind her.
Elina immediately turned to see who was standing nearby. Ah, her memory really wasn’t very good. It was probably because she used to hate vegetables. Elina racked her brain, trying to remember who the beautiful girl in the fashionable uniform was. Her curly hair was decorated with a glossy pink headband.
“Maira? You’re Maira, right?” Elina replied.
The girl flashed a smile and immediately hugged Elina. “How have you been, El? It’s been forever since we lost touch after you transferred schools.”
Maira and Elina had been best friends from middle school through high school. But because of the family problems Elina faced, she had been forced to move to another city. And now, by sheer coincidence, they had met again at this company.
“I’m good, Mai. You’ve gotten even prettier. I’ve missed you so much,” Elina replied. Her eyes grew misty. “Do you work here?”
Maira nodded. “Yeah, I work in administration for Robert’s division.”
Elina furrowed her brow. The name sounded familiar.
“You’re applying too? Good luck. If you get hired here, we can work together again. I’ve really missed you.”
“I hope I get accepted. But looking at the other candidates is making me pessimistic, Mai. You can see for yourself how unfashionable I look,” Elina whispered with a laugh. She couldn’t believe she had actually made fun of herself.
“Can I get your phone number? So we can keep in touch again,” Maira asked.
Elina gave Maira her number, and Maira did the same. The two of them exchanged contact information.
“Stay positive, El. Oh, I have to get back to my office. I have a meeting today. My division boss is incredibly harsh and cold. Bye, El. See you again.”
Maira waved at Elina before gracefully stepping into the elevator. Elina’s eyes followed her old friend, who had changed so much. She was prettier, more fashionable, and more graceful. Nothing like Elina, who had always been a tomboy.
A staff member directed the applicants to three separate rooms. Elina was assigned to a room on the upper floor. Her heart pounded as she entered the ice-cold room.
“It’s freezing in here. Oh my gosh, if I’d known, I would’ve worn a jacket. I’m going to catch a cold like this,” Elina muttered.
Elina went through test after test, taking each one very seriously. So far, she hadn’t encountered any difficulties. What she had learned during her time in college was proving helpful, even though she didn’t have a bachelor’s degree.
The final session was a face-to-face interview with HR. Elina looked nervous as she waited for her turn. This was the first time she had dared to apply for a job in a building this magnificent.
Elina left the interview room with an unreadable expression. One thing was certain: she had given it everything she had today. All she could do now was pray that the result would be satisfactory.
Click!
Click!
Click!
The sound of high heels caught Elina’s attention. She had been chatting with another applicant and stared wide-eyed at the person who had just stepped out of the elevator. On instinct, Elina covered her face with the folder containing her application. Her heart began pounding again—harder than it had during the interview.
“Oh, so that’s Miss Juliet Melody. She looks totally different from how she does on TV and in magazines. She’s even prettier in person,” the girl beside Elina murmured.
“Huh? Juliet Melody, the famous fashion model?” Elina exclaimed under her breath.
“Yeah, she’s one of the children of a shareholder in this company. Her pictures are always popping up on TV and in magazines. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen her?”
Elina froze at the girl’s words. That girl was the rich woman she had gotten into an argument with a few hours earlier on her way to this company.
“Ugh, I’m seriously so unlucky!” Elina smacked her own forehead.