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“I see.” She makes another note, and I can only imagine what it must say.Bad with money. Irresponsible.Something like that, I’m sure, in her handwriting, which I can tell from where I’m sitting is flawless script. “Frankly, Ms. Dalton, I have to admit I don’t know why you’re here today. Your qualifications are lacking, and there’s nothing here to suggest that you’d fit the exceptional mold required to work for Vantage. It takes more than a handful of office jobs and a failed business to excel here, and I don’t know if you have what it takes based on what I see in front of me.”
The way she looks up when she says it makes my stomach drop. It feels like she’s not just talking about my resume, but me as a whole. It makes me want to gather my things and hurry out, away from the piercing pale gaze she has trained on me.
But I don’t have the luxury of that. One of the reasons why I chose to interview here instead of somewhere more… accessible, is the salary. Even for an entry level position, Vantage was offering more than a lot of other companies would for a higher level role. Money like that could change my life, especially at this point.
Because the thing is, being an Omega isn’t cheap. Or at least, being an Omega hell bent onpretendingthat she’s not one isn’tcheap. Blockers are expensive, and after losing my business, I can barely afford them, let alone afford to rebuild and put money away so I can have my bakery again one day.
At this point, if I don’t get this job, I’m back to square one, and I don’t want that. I don’t want to have to go back to scouring the job boards online, throwing out my resume over and over and over again, clinging to the hope that someone might ask me to come in for an interview. Job hunting is exhausting, and rejection stings every time. Getting my foot in the door here was such a golden opportunity, and I can feel it slipping away.
But I can’t let it. Not without trying to fight for it first.
“With all due respect, Ms. Livingston, I think you’re wrong,” I say, keeping my tone polite.
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but you said yourself that Vantage Digital Systems isn’t like any other company out there, right?”
“Yes,” she agrees.
“So it really doesn’t matter what other companies I’ve worked for in the past then. Nothing would have prepared me to work here, somewhere that’s the first of its kind. I’d be learning on the job, and I’m good at that. You can call any of my former bosses, any of my references. All of them will tell you that I can think on my feet and I’m a fast learner. I follow instructions well, and I don’t shy away from tackling hard tasks. I can think outside the box and be innovative, which I would think is something that would be valued at a company like this.” The words pour out of me, and I can only hope that I sound passionate and compelling and not just straight up desperate.
“That’s all well and good,” Sienna says, tapping her perfectly polished nails on the desk. “But if you don’t have anyrelevantexperience, then we would be teaching you from the ground up. I’m sure you don’t think we have that kind of time.”
“Ms. Livingston, can I be frank with you?” I ask her, playing one last card and hoping there’s a heart there somewhere under her charcoal power suit. “I really need this job. I think I could do a good job at it, so I’m not asking you for charity, just to take a chance on me. It could change my life for the better in ways I can’t even explain.”
She seems poised to tell me no, the look on her face not budging an inch. I guess at least I can say I tried, but disappointment is bitter in the back of my throat.
Just then the sound of footsteps pass by the office, and I turn to look at whoever is going by, probably about to witness me being thrown out in shame.
I have to do a double take when I realize I recognize him.
He’s clearly an Alpha, carrying himself with all the confidence and grace that comes with it. But even if he was slouched over and tiptoeing down the hall, there would be no mistaking his presence. He’s tall, built on lean lines, but still fills out his dress pants and button down shirt nicely. His hair is a rich brown color, like warm chocolate, laced with gold highlights that catch on the fluorescent lighting in the hall. When he glances into the room, I get a glimpse of bright, mossy green eyes and a whiff of a scent like fresh mint and coconut. Light and sweet and refreshing.
I recognize the scent almost as easily as his handsome face, and I feel caught, like a deer in the headlights.
“Oh, good morning, sir,” Sienna says immediately, smiling brightly at him.
“Morning, Sienna,” the man replies, giving her a little salute.
My heart races a bit as I look up at the man who I ran into on the street almost two years ago on one of the hardest days of my life. I hate thinking about that time, but I don’t think I could ever forget him.
He glances at me, and suddenly I don’t know what to do with my face. I go for a small smile, hoping that’s appropriate, and he smiles back.
“I was just finishing up this interview if you need something,” Sienna says. “I’ll just be another minute or so.”
My heart sinks because that sounds very much like a dismissal.
“No, that’s all right,” he says. “Actually… I’ll take it from here, Sienna.”
Sienna blinks, looking surprised and then annoyed and then settling on something pleasant and neutral. “You don’t have to do that. I’m sure you have more important things?—”
“Not right now I don’t,” he replies cheerfully. “And I need you to make sure the meeting for this afternoon is all set up.”
“I… of course you can do it if you want to, but are you sure?”
He nods. “Very sure. Thanks for handling it up to this point, Sienna. Shoot me over her info?” Before she can say anything else, he gestures for me to follow him, and I scramble to get up and do so.
I turn around to thank Sienna for her time, but catch sight of the put out expression on her face and think better of it.