5. Job Interview

Elisa looked at Kevin with a horrified look on her face.

"I don't understand," her voice shook.

"I am afraid I'm going to have to let you go," Kevin cleared his throat and repeated himself. He knew it'd be hard as Elisa didn't do anything wrong, but he couldn't refuse Ansel Adams. Aside from the money he offered him, he was a powerful man. Who knows what he would do if he crossed him.

"But why? There must be a reason," Elisa asked.

The timing couldn't be worse. She just found out her father needed money from her, and she was almost getting evicted alongside her six year old daughter. And now she was about to lose the only job she had. It was as if her whole world was crumbling down. What did she do to deserve this?

"All I can tell you is that you offended someone very important. I can't give you any more details. He is very powerful and well. He donated a huge amount of money to our café, so I can't afford to lose his support," Kevin said everything in one breath. He hides the fact that the money goes directly into his pocket for obvious reasons.

"Please. You can't do this to me! I have a six year old daughter to feed," Elisa forced herself not to cry.

"You are a hardworking young woman. I'm sure you'll find something else," Kevin stood up and opened his office door, motioning her to leave.

"Kevin, please! This isn't right!" Elisa pleaded on last time.

"I am sorry, Elisa, but it's time for you to leave," Kevin said in a harsh tone.

Elisa sighed and headed out the door. She couldn't go home until she found a solution to her problem. There was no way she could sleep with her sleazy landlord. She felt dirty just by thinking about it.

She went to few different places and filled out applications. She felt defeated as she realized there was no she could find a job this fast.

Her phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number. She picked up the phone in case it was from places where she previously applied for a job.

"Miss Elisa Campbell?" a female voice spoke on the other side.

"Yes?" she asked.

"This is Tiffany from Adams Corp. How are you?" Tiffany chirped.

"I'm good?" Elisa was utterly confused. She didn't know a Tiffany but the name Adams Corp. sounded vaguely familiar.

"I was just calling to let you know that your interview for the receptionist position will start at 2 pm tomorrow. Please dress accordingly, and we will see you there. The address is...."

"Wait!" Elisa interrupted before she continued. "What interview?" she asked.

"The receptionist position you applied for. Unless you are telling me it was a mistake. Should I cancel it?" Tiffany asked.

The wheels turned in Elisa's brain. She was still confused as she didn't remember applying for a job there. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

Elisa felt suspicious. What if this was a scam? But she had to take the chance as she desperately needed a job. Maybe this was one of those places she applied to before then forgot because they never called her back. Perhaps that's why the name sounded familiar.

"No, no, don't cancel it. I'll be there tomorrow at 2 pm sharp," Elisa said quickly.

"Excellent. Report to the lobby, and someone will direct you to the interview room," Tiffany informed her, then hung up the phone.

The next day, Elisa put on her white blouse and a knee-length pencil skirt she had laid out the night before. The only decent outfit she had that was somewhat professional. She put on some light makeup and tied her messy curls in French braids.

"You look very pretty, mommy," Audre said.

"I do? You promise?" Elisa smiled.

"Pinky promise!" Audre exclaimed and held out her pinky. Elisa laughed and connected her pinky to hers.

"Come on, Audre. Don't make your mom late," Esmeralda picked up Audre. "Good luck Miss Elisa," she smiled.

"Thank you. I'll be back in a few hours. You behave yourself, Audre," Elisa looked at her daughter and said. Audre nodded, then asked Esmeralda to read her a story.

Elisa headed to the address Tiffany provided. It was right across the street from the café. Her memory started to come back as she saw the building. Didn't that annoying guy at the café said he worked here? The one who asked her out on a date. She tuned him out and threw away his business card before looking at the name since she didn't care about his advances. It didn't matter now. She needed to do well in this interview.

She reported to the receptionist desk. A woman with light brown hair and blue eyes flashed her a friendly smile and stood up. Elisa noticed the woman was pregnant. So pregnant that she looked like the baby is about to bust out any moment now.

"You must be Miss Campbell. I'm Tiffany. We spoke on the phone," she said.

"Please, call me Elisa," Elisa said softly.

"Follow me to the board room, and the owners will join you shortly. I will also join you briefly," Tiffany informed her, then led her to the board room.

Elisa sat down on one of the chairs and waited nervously. Tiffany mentioned owners. Were there more than one? What kind of people were they? She hoped they weren't too snobby.

Tiffany came in and asked her a few questions about her experiences as a receptionist. Luckily, Elisa worked as a desk clerk in a doctor's office before, so it wasn't like she was completely oblivious to this position. She also had good grades in high school. If she went to college, she would be in a better situation than this.

The door opened, and a gorgeous woman with piercing grey eyes walked in.

"Elisa, right? I'm surprised to see you here," the woman said, but she had a friendly smile painted on her face.

Wait a minute...it's that woman from the café. The one who was having lunch with that jerk. That means he does work in this company!

"I am Anya Adams. I'm one of the owners. My brother will join us soon," the woman named Anya went on.

"Glad you could make it, Elisa."

A deep voice spoke behind her, and her heart leaped. Oh god, he was one of the owners? Elisa was not amused.