Rosa's POV

I open my eyes slightly to see myself in my room.

I had to buy a new house near the office to reduce the commute time, which frustrated my inner soul and the anxiety inside me.

I was quite traumatised because of the accident, but it seemed nothing to Tati's mental state.

I hated long rides in a car, but Tati would avoid sitting in a car if she could or sit in front if possible.

I choose to get up and sit in bed for some time.

The bed and duvet try to pull me back as I fight to get up.

I was tired because of managing my schedule the day before, and I couldn't deny it.

Interview. The interviews are today.

I groaned as I looked at the clock.

What if I sleep for ten minutes? Or maybe called in sick today?

You run a godforsaken company.

I got up and dragged myself into the bathroom.

What has become of my life, buon Dio?

[Sweet Jesus?/Dear God?]

I get out of the shower and dry my hair while turning on a news podcast.

=Now for the hot topics today.=

=The CEO of Mesco and Blair was confirmed to have died of a car accident abroad, but the media suspects there is more to it.=

=The meeting held by the ministers was cancelled due to a sudden riot by the city hall employees demanding better working conditions and wages.=

=A mafia group has rented out their private property of land to the government to build a hospital - =

I finish drying my hair and turn the podcast off.

I put on an all-black suit.

Walking downstairs, I see the chef plating her masterpiece of breakfast.

"Andrea, come faccio a mangiare quest'arte?"

[Andrea, how am I supposed to eat this art?]

She laughed and pushed the dish to the table as I reached the table.

"Signora, le dispiace se mi prendo una pausa di qualche giorno?" She said as she washed her hands.

[Ma'am, mind if I take a leave for a few days?]

"Perché?" I asked

[Why?]

"Mio nipote sembra ammalarsi regolarmente. Voglio portarlo in ospedale." She sighed. "Temo che questa possa essere una malattia grave."

[My grandson seems to be falling ill regularly. I want to take him to the hospital.] [I fear this might be a serious disease.]

"Va bene, prenditi un permesso." I said, taking a picture of the dish.

[Fine, take a leave.]

I started eating and she left.
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I went to the elevator as everyone greeted me, and I replied with nothing but a nod.

"Ma'am, the interview profiles are in the conference room." The receptionist ran after me to the elevator.

I nodded in affirmative and headed to the third floor of the building, which was my cabin and an empty CEO's P.A. cabin next to it.

I walk past the cabin to enter mine and put down my bag.

I head to the elevator with a laptop and a sheet of paper to the ground floor to remind the receptionist of the usual questions to ask first and sort them to the third floor if they're good or worse.

A man enters, almost having an asthma attack, running and skidding right into me.

"Cazzo," I muttered as the desk hit me.

"Sorry!" He said and stood aside almost immediately. "Am I late?" He looked at me.

"When do the interviews start?" He looked at the blonde lady.

I slightly nodded at the lady and went aside while saying, "You're thirty minutes late."

He looked at the receptionist, and she shook her head in a 'no', "You're early by thirty minutes."

He heaved a sigh of relief, "You should probably wait on the second floor."

"Fine." He followed me as I walked into the elevator.

"Do you work here?" He asked, looking at the numbers on the elevator screen.

"Sure," I said, uninterested in the small talk.

"I heard the CEO is freaky." He made a face.

"Did you?" It intrigued me.

"Yeah. I heard she's famous for being picky and narcissistic."

"If you put it that way, I guess." I chuckled, heading out to the second floor.

"Are you going to be here for evaluation?" He followed me again.

"Why? Want me to put in a few good words?" I decided to throw his file if he agreed.

"Nope." He came in front, "I would like to know where she usually eats during breaks, what I should do to not get in trouble, etc."

I walked around him, "She doesn't eat during breaks, and she hates people who resemble the personality of a cotton candy."

He laughed and walked after me.

"Waiting area is here." I showed him the chairs lined up in the hallway.

He smiled and sat at the far last.

I entered the conference room and started reading the resumés.

Some were experienced, which I kept aside from the new ones.
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Two men and a woman entered the hall chatting and laughing.

They stopped talking as they saw me and settled down immediately.

"I hope that you have reviewed the resumés as soon as they came in," I said, going back to reading.

"Yes, ma'am." They said in unison.

"Introductions. I forget names." I said, turning to them.

"Alice Fischer, Head of Human Resources."

"Micheal Kenley, Deputy Head of Human Resources."

"Carman Shelby, Manager."

They extended their hands for a shake.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Rosalina Cardello." I shook everyone's hands.
____

After a few rounds of black coffee and throwing newbies out, we decided to call in the others with some experience.

The man I had seen earlier came in.

He saw me and gave me a small smile, probably nervous. He might have mistaken Alice for me.

"Good morning." He said, standing next to the seat, "May I?" He gestured to the seat and sat after Michael nodded.

Carman picked up his resume and read his name, "So, Mr Luciano."

He nodded.

"What was your work at the previous company you worked?"

"I was working as an Executive Assistant to the CFO. My work was mainly scheduling and managing the calendar and tasks to meet the deadlines without conflicts." He explained.

"I suppose you worked there for a year right after graduation?" Micheal asked.

"That would be correct, sir." He changed his focus to him.

"And what would be your reason for leaving a decent-paying job as such?" Alice asked.

"Honestly speaking, I wouldn't have left the job for anything but the CFO was quite..." He trailed off, "Sorry for being unprofessional!" He apologised immediately.

Can he read minds or something? As soon as I feel he's going to do a mistake, he rectifies it.

"I just couldn't handle the work pressure with my family condition at that time." He said.

I turned sideways in my seat and looked at Alice, she gave a slight nod indicating he was quite professional.

"Hypothetically, if the schedule for the CEO is hectic for the day with no gaps, yet, there is a sudden urgent meeting to be attended by her itself, what is your next step?" I asked.

"It would probably be wise to talk with them for a postponement of plans, that is with the CEO's permission." He replied.

"They refuse as they are leaving the next day, and the CEO says she needs to attend the meeting with them." I looked at the paper in my hand.

"It would be best to talk over lunch." He replied.

I hummed thinking I shouldn't have told him that I don't eat during lunch.

"Shall we proceed with the other questions?" Alice read the awkward silence and took her cue.
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