When I came out Delene was waiting outside and I asked, "How much does this cost?"
She said, "Oh, they are the basic ones.The shirt is only fifteen hundred dollars and the trousers are for
twelve hundred and ninety nine."
I was sure that I was close to fainting.No way I could have these clothes.
Delene looked at me with a frown and I realized I was already shaking my head, she asked, "Is there a
problem?"
"Oh no, I could not take these.I am sorry for your trouble."
With that I turned around, ready to go back into my wet and stained clothes.
But then a voice came from behind.
"Excuse us for a moment, Delene."
"Of course, sir."
Delene left me alone with the tall man.
Mr Mackenzie.
I faced him and said, "I appreciate your help but I can’t take these clothes, they are too expensive!"
His lips tipped up at the corners and he said, "I can see that I won’t be able to convince you so why
don’t we come to a compromise."
I waited.
He said, "You can wear these clothes to the interview and then return it here and pay the dry cleaning
bill when you get the job."
"If I get the job." He shrugged.
"I am sure you will."
I contemplated it for a moment and who am I kidding I really needed to be able to score this job.I
nodded reluctantly and said, "Thank you."
The tall man, aka Mr McKenzie, directed me toward the skyscraper that was K & K law firm.
And I reached there just in time for the old lady to usher the candidates who had come for the interview
into the waiting area outside the office where the interviews were being held.
I sat in the hard metal chair with my fingers crossed.
All the women waiting with me were tall and looked well put together in comparison to me, they
probably had their degrees ready to show off.
With each passing minute I was starting to question my good fortune even as I knew that back office
work didn’t need a degree to assort through files but I was convinced that they would prefer other
women than the one who couldn’t accept the scholarship.
But when the next time the old lady came out, she pointed at me out and said, "You.You are next."
My fingers trembling on the thin file I was holding with my meager paperwork and certificates I had
gotten in high school, I sent a prayer above and entered the office.
Just as the door closed behind me, I heard the old lady saving to other waiting candidates that they
could go now and interviews had come to an end.I frowned in confusion but that disappeared as I met
the dark eyes sitting behind the desk.
"Oh." I whispered softly.
‘‘Well, isn’t it the best attire for an interview."
The tall man, Mr Mackenzie said.
I flushed.
"I— You—"
He gestured at the empty chair in front of his desk and said, "I am sorry I didn’t tell you who I was and
that you were coming for the interview to me.I guess I wanted to see that shocked expression on your
face."
I sat down and he held out his hand for the file.
“ May I"
I swallowed and extended my file.
He didn’t open it or look at it as he asked, "T have only one question for you, Miss?"
"Elsa Smith."
"So, Miss Elsa, tell me why you didn't go to Duke and why you need this job?"
I licked my lips and because when we were waiting outside and were given a form to fill, I had only
written half truth in it so I repeated that half truth afraid I won’t get the job otherwise.
So I said, "Because my mother has breast cancer.She was diagnosed with it after a year of me
graduating high school so I couldn't attend college and she’s the reason I need this job."
At least half of it.
His eyes filled with sympathy and I looked down.
After a moment he cleared his throat and said, "You could join right away or from tomorrow."
I looked up in surprise but he didn’t look at me as he pulled out a file and plucked a stack of papers
from it.
Sliding those papers toward me, he said, "Fill these and sign them with the attested copies of your
identification and other documents that are mentioned.And submit it to me before you go."
"Really?" I whispered.
"Are you serious? Are you really giving me this job?"
He smiled and his eyes shimmered with kindness.
"Of course, Miss Elsa.I wouldn't be sitting here otherwise as this isn't really my job."
My eyes widened at his answer.
"Oh, thank you so much, Mr Mackenzie.I won't disappoint you."
"I am sure you won't.But you will be addressing my partner, but given your job profile I don't think you'll
be coming out of that file room anytime soon."
He shuddered dramatically but I didn't care. I finally have the job to support my family and right in that
moment I couldn't care even if the sky opened up and drenched me for suddenly everything was as
bright as the ray of sunshine.
After thanking the tall man, Mr Mackenzie one more time, I took the stack of papers and sat down to fill
them in.
I brushed over the bitter truths with half lies and mentioned little of my background except that was truly
necessary.
When I gave him the papers and thanked him again.
He smiled and said, "You can stop calling me Mr MacKenzie, it makes me feel like I’m some sort of
doddering old man, instead call me Kaden."
"I should not, you'll be my boss."
He shook his head and said, "Like I said, you'll be answering to my partner, the other K in the firm.So
I’m not technically your boss."
When I didn’t say anything, he arched a brow and I huffed, making him smile.
"Okay, Kaden."
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