Chapter Three: The Interview

Zara barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the black business card lying on her bedside table.

Knight Technologies.

Executive Office.

9:00 A.M.

She had spent almost an hour wondering if she should even go. People like Adrian Knight didn't hand out opportunities to strangers. It didn't make sense.

At exactly 6:15 a.m., her phone buzzed.

It was another message from her landlord.

This is my final reminder. I expect my rent today.

She closed the message without replying.

There was nothing left to say.

After taking a quick shower, she opened her tiny wardrobe. Most of her clothes were casual. They were clean but far from corporate.

She finally settled on a plain white blouse, black trousers, and the only blazer she owned. It had been hanging in her wardrobe since her graduation.

She smiled sadly.

"I guess today's your lucky day."

Looking into the cracked mirror above her dresser, she tied her hair into a neat low bun.

"You can do this," she whispered.

Even though she didn't believe herself.

---

The headquarters of Knight Technologies was nothing like she had imagined.

The glass building stretched high into the sky, reflecting the morning sun. Employees walked in confidently, dressed in sharp suits and polished shoes.

Zara suddenly became very aware of her worn-out handbag.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come."

She turned around.

Then stopped.

Running away wouldn't solve anything.

She walked inside.

The air smelled faintly of fresh flowers and expensive perfume.

The reception area was spotless.

Not a single paper was out of place.

A smiling receptionist looked up.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"How may I help you?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Adrian Knight."

The receptionist's smile faded slightly.

"Do you have an appointment?"

Zara slowly placed the black business card on the desk.

The woman's eyes widened immediately.

"One moment, please."

She picked up the phone.

"Mr. Knight's guest has arrived."

Guest?

Not applicant?

A few seconds later, another woman approached.

She looked to be in her early thirties, dressed elegantly in a navy-blue suit.

"You must be Miss Daniels."

"Yes."

"I'm Evelyn, Mr. Knight's executive secretary."

"Weren't you told his assistant resigned?"

Evelyn smiled politely.

"I am his secretary. Different role."

"Oh."

"I'll take you upstairs."

The elevator ride felt endless.

Zara kept staring at the numbers as they climbed.

Twenty-two.

Twenty-three.

Twenty-four.

Finally...

Thirty.

The doors opened.

The top floor was even quieter than downstairs.

Everything looked expensive.

Too expensive.

Evelyn stopped outside a large office.

"He'll see you now."

Zara took a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in."

She pushed the door open.

Adrian looked up from a stack of documents.

For someone who owned a billion-naira company, he looked surprisingly relaxed.

"You came."

"I almost didn't."

"I know."

"You know?"

"I assumed you'd spend half the night deciding."

She blinked.

"How did you..."

"I would've."

That answer somehow made sense.

"Sit."

She sat carefully.

Adrian closed the file in front of him.

"So...

Tell me something that isn't on your CV."

"My CV?"

He slid a neatly printed copy across the desk.

She frowned.

"I never gave you this."

"No."

She looked closely.

It was hers.

Every detail.

Every qualification.

Every previous interview.

Her eyes widened.

"How did you get this?"

"You uploaded it to a recruitment website three months ago."

"You searched for me?"

"I did."

That should have felt flattering.

Instead...

It felt strange.

"You investigated me."

"I researched a potential employee."

"There's a difference?"

"A very big one."

She wasn't sure she agreed.

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"So...

Tell me something your CV doesn't."

She thought for a moment.

"I'm stubborn."

"I noticed."

"I cry when I'm frustrated."

"You don't seem like someone who cries easily."

"I don't let people see."

"What else?"

She smiled awkwardly.

"I talk too much when I'm nervous."

"I also noticed."

She laughed before she could stop herself.

The tension eased.

"What about your weaknesses?" Adrian asked.

"I overthink."

"Strengths?"

"I don't quit."

He nodded slowly.

"I believe that."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

A young woman walked inside carrying a tablet.

She was stunning.

Tall.

Elegant.

Confident.

She barely looked at Zara.

"Sir, the board meeting begins in fifteen minutes."

"I know."

She placed the tablet on the desk.

Then finally looked at Zara.

"And she is?"

"Our interview."

The woman's expression changed.

Very slightly.

Almost too quickly to notice.

"I see."

She smiled.

But the smile never reached her eyes.

"I'll prepare the conference room."

She walked out.

The moment the door closed, Zara asked,

"She doesn't like me."

Adrian looked amused.

"Why would you think that?"

"Women's intuition."

"Hmm."

"So I was right?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he stood up.

"I have one last question."

She stood as well.

"What is it?"

"If I hire you..."

He paused.

"...will you tell me the truth, even when it isn't what I want to hear?"

She frowned.

"Depends."

"On?"

"If telling you the truth gets me fired."

For a second...

He simply stared at her.

Then he laughed.

A real laugh this time.

The sound surprised even him.

"I haven't laughed like that in a while."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

He walked toward the window overlooking the city.

"I don't need people who agree with me."

"You don't?"

"I already have too many of those."

Before she could respond, Evelyn hurried into the office.

She looked worried.

"Mr. Knight..."

"What is it?"

"We have a problem."

Adrian turned.

"What happened?"

"The board has just informed us that someone leaked confidential documents to the media."

The room fell silent.

Evelyn swallowed.

"The shareholders are demanding answers."

Adrian's expression hardened instantly.

"Who had access?"

Evelyn hesitated.

"There were only four people..."

She looked toward Zara.

Then back at Adrian.

"And someone just told security that an unknown woman was seen leaving this floor with company files."

Zara's heart skipped.

"What?"

Every eye in the room turned toward her.

"I didn't take anything!"

No one answered.

Outside the office, two security officers were already walking toward the door.