Chapter 4

• Jamal Leicester POV
• Of all days, I should have been early to work today, but I went out with the boys last night. I drank so much that I woke up with a terrible hangover. I had to use some aspirin and get some more sleep.
• By 10 am, I finally awake after my PA kept calling me incessantly. I hurried my breakfast and quickly got down to my driveway, where the driver was waiting to take me to my company.
• It's a few minutes past 11 when I get to work. "Damn! I should be punished for coming late," I berate myself as my driver collects my things after parking.
• "Thank you, Gabriel,"
• He is so hardworking and also very obedient towards me and his job.
• I suck in some hair as I gaze at my company. This here is proof of the years I had struggled. The late nights had paid off. This company I worked so hard to build from scratch. Each day I look at it, I'm impressed by my hard work and determination to make it the number one leading company in the country.
• It wasn't easy at all. I had to learn the difference between fake and original gold. Recruiting trusted workers was another hassle I had to face, especially in the purchasing department. I had to gather efficient and reliable workers over the years who wouldn't purchase fake products at the expense of our integrity.
• This earned me. 'Ruthless tycoon' on almost all magazine covers.
• I was known to fire whoever wouldn't put in their best without a rethink. Yes! I had to because I wanted to make a mark in the industry, and I couldn't without sifting out the thorns.
• I stride into the building lobby. On seeing me, Mrs. Bertha stands up with immediate enthusiasm and hurries to my side.
• "Good morning, sir," she says in haste.
• "Good morning Mrs. Bertha. Where are the interviewees?" I inquire. It is the first on my to-do list.
• "They are waiting for you in the conference room, sir," Mrs. Bertha replies to me as she gives me my office iPad to take a brief look at my schedule again while she follows me slowly.
• The elevator takes us to my office on the last floor. I chose the previous floor because of the ethereal view over the city. At night, it had a kind of magical sparkle.
• "You can bring in the first person," while I open my office door and stroll in. A few minutes later, I call for another person while the next person exits.
• "Next, please," while I wait. I am not in any way impressed with the first interviewee.
• She has a good resume, but I don't take a fancy to mothers in this post. I need an agile person to be my business administrator, not someone who has two kids already.
• This job is time demanding. I can't have someone giving me less energy when I need the absolute best. That is the reason I pay my workers so much.
• After interviewing four interviewees, I adjust my wrist to check the time. It is past one already. I heave a sigh and stand up to get some water from the dispenser standing by an ornately carved flower pot.
• I gulp it down and go back to my seat.
• "Next person, please." This would be the fifth person out of eight people.
• Their resumes were outstanding, but something was missing. My instincts never lead me astray. I hope I can choose someone out of the remaining four people. I'm drawn out of my thoughts when I hear a beautiful voice above my head.
• "Good day, sir." I see a tall, slim-curvy beautiful black lady with jet-black hair, brown skin, and eyes that can lure a man into temptation looking back at me.
• A dazzling smile creases on her cheek while repeating the. "Good day, sir," with her sonorous heavenly voice.
• "My good Lord!" I exclaimed inwardly. I am tempted, but I send those thoughts away. I have never been one to mix business with pleasure. Not now, not ever.
• They are two parallel lines that can't meet.
• Plus, she's a black woman. That's a no for me. There's no specific reason as to why I don't like her. She's beautiful, but she's not just my type.
• "Hello there. I am Jamal Leicester, CEO of D&M accessories." I reply to her, standing up to extend my hand to shake her with a smile on my face.
• She receives it warmly. "Thank you, sir. I am Jocelyn Gbone Dizon, one of the interviewees."
• "You may take your seat" I make a gesture towards the seat before me.
• 'Why did she have to be black?' I ask myself as I take my seat also.
• "May I take a look at your portfolio?"
• "No problem, sir. Here it is." Mr. Celyn hands it over to me across the table. Just like the others before her, she has an excellent portfolio.
• Her grades are fantastic too. I am torn between employing her and not because I don't hire blacks, but before I do so, I decide to ask some questions.
• "Miss Celyn, what is the greatest quality you can offer us here at D&M?"
• She adjusts in her chair as she rolls out her reply.
• " I believe that one of my most outstanding qualities is that I am headstrong. To some, it is a flaw, while others who look at the positive side can relate. I don't easily back down, and once I start something, no matter how difficult it proves to be, I make sure to finish it excellently to the latter. This is one of my greatest qualities."
• I love her answer. Other than the perfectly rolled out answer she gave me, she seems like one who would live up to it, but I don't think I would employ her. I am not a racist, nor am I one to break my rules. I have always said I won't hire blacks. Going back on my word would seem like a slap on my handsome face.
• I return her portfolio to her while I comment on what she said. "Wow! That was a nice reply. However..."
• The smile on her face has already changed, and it is being replaced with a stern look. Nevertheless, I continue giving my reply like a harsh judge giving an offender his verdict.
• "However, I don't think I can employ you due to specific reasons best known to me. You can try out other companies, and they...."
• The remaining words die on my lips as she puts her portfolio into her bag and gets up from the seat.
• "Thank you, sir, for not giving me the job even if I deserve it," she mutters sarcastically and turns towards the door jamming it after her. Her cheap perfume and aura filled up the air in my office.
• Something in me tells me that it's not the first time she's been rejected this way because of her calm and collected poise, even when she knows she deserves the job.
• She also didn't even bother to ask me why I rejected her. I push all my thoughts aside as I ring for Miss Rita, who brought in the interviewees.
• "How many of them are remaining?" I ask her when she enters my office after knocking.
• "Three people are remaining, sir. Two men and one woman."
• "Please take a brief look at them and send in just one person whom you feel would be suitable for the post," I say while I look at my wristwatch once more.
• One of the most expensive watches in the world was gifted to me by my friends on my birthday last year. They know how much I fucking love wristwatches. The watch fitted my wrist like I was born with it. I care for it like a baby.
• My mind travels back to the night before. I had fun last night with my friends and the girl I took home from the club. We had fun till dawn before I sent her home. That was another reason I clocked in at work very late.
• I would work on my excesses, but I can't help but think about how tonight will be again.
• A smile curves on my lips as I pick up my phone to send a flower bouquet to my present girlfriend. We argued the last time we met. An argument is a sign that I am getting tired of the relationship.
• I would soon jilt her. Soon, not yet. She's still a bit useful. Maybe next month over dinner.
• "He's here, sir." Miss Rita disrupts my reverie.
• A look at him tells him he would fit the position.
• "Thank you, Rita." I stand up to introduce myself.
• After introductions, the interviewee takes his seat.
• 'I hope this person fits the position,' I mutter an undertone while smiling at his face.
• "Can I see your resume?"