Mysterious CEO

Chapter 1 - First day

Rose's POV

I woke up with the alarm ringing in my ear. I put out the alarm and rubbed my eyes and sat up with a yawn. It’s just six in the morning and I hate waking up early. Today is my first day at work and I don’t want to be late. Well my name is Rose and I live alone in a one-bedroom apartment. I do have a sad past and I don’t like to remember it. I had been brought up in an orphanage but not because I am an orphan. Again technically I am an orphan because I don’t know where my parents are. Let’s leave the sad part. I am a self-made person and no one can claim over my achievements except for Mrs. Collins. The orphanage authorities were able to provide just for my schooling. I was just 16 when they asked me to join their seminary as a nun. I didn’t want that but had no choice. So, I planned for several days and ran away from the orphanage. I somehow managed to reach California from the orphanage in Arizona. Before I left the orphanage I made sure to get my school certificates.

Thanks to my physique, I looked older than my age at that time and so I got a job as a waitress. I started working there and also searched for a way to enroll myself in some college. But it was difficult without a guardian as I was still underage. It was around after three months of working at the restaurant, I got the chance to meet the owner of the restaurant. The owner was a middle aged lady named Mrs. Margaret Collins. She liked my work and she called me to know more about myself. For some reason I didn’t feel like lying to her. So I told her my story and it melted her heart. She asked me where I was staying and at that time I was staying at the staff quarters set by the restaurant behind the restaurant itself. Five of us stayed in that single room with a toilet. Mrs. Collins invited me to stay with her and work at her home. I accepted the offer as she also promised to be my guardian and help me in getting enrolled in some college.

From that day I started to stay with Mrs. Collins and did all her household chores and also worked at the restaurant. Mrs. Collins lived alone as she was a widow. She had two daughters who lived with their families and they occasionally visited Mrs. Collins. Within two weeks Mrs. Collins did as she promised. She got me enrolled at the best college in California and I got a full scholarship based on my grades. From then on I started working part time at the restaurant. Mrs. Collins wanted me to stop working and concentrate on my studies but I didn’t want to burden her. So I insisted on working. I lived with her for around four years until I graduated. By that time, I had made enough savings to have my own place but Mrs. Collins didn’t want to stay alone. That’s when one of her daughters, Melinda, came back after divorcing her husband. She had a two-year-old daughter. So, I found this apartment which was within my budget. It’s small but enough for a single person. To my luck, Mrs. Collins gave me a nice amount as a leaving compensation because I was quitting my job at the restaurant. With that amount together with my savings I was able to buy this apartment. It’s a little bit away from the city but it’s fine for me.

I have been living here for the last two months and searching for a job. I was planning to go back to the restaurant as I had already run out of money. Within a few days I will be starving and that’s when I received a call from the Dumont enterprises informing me that I have been selected as a trainee. I will be posted permanently if I successfully complete my training period. Today is my first day as a trainee at the Dumont enterprises.

I quickly got out of the bed and ran to the washroom. I did all my morning rituals and took a nice shower. I came out wrapping a towel around my chest and hair. Then I arranged my room because I like it clean. In short, I am addicted to cleanliness. Then I went to my neatly arranged wardrobe which is really small. I checked through my dresses which can be counted on fingers. I didn’t have enough formal attire. I chose a white full sleeve shirt and a grey pencil skirt that Mrs. Collins gifted me for my graduation day. I quickly got into the dress and stood in front of the mirror.

“Oh no, what am I going to do?” I cursed myself.

My red bra is clearly visible through the shirt. I just had a single white bra and its strap is broken. I went to the wardrobe and again went through the dresses and luckily I got a white bra. I fixed the strap with a pin and got changed. This time I looked good in the mirror. I dried my hair and tied it up in a ponytail. Then I applied some mascara and compact and finished the look with a nude lipstick. I took the bag and made sure I had everything I needed and then left the room. I quickly toasted two slices of bread and brewed some coffee. I have already run out of all the groceries. I made a mental note of the things I need so that I can get them coming back from the office.

While having my breakfast I checked my balance and it’s just enough to get groceries for a week. I have to borrow from Mrs. Collins as I will have to get some decent dress to wear to the office. I am sure I will be able to find some nice dresses from the thrift store and it will not cost me much. I will also need some money for travelling. I finished my food and washed the plates. I took the key to the apartment and left. I looked at my watch and it’s 7.20. The Dumont enterprise is a half an hour drive from my apartment but I can’t afford a cab right now. So I walked to the bus stop which is a ten-minute walk from my place. I had to wait for another five minutes at the bus stop for the bus. Within forty minutes I got down near the Dumont enterprises and walked to the building.

I have been here once for an interview. I never thought that I would get the job because on the day of the interview I was late. As I entered the building, my mind travelled back to the day of the interview. On that day in my rush I bumped into an old man. He was about to stumble back when I held him in the place. In that process I dropped my file. After making sure that the old man was fine, I apologized and took my file and ran to the reception. In my hurry I didn’t notice the call letter on the floor. I was sent straight to the 8th floor where the interview was going on. I rushed to the elevator and reached the 8th floor before the interview ended. A lady sitting at the desk outside the office asked me for the call letter. I searched my file and couldn’t find it. I requested the lady to give me some time to go and look for it on the ground floor but she was adamant and at once sent me out of the office.

With a broken heart I walked out of the office building. I was about to step out when someone called me from behind. I turned around and found the same old man sitting on a sofa in the lounge area. I walked to him and he handed me the same call letter. I sighed and said.

“There is no use of this anymore sir.”

“What happened dear? Maybe I can help you.” He offered. I looked at him. He was probably in his seventies and still looked handsome in his grey suit. He didn’t seem to be working here. He might have come to meet someone, I thought.

“I had an interview here and I was already late when I bumped on you. I didn’t see the call letter on the floor and without it they didn’t allow me to attend the interview. I need the job or else I will go starving.” I said.

“I am sorry dear. It’s all because of me.” He said guiltily.

“No, it’s not your fault. I should have been more careful. Well I should be going sir. I have to find another job. It was nice meeting you, sir, bye.” I said and turned and walked. On the way I put the call letter in the bin.

Now I wonder how I got selected without an interview. I hope it’s not a fake call. I went straight to the reception and told my purpose of coming here. The receptionist asked me to go to the 10th floor and I took the elevator there. The same lady from the day of the interview is sitting behind the desk. I walked to her with a throbbing heart.

“Good morning, I am Rose and I received a call saying that I have been selected as a trainee.” I said.

“Oh I remember you. I am sorry for that day. I was just doing what I was told to. I was given permission to allow only those with the call letter.” She explained.

“So is it true that I have been selected?” I asked.

“Yes.” She replied.

“But how did I got selected without an interview?”

“Well you should have told me that you know old Mr. Dumont.” She said,

“No, I don't know anyone by that name.” I said.

“Then how come he recommended you and selected you without an interview.” I looked at her puzzled.