Mulling over his thoughts, the elevator finally came to a halt, and Theron let out a deep exhale, attempting to steady his racing heart. Each step he took as he left the elevator felt burdened by the weight of anticipation.
It was then that a woman's voice broke the silence, startling Theron's anxious soul. She greeted him with a friendly wave, her warm smile putting him slightly at ease. Although he couldn't place her face, Theron felt a strange comfort in her demeanor. He approached her, drawn to the familiarity she exuded.
"Hi," the woman greeted with a warm smile, initiating the conversation.
"Hello. I'm—" Theron began to introduce himself, but before he could finish, she interrupted.
"You're Theron Amherst, right?" She asked eagerly, seeking confirmation.
Theron's heart skipped a beat, and he silently hoped she didn't notice the slight movement of his shirt over his chest, a result of his pounding heart. "Ah- Yes, that's correct!"
"Come with me. By the way, I'm Andy, the president's secretary," she introduced herself, her tone friendly and welcoming.
Theron followed her, his mind racing with a flurry of questions as he obediently trailed behind Andy. He wanted to pause and inquire about who would be conducting his interview, but his shyness inhibited him from doing so.
"Ah, A-andy?" he stammered slightly, his voice wavering with nerves. "Ma'am Andy," he quickly corrected himself, trying to show respect.
"Yes?" Andy stopped walking and turned to face him, curiosity evident in her eyes.
Theron gathered his courage and finally voiced his query, "Can I ask how my application letter ended up here?"
"You will find out soon. Okay, I completely forgot that I have some urgent matters to attend to in the office of the chief operating officer," Andy explained apologetically. "Listen, your designated interviewer is eagerly waiting for you. There," she pointed towards the end of the hallway, a visual confirmation of the room's presence. Theron's eyes focused on it, realizing that it was none other than the president's office itself.
"W-what, Andy?" Theron stammered, his mind swirling with confusion and curiosity.
"He is waiting for you in there," Andy replied, her voice gentle and reassuring.
Theron couldn't help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over him. "You're making me feel even more anxious."
Andy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Take a deep breath. You'll be fine. Your interviewer is expecting you."
Baffled, Theron asked, "But why in the president's office?" He couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind this unexpected setup.
Andy paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Look, I need to finish some urgent reports. Just go there, and you will understand why." With that, she gestured towards the room before turning away.
Theron resisted the urge to call out her name or chase after her, aware of the need for silence and professionalism amidst the office environment. He inhaled deeply, as if preparing himself to drink twenty glasses of water, before mustering the courage to step towards the mysterious room that awaited him.
"Good morning," Theron greeted as he stood outside the office, his voice echoing in the stillness. He strained his ears, hoping for a response from within, but the silence persisted. Doubtful, he reached out to test the doorknob, finding it unlocked. Taking a deep breath, he turned it slowly and pushed the door open, stepping cautiously into the room.
The sight that greeted him was nothing short of grandeur. It was a spacious office adorned with a magnificent gold chandelier, casting a warm glow over the meticulously organized shelves, filled with important documents. A centerpiece of fresh flowers on the table added a touch of elegance and freshness to the atmosphere.
"Tuloy ka," (come in) a voice suddenly spoke, catching Theron off guard. He hesitated, unsure of where the voice had originated from, yet there was an undeniable familiarity that tugged at a distant corner of his mind. Despite his confusion, he resisted the urge to sit down, opting to remain standing and observe his surroundings.
"Good morning," Theron repeated, soaking in the view offered by the large glass window that stretched across one wall. The scene outside was breathtaking, a picturesque vista of the sea, inviting him to come closer and marvel at its beauty. However, an unexplained force seemed to hold him back, preventing him from approaching the impressive glass pane.
His gaze fell upon a nearby table, on which a scattering of red rose petals lay. He couldn't help but wonder why such a romantic touch adorned the office of a CEO. Nevertheless, he pushed the thought aside as a faint cough reached his ears, snapping him back to the present.
He turned his head abruptly, only to be met with an unexpected sight. It sent a jolt of electricity through his body, rendering him immobile and unable to even blink.
The man before him returned his gaze, unruffled by the surprise encounter. His golden brown eyes held no trace of astonishment, but rather a calculated scrutiny. As he observed every minute detail, Theron couldn't help but reciprocate, trying to decipher the man's every movement and discern his true intentions.
What should Theron say? Should he seize the initiative and strike up a conversation? Perhaps, as fate would have it, this man was also an employee within the same company, despite the unusual circumstances of their encounter.
"Oh, long time no see, Mr—"
"Theron," Theron interjected, his tone firm, as he preferred not to give away his name so easily.
He couldn't fathom why there was no hint of surprise on the man's face upon their unexpected reunion. Leaning confidently against the wall, he wore an enigmatic smile and a quizzical tilt of the head, leaving Theron perplexed as to the reason for such nonchalance.
"Are you working here?" Theron inquired, his gaze momentarily scanning the man's attire. Notably, he was dressed in a simple white t-shirt that accentuated his casual demeanor, paired with khaki pants and sneakers.
"When?" Theron's voice dropped to a barely audible murmur, his mind flooded with numerous questions begging to be asked. However, something restrained him from engaging in a conversation with this intriguing individual. Among the reasons was an unpleasant past experience that lingered in his memory.
Ah, it dawned on him. Perhaps this man had been a longstanding presence within these walls, based on his complete absence of surprise. Theron couldn't help but conclude that Irvin had deceived him about Kith's departure from the country, further deepening the web of deception that surrounded them.
"Nothing has changed," Theron declared, his voice dripping with pride akin to that of a god. "You're still Kith—" he paused abruptly, struck by a stroke of unfortunate luck that interrupted his intended words. There was a time when he longed to see this person again, but now that desire remained mere rhetoric.
"It's me, Kith," came the soft laughter in response.
His face twisted into a grimace. No introduction was necessary as he recognized Kith all too well; after all, they had shared a deep friendship tainted by unrequited love. What a fool he had been.
"By the way, I'm looking for the president. I have an appointment," Theron replied, a hint of reluctance coloring his voice. Theron desperately tried to avert Kith's piercing gaze, a gaze that he could never forget. The emotional entanglement they had once shared haunted his memories.
Kith smirked and stepped forward, his gaze fixated on the glistening desk before them. "You have been accepted," he stated casually.
Indignation surged through Theron. "Who the hell are you to say that?"
Kith's smile broadened. "I am Kith Sylvester Prime, the youngest son of Miguel Prime."
His eyes widened in disbelief. "You what?"
The only name Theron had associated with Kith was Sylvester, not Prime.
"The CEO."
Theron was utterly flabbergasted. "Hell no." The sheer magnitude of the revelation left him dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the truth that stood before him.
"It is entirely up to you whether or not you choose to believe it," Kith retorted, his voice laced with frustration.
A string of expletives escaped him as he processed the shocking information. "Damn it."
"I was informed by my father that your father has incurred a substantial debt to this company," Kith calmly clarified, his expression tinged with detachment.
Theron vehemently objected, his protests bursting forth. He couldn't fathom the idea of working alongside someone who
confessed with him before —his former best friend.
"Why on earth would I want to work with you?" Theron interrogated, his tone laced with disbelief. "Don't pretend for a moment that I have forgotten what transpired between us two years ago. It continues to be an agonizing memory for me."
Kith's lips curved into a sly smile as he nonchalantly responded, "Well, Theron, can you truly say you have not become a master of wearing masks? To me, that past is nothing but a despicable piece of rubbish."
"I'm uncertain whether I can believe you, Kith," Theron confessed, his voice betraying a mix of doubt and resentment. Their tumultuous history and Kith's knack for deceit left him questioning every word uttered.
"Take your time to consider it, Theron. Will you seize this opportunity to work alongside me? Rest assured, the compensation will be substantial," Kith offered, his eyes drilling into Theron's retreating figure.
"I will give it some thought," Theron replied, his back turned. Various thoughts and emotions churned within his mind as he walked away, grappling with the bewildering revelation that Kith now owned the vast company.
Their reunion had not brought joy to his heart. Kith's true nature as a pretender had been unmasked, and he couldn't help but carry the weight of the profound betrayal they had once shared in their friendship.