What was Eva Atelier doing in the Mayor’s office? Why did she want to apply for the secretary position? Did she suspect anything?
However, Eva’s body language and words did nothing to suggest she knew Victor’s real identity. He had to treat her like any other candidate and eventually get rid of her.
“Take a seat.”
“Thanks, sir.”
“Your application says you are a fresh graduate from Carmine University. But you are a citizen of Springfield? Why did you go out of state to complete your education? Aren’t universities here not good enough?”
Eva exuded confidence. “My parents shifted to Carmine City for business reasons, so I was bound to move with them. I had no choice but to enroll in a private university there. However, my heart was always in Springfield, and it always will be…”
Something was left unsaid in her words. Was she referring to the late Victor Damone?
“Alright. But it appears you are a fresher with no experience. Why should I hire you for a work profile that demands knowledge of government work?”
Eva offered Victor a professional smile. “I am a fresher indeed, sir. However, I majored in city planning and management. My internship was in Carmine City Hall. Moreover, I am a local of Springfield, and I have memorized every street and avenue. You can test me.”
Victor felt like smiling at her answer. The little Eva had grown up to be a smart and resourceful lady. Who wouldn’t want to hire this beautiful dynamo?
“I’ll move on to the tougher questions. Recently, several mines were discovered in the Tuscan hills. How can the city manage these new resources?”
Eva shifted in her seat but kept her voice professional. “Sir, mining companies in Springfield have always been corrupt, constricting the city’s economic development. Current local prices are too high for us to mine the resources. Moreover, the mafia and terrorists may still be active in pockets. They pose a danger to civilian miners.”
Victor raised an eyebrow. “What do you suggest?”
“I studied the recent news and know Springfield will be transformed into a military city. What we can do is lease the national army’s mining unit. Not only would that reduce costs considerably but also solve the security issue. The army can defend itself.”
Victor broke into a thin smile. “Interesting. Last question. Which candidate would you favor for the upcoming mayoral elections? Anybody in particular? And would you go for an experienced politician or an ideologue libertarian?”
Eva smiled confidently as if she had rehearsed the answer. “Neither, sir. Politicians and ideologues are ill-equipped to handle Springfield’s unique circumstances. We suffered through a massive terrorist attack, for god’s sake! The city needs a strong, no-nonsense administrator like yourself to help it get back on its feet. I am not saying this to flatter you, sir. Elections could be conducted three years later when Springfield develops into a fortified, self-dependent, military city.”
Victor nodded and closed her file. “Alright. The interview is over.”
Eva looked satisfied with how the interview went. She waited for Victor to deliver the good news.
“You are indeed an excellent candidate for the secretary position, Miss Atelier. However, we do not hire freshers. It’s a government policy. Thanks for applying, though.”
Eva was probably the best candidate for the job until now. However, Victor would feel like engaging in nepotism by hiring her. Moreover, he couldn’t be comfortable around someone attached to his past.
Eva’s smile faltered, and she bit her lips tensely. Victor left his seat to leave. “That will be all, Miss Atelier. I have a meeting to attend.”
Eva remained in her seat as the Mayor walked away.
“Wait!” she exclaimed suddenly. Victor stopped in his tracks and turned. “Yes?”
“Mr. Cromwell… What if I give you a critical reason to hire me? Something you really need and crave? Would you be willing to reconsider me?”
Victor raised an eyebrow. Was Eva trying to seduce him? Did she just suggest she was willing to exchange sexual favors for the job? That was quite unlike her.
But Victor had met Eva after a long time. Who knew how much she had changed? Perhaps the young beauty needed a job desperately?
Victor also wondered if his strict attitude towards Eva during the interview gave her the wrong idea that he was interested in an indecent proposal.
“What is it I really need and crave?”
Eva pursed her lips and took a careful step towards Victor. “Trust.”
The unexpected answer confused Victor. “Trust? You and I are meeting for the first time, Miss Atelier. There is no way to establish trust between us at such short notice. If that was your best attempt at convincing me, let me tell you it was unsuccessful.”
Eva smiled a bitter smile in response. The adolescent features Victor remembered manifested on her face. He inhaled sharply as the realization hit him.
“Is this convincing enough?” Without warning, Eva rushed towards Victor and wrapped her arms around him. The young man was taken aback, but he stayed in place.
Victor made a last attempt to feign ignorance. “What are you doing, Miss Atelier? This is unacceptable behavior!”
Eva clung to him even more passionately, burying her head in his chest. She began to weep softly.
“You can trick the rest of the world, Victor Damone!” she exclaimed through sobs. “But you can’t fool me!”