Chapter 5 - The Interview

After Sato was finished with his introduction, silence permeated the room. It was only after 3 seconds when Siara started flipping through his job application. Her face frowned as she read through the information provided.

How did this man get past the selection phase of the job site? Shouldn't it have only been available for people who had a degree? Siara questioned.

After a short while, Siara took the paper with Sato's information and placed it to one side. "Well there has been a problem with the job site that we had used. There should only be degree holders here for this interview. I hope you can understand where I am coming from, Mr Sato." Siara spoke first.

Her words rang in Sato's head loudly, even though she spoke normally. I... I am not valid for this interview? No chance given?

"But..." He was speechless, yet he needed to say something. Even if it would've made not difference. "Please give me a chance to get through this interview, Ms Siara!"

"I am sorry, but this is the requirements that was set by the higher ups. I have no right to question their request." Her words were painful, but were indeed the truth. Why would such a high paying job not require a degree holder? It was definitely an error of the job agency. " Now, I am sorry to say this, but could you kindly leave the room now as we would have to continue with this interview."

The final words crushed all of Sato's hope of having a chance. He felt condemned and his body heavy. He slowly pushed his chair backwards and walked out of the room with his head low. No one looked at his leaving shadow. All but the Major General. He watched the entire process.

Sato walked by the other 10 interviewees outside. They were either sniggering or looking down on him.

"Look at how pathetic this man is. He can't even stay in the room long enough to finish the interview."

"Yeah. He was probably uneducated or something. Isn't he also the one that reached the venue late? It is no wonder that he would be kicked out early."

His heart hurt, but he could not blame anyone. He was the one that was lacking a degree. He was the one that was late. He was not qualified at all. As Sato walk down the business avenue once again, he realised this time he came down this road with an injury on his stomach. It hurt but it did not hurt as much as the rejection he received.

Even on the train back home, he just stared out of the window and did nothing. No thoughts ran through his head, only the fleeting clouds and occasional birds that could be seen flying by. He felt empty.

By now, the interview that concluded with the 19 interviewees and the conference room had 5 people left. They were the ones that are making the final decision.

"I personally think that this lady, Myra Wilson is a good candidate. She spoke fluently and with confidence during our questioning. She was the one that shone out of the people in group 2." Colonel John gave his comment.

"Yeah I agree with John on his observation. The other 9 of them were rather mediocre when it came to speaking skills, which is something that is very crucial in the job scope of a PA." Colonel Cyrus agreed with him.

"Alright. We shall let Myra Wilson get through to round 2 of selections." Siara wrote down her name while looking for any form of response from her boss, Gray. He had kept his silence as per usual. Not many people could ever get him to talk, not even his closest colleagues or Personal Assistant. " Now let us look at group 1 then. I personally think the first person that introduced, Holly Windlock is quite good."

"Yes yes. I also thought that that lady Holly had a certain charm. Her smiles and the way she spoke could probably lead weak hearted males astray." Ms May commented while looking at the two Colonels.

"Hey! What are you talking about? I'm not weak hearted ok? However, she was definitely the prettiest candidate out of the 18 females." Colonel John shouted out.

"Hmm. She would be perfect when having to deal with public relations. Well let her through to the second stage, Siara." Colonel Cyrus agreed and Siara wrote down her name.

"General Gray, don't you think that Ms Holly looked really beautiful?" Cyrus asked Gray, to which he only received a glare from him. Cyrus then stood up and bowed slightly to him. "Sorry sir!"

"Well we need one more candidate. Who do you guys find special or is a suitable candidate?" Siara cleared her throat and got back on topic. This time no one spoke out for the third candidate. Those two were the only ones that really stood out. "If there is no one, then I will just be training and observing two individuals."

"I have one person in mind." Just then, Gray spoke out. Everyone was shocked at how there was someone that caught the General's eye. Which lady was it? Or could it be that man from group 2?

"Sato Takahashi. Put his name down." With that, Gray left the room first and the other four kept silent in shock. Sato? The young man that was kicked out even before the interview truly started? What was the Major General thinking?

"Well I guess you should write his name down, Siara. We can't actually go against out Sir's choice." Colonel John broke the silent atmosphere.

"Yeah. I do not know what my boss is thinking, but I will definitely keep an extra eye on this mysterious young man." Siara noted him down and the meeting concluded.

At home, Sato was listlessly lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling. What should I do? Work at a construction site to make ends meet ? Go back home to mother and father?

His best friend, Ming had been trying to call through to him all day, but he had not pick up his phone. He just lied there, unmoving and still.

At this moment, a different notification sound came through. It was for an email. Sato turned around to pick his phone up to see who is it from. It was from the Central Manpower Base.

Hmphh was this mail coming in to state that he had not gotten in? Sato clicked into the email. His eyes immediately widen into a circular ball.

"I GOT IN!!!" Sato jumped out of his bed and was extremely ecstatic. He felt like he was brought back from the dead. He immediately called Ming back and told him about the good news he had received. However, Sato did not become complacent as he knew that this was just the beginning of everything.