The Moonlight Lilac Chapter 11: 2 - THE ONE WITH THE INTERVIEW

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**CHAPTER 2 – THE ONE WITH THE INTERVIEW 1.0**

"Please take a seat, Ms. Parker."

I immediately sat down on the gray chair where Dahlia had held out her hand. While she sat down on the chair in front of me. Now there was a round table between the two of us. She was holding my resume that I had handed to her when we entered here. She just looked at it quickly and then placed it on the table.

"You have good references." she commented

"Yes. They were my professors back in Canada." was my short answer, which earned her a gentle nod. And then there is a moment of silence when she took my resume back to look at it. She even took a picture of it and I think she had something on her mind.

Before any more crazy questions entered my mind and came out of my mouth regarding his picture on the resume, I just looked around. This room is smaller than | expected and | appreciate that it is simple. In fact, it is more peaceful here than outside. From where we both sat, we could see the vast garden full of colorful flowers outside.

If I pass, I will sleep there in that garden.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. Treat this as a normal conversation. Just like you're talking to a friend. We want to get to know you well, not just in your field, but also in your personal life. We want to know who Skylar Parker is as a professional and as a person." She grabbed my attention followed by a sincere smile.

I smiled at her in response. Right now, Dahlia is no longer intimidating. Ever since we entered this room, the aura surrounding her has become lighter.

Honestly, I feel like I'm just talking to one of my mom's friends who speaks English. I nodded my head. She smiled back at me in return.

A few minutes passed but we both remained silent. She's still checking my resume and she's messaging someone over the phone.

"That's a beautiful garden." I commented while staring at the garden outside. That's why I got her attention.

She put down my resume again and adjusted her seat. She also looked at the garden outside.

"Of course. Take care of that. If you pass the interview, you'll meet the person who's always making sure that every single flower in that garden is blooming. You'll love her."

I looked at her after she said that. You passed the interview? Yes, you did. Not because you were treated lightly, Sky, you automatically passed.

"Let's just wait for the cake and tea and then we'll start the interview."

"Sure."

It took a few minutes for the cake and---coffee to arrive??? I thought they were going to bring tea.

"Why coffee?" Dahlia asked the server. Dahlia was given tea and a slice of cake, while I was given coffee and another slice of cake that I didn't know what flavor it was because it looked so plain.

"Y-that's what she said." the maid replied while bowing slightly.

"Who?" I asked.

They both looked at me because of that, but none of them paid attention to my question. Dahlia just smiled and sent the maid out.

Seriously, who ordered coffee?

I was about to ask again who it was because it seemed like Dahlia had already guessed who the maid was referring to because she didn't have a follow-up question in her response. My plan to ask was interrupted when Dahlia turned her attention back to her phone and dialed a number.

"Try the cake, Ms. Parker. I can guarantee that you'll love it." she said to me while holding the phone to her ear as if waiting for the person on the other line to answer.

Okay. Let's try the cake. After all, I'm really hungry. Let them do that. They're weird.

I took the small fork with only two tines and started to poke the cake. I took my first bite and...WOW! SON OF! IT WAS DELICIOUS!

It felt like all the taste buds inside my mouth exploded. I don't know if Dahlia saw my sudden roll of eyes and if that was the reason why she laughed softly.

It's embarrassing, but it's so delicious! I've only just tasted a cake like this. The cake's crust is so fluffy. It's a mango chiffon cake but you can't see any trace of mango. It's like it's mixed into the cream that's sandwiched between the layers of the cake. Crushed into tiny bits. At first glance, you wouldn't think that's the flavor. But the icing is a bit yellowish. I look like an idiot examining every corner of the cake.

Is this really what billionaires' cakes are like? Can you take out? Dahlia, will you eat your cake? It's just mine and you gave me a small slice.

"Yes. Everything's ready, young lady, we'll start the interview now." Dahlia said to the person she was talking to on the phone while I was busy eating this delicious dessert.

I quickly swallowed what was in my mouth when Dahlia put the phone down. She placed it on the table. Then, I noticed something that made me frown. The call was still going. The caller, whose name was 'young lady' on Dahlia's phone, was still on the other line. Did she leave the call open on purpose?

"That's our boss. She's the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Arentsvelt. She's going to listen on the other line. Just imagine it's just the two of us talking."

My heart suddenly started beating faster at what he said. My nervousness reached 100% to the point where I could almost hear my heart beating and then feel it pounding all the way to my throat.

And I was even more nervous when Dahlia said that this was the sister of the two I was going to teach. Never mind their sister. It was just a stupid answer and I was sure that she wouldn't let me get close to her siblings.

Go, Sky! Compose yourself.

I adjusted my seat and smiled at Dahlia. Trying so hard to hide my nervousness with fake confidence.

"Alright, Dahlia. I'm ready."

"Great! So, Ms. Parker, Rey told us about you yesterday. He's one of the Arentsvelts' trusted men. In fact, the way he described you was very interesting that you've caught our attention even though we haven't met you personally. But the way Rey described how he met you, to the way he told you about the job, we didn't expect you to come. I even told Rey that if I'm in your position, I would be afraid of him. I also agreed with Rey and said that it seems like you were afraid of what he did.

So we were shocked when you called yesterday inquiring about the job. So tell me, Ms. Parker, what made you decide to take a risk? Why did you call the number knowing that it could be a scam from an old weird man you had met on your way home?" she started.

I was a bit taken aback by his question. I wasn't expecting that as her first question. What I expect, tell me something about yourself or something about you that's not on your resume.

"To tell you honestly, I was really weirded out by the way Rey approached me. I was with my friends yesterday when I met him. Besides, I just got off the plane from a few hours flight. I'm still a little confused---" I paused when I said that word. I looked at Dahlia but she just smiled. She nodded slowly as if I was ordering her to continue.

I made a mental note to fix it, you sound unprofessional. You're just being a street person again.

"Anyway, there was still jetlag. And then all of a sudden, this good old man offered me a job and handed me a business card. I was so shocked when I saw the name of the company. At first, I didn't really believe it. But I have very supportive friends and a very supportive mom. They pushed me to call the number. But besides that, there's also a little voice inside my head telling me to do it.

"I love teaching. Since I was a child, that's really been my dream profession. And a possibility of working for the Arentsvelts could be the highlight of my career. So I listened to that little voice and here I am." I said, acting out.

There is still a little voice, a little voice that knows more. Of course, I can't say that there are loan sharks hunting my mother and me and I know that you guys are making a lot of money here. Hehehe.

"And we're glad that you listened to that little voice. Somehow, Rey's description of us yesterday had a face. He described you like you're the most beautiful creature. And now, you're here. Now I know why Rey is so amazed by you. You are really beautiful, kid." She praised me.

"Thank you. You too. You're really beautiful too. You're as beautiful as Charlize Theron or Cate Blanchett. That's right." I complimented her. She blushed with what I said.

"You're so cute, you little girl." She smiled but was shy in response. And Dahlia's intimidating aura completely disappeared. It was as if I was talking to a friend now.

Our conversation continued. She asked me questions about my teaching experiences, education, things that I love to do most during my free time, and more. It was like we were just having a good time.

I also told her about my severe homesickness in Canada. She also told me a story that before becoming the headmistress of this mansion, she used to work in Singapore. She related my experience to her experience.

The headmistress and I are close. I really feel like this is over soon.

While Dahlia was telling the story of how she became headmistress, she admitted that she had more stories than me. She and mom would pick her up. Suddenly, my eyes turned to the cellphone on the table. It's still on call.

What was that young lady thinking? Did she think the interview should be like this? Was she confused by my answers? Why wasn't there any sound from the other line? I feel like she was just pretending to listen but was really just sleeping.

"Anyway, Ms. Parker, if you don't mind me asking..."

"No. Go on." I quickly answered and shifted my gaze from the cellphone to Dahlia.

"Are you currently single? Just out of curiosity. You know, having a partner can somehow affect your job. Especially since in this job, you'll be the one teaching all the subjects to the twins. It'll take a lot of time. Won't anyone get angry or sulk if you don't come home right away?" Dahlia asked in an echoing tone. This is gossip.

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