Lilian stood before the big building of the King's group. Her hair was packed in a neat bun and her black blazer suit was looking professional. She walked in with her proposal looking confident and elegant. Her black heels hit the tiled ground harshly immediately she stepped in but didn't mind as she walked up to the receptionist who directed her to the interview room.
She walked in with such determination even though her heart paced faster due to anxiety. She just had to meet all the requirements. Lilian entered the elevator and pressed the third button leading to the third floor. Her heart raced faster because of the second thought she was having.
What if it was a scam?.....what if I don't meet the requirements?.....what if I wasn't chosen?. Those thoughts ran through her mind and this made her disoriented for some minutes.
Reality dawned on her that this was real when the elevator door opened to reveal different applicants in the hallway. She stepped out looking so surprised from all the numerous women all trying to have the position as his new wife.
Lilian felt intimidated a bit as she walked amongst them. There were no places to sit or lean on. The women were all different. You could describe them as beautiful, pretty, petite, sexy and attractive. Lilian observed that she was way below their league and her second thought was to turn and leave.
For the first time in a long while, Lilian felt intimidated and insecure. She made a move to leave when a lady approached her. It seems she had also come for the position. She wasn't looking at the perfect requirements for the position but no offense, to Lilian she was just pretty normal like her.
"What do you think?" The woman asked her, looking at the crowd in the hallway.
"What do you mean?... I..I.. "Lilian stuttered suddenly.
"I mean… what do you think is going to happen here?" The woman asked again.
"One of us might be picked.. that's all…" Lilian muttered softly and made to leave when the woman stopped again.
"Aren't you here for the interview?" She asked in a concerned tone.
"Urmm… yeah..but I don't think I will be picked!" Lilian stressed out which made the woman chuckle hard.
"I don't know about that but you can't just leave without trying. You have been given an opportunity.. use it very well.. you can't know if you are the perfect choice for him unless you try." The woman advised.
"But we don't know much about him, I haven't seen him or his picture. We don't even know what we are bargaining for. I..I.." Lilian explained in a sincere tone.
"They say you can't eat your cake and have it at the same time so you know why you are here and if you want to lose that opportunity, someone will grab it singlehandedly. " the woman advised and walked away, leaving Lilian to ponder on what she said. She felt renewed and strengthened. She needed to get through with this and this was her last hope.
Lilian watched through how all the women got interviewed. The whole process took throughout the day until it got to her turn. She was the second to last and when she heard her name, she stood up hastily and hurried to the door.
With one knock, she was ushered in to see three interviewers seated tiredly but professionally. Lilian exchanged pleasantries with them and was offered to take her seat. Just when she was about to sit, she recognised the other woman who was smiling at her. Lilian was shocked when she saw that the woman she met hours ago was the main judge of the day. Her joy knew no bound within her but got scared within when she imagined if the woman won't be on her side.
The woman's voice brought her back to reality. Lilian stuttered in the process when her name was being mentioned.
"Take it easy, Lilian.. be yourself.. we aren't going to bite.. My name is Mrs Fiona King. A sister to Lucas king.." she introduced and the expression on Lillian's face was total surprise.
"But.. I didn't know…" Lilian replied honestly as she was still marvelled by that unexpected information.
"I know right?..." the woman chuckled and lilian nodded in response.
The woman continued professionally and introduced the other co-judges who were pleased to meet her.
"So my first question after going through your information… I saw that you are an orphan… what happened?" One of the co-judges, a man in his fifties, asked suddenly.
"what?.." Lily asked immediately. The man was shocked by her response and asked the question again . Lilian hated discussing her past as this has brought her so much pain.
"Lilian.. it's important you tell us.. we need to know more about you and everything we discussed here is completely confidential." Mrs Fiona assured with a smile. Lilian felt she could trust her and she replied to him.
"I was abandoned in an orphanage when I was a baby. No contact, no name or identity.. I was raised and brought up by the sisters residing there." Lilian spilled dryly but deep down, the hatchet that had been buried within her slowly rose to the surface.
"Hmmm… so sorry about that.." the man apologised before he moved up to the next question.
"Why did you choose Lucas King to be your husband?" He asked her and their faces all went serious.
Lilian became skeptical to spill the truth or tell the lies she had composed as a back up plan in case it became severe. She saw that they were curious to know her intentions for him.
"Well.. I wouldn't lie.. I am here for the money.. I need the money…" She dropped the bomb instantly. The expression they had was not what they were expecting.
"The money??" The other judge, a young woman in her twenties, spoke out loud.
"Yes… I can't lie.. That is my reason for coming here.. isn't what you guys put out there to get us to come here?" she asked the woman who went mute. Lilian felt audacious as she spoke.
"Well… but it can't be for just the money… There are other things you can benefit from in this marriage. He will be your husband, your lover and the father to his unborn child. Aren't you ready for that?" The woman asked her and lilian scoffed in the process. She hadn't thought about having kids for him.
"Well… that is included but you are making it sounds that the money isn't involved. I know most of us are after the money but I have my own reasons. I just need the money and then he can get rid of me…" lilian blurted out. They were looking at her speechless and all this while, Mrs Fiona looked at her with so much amusement. She was stirred up by Lilian's boldness and audacious spirit even though she was here for the money, lilian knows how to stand up for herself and what she wants.
"We will get back to you, please kindly take your leave." Mrs Fiona spoke with all calmness. Lilian stood up and walked away. Deep down, she knew she defended herself but at the surface, she felt that she had messed up her last opportunity to save her business.
"You said what?!" Bianca screamed at the top of her voice.
"Stop shouting !!... I know I messed up..but I couldn't help it.. I had to state my intent." Lilian explained as she wallowed in self pity.
"But what about the lies you cooked up.?" Bianca asked, walking up to her and sat close to her.
"I couldn't… I just feel that I had to tell the truth. This was obvious, they had to put in that irresistible amount of money to draw us in so what are they expecting if it's not about the money." Lilian explained.
"But… you still should have made a white lie to get their favor and the competition is fierce, how do you think you have a chance to be accepted?" Bianca asked her in a concerned tone.
"Honestly, I don't know… it's obvious I won't be picked so let me look up another way to get this money." Lilian concluded.
"Yeah… I support this one.. I never agreed for you to get married to a stranger." Bianca commented.
"What do you think father?" Mrs Fiona showed her father the files of the selected candidate.
"I hope we can meet his requirements this time…" the chairman responded as he went through the single file.
"Just this one?" He asked surprisingly when he only saw one candidate. He was expecting at least a few to make a pick.
"Yes father… I am very sure…" Mrs Fiona said in full confidence.
"Well… it's up for your brother to be convinced…if he likes her, then everything is settled."
"Let me talk to him myself." Mrs Fiona mentioned and took the file. Before leaving, she said something that made the chairman relaxed and hopeful that everything might go right.
"Father, we can't eat our cake and have it at the same time so he has no choice."