Pulling it out, I checked the name.

Warner.

“Hello,” I whispered.

“Em, thank God you finally switched on your phone. Your parents were killing me asking about you. They’re mad that you left all of a sudden and then kept your phone off.”

I glanced down at my nails. The sense of guilt was picking up on me. I hadn’t given them much of an explanation of my sudden leave, and then blocked any way they could connect to me. Just to avoid one person, I hurt so many loved ones.

Since I switched on my phone this morning, I didn’t even check the calls or messages. I’m sure my message box has been flooded.

“Yeah, I’m sorry that you’d to handle my family’s bombarding. I will talk to you later about it. I’m now at Coopers Fabrics for the interview. Do you have anything else to say?”

“It’s nothing, Em. It’s just that I’m worried about your sudden change of heart. Anyway, I called you to give you some good news. I will meet you tonight at your place.” His voice dripped with excitement.

“What good news? And sure, I’m free tonight.” I ignored his first statement.

“That’s a surprise for later tonight. Now I gotta go. All the best for your interview!”

I smiled. “Thanks. See you later.”

Sighing, I put the phone down. What good news he was talking about?

“Emerald Hutton?” A lady in her mid-thirties with a high tight bun and suit looked around for the beholder of the name.

“It’s me!” Raising my hand, I got up.

“You’re next. Mr. Cooper is waiting for you inside,” she said. Tone professional with no hint of a smile.

Nodding, I grabbed my purse, CV, and followed behind her.

Once we stopped before a pair of white doors, she knocked and waited.

“Come in!” barked a voice from inside. I cringed. God knew who was going to take my interview. I already had a feeling of doom.

Tilting her chin, she gestured to me to go on and left. Taking deep breaths, I entered. Restless butterflies stormed in my stomach.

A small round man in his late fifties sat opposite of the huge desk.

Mr. Cooper. The CEO.

With a big scowl, he continued to sign some papers, muttering something incoherent under his breath. A loud noise echoed in the room as he slightly leaned to his right and then sat straight.

I stopped in my tracks.

“Would you stand there forever? Sit!” he grumbled, without looking at me. He didn’t seem to notice that he just farted before someone.

Trying not to crinkle my nose at the foul odor in the air, I took the chair opposite of his and placed the file of my CV on the desk.

“Hello, Mr. Cooper. I’m Emerald Hutton.” I kept my tone as professional as I could while holding my breath.