Chapter 2: One of a kind
Manager Joe walked to the end of the room where the young guy was standing. I was standing on the other side and the room was fairly big. So I couldn't hear their conversation. But judging from the boy's expression he was begging Joe to let him attend the interview. Joe came back to me.
Manager Joe: He is here to attend the interview. He wants to talk to you.
"I don't want someone so young for this post. Tell him to leave."
I said without a second thought.
Manager Joe: He said that Charlie told him about the interview.
"Charlie?"
I asked, raising my brows.
Manager Joe: Yeah, and he is Korean too.
"So what?"
Manager Joe: Let him attend the interview. It's not polite to send him off like that if Charlie sent him.
I glanced at the boy and saw him looking at me with hopeful eyes.
"Fine. Ask him to wait. First we will interview others."
Manager Joe: Ok.
We started interviewing men one by one. Everyone looked desperate for the job and were trying hard to impress me by declaring themself a fan. Even though they didn't know a single song of mine. I short-listed a few of them who looked and sounded a little less annoying than others. Everyone left the room one after one and now only the young boy was sitting there waiting for his turn. He slowly walked towards me holding a file.
Manager Joe: Take your seat.
He said while taking the file from the boy. The boy sat on the chair and cleared his throat.
Manager Joe: Please introduce yourself.
"My….my name is…. Yoo-jin. I am...23 and…. I… I am from Seoul."
He was not fluent in English at all, also had a very obvious Korean accent and on top of that he was stammering due to nervousness.
Manager Joe: Looks like you changed your name from Kim Yoo-jin to just Eugene. Is it for convenience?
Eugene: Ye….No….Yes...Yes!
He corrected as he accidentally said yes in korean.
Manager Joe: So when did you move to Canada?
Eugene: last year…
"Your English is too poor for someone who has been in Canada for a year. How did you even survive?"
I asked in a teasing tone with a smirk and I saw him breaking a sweat and gulping.
Manager Joe: So you have your major in applied music. And you can play guitar as well. Nice!
Joe said with a smile looking at me. As if I will get impressed because of that.
"Why did you move to Canada?"
I asked, ignoring Joe.
Eugene: My Dad is working here… And Mom got sick. So we moved.
He was avoiding any kind of eye contact.
"Hmm. What does your Dad do?"
Eugene: He owns a restaurant here.
Still avoiding eye contact.
"Then you should have joined his business. Why are you looking for another job?"
Eugene didn't reply for a while then started speaking.
Eugene: He divorced Mom and got married again.
He said, looking at the floor.
"So Charlie told you about this interview right? How do you know him?"
Eugene: My Mom...mom is his patient.
He said in a sad tone.
"Ok. But Eugene, all you know is Music and your English is not that good either. And you are only 23. We are looking for someone older with some experience. You are not fit for this job."
I said as I took the file from Joe and extended it to Eugene.
For the first time he made eye contact with me and he looked like he was gonna cry.
Eugene: Please... please help me Ma'am. No one is hiring me because of my poor English and I can't live without a job. You are also from Seoul and Charlie said you can help me. He said you are kind.
I laughed at it immediately.
"He said what? Charlie said I am kind. Interesting!"
I said in an amused tone.
Eugene's sparkly eyes were still fixated on me and I must say his stare is quite intimidating for the soft looking guy that he is.
"Alright. We have your number. We will contact you if needed. You can leave."
Eugene finally took the file from me and got on his feet. He bowed, reminding me of his Korean origin and started walking off looking at the floor. I was turning to Joe to say something when I heard the sound of something breaking. Apparently Eugene had tripped over his own feet breaking the Big flower vase that was in the room as he fell on the floor.
Manager Joe: Oh God!
Joe rushed to him immediately.
Manager Joe: Are you alright?
Eugene got up immediately.
Eugene: Sorry….I am sorry.
Manager Joe: It's ok. Are you hurt?
Eugene nodded no and wiped off the tears that were falling from his eyes. He bowed again and walked off immediately.
Manager Joe: He was crying.
Joe said as he walked towards me.
I took my phone and called Charlie's number.
Charlie: Kiara, I had told you to not get sick. I am at the golf course.
"Charlie. Why did you send that boy to meet me?"
Charlie: Which boy?
"Kim Yoo-Jin aka Eugene."
Charlie: Oh, Eugene… So he attended the interview. He is cute right?
"What's wrong with you Charlie? I want a secretary to manage my schedule. I am not looking for a kid to babysit."
Charlie: Eugene isn't a kid. He is mature and a lot wiser than his age.
"Right. He can't even speak proper English and ended up crying."
Charlie: You must have made him cry. You have the ability to do that.
"I didn't do anything ok? And you told him that I can help him and I am kind? Really Charlie?"
Charlie: I told him you are 'one of a kind.' He must have confused it with you being kind. He really needs to work on his English. But apart from that he is very talented.
"Yeah, tripping on your own feet requires a lot of talent."
Charlie: He was just nervous because everyone rejected him before. See Kiara, his mom has been my patient for a year and I know he is struggling badly. And as far as I know Eugene is a good kid. He won't trouble you. He is from Seoul as well. So I thought you two might get along well. That's it.
"But Charlie…"
Charlie: I have to go now. You can decide what you want. Bye!
Charlie hung up and I sighed.
********
It was getting dark and Eugene was walking with a defeated expression. He had his hands in his pant's pockets. He stopped as he reached the bridge side. He looked down the bridge and sighed. He really didn't want to go back to the apartment. It's been 3 months since he paid the rent and his roommate Jeffrey Is eager to get rid of him as he is the one paying on his behalf. Charlie is settling his Mom's hospital bills as of now but God knows when he will stop being this kind. He shouldn't have moved to Canada in the first place. In Seoul, he could have gotten a job without this much struggle. But now he can't even afford to go back. He is stuck here without money and he has a mentally sick Mom to take care of. He doesn't even have a friend to talk and take things off his chest. He was feeling helpless and hopeless. His mind was filled with all kinds of negative thoughts about how things will get worse in his life and suddenly his phone started ringing. It was an unknown number and he attended the call.
Eugene: Hello?
"Eugene?"
It was a familiar female voice.
Eugene: Ye ...yes.
"This is Kiara."
Eugene was not expecting her to call him so he took some time to process that.
"You know why you were getting rejected in every interview?"
Eugene didn't say anything.
"It is not because of your poor English or lack of experience. It was only due to your lack of confidence."
Eugene felt called out as he remained silent.
"Anyways, I have decided to give you a chance but don't get too excited. You need to convince me that you are capable of doing this job. I can fire you anytime if I feel like you are troubling me. So can you join tomorrow?"
Eugene was still numb and words were not forming in his mind.
"Eugene, you there?"
Eugene: ye...yes... yes Ma'am.
"Alright. Tomorrow at 7 am. And bring your luggage too. It will be better if you stay here. Is that fine with you?"
Eugene: Yes … yes Ma'am.
"Don't get late."
And She hung up after that.
Eugene bit his lips as he smiled. He didn't know what made him more happy? Getting the job or finally being able to move out of that apartment. He never liked that place in the first place and Jeffrey was always torturing him, making him do all the chores. He even had to clean up after Jeffrey's weird parties with his friends. Jeffrey never let go of a chance to bully Eugene or make fun of him. Now he doesn't have to put up with Jeffrey anymore in that one bedroom apartment where he used to sleep on the couch. Tomorrow will be his first day on the job. Even though Kiara seemed like a tough Boss lady, Eugene was excited for this new beginning.
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Rapunzel_moon26
Rapunzel_moon26 Thank you if you read until now. This is my first ever Story so it will mean a lot to me if you can spare some time to review the story and comment about it. Please feel free to share your views with me. Thank you so much :)
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