Looks like this story has won more hearts. So it is decided that I should focus on this first, unless I have extra time, then I will work on "Within the Walled Alley".
And yes, I am currently in the UK. Emirates was the best I have ever had. The food is delicious, the seats are comfortable with a multifunctional screen that no one could ever resist, and most importantly, the cabin crew is full of beautiful elegant ladies (that is the main point.)
Hermione Granger was most upset when she received the news of her sister gambling at the casino, ended up losing quite a large amount. With her current salary and savings, it could hardly support herself after paying off the debts. She did not wish to have cabbage soup for every meal for the rest of her life. In between the lines of the letter from her sister, tears smudged badly as though the letters was laid under drizzles.
"Diana, when are you going to grow up?"
Despite having different biological parents, the two were two peas in a pod, if one had not observed close enough, the missing freckles and slightly golden eyes were hardly noticeable. What made them easily told apart was the contrasting personality. Hermione was known for being a dry bookworm without other interests in life. Her indulgence in knowledge gave her a degree at a renown university, but the real challenge waited ahead. Despite of the high education level, she could only work as an assistant to manager in a small company. Earning £12,000 a year could hardly support two girls after taxes. If it had not been her mother imploring her to take care of the little sister as the last will, she would not care about her much.
Then she came across a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the newspaper. Public Relations Officer at the famous Children Music Centre, Indigo. The salary was more than agreeable, £30,000 a year, with £6,000 for transportation allowance. How could she not be captivated by this?
Quickly, she did some research on Indigo and the results were quite amusing. Parents praised the centre for being the best while almost zero news from the employees' point of view. So she decided to post a thread on an employment forum.
WORKING AT INDIGO CHILDREN MUSIC CENTRE
Within the blink of an eye, replies flooded the thread.
LovegoodStories: I have heard that the salary is very handsome but I am not sure if the staff treatment is above expectations.
Ginnybreadman: That Chairman is crazy! My friend worked there a few years ago and she got scolded for nothing.
MyNameIsTooLongThatItWontFi: I happened to be an intern there last summer. That Lucius Malfoy often threw temper tantrums on us and shamed us in front of others.
PiuDπArmy: Bro, you must be desperate for money if you want to work there. It's NIGHTMARE! It's like Welcome1466 ruling BlueTube.
RonDahl: Shut up, Piu, this is not a BlueTube forum. Anyway, my sister had enrolled into this centre years ago and she said Lucius Malfoy was kind to everyone.
ServiceSnake: I have heard that a secretary has a crush on him and would try to get one immediately sacked once she considers one as her love rival.
VodkaMore: Lol, real life Yandere Stimulator. I have also heard about that too, if you are a young and single woman, good luck.
BellaTricksLessStrange: My daughter attends ballet lesson there, Lucius Malfoy is good to children, but sometimes quite harsh for his staff, I guess he is just strict for the company's good. But then, I frown every time he scolds his staff with mean words.
PantyParkinson: I have seen his son Draco Malfoy. He's SUPER SUPER HOT! Rumours say his power is just next to his father, so if you are an employee there and manage to get along with him, you are safe. I want to date him badly.
RonDahl: Shut up, Panty! Nobody wants to know if you want to date him!
PantyParkinson: [User's message has been deleted due to reports of spam or inappropriate words.]
Ginnybreadman: Just be careful if you want to work there.
BellaTricksLessStrange: Don't let him catch you doing something wrong, he will make sure you will have a tough life as long as you continue working.
The advices were too vague, and almost seemingly sneering at her, but she could get the gist of their ideas, staff was harshly treated and a secretary there was desperate to keep all young and single ladies out of her sight.
On second thought, this would actually increase her odds, the competition would be lessened if the rumours were true, no one would want to get scolded by the chairman for nothing. She did not mind being harshly treatment, the salary was worth it.
So without hesitation, she mailed her resume to Indigo and before the end of the day, she received an offer of interview, at three in tomorrow afternoon.
In her best attire, she took a taxi to the centre. On the way, she kept thinking the possibilities, surely she hoped she would not encounter difficult questions, but that was almost unavoidable. Despite being a know-it-all for years, she knew nothing about an employer's thought. Standard answers were not written on books and different employers had different reactions towards the very same answers, calculating probabilities could not work the whole charm, all would be revealed during the interview.
The centre was larger than she could ever imagine. If she had not known this place, she would have thought she had travelled back to eighteenth century, the Lord and his lady would come out for a carriage ride, horses would hold their heads high in bearing reins and servants would have their noses pointed at the sky as though it was their privilege to work for their master.
She rang the bell and a woman came greeted her.
"Good afternoon, Madame,"said Hermione as she went inside.
"I'm Narcissa Black," introduced the woman, eyeing on Hermione for quite a while. "Mr. Malfoy is waiting for you at his office."
She led Hermione upstairs on fourth floor and knocked on the door.
"Come in," said a deep voice behind the door.
Narcissa opened the door and bowed.
"Miss Hermione Granger, " said Narcissa. Then she immediately closed the door and left.
Hermione stood, dazed with fear. In front of her was the man who could scold his staff until they collapsed onto the floor, dissolved into tears. One wrong move and she was ensured a life of misery.
"Please take your seat," he said.
She slowly approaches him and sat down, just a few dozen inches from him, she could smell the cologne.
"Don't be afraid," he said. "For I am not be feared but respected."
This made her even nervous. A thief always said he never stole and a liar always said he was honest.
He went through her resume and began,
"You are a graduate of Warwick's Business Management," began Lucius. "And you work in Johnson and Co., am I correct?"
"Yes."
"Tell me, why should I employ you?"
She was taken aback by the question, she had expected similar questions would be raised but never had she imagined the challenge would start once she sat down.
"I can pick up the centre's daily operation more easily than those who do not have a degree in business management and my knowledge towards music and performing arts can assist my understanding of the centre."
"All candidates tell the very same story," said Lucius, stood up and walked past Hermione. "I want you to tell me why should I keep you."
Hermione could feel a chill sent down her spine. Just when she tried to answer, a strand of platinum hair glided past her shoulder and she could listen to his breath. The smell of cologne shrouded her and his voice hissed by her ear.
"Why should I employ you?"
She could finally understand what the forum said. He was no common man, and she had never thought her interview would be so... awkward.
"Relax, Miss Granger," said Lucius and he was back to his seat. This made her relieved.
"Come back tomorrow," he said.
"Huh?"
"If you have no desire to work here, please inform me and I will employ another candidate."
"No, it's just...everything happens all of a sudden and just now the interview ended."
"It seems that you wish to have a longer chat."
"No...thank you for employing me," said Hermione quickly and got up. Just as she left the office and closed the door, Lucius could hear her big deep breath. His grin emerged, she was far more interesting than anyone he ever knew, perhaps except for that one woman he loved.