When the Rose meets the Nightshade

"I'm exhausted. These interviews are killi

p calling me 'babe', Klaus. And try to look intere

en the mood, Paula. You know Felix is

to find the best candidate. And most of

is trouble,if someone didn't keep sleeping with all his good assistan

andle me and I also can't help it they all fal

itty Cox? She was a good assistant, but you

s hot and fun for a while until she

head. "You're i

We've got a schedule to keep," K

he telephone. "Julie, please

s, m

e Paula shuffled through the stack of resumes on her desk. The thre

n, you're up

trembling. She took a deep breath, said a s

miliar, yet unwelcome face. Cara's heart skipped a beat as her eyes locked

e to speak or move. The seconds stretched on, each one a silent accusati

the hint of a question in her voice as she noti

ntly chastising herself for he

eating herself with a professional

neither man betrayed any emotion as t

"that you attended the prestigious Trumwald University in N

"Thank you, ma'am. It was a challengin

aid nothing as Paula continued to probe i

ll d

sure. "While I haven't had the opportunity to work for a major firm, I am con

ism in her eyes. She knew that the lack of ex

resist the opportunity to pounce. "Ah, so

e to tell us about your work at the local coffee shop? Or maybe you can explain how babysit

scomfort. "While I don't have the kind of experience you're looking for, Mr. Felix, I do believe t

e're not doing brain surgery, we're running a business. It's not like we're asking Miss Cohyen to perform a mira

k a small smile at Klaus's a

glad you find this so entertaining, Klaus. But the fact remains tha

east she's not going to pull a 'Kitty' on us, right?" He glan

turning back to Cara. "Miss Cohyen, can you tell us about your experience handling hig

with multiple tasks and deadlines, I prioritize based on importance and urgency, while also keeping in mind the long-term objectives of

ed sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest. "I

ut inside, she was seething. She had worked hard to get where she was, and

"And what about team management? How do you handle

the table. "Well, I bet you've got a magic

reak her composure. She knew that he was trying to get a reacti

ix's antics. She shot him a warning gl

and collaboration here at the company. We also believe that healthy competiti

healthy if it is channeled in a constructive manner. I try to foster an environment where different perspe

ering her answer for

ce? Neutral, yet somehow in the middle of everything." A small grin played at the corner o

le, ignoring the jibe at Felix. "

iate your diplomacy. It's a rare

nk you for your honesty, Miss Cohyen. One fina

lieve that criticism can be valuable if it's constructive. If the criticism is aimed at improving

ng a few final note

ed her throat. "Thank you, Miss Cohyen. We apprec

each of the interviewers. "Thank you for the opp

ne final jab. "Don't get too excited, Miss Cohyen

ck, but she felt the

he warmth of the sun hit her skin. She fished her

he blurted out as soon as her friend picked up. "The CEO

"Are you serious? Oh my God, Cara, th

ed. "It was

nt honk of her car's horn in response. She sighed as sh

wood guy, he's a total jerk. He kept trying to rattle me, but I didn'

how I did. Do you th

to reassure her. "

car, her phone pressed to her ear as sh

ng. "You're smart, you're capable, and you handled that blackwood guy like

aze shifting between the road and th

hel,I needed

little while later---

silence was broken only by the sound of her own footsteps echoing through the empty hallwa

eated, wrapping an arm around he

, her shoulders sagging. "

ed with concern. "Oh

with the Blackwoods," Cara said, her voice flat. "N

ckwoods. "The Blackwoods? You're not kidding.

voice. "He was a complete jerk to me. And apparently, because he's the Blackwood he

not right, Cara You need to stop whining,toughen up and

ning, Mike. I'm just telling you what happened. And I don't expect

's never had to work a day in his life? Please. You're just jeal

And even if it was, that doesn't give him the right to treat me l

it real, Cara. You need to stop being so sensitive and learn

And even if it was, that doesn't give him the right to treat me l

a,you need to learn to d

r voice low and even. "You have no idea what I'm going thr

chance to respond. She turned on her heel and stor

fusion and concern on his face. But Cara didn't care. She was too angry and hurt to deal with him right no