Twiddling of thumbs, restless bouncing of leg, chewing of bottom lips and irrational breathing, any sane person can tell that these are the signs of nervousness and anxiety and these signs are a big no no when you are sitting in an interview. But Harper was not able to control these movements. She was sitting in the lobby of an extravagant building on the 30th floor for the past one hour. Her interview with the CEO of Luciano co. went well, far better than she imagined. She was proud of herself because she nailed it and she knew it. The CEO, a stern looking man in his early 50's who was quite intimidating was also impressed by her, she can see it clearly yet she was a bundle of nerves.

"Miss Daniels"

Harper suddenly looked towards the receptionist with so much force that she was surprised that she did not get a whiplash.

"Yes"

"You have been called inside"

Harper nodded took a deep breath to calm her nerves and stood up to enter the office. She knocked on the door and a deep resonating voice ordered her to enter. When she entered she was surprised to see Lilly sitting there.

"You may leave Miss Brown" Anthony Luciano the authoritative figure sitting beside the desk said. Lilly nodded and left room by passing a smile towards Harper.

"Have a seat Miss Daniels" Anthony said.

Harper smiled towards him and took the chair where Lilly was earlier sitting.

"You see Miss Daniels, I am quite impressed with your confidence and your credentials and your interview
went quite well."

Harper was happy learning this.

"But, I am equally impressed with Miss Brown's interview. Now you see I can select only one, either you or Lilly. So whom do you think I should recruit?"

Harper was taken aback by his question. "It is up to you Sir. How can I tell?"

"You can Miss Daniels. You both are deserving candidate, so whom should I recruit?"
Harper looked towards him with calculating gaze.
"Well sir, if that is the case then I will suggest to go ahead with Lilly. She is hard working and full of enthusiasm and I will never betray her by asking to pick me instead of her. So go with her" Harper replied.

"Very well then" Anthony picked the phone and pushed a button to the reception desk and asked the receptionist to send Lilly in. When Lilly entered Anthony motioned her to take the seat.

"Miss Daniels and Miss Brown, you were asked the same question and you both recommended the other. You had a great chance to convince me that you are a great candidate for my company but rather you decided to recommend the other. This shows how much loyal you are to each other. This was a test and every candidate was asked the same question from other universities also. Our company's panel chose two candidates from each institute and ask the same question. Some passed the test and some don't. You are amongst fare few to clear this test. It was conducted to test your loyalty. These days you can find geniuses but it difficult to find loyalty. So congratulations both of you. Both of you are appointed as interns in Luciano industries along with four others from different universities. We will see you after your exams. Take your appointment letter with you and welcome to the Luciano's."

He shook hands with both with a warm smile, and the stern looking CEO was no where to be found.Harper and Lilly smiled. 

"Thank you sir" Lilly and Harper replied.

********************

Colton was sitting on the couch and was watching the soccer game on television when he heard the excited squeals of a female and was tackled in a bear hug. He looked bewildered towards the source and laughed.

"Guessing from your reaction, I can say confidently that you got the job"

Harper kissed Colton on the cheek and nodded enthusiastically. Colton chuckled and kissed Harper on her forehead.

"Congrats. So this calls for a celebration. We will throw a party here in our apartment" To which Harper groaned and Colton chuckled at her reaction.

"I know you hate crowds and parties but trust me I will invite my close friends, mum dad and your only friend Lilly along with your brother. Sounds okay?"

Harper nodded "But first I have to go to the hospital to meet mum"

"I will drive you there" Colton volunteered.

While driving to the hospital in Colton's car Harper was narrating the incident of her interview when her phone chimed.

"Who is Jason?" Colton asked while looking towards her phone's screen.

"Friend?" Harper replied but it came out as question rather than answer. She swiped the answer button and said. "Hey Jason, I was about to call you"

"Were you?" Jason asked teasingly. "So I guess congratulations are in order"

"You know!" Harper asked bewildered.

"Of course I know. They took my gem. How could I not know?"

 Harper blushed and Colton looked confused towards her. "Well you are being generous. Thank you. And yea, Colton my apartment mate  is throwing a party, more of a get together for me. I will be really happy if you could come?"

"You live with a boy!" Jason asked surprised.

"Seriously that is the only thing that you heard?" Harper chuckled "And the answer to your question is yes. So will you come?"

"Sure I will, just text me the details and congrats once again."

"Thanks" and with that the call was disconnected. Harper looked towards Colton and saw that he was smirking knowingly. "So will I have to ask? Or will you tell me yourself"

"What! there is nothing to tell. He was Jason Maxfield the CEO of Maxfield industries."   Harper replied while texting her apartment details to Jason.

Colton looked wide eyes towards Harper "No kidding. Wow! So how did you guys met?" 

And so Harper narrated that story too.

On reaching hospital Harper gave the good news to her mother and she was really happy on hearing it.

Colton on the other hand was trying very hard to talk to the doctors to allow Harper's mother to come home only for tonight without telling Harper. He was persuading them with every logic he had in his bag and by the look of the situation, the way it was folding out, he was winning. He wanted to make Harper the most happiest girl in the world for tonight and this was the only way to do. He has seen how hard that girl works and how dedicated she is to her relations in her life and she deserved every ounce of happiness.

"But Mr. Smith, we can't allow without the permission of a family member." The doctor replied.

"Can Harper's brother be considered?" Colton asked.

"He is a minor I am afraid and his decisions are not taken seriously"

"Then Harper's grand mother" Colton asked hopefully.

The doctor nodded with a smile. Colton fist pump in air victorious. 

He called Harper's grandmother a sweet old lady and asked for the favor, she was happy to oblige and also invited her and his husband. After bidding farewell to Harper's mother Harper and Colton left for Heaven, Mr and Mrs Smith's restaurant. During the ride Harper called and informed Dave about the news, who was happy to hear and felicitate her with his wishes. She was itching to share the news with someone else also. That someone who once was an integral part of her life, her best friend Ethan, she was quite sure that he would still have his old cell number in hope to receive a call from her someday but she knew she can't involve him now at this stage of her life. Her life was complicated and she did not want to burden him, maybe someday when things are little smooth she will give him a call but not now and she was quite confident that he will reprimand her for her decisions but it was her decision good or bad. She smiled a painful smile remembering her time with him and a lone tear escaped from her eye. Colton looked towards her and scrunched his eye brows in confusion but he did not ask because he knew that she will not tell. He huffed knowing that the walls that she was building around herself was unnecessary but she was stubborn to break them. So in their own worlds they left for their destination.

.q

Enjoy reading!!!

Ciao