Dangerous Illusion

The entry ticket

After a 15 minutes drive my navigator announced my arrival at the destination. After I parked my car and got out I saw a huge building - a skyscraper to be accurate. It had a glas facade, so it mirrored everything around it.Because of the unpleasant weather, the top of the building was hidden in the fog.
I walked towards the entrance and as I headed to the reception the lady sitting on the desk looked up and then smiled. "Welcome at Linc, how may I help you?" She asked in a very friendly - a bit too friendly- tone.
" I have an interview with .." oh my god how could I forget his name, this is so embarrassing. " Mr. Leon?" She finished my sentence.
"Yes exactly! With Mr. Leon" i said with a sigh of relief, but still feeling hot from embarrassment.
"He will be with you shortly. Please take a seat over there" she told me and waved over to a seating area on the side". I thanked her and went to sit down.
At this point I was so nervous I could throw up. I could hear my heart beating through my ears and I was sweating a lot and shaking a little bit- good thing I was wearing a black blazer.
I tried to breathe to calm myself down, I didn't want to look this nervous. "It's okay it's only an interview, nothing to be afraid of" I told myself to control myself.
I started observing my surroundings hoping the time would pass quicker. I looked up and the ceiling was very high. Everything was in dark grey tones and looked very new and modern. It was actually an impressing design. I watched as couple of people came in a hurry and went to the elevator. It was funny hoe they all looked almost the same. Wearing business suits and carrying laptop bags.
This could be my life for the couple next years  i thought. Then i laughed at myself, i'm getting way ahead of myself, I have to get through the interview first and who say they will even hire me.
It's not that I lack confidence or think I'm not good enough, but everyone knows how hard it is to get a job at this company. They only hire the best of the best and there are probably a thousand other applicants who want this job as much as I do.
My thoughts were interrupted as I saw a tall man in a black suit approach me. "Ms. Payne?" He asked as he reached me. I stood up quickly and answered" yes that's me".
He extended his hand and said "Chris Leon".
I shook his hand "Elena Payne.Pleasure to meet you" I said smiling. My voice shook just a little, I'm not sure  if he noticed.
"Follow me please" he said and turned toward the elevators. I followed him and took a deep breath and tried to get myself together. I have to seem confident.
He used some kind of card with his picture on it to enter the elevator. Once we were inside the elevator sped up and my ears closed for a moment and I watched as the floor numbers changed very quickly. I tried to break the awkward elevator silence and said " which floor are we going to?"
" the 57th. But that's just were the interview is my office is on the 52nd floor"
Yes! I thought to my self. I was afraid his team would be on lower floor, it would be such a shame to work in such a building and sit like on the 3d floor. But again getting ahead of myself. Or you know what, I though, you are gonna make sure you get this job so yes dream of sitting on the 52nd floor!
I got a rush of energy, I was determined to convince him and make the job mine!
We arrived at the 57th floor and the doors opened to a huge floor with windows all over and the view was just amazing. I could see the whole city.
"This way" he said and walked toward an office with all glas walls and windows. Excepts for two walls inside.
It seemed like a meeting room, there was a huge table in the middle with about 20 seats around it. And on the wall there was was a big screen.
While i sat down he asked if iI wanted to drink something, I told him water would be fine.
He went over to the other side of the room where there was a coffee machine with glasses and cups. He opened what seemed like a drawer but actually was a mini fridge and got a bottle of water out and brought it to me with a glas. "Thank you" I said as he placed them infront of me.
He sat opposite to me and leaned back in his chair.
"So Ms. Payne, tell me why you want this job?"
I was a bit taken back because he got directly into the matter. I told him how it's my dream to work here ever since I started studying economics and it was the first company I applied to after I graduated two months ago. I also have done my research on the company's values and identity so I told him what I like about it and so on.
Then he started asking me directly questions regarding the job I'd be doing and the knowledge I have got from my studyings. They weren't easy questions and the interview went about an hours but I am confident with what I've studied and I was able to answer almost all of them. He didn't ask me about myself or any of the usual typical questions. He just wanted to know if I had the knowledge and the ability to do the job well.
There was of course the awkward part of discussing my wage and how much money I want and at last when I was able to start.
"I will send you a copy of the contract in the next few days, you have to sign it and send it back with all the necessary paperwork." He said.
I couldn't believe what he told me, does that mean I'm hired? That was it? No you will hear from us soon? I didn't know what to say except nod.
Then he stood up and said "okay so we have everything. Let me escort you to the elevator"
Then everything was a blur how I told him something about thank you very much and I think I heard him say I will see you soon.
After I was out the fresh air hit my cheeks and I was finally able to breathe properly. I started walking towards my car and thinking what just happened?
My phone started vibrating and I answered it quickly " How was the interview?" Nick's voice came through the speaker.
"I'm not sure but I think I got the job?" I told him uncertain.
"What?! That is amazing! He told you immediately? That's unusual but I knew you would get it" he screamed through the phone.
"It is really unusual that's why I'm not sure if I understood correctly. But he did say he will send me the contract to sign, so i think it's right." I told him shaking my head in disbelief.
"Elena, that's a major cause of celebration. We should go out tonight. I'll pick you up at 8?" He shrieked in my ear.
I smiled and told him I'll be ready and drove off to home.