Chapter 126

I arrived at the interview location precisely at eleven o'clock. The office was somewhat out of the way—not in the downtown core, but a twenty-minute drive from my apartment, on the city's periphery.

I had already researched the company. They specialized in lighting development and had even bid on the amusement park's lighting project, though unsuccessfully. In fact, when the amusement park experienced those lighting issues, I considered contacting them to assist. These factors prompted me to monitor the company, and fortunately, they were hiring for a marketing and promotions position perfectly suited to my skills. I applied, and they were the first to invite me for an interview.

The company occupied a three-story office building—not as opulent as RiverwaveCorp Tower, but still substantial. I took the elevator to the correct floor and followed the signs to the HR office. Upon entering, someone greeted me with a smile. "You must be Keira Kay, here for the interview?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's me."

"Please, have a seat!" The man appeared to be around thirty; unremarkable in appearance, but possessing a warm, friendly demeanor that immediately stood out. His welcoming smile genuinely conveyed kindness.

He added, as if anticipating my question about his quick recognition, "We only have one interview scheduled for today."

"Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand. He seemed slightly surprised but quickly smiled and shook my hand before introducing himself.

"I'm Ron Shane. I've reviewed your resume, and it's impressive. It aligns perfectly with our requirements. I'd like to hear about your expectations," Ron said, maintaining a professional tone.

I had already noticed his name badge during the handshake—HR Manager and Deputy CEO. Given I was interviewing for the Director of Marketing and Promotions role, his involvement made sense. However, his apparent readiness suggested a pressing need for someone with my skill set. I avoided overthinking and focused on answering his question.

"I'm interested in discussing salary, vacation time, and the company's growth plan," I stated directly. "We can begin with the first two, and if we're in agreement, we can then discuss the last." My priorities were standard: earning a living and having time off.

Ron offered me a glass of water. "We've reviewed your work history, including your executive assistant position at RiverwaveCorp. We're aware of the salary range there. While we can't match that base salary, we do offer a performance-based bonus structure."

This didn't surprise me. He continued, "Your base salary here would be fifteen thousand a month, with a year-end bonus equivalent to three per thousand of your total annual performance. Insurance and holiday benefits are standard. Does that work for you, Ms. Kay?"

"Sounds good," I replied. The monthly salary was five thousand less than at RiverwaveCorp—approximately a 25 percent reduction—but I accepted it. This company wasn't comparable to RiverwaveCorp in size. A matching salary would have seemed suspicious. Furthermore, at RiverwaveCorp, my title was largely ceremonial; my compensation reflected my status as the CEO's fiancée. Here, I would be compensated solely based on my skills, and the offer seemed fair.

"Ms. Kay, if you have any further requests, please let us know," Ron said.

"I'd like to review the company's development plan," I responded. This was crucial; I needed to understand the company's direction. I wouldn't invest my time and effort in a potentially short-lived position.

Ron retrieved a file from a shelf and handed it to me.

After reviewing the documents for ten minutes, I returned them. "Mr. Shane, if you agree, I'm ready to start immediately."

Ron's smile broadened. "Today's Thursday. You can complete your onboarding paperwork now and officially begin on Monday. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," I agreed.