Of course Rubical was on the seventh floor. Lucky for me the elevator is working.
Douglas
I read the tag on his shirt as soon as I reach the reception. He is on a phone call so I don't interrupt.
"Hey. How may I help you?" he aks kindly.
"Nellie Jacobs. Here for an interview scheduled at nine." I answer. I look down at my wrist watch. It is five minutes to nine.
"Yes. Mr. McCain will see you in a few minutes. Take a seat over there. I will call your name when it is your turn." Doug explains.
I nod politely before walking towards the empty seat greeting the two girls at the other end who heed me no attention. Rude. My guess is that they are here for the interview like me.
After a painful five minutes, Doug calls my name. He mouthes to me a good luck after hashing out for me the directions.
The secretary's desk is easy to find.
"Good morning." I greet the raven haired woman behind the desk.
"Good morning."
"Nellie Jacobs."
"Mr. McCain is expecting you."
"Thanks."
I walk towards the intimidating large door making a timid knock. I waltz inside when the person mutters a come in.
"Good morning Sir." I greet immediately.
"Good morning."
His stare pinned on me is intimidating. I am tempted to try Devan's counting back method but it's already too late.
"Take a seat Miss Jacobs."
"Are you surprised?" Mr. McCain asks.
In all honesty, the Mr. McCain I expected is an old rotund guy with circular frames over his eyes. The man behind the desk looks nothing like the description.
"Yes." I reply honestly.
Back in college, Rubical was one of the companies people had eyes on. We all knew how hard it was to get on the inside. Sofia had sent me the advert. She was currently back in Czech but a friend had sent her the job listing incase she was interested. I almost chickened out when I had finished reading my email. I am glad I applied now.
"My father stepped down a few months ago. I took over now." Nellie didn't know how to reply to that. Mr. McCain didn't look like he needed my response.
"Your CV is quite impressive Ms Jacob. I won't bother with the usual theatrics of asking you to talk about yourself. But if I may ask, what are your job expectations?" he asks.
"Rubical is one of the best tech making companies in the world.My main expectation is to work in an environment where I can continue to grow as a software engineer, contribute to real-world products, and collaborate with experienced teammates."
"I'm looking for clear goals, constructive feedback, and opportunities to learn new technologies while delivering quality solutions. Of course, I understand there is no room for errors in this job. So I look forward to improving my skills and becoming a better person so as to provide the best of my capabilities." I answer.
"Very well Ms Jacobs. Why should I hire you?"
"I believe that I am capable candidate for this job sir. I am very good with computers from programming languages, coding to designing the best algorithms as mentioned in my CV. I will provide the best of my skills to the company and help improve them by partnering with my colleagues to see a way forward. I believe team work makes miracles than a single head."
"Impressive Ms Jacobs." he smiles.
Mr. McCain asks a few more questions which I answer to the best of my knowledge.
"We are done here. I wish you luck." he mutters.
"Thank you sir."
I sigh hard as soon as I reach the exterior of the room. That was a freaking death trap in there.
"You alright?" The raven hair lady whose name I didn't get asks.
I guess." I smile nervously.
"Deep breaths." she suggests. I break into a huge grin. Damn the stats.
I call dad as soon as I am outside the building.
"How's my lovely daughter doing?" I am glad to hear his voice. He sounds happy and better than the last time we talked.
"I am good dad. How are you?"
"I am alive."
"So tell me about the job interview. How did it go?"
"Great. I think." I add as an afterthought.
"Your mother would be proud of you."
"Yeah." I smile sadly.
"And you?"
"I am always very proud of you my dear."
"Thanks dad."
"Cheer up sweet heart. This job is already in your pocket."
"Dad!"
"I know how smart my Nellie is."
"When are you coming to visit?"
"Soon dad."
"I miss my little girl."
"I miss you too."
"I love you."
"Love you too."
"Take good care of yourself darling."
"I will. Take care too dad."
I smile sadly at my phone when I hang up. Hearing my dad in a good mood should cheer me up. Apparently he's been impossible the last few days. He has been throwing up a lot and skipping his meds.
When mom passed away from an accident when I was fourteen, I was devastated. Dad was more devastated. Sometimes I believe if I wasn't there with him, he would have gone crazy. Mom's death was unfortunate and traumatic.
It had been a battle between dad and I about how far I should apply for college. He wanted me to apply to the local colleges so he could keep an eye on me. I didn't like the tight leash on me. I might have applied to MIT to spite dad but deep down I knew MIT had been my dream. Mom and I talked about it always. She had gone there. Going to MIT was the closest thing to the memory of my mom.
Dad had given in. I went to MIT thanks to my aunt Cora in Stuttgart. She paid my tuition. It was all a dream come true.
I miss mom. She would know what to do in such situations. I fight back the tears in my eyes as I hurry back onto the street. I needed to get to Phil's as soon as possible.