Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Martha The Assistant
"Honestly, I want to apply as a citizen but didn’t know the process...hehe!" Lila laughed, making Ivy speechless.
But thanks to Lila’s words, Ivy was reminded of this problem and decided to address it once the interview was over.
"You can leave. I will ask the base leader to post the process." Ivy rubbed her forehead and replied.
"Really? Thank you! I will remember this favor and repay it someday later." Lila said and left like gust of wind.
Ivy: ("¬_¬)
Hours passed. More people came. Some tried to lie about their power, but Ivy caught them in seconds. She watched their eyes, their voices, the way their hands twitched.
One man claimed he could kill fifty zombies in an hour. Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Show me your scars then. Show me your proof."
The man froze, stammered, then admitted he had only killed five in his life. He was thrown out immediately.
Another tried to hide that he had once stolen from his own team. Ivy looked him straight in the eyes and asked, "Would your old teammates say you’re loyal?" He looked away. That was all the answer she needed.
When the day finally ended, Ivy leaned back in her chair, exhausted but satisfied.
’So many came. Some strong, some weak. But I can tell who is true and who is rotten inside. I will make sure only the right ones stay.’
She looked at the stack of notes she had made on each person. The base was growing, and with it, her responsibility.
She rubbed her temple. "I can’t do all of this alone," she whispered. "I need an assistant."
The thought stayed with her as she got up and dragged her body to her bed. She fell onto it without even changing clothes. Within minutes, sleep took her.
Six hours later, she woke up. Her head felt clearer, but her stomach was empty. She yawned and walked into the living room. Out of habit, her eyes landed on the dining table.
She expected to see food there, ready and warm. For a second, her heart jumped. But then she remembered.
’This isn’t Silas’s apartment. This is mine.’
The table was empty. Silent. Cold.
Ivy stood there, frozen, and a sharp pang hit her chest.
’I really am selfish. Silas always cooked for me. He always cared. I thought it was normal. I took it for granted. Now that he isn’t here, I feel empty. I’m craving something I already threw away.’
She clenched her fists. ’Shameless. Truly shameless.’
To distract herself, she opened her temporal storage. Inside was a small stack of food she had saved. She pulled some out and placed it on the table.
Slowly, she began to eat. The moment she tasted the flavor, she froze again. The food tasted like Silas’s dishes. Familiar. Warm.
She choked a little, forcing herself to swallow. Her eyes watered, but she looked at the ceiling quickly. She refused to let tears fall.
’I don’t deserve to cry. I pushed him away. I was the one who said I would stay away. I built this wall, and I succeeded. He has probably moved on now. I can’t break down and crawl back. I don’t deserve him.’
She took another bite, forcing herself to finish. When the food was gone, she wiped her mouth and stood up. "Work. Focus on work," she muttered.
Later that day, she returned to the office. More interviews awaited her, but this time she wasn’t looking for fighters. She was looking for an assistant.
A few people came, but none impressed her. One man bragged about how he could handle paperwork, but when she asked him to quickly write down a list of names, he messed it up. Another woman promised she was organized, but she fumbled with the documents and even spilled water.
Then Martha entered. She looked calm, dressed neatly in formal clothes, and her glasses gave her a sharp look.
"Sit," Ivy said, watching her carefully.
Martha sat and placed a folder on the desk. "Thank you for seeing me."
Ivy didn’t reply right away. Instead, she asked, "Why do you want this job?"
Martha smiled lightly.
"Because I am good at it. Before the world ended, I worked as a secretary for a multinational company. I know procedures, background checks, and how to organize everything so you don’t have to worry about small details. I also know how to observe and react quickly."
As she spoke, she reached for a glass of water and slid it toward Ivy. Ivy blinked. Without thinking, she drank it.
’She’s testing me. No... she’s showing me her skill. Subtle but useful,’ Ivy thought.
While Ivy flipped through some papers, one sheet fluttered in the wind from the open window.
Martha immediately used a paper clip from her pocket and pinned it down without being asked. She kept answering Ivy’s questions while also scanning the room.
Ivy narrowed her eyes. To test her further, she suddenly said, "Bring me the pink vase."
Martha stood instantly. Without searching, she turned left, walked straight to the shelf, and picked up the pink vase. She placed it on the desk smoothly.
Ivy hid her smile. ’She noticed it the moment she walked in. She remembers everything around her. Careful. Sharp. Exactly what I need.’
"Fine," Ivy said aloud. "You’re hired."
Martha’s eyes lit up, but she only nodded respectfully. "Thank you. What would you like me to handle first?"
Ivy leaned back. "Create a formal process for admitting citizens. I don’t want everyone coming in just because they want to. Make rules. Make it clear. Also, recruit a few soldiers I’ve chosen before. They will help with interviews."
Martha wrote notes quickly. "Understood. Should I also prepare background checks?"
"Yes. I don’t want rapists or murderers sneaking in. Make the soldiers dig into their pasts before approving anyone. And one more thing, don’t reveal the permanent residence criteria to everyone. Only tell it to people who look decent and clean. The rest can stay temporary."