CHAPTER 4: THE INTERVIEW

"My name is Malachi Moore. Let's begin shall we." The man's voice rang out causing everyone in the room to be still and attentive.

Malachi Moore. As in Jessica's father? The man who owned a quarter of California and then some? This was the man? Zachary hadn't expected someone tough or of muscular build, but a geeky looking man like himself was hard to picture with the way he had heard people talk about Malachi Morre's skills. The man was a legend when it came to the business world and even Forbes himself had confirmed it. Zachary couldn't believe his eyes. He was in the same room as a Moore. Bloody Malachi Moore to be exact.

"The interview is simple. It's a physical one and that means that you will all have to show your tactical knowledge since this is an opening for a bodyguard job."

Zachary stared at the man as he addressed them all and briefed them on what was going to go down. Zachary thought to himself while Malachi spoke. If he were to be anyone in the world, it would be this man. Not only did he have everything he ever wanted but his presence alone commanded respect irrespective of his build. Something that Zachary never had the chance of getting in his lifetime. He sighed, wondering if he would ever be as lucky to be closer to wealth and excellence as he was right now. Maybe, if by some extreme luck he could pass this interview and finally be able to bask in the glorious shadow of a Moore.

"The interview will go as thus. Each of you will be paired. You and the person you pair with will fight until one of you knocks the other out or completely immobilizes them. If you manage to do that then you will move on to the next stage. The rest of you that lose the fight will be escorted off the premises and will lose any chance of getting this job. Points will be assigned per move or fight tactic that you used and, in some cases, may earn you a spot on the next level without you having to fight so hard. I hope all of you understand?"

"Yes sir." Everyone shouted out like some hive mind with Zachary trying to keep up with them.

"Very well." Malachi said as an assistant stepped forward and handed him a tablet.

"This is the first pair. If you hear your name, step up to the small platform and get ready to show me what you've got."

Zachary looked around the room, wondering who would be called up to go first. Everyone must already be a bit nervous since this was a big deal.

"Gordon Finch..." Malachi mentioned.

Zachary inwardly flinched and Gordon walked towards the platform with a smug grin on his face and pumping his fists like a gorilla. Ever since Zachary had known Gordon, the guy had been a beast especially when it came to beating people up for lunch money or homework. He had all the makings of a bully with even less common sense than they normally do but even without that Gordon was a good fighter. He could tell since he had been on the receiving end of those punches and kicks.

"I pity the guy going against that bastard." Zachary muttered to himself.

"...and Zachary Grayson."

As if on command, the whole room turned to Zachary who stood frozen and scared shitless by his name being called. A slight chuckle filled the room, with people trying to contain thier laughter as the guy who almost got punched a second ago was now going to get beaten to a pulp.

"Zachary Grayson." Malachi called out once more now looking around the room. Zachary looked towards the platform and could see Gordon's signature sneer in his direction.

He shivered. He had to go up there if he wanted the job but being beaten up by his almost ten years bully was not what he had in mind. Zachary glanced at Malachi and when it looked like he was about to speak again, he strode out quickly and climbed the platform. He needed this job. He needed to try at least. Gordon glared at him, ready to kill him more than fight.

"Begin." Malachi shouted out when Zachary was fully standing in the fighting area.

Gordon wasted no time in rushing forward and going for the first blood. As his figure closed the gap between them, Zachary cursed under his breath.

Fuck My Life.

                                                                                   ••••

It had been close to fifteen minutes of Zachary's ass being handed to him and as expected, the audience that watched had a field day with his humiliation. Even Malachi didn't seem at all pleased by what he was watching but like he said, only unless he was knocked out or incapacitated would the fight be stopped and since he was still awake and, on his feet, the farce of a fight had gone on.

"Come on loser. Do something already." Gordon taunted as he gave Zachary a punch in the gut.

Zachary lost his breath and stumbled backwards, trying to see through his blurring vision.

"If you can't fight then at least stay down. That is what you're good at after all."

"No freaking way." Zachary replied as he raised his fists, seemingly not sure which direction Gordon was in.

His opponent shrugged in contentment.

"Have it your way. I don't mind."

With a swift move, Gordon closed their gap and landed an upper jab to Zachary's chin. Zachary flew back, his back colliding with the cold floor. He could feel the blood dripping from his mouth as he groaned in pain. He couldn't move around but he could hear the cheers and praise that Gordon poured on himself as he proclaimed that he had won.

Was this it? He had lost. He even didn't see that blue light from last night appear. Was that all a figment of his imagination? It couldn't be. He had saved that woman and there wouldn't be another explanation for it except for the fact that he was helped by something. Even with Gordon's voice ringing in his ears and his eyes slowly closing, what Zachary had hoped for had come.

DEFENSE MODE

YES OR NO

That blue light engulfed him engulfing him with its warmth and causing his wounds and bruises to subside even a little. Those words. The same as yesterday. He didn't have time to question why it had come or why it was even here. All Zachary knew was that he was lucky it showed up when it did.

"It seems that Zachary..." Malachi started but was cut short when Zachary muttered under his breath.

"Hell, yes."

Gordon turned towards Zachary's crumpled body and raised a brow.

"What did you say asswipe?" He asked as he got closer to Zachary and hunched over him as he still towered over him.

Out of nowhere, a flying kick hit Gordon in the cheek and pushed him back. Gordon held his cheek, shock and pain coursing all over his face. He looked up in time to see Zachary stand up from the ground and wipe the blood from his face. He smirked at Gordon and raised his fists in a stance.

"Is that all you got, asswipe?" Zachary said in a mocking tone, the pain in his body almost completely gone.

Gordon grunted at the retort and rushed forward like before. He gave a clean punch, but Zachary evaded it with a clear cut as he moved an inch backwards. Gordon moved in for another punch, but Zachary side stepped it this time, evading it like it was nothing. Gordon grimaced and kicked his leg out in the air, planning on hitting Zachary in the chest but Zachary was faster. Gordon's leg sliced through the air and connected with Zachary's hand. The wimp had caught the leg in a tight grip.

Gordon's eyes widened at the action before Zachary flipped him over, making him land on the floor in a loud thud. Zachary still stood over him and smirked, wanting the adrenaline to last longer.

"Come on Gordon. If you can't fight, at least stay down." He said, repeating Gordon's words back to him.

Those words were all Gordon needed to get off his feet and barge forward again. This time before he could even attempt to land a hit, Zachary had bent low to the ground and tripped him. Gordon fell but he quickly recovered and stood up.

"You're dead Grayson." He shouted out as he bounded forward again but Zachary possessed what he didn't.

Once Gordon was close enough, Zachary did what no one was expecting. He landed a clean punch in Gordon's face. Gordon stumbled backwards and fell to his knees. He could feel blood dripping down his face and raised a hand to his nose. Blood. He had a broken nose. Gordon raised his head to curse at Zachary, but Zachary had other ideas. He didn't give Gordon the room to breathe literally as he landed another sucker punch to the face causing Gordon to struggle for air.

The punches kept on coming and soon enough, Gordon was on the ground and on the defensive rather than offensive. Zachary punched and punched until Gordon's face was about to be a bloody mess.

"Stop! Stop! I surrender. I lose."

Although Zachary reveled in the way Gordon begged, the rules of the interview were simple. He raised Gordon by his shirt collar and whispered to him.

"You're still awake though. Don't worry. I'll fix that. Night Finch."

Gordon opened his mouth to protest but Zachary had already landed the winning punch. Gordon was unconscious. He was out. He had lost. Zachary breathed out as the blue warmth receded and some of his pain came back. He winced as he held his fist and looked at the people in the room. Everyone was shocked into silence. No one spoke. Zachary frowned. Did he not win? Did he disregard a rule or something? He turned to Malachi for some answers but what he saw surprised him. Malachi stared at him with a smile on his face and not just any smile. It was one of pride and respect.

"Everyone out. You've all failed the interview. Zachary Grayson wins."

The initial shock of Zachary winning was overcome by the new shock of him winning it all in one go, especially when they hadn't even had the chance to show off their skills. The room erupted into chaos with shouts and protests. Malachi frowned and called some men who stood in the room. His guards supposedly. He pointed to the unruly group and within a second, his men brought out guns and pointed them at the former job applicants. They all went silent at the sight of the weapons.

"The interview is over like I said and if any of you chooses to speak up then you will be treated as trespassers. Is that clear?"

The group stayed silent and gave Malachi nods.

"Great. Now please leave the premises. My men will escort all of you out."

As the disgruntled men and women left the room, Malachi walked up to the platform and brought out his hand for Zachary to shake. Zachary stared at the hand, confused as to how he had won and why the man wanted to touch him. Malachi gestured to his hand again and Zachary knew that this was a man he shouldn't keep waiting. He grabbed Malachi's hand with as much force as to show strength. Malachi smiled.

"Zachary Grayson, you won. You got the job."