Chapter three
1102 Words
Neema
What Exactly was wrong with today? From the pressure of a disorganized interview to the distortion of a disturbingly handsome stranger.
I noticed his neatly ironed Italian suit, complementing his looks. I noticed his Adams apple move juicily like a hard cider pouring into a sparkling glass in slow motion. Oh my! I needed to close my eyes, but I was too slow to resist gazing.
“What are you staring at?” His voice sang from his throat, a smooth deep melody to my ears, as a devilish smile creeped up his lips.
“Nothing!” My eyes widened.
His head tilted a bit and his eyes grow curious, searching mine.
“If you don’t mind, can you make way, Bella signora?
I immediately realized I was standing right in front of the door and jerked away. He saw him stare at me again through the sides of my eyes. His gaze moved from my face, and lingered down my sides, then slid to my shoes. My feet coiled under his scrutiny and I looked away, facing the empty hallway which I assume he appeared from, unnoticed.
He turned the door knob and went passed me, into the interview room gracefully. I paced the hallway nervously, wondering, waiting, hoping and all words one could use to describe this pressure. But who was that guy? He looked more expensive and elegant than the other interviewers. He spoke like his words were mixed with mayonnaise, a creamy salty taste.
I snatched my phone my bag and turn the screen on. It was ten minutes past nine. I felt it somewhere in my mind that they were probably not considering employing me. I was left to decide I guess. Was I to leave and wait for as long as they would want me to?
I scrolled through my phone contacts wondering if I should place a call to Naomi to make sure she had given mum her medication. I dailed her number and placed the phone close to my eyes.
The phone rang and rang a while before she picked the call.
“Hey sis!”
“ Naomi!”
“I hope you good? How did your interview go?”
“Oh yeah! I haven’t been interview, Naomi. I’m actually waiting outside their room right now.”
“What the f**k! They should not be treating you let that! For crying out loud, you’re too good at what you do to be keep waiting and beside, we really need this job.”
“We?” my mind recalled. Oh yes! We. If I was doing this modelling to earn money, it was for mum and Naomi. Naomi had to go to college, although I could not. Mum had been diagnosed of nephroliths and high blood pressure after Dad left. So, “we”? Of course, “we”.
Finally, The door knob turned and was pulled from behind. It was Mr. Tan- face.
“Miss Neema, we’re so sorry for keeping you waiting. Just give us a sec.” And for the first time Mr. Tan-face’s eyes softened into a smile.
“It’s fine. I’d just wait take a seat over there.” I said pointing in the left direction from the office and poised a quilt smile.
Naomi was still with me over the phone.
“Kid sis, I’d get back to you in a bit, okay?”
“That’s cool.”
“and don’t forget to give mum her medication.”
“The morning dosage? I already did that. It’s just a week’s dosage left which means we need to get a new prescription, soon.”
“ A week left?”
“Yes. A week.”
“This is why this job is needed.”
“Sis?”
“What’s the problem, Naomi?”
“ I saw someone today. Someone I should not have seen. He came visiting.”
“And who was it. It was him.”
“Do not tell me it was Dad.”
“Yeah...it was him.” She sniffed.
“ He asked about you and mum. I did not really say anything. Not like there was any to be said.” She paused.
“He said he had heard of mum’s illness. It’s not like he really cared. He just said he couldn’t help it, but he feels he is happier with her than he was with mum.” She continued.
Tears started boiling in my eyes and I tried hard to fight them off. I blinked a multiple times to beat them to their own game.
Her breath laboured over the phone. I knew she was crying again. This was a reason I needed this job as soon as possible. It had to work out, somehow.
“It will be fine. It will be fine. Just stay calm, Naomi. I’d make sure I get this job, okay?”
“Okay. I’d see you when you come home.
Good luck!” She said as the line died into silence.
I turned, walking toward the seat I had seen on my way in. I sat down nervously, lost in thought. The sound of the door knob twisting open, drove light screws into my ears and my heart raced as I slipped out of my seat to see who it was.
It was the man dressed in Italian suit. My eyes caught his full view for the first time. He was so tall, probably six feet and a few inches. His shoes shun a delightful sleek black. He moved in an opposite direction of the hallway with some files in his hands.
I watched him walk till the sound his footsteps died on their tracks, his figure effortlessly swaying.
The sound of the door knob came again and this time, it was the kind looking interviewer who beckoned on me to come in.
“ Forgive us for taking so much time. You may come in.”
I nodded and moved hurriedly towards the door, then went in. The two men exchanged looks and lousy whispers.
“Wasn’t that the president’s son? Why was he here this morning? We weren’t expecting him.” Mr. Tan-face said.
“That shocked the soul out of me!” the other responded.
“He could have just sent, Alex, his secretary.”
“ I heard he barely smiles or every communicate with employees.”
“He’s also made an outrageous demand.”
Before they could utter another word, they noticed my eyes watching them intensely and stirred back to seriousness.
“The boss demands to meet you.” Mr. Tan-faced said.
- Writer
