The Fake

chapter 1

“Molly, you don’t have to get a job you know.”

“I have to, I wish things were different but they aren’t, I have to do this Lena.”

“I know you feel like you need to have a job for my sake, but you don’t have to, I’ll be fine, I promise.” Its Easy for her to say.

“Its not all about you Lena, am doing this for Leif too and grandpa. I know you think grandpa has got it all covered but that’s not the case. Leif fees is behind by three months and_”

I remember that am not supposed to tell her that Grandpa will not be able to afford her medication anymore.

She will be depressed.

“And?”

“I need a new pair of shoes, and so do you.”

That was close.

She eyes me suspiciously, but am quickly to avoid her gaze.

She knows me too well and I can’t give her a hint that am lying to her, she will end up making me spit everything.

That won’t end well.

“Fine, but if they don’t treat you well, you don’t have to work there.”

Lena is so mum.

“I’ll not let anyone mistreat me, if that’s you are worried about, mum.”

I say rolling my eyes.

“You look set, apart from your grooming.”

I glance at the mirror on full length once more. There is nothing wrong with my dressing.

“what? I think I look presentable and official.”

“Well if you say so, you look so up tight, loosen up a little, it’s a job interview, not a job promotion.”

I don’t have time for this, I know how this conversation will end.

Am definitely not ready to go back to the closet.

I pick my purse and head outside my room, Lena is right behind me as we decent the staircase.

“I have fixed you breakfast.”

Grandpa shouts from the kitchen as soon as we get to the living room.

“Thanks grandpa, but I’ll have to go, I don’t want to be late.”

“I thought you’d say that.” He comes from the kitchen and hands me a packed breakfast.

“Thanks grandpa, you are the best.”

Lena hugs me.

“I’ll miss you.”

She says and prolongs the hug way too long.

“As much as I like hugging you, I’ll be late.” I pull out and look at her.

“Its just a job interview, it’s not a death sentence.”

I tell her when her eyes get watery.

“Who is dying?” Leif is already dressed up for school.

“Good morning to you too Leif.”

He makes funny faces towards me.

He stuffs a full slice of bread in his mouth.

“nice suit, Molly. You look like a uniformed advanced robot, those things they call Android.”

“Leif!” Lena scolds him

“what? Am just saying the truth.”

“don’t speak with your mouth full. Have some table manners.”

He removes his tongue out showing some disgustingly chewed food.

Yuck! This boy really needs to have some manners.

I’d really like to defend my suit and my mechanized form, but I’ll run late.

“See you guys, wish me luck.”

“Good luck!” they chorus.

I really need that luck.

I get at the hotel by seven thirty.

I’m really hoping that I get this job.

Arya recommended it.

Being a personal assistant is not my cup of tea, but something is better than nothing.

If there is something I have learned in life is being flexible when it comes to job choices.

I can’t afford to be choosy, especially not now when our family is going through a very difficult time.

Am sitting on a waiting bench at the reception.

swift steps of someone in a hurry fill the corridor.

I have been memorizing on what to say confidently over and over.

My palms are already sweaty.

Am uncomfortable and I keep figeting about the seat.

You can do this!

My subconscious is right. I can do this. It’s just a job interview, how hard can it be?

I take deep breaths and count ten to one. Not that it helps, it’s a stupid thing my grandpa always says.

"Take these to the office!"

Am startled by a guy in a black suit .

He must be the boss. I look around only to note that he is talking to me.

He is holding some files.

"sorry sir I ..."

"can you not call me sir and do what I just told you? Do I look sixty to you? Next time call me Peter."

He places the files on the counter and a key on the files and exits as he came.

He is just petty.

Wait, am not going through a job interview?

I recheck the directions given by Ari. Am definitely at the right place. I think Peter’s name is familiar too. I can’t remember well though, I was overwhelmed when Ari told me that she got me a job.

Who wouldn’t anyway?

Am left wondering if he forgot to interview me, or maybe I resemble the previous assistant.

Ariya mentioned about her friend being “a little bit overboard” but this way beyond what I had in mind.

Am not complaining though, I’d have probably panicked and said the wrong things.

This should be my first job like ever and I know nothing about job interviews.

I want to tell him that am here to seek a job but he already left.

I look at the door written "office" .

Maybe this is my interview. I tell myself.

Or maybe he mistook his office.

I reluctantly pick the key and head for the door. I try the key and it opens the door lock.

Well, it's his office alright.

Everything is in order for someone who is without a PA. The office is just perfect.

Everything is labeled neatly and in chronological order. I wish one day I get to have such a beautiful office.

I start walking through the spacious office taking in the beauty and the design.

I don’t have the tiniest idea on what a personal assistant does.

There at least three pictures of a beautiful lady. She looks Young and happy. Then there is one with a couple, I recognize peter. The lady must be his wife or girlfriend.

They look perfect together. I note it’s the same lady in the previous photos.

I still don’t understand how Ari managed to pull off a job at this place.

It’s the biggest restaurant in the city.

But then again, she is from a well of family so her dad must have helped.

There is a painting on the whole wall. It’s the same lady.

Peter must be in love this woman ,a lot.

A wall painting? Some men will never put even a single photo of their women in their office leave alone a wall painting.

Some people are just lucky…nice office, good life, beautiful…

The door opens . It must be Peter.

“Who are you? And what are you doing in my office?” a female voice startles me. I turn around and my eyes meets the owner of the voice.

she is the lady in the photos, only that she looks way beautiful in person.

“I was_”

“ sorry, Peter gave me the_”

“ I see, you are one of those hoes who think they can come in my office just because they are sleeping around with my husband!”

I blink rapidly.

“What? No, I _”

Explaining myself is not helping. I wish I had just stayed at the reception.

Her hands are clenching to fists as she moves towards my direction, furry written all over her face.

I’ll have to explain my situation fast before I get a punch or worse, a bite.

“Ariya send me for a job interview. Peter came and gave me the key. I tried to explain to him that I don’t work here but he had already left. Am sorry, I thought it’s his office.” I say trembling in fear.

Tears are threatening to fall.

“Ariya?” She asks as she stops moving to my direction.

I just nod my head in the affirmative. Saying anything might just make the tears fall.

“what’s your name?” she asks rising an eyebrow.

I sigh in relief when she wears a friendly face.

Am still terrified though.

“ am Molly.”

I try to smile but I fail miserably. My heart is beating wildly and loudly.

For a moment there, I thought I’d have a heart attack.

She picks her phone and calls Ariya… I assume.

“good morning, Ari.”

They must be pretty close if she just called her Ari.

“I see you send Molly.” She listens for a while. As she admires her long and well maintained nails.

“Thanks.” She listens and laughs.

“I scared her a little bit…”she doesn’t finish explaining, her face suddenly falls.

Ariya is definitely scolding her.

“hey, sorry it was not intentional, I just happened to have found her in my office without my consent.. .”

She taps her middle finger absently on her elbow.

“it won’t happen again.” She says rolling her eyes and flips her phone.

She hangs up and sighs.

“ you will be my personal assistant for now. Keep your files in the employees folder. I’ll check them later.”

She sways her perfect body and pulls out a file from one of the drawers.

“ Today I want you to schedule for tomorrow, we have exclusive visitors .” She gives me a list of guests.

“That is the list of guests we are expecting. Ensure to arrange on their sitting spots and ensure the chefs have their specials. Every detail is important. You can review this file and see what is expected of you” she gives me the file and leaves me to go through it.

Am busy going through the list. Most of the names am sure are familiar, mostly because I have heard them on the television or read them in a magazine.

_The minister of foreign affairs and his family is in the list-

How will I handle such kind of guests?

I don’t even have an expensive dress or whatever they wear.

“anything wrong?” I almost jump. I thought she left.

“Yes, _I mean no.”

“Which is which. Yes or no?”

“the guests…I don’t know what is expected of me.”

She smiles sweetly.

“don’t worry, you just need to plan, the workers will do everything else, your job is to make my life easier here in the office. I’ll see that some decent outfit is delivered to your house in the morning just in case I need you.”

“Thanks, I’ll pay you back when I receive my salary.”

She smiles once more.

“ I think that’s for me to decide don’t you think?”

I just nod.

“And what is expected of you is perfection.”

She starts walking out of the office then stops.

Just when I thought she was leaving…her presence is making me uncomfortable but I hope I’ll get used to her.

“I am Laura. Welcome to D' lounge la Dena hotel.”

“Thank you.”

This time I manage to smile.

She exits and I release a whole volume of breath.

**

I have been busy with the food arrangements, their specials and sitting arrangements. It’s actually hectic and harder than I thought.

I have been sitting for the last three hours .

I need a break.

Just before I finish with putting the files in order the office door opens.

Peter comes in.

It’s seems that Peter and his wife kind of share the office but Laura spends most of the time in it.

Laura left like an hour ago. If I said Laura makes me uncomfortable, then her husband is way worse.

Something about Peter isn’t right, starting with the way he looks at me.

He comes and leans on my desk. I feel uncomfortable.

His eyes are definitely undressing me.

I try as hard as possible to ignore him.

I Know that I have no specific preference when we come to men, but any type which is married is never my type.

If he dares kiss me, I’ll definitely puke. Then imagine it again then puke. As a matter of fact just thinking about it makes me want to puke.

Oh, I almost forgot. I’ll punch him on the balls.

“you are the new one? You look hot, red pepper hot.”

What is wrong with him?