Anywhere But Home

{13} Dream job

Emily Roberts

''Are you sure that I look alright?'' I asked Tori for the third time, checking myself in the mirror. ''Does it look like I'm trying too hard? Because I don't what to cause I bad impression. I have to get this job.'' I added grabbing a pair of earrings, from a tiny case that was on top of the counter to match the tuxedo jumpsuit that I bought yesterday after classes with Tori.

Since I wasn't getting any answer, I turned around. ''Are you even listening to me?'' I mumbled when I saw that she was with her eyes glued on her damn iPhone.

''I am.'' She replied still not diverting her blue eyes of that little device that seems to be ruining all human conversations nowadays. ''And like I said the other two times that you asked me and yesterday on the mall, you look smoking hot. If I were a guy I would totally bang you.'' She stated looking now at me with a teasing smile plastered on her face. ''So please, will you stop freaking out? It's just my uncle.''

I snorted in frustration. ''Was that supposed to make me feel any better?'' I gasped crossing my arms. ''I can't screw this up Tori. I need the money.'' I continued tapping my foot on the ground, as I feel the nerves getting to me.

She got up from her bed and made her way towards me, putting her hands on both of my shoulders. ''Everything will be fine. I told my uncle that you are an excellent hard worker. And besides you, only another girl applied to the job, but she doesn't have any experience in that field. If my uncle gives her the job I will burst in there and make a huge scene, which may get me disowned. But I doubt that I'll have to resort to that.'' She said smiling in her reassuring sweet voice.

Three days ago I mentioned to Tori that I needed to get a job. She immediately asked why I didn't ask my parents to lend me some money, but I said that I didn't want to put that burden on their shoulders, which she believed and find it a beautiful gesture. I feel so bad for lying to her. She has been so open about her life and I know she wouldn't tell anyone, but a part of me isn't prepared to have that conversation with anyone yet.

''Are you staying here?'' I asked her while putting my phone that was charging and my wallet inside my purse.

''Yeah... I have a physics diagnostic-test tomorrow, to test our knowledge from high school and I still have to study.'' She informed leaning on the wall waiting for the coffee machine to finish making her coffee. ''Turns out that saving others species is much more complicated than I thought.'' She chuckled grabbing a coup to pour her coffee. ''And this one right here... Will help me to stay awake through the night.''

I laughed at her. She is so right. Coffee was the greatest discovery ever. ''Nothing worth having comes easy. '' I said grabbing my purse from the table and heading to the door. ''I'll be back in two hours, thankfully with a job. There are pizza and vegetable soup in the fridge. Don't forget to eat Tori.'' I warned her.

''Don't worry. The amount of time I'll spend awake, I'll probably eat both things.'' She muttered throwing herself to her bed. ''Good luck!'' She shouted throwing at me a pillow. I turned around and gave her an 'I'll kill you later' look, before walking out the door.

                                                                                              ***

''Amy Davis, you're up first.'' Regina, the woman Tori introduced me when I came here with her said, taking the other girl to an office.

I've been waiting for about half an hour. My anxiety is just piling up and I'm starting to freak out. I'm applying to Regina's position. Apparently she is leaving and Tori said this could be a good opportunity since I had some experience in this area. I had a part-time job at Ratatouille when I was still in my sophomore year in high school. I didn't gain a lot, but I really wanted my own car and that according to my parents, was the only way I would get one. It was a fair decision.

To place that job experience in curriculum vitae, I had to change my name and instead of Emma Thompson, I placed Emily Roberts and hoped and prayed to the God that they don't call Ratatouille to confirm or I'm seriously screwed. But I figured at this point that that was a risk I had to take.

I few more minutes passed by and the girl left the office with a sad look on her face. She looks almost the same age as me. Maybe a few years older. I was about to ask how it went, but she just walked past me without even saying a word.

''Emily, you can enter now. Mr. Phillips is waiting for you.'' Regina said calling my attention. I grabbed my purse and straightened my clothes before walking in.

Sitting in an expensive chair was a gentleman maybe in his fifties. Despite being seated, he appeared to be quite tall. He's had grizzled hair and small wrinkles forming around his eyes but still looked really charming. His jaw was clenched, as he was seriously engaged, writing something on his computer, before looking up to finally acknowledge my presence. He closed his computer and got up, putting his hand out for a handshake. ''You must be Emily right?''

I nervously shook his hand back. ''Yes, sir.'' I said swallowing the little lump that was forming on my throat.

He smiled, which caught me by surprise. His presence was a little intimidating. ''Please, call me Richard. Sir makes me feel old.'' He said pointing to the chair in front of him. ''You may take a sit.''

He opened a file, which I assumed to be my pretty almost empty curriculum. I'm eighteen. The only experience that I have is that I don't have experience enough. ''Did my niece told you about the job you're applying to?'' He inquired uniting his hands on top of the file.

''Yes. I'm applying to the position of this lady that just left. Front manager.'' I said calmly trying to stay as professional as I could be.

''That's correct.'' He told shaking his head.

I didn't know what to say, so I stayed quiet and smiled.

''First of all, why should I hire you?''

His asked looking intensively at me. Noticing his gaze, I cleared my voice. ''I'm a really hard worker. I always show up in time and I'm rarely sick. I know I may be young and I may not have as much experience as the other candidate, but I'm a fast learner. If you give me this opportunity I promise I won't let you down. If I screw up, I'll be the one to ask for my dismissal.'' I said in one breath.

He stared at me for a minute before speaking. ''I see here that you worked at Ratatouille.'' He stated, taking a sneak peek at my file.

''Yes.'' I confirmed. ''I worked there for about six months. I started as a waitress, but I wasn't enough time there to actually received a promotion.'' I added.

''Restaurant business is a tough one.'' He informed. I know I know ... He leaned forward on his chair. ''The truth is that Regina is leaving at the end of this month and I need to find someone responsible and trustworthy to help me. I have two other restaurants and I can't manage to be here every day. Her departure will probably be something temporary, but I can't leave this restaurant without any front manager.'' He informed giving me a file with a few papers on it. I received it and took a look at what was written. It was the work conditions.

Heath insurance, a car, two days off at my choice and most importantly 1220 dollars per week. I'll have my own car? And 1220 for each week?

''I know it's a lot to take in. But let me fill you up on some things that aren't there.'' He said pointing to the file. ''We are closed on Tuesday. On Mondays, Fridays and Sundays we are open for lunch and dinner and the rest of the days, we only open for dinner. Christmas Eve and the two days after that nobody comes to work. That's my special Christmas gift to all my employers. That and an extra 1000 dollars at the end of the month.''

Do bosses like him still exist? ''Si-, Richard, this seems really generous.'' I was able to say, after the initial shock.

''Funny you said that ... Because the other girl thought that the money was not a lot. If you want, the job is yours.'' She thought the money wasn't a lot? What? Like, come on! Wait... did he just offered me the job?

''Are you sure?'' I asked unwittingly, realizing after that maybe showing that you have doubts on your capabilities in front of your future employer, it's not a good thing. ''I mean, are you sure you don't want to search for someone with more qualifications?'' Oh my god... I just made everything even worse. Why can't I just shut up?

''My niece said that I could trust you. And for now, her word will do.'' He replied firmly and then dialled a number on the office phone.

''Yes, Richard?''

''Regina, bring me the job forms please.'' He briefly said before ending the call. ''We will need your SSN, driver's license if you decide to accept the job offer.'' He said now looking at me.

Seconds after, the door opened and Regina walked in holding a red file and a black file which she gave both to Richard. ''This is for you.'' He said handing me the black file. ''You have one week to think if you want to come on board with us. Whatever decision you make, it was really nice to meet you. You are a lovely girl.'' He said with a genuine smile, walking to my side. ''Take care.'' He added shaking my hand. This time I gave a more firm handshake back.

''Come on dear.'' Regina said indicating me the way out. ''Hope to see you soon.'' She stated with a grin while a got into the cab.