A beautiful betrayal

Chapter5

Sophie’s POV

The sound of my alarm pulled me out of my sleep at exactly 6am

I groaned and reached out blindly for my phone, knocking it mistakenly onto the floor

It hit the floor with a loud thud

“s**t”

I sat up quickly and rubbed my eyes

For a few seconds I couldn’t remember why had I had set the alarm so early

Then I remembered. The interview

I picked up my phone from the floor and checked the time. It was 6:06

I had 3 hours to get ready, make it to the train station and somehow convince a group of strangers that I was qualified for the job

My head felt heavy. I climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom. I stared at myself I’m the mirror

I looked tired, really really tired. The events of the past few days had taken more out of me that I expected

I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. When I was done, I wrapped a towel around my body and went back into my room.

I ran my fingers through my tight curls. My hair was wet so it was much easier to manipulate. Then I pulled it into a low bun. I was so grateful for how fast my hair had cooperated with me today

Then I used concealer to smooth over the exhaustion that showed under my eye

I needed to look competent and not like the desperate girl that had been fired from her job

When I was done, I stepped into the clothes I had set out for today. It was high waisted charcoal trouser and a buttoned crisp white shirt and a matching blazer I had bought some months back when it was on sale and things were a bit easier. I paired it with the only pair of black heels I owned. I rarely wore because of how uncomfortable they were.

On the dresser was the silver necklace my grandma gave me. She said it used to be my father’s. I picked it up and held it in my hand for some minutes, stroking the pendant.

“Your father didn’t just disappear” the words echoed in my mind

I put it on and kissed it before slipping it into my shirt.

I grabbed my leather portfolio filled with copies of resume and put it in my hand bag

Before I stepped out, I sprayed a bit of perfume over my body and applied some lipgloss too

Then I stepped out, into the beautiful city of New York

I sent a quick text to Lucy informing her that I was leaving already and then I walked to the subway station.

As I sat in the train I could feel my nerves flare up

My phone buzzed

Lucy: Good Luck today!! You’ve got this❤️

Me: Thank you. I’m already nervous

Lucy: Don’t be, you can do this. Just be yourself

I stared at the text for a moment

Just be yourself. It sounded easy but I didn’t even know who I was anymore

Me: Thank you Luce

Lucy: Anytime babe, I’ve got you.

Lucy: Text me after the interview. I love you Me: I love you more

The train stopped and I came down from it

I took a brief walk down to the front of the company

The building stood tall. Rising above the surrounding buildings.

I felt really small standing in front of the skyscraper.

I checked my watch for the time. 30 minutes to 9.

I took a deep breath and entered the building

I followed the directions and made my way to the receptionist’s desk

“Hello, good morning. I’m here for the interview for the job role in the finance’s department”

“Your name?” The lady said to me

“Sophie Rodriguez” I said

“Okay, take the left turn to the elevator. The interview is on the 32nd floor”

“Okay, thank you so much”

“You’re welcome”

I took the left turn and made my way to the elevator

I entered it and pressed the button. Before the elevator doors could close a man held it and entered inside. We made eye contact and he gave me a smile. I smiled back at him and remained quiet

We stayed quiet as the elevator moved up, until he spoke

“Hi, I’m Marcus” he said stretching his hand out for me to shake

“Hello, I’m Sophie” I replied

“Hmm, pretty name for an even prettier lady”

I smiled. “Thank you”

“You’re welcome”

I nodded my head

“So, are you new here? I’m sure I’d have remembered such a beauty if I had seen you before”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. For all I knew he could be my boss, but it was the same old thing with these men

“Yes, I am. I’m actually going for an interview on the 32nd floor”

“Aha! The open role in the finances department”

“Yes, that’s it”

“Well, you look qualified, I’m sure you’d get the job”

“I hope I do”

The elevator stopped and opened

“You will. Well this is my stop, I hope to see you again. Good luck today” he said and gave me a wink before walking away

I sighed and cleared my throat.

I was almost on the 32nd floor and soon I’d be faced with the interviewers

When the elevator reached the 32nd floor, it opened for me to step out and I did

Bringing out my phone, I followed the directions from the unknown texter to the office where the interview would hold

I smoothed the little creases on my shirt before knocking on the door.

“Come in!” I heard from inside and so I opened the door

Inside was a lady behind a computer and three other people who were seated down across from her.

Two guys and one other lady.

I walked towards the lady behind the computer

The lady continued to type furiously on her computer as I stood awkwardly in front of her.

I cleared my throat to get her attention

She looked up briefly

“Hi, please give me a minute” she said and I nodded.

After what seemed to be 5 minutes. She looked back at me

“Good morning, how may I help you today”

“I’m here for the interview scheduled for 9am”

“Okay, your name?”

“Sophie Rodriguez”

She paused her typing for a moment and looked up at me again. One of her eyebrows raised up

A shiver went down my spine. Did she know me?

“Okay...yes, you’re expected. Take a seat, someone will be with you shortly”

I walked over to an empty seat and sat down. I looked at the time on my phone, it was 8:52. I had 8 minutes before the interview would start

By 9:00am on the dot, a man walked in from the door

“Solomon Marshall” he called out

The guy stood up “That’s me”

“Come with me”

He followed the guy into the room. 20 minutes later he was out. He had an expression on his face that seemed like he was going to cry

The anxiety was back

Then the man came back out and called for the next person. This went on till it was my turn

“Sophie Rodriguez”

The man looked over to me

“Come with me”

And I did. Inside the room was a panel of interviewers

Two ladies and the man who had been calling for us who had returned to his seat in the middle of the ladies

“Good morning” I said

“Good morning Sophie, take a seat” one of the women said to me

I sat down

“Okay, I’m Daniel Hayes. This is Grace Matthews and Samantha Claire” he said gesturing to the two ladies

I nodded politely

“Your portfolio, Miss Rodriguez” Grace said to me

I brought it out of my bag and handed it over to her. I hoped my shaking hands weren’t too obvious

Then the interview started. It lasted for about 20 minutes and we were done.

They asked me about my previous job, my qualifications, my knowledge about handling sales records and how I would handle discrepancies in financial reports

Since this was what I had studied in college, I knew all the right answers to the questions which I was grateful for

When they asked me why I wanted the job, I gave them the easiest answer

“I’m looking for an opportunity to grow, and I know I can learn a lot from here”

It wasn’t technically a lie. I had just left something out

“Thank you for coming in, Sophie” Samantha said as she closed my file. “We’ll get back to you soon”

I nodded and stood up

“Thank you having me”

I had barely reached the door when she called back

“Sophie?”

I turned around

“Yes?”

She exchanged a quick glance with the other interviewers

“Actually we’d like to offer you the position”

“Omg really?

She smiled

“Yes, if you’re willing to start immediately”

My mouth fell open slightly

“Like today?”

She nodded yes

“Yes, absolutely! Yes”

They all shook my hand and it was settled. I had gotten the job

A few hours later, I was sitting at my new desk with an employee badge around my neck

I still couldn’t believe I had gotten the job

My supervisor, Mia, had spent the rest of the morning showing me around the financial department and explaining to me what my responsibilities were.

By lunch time, I was already buried in spreadsheets

Then Mia came into my office

“Sophie, could you do me a favor”

“Sure, what is it?”

“Take these files upstairs for me to executive office and on your way back please help me get a cup of coffee. Black, onesugar” she said dropping a file on my desk alongside some money

“Okay” I grabbed it and left the office

After I had dropped the file in the executive office, I made my way to the upstairs cafeteria and got coffee for Me and Mia

I was halfway down the hallway when someone appeared from the corner

I tried to stop, I really did but I was too late

I slipped and next thing I knew one of the cups tilted and spilled all over someone’s suit

“Oh my god!”

I set the coffees on the floor and grabbed the napkin I had also gotten and started wiping desperately at the person’s shirt

“I’m so sorry, it was an accident”

The person grabbed my hands tightly and held it

“You!” They said and I was once again met with those ocean green eyes. But this time anger mixed with confusion filled them

“Elise”

I felt my heart drop to my stomach