Dear CEO

Chapter 2 - The hot one's are always jerks

I smear my sweaty palms on my dress as me and mom rush over loose sand that causes dust to follow behind us.

“Mom, do we really need to walk this fast?” I moan, slowing down, but with a stern look she grabs my wrist and drags me with her.

I shake my head and watch how her short legs work faster than my long ones. The flowery knee-length skirt she’s wearing swishes excitedly around her hips.

I look down at my own sundress, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. It’s black and reaches the middle of my thighs. From always wearing pants and skirts that are below my knees, this sure feels strange.

Mom made sure she dressed me up nicely. Even my hair is free. It’s always tied up and out of my face. Having such long hair can be hard to handle and I don’t ever feel like handling it.

When a loud voice interrupts my thoughts, nerves rush into my body.

Mom wants me to introduce myself.

“Mom, is this really necessary?” I nag, trying to get myself out of this.

Mom suddenly abruptly stops, turns and looks at me.

Her brown eyes are staring deep into mine as she combs her short brown bob behind her ears.

“Rosalie.” She utters, sternly making me nervously swallow. She never uses my full name.

“This is an opportunity for you,” she swipes her tongue over her teeth and, for a split second, lets her head drop, “you only have two months left of school. If you can just talk to someone. Introduce yourself,” a small smile appears on her lips, “It’ll open doors for you.”

I bite my lips, “But why would they even give me an opportunity? They aren’t here to offer jobs.”

“I know, but still. This is a big company.” She makes a big circle movement with her arms and hands.

I smile at her and continue to walk. I eye the houses we are passing and don’t know what to feel.

It’s basically thin aluminium sheets, roughly standing next to each to make a few blocks of space inside. Some are more neatly put together but others fall apart. A lump forms in my throat, knowing that we also live in one of these places. Me and mom have to share a room, constantly being surrounded by irritating heat in the summer and shivering cold in the winter.

I know how it feels for everyone living here.

I sniff. Maybe I should use this as my motivation to introduce myself to someone. So that one day, I can work towards a great job and better our community.

I grip my thumb hard in my hands, knowing that right now I’m not capable of changing myself towards someone more confident. I sigh, feeling my heart cave in. I really want to be confident like the popular girls, or like Tiffany, who doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her and I’ve tried, but I guess it’s just not in me.

“We are delighted to be here.” A chirpy woman’s voice says through a mike.

In a large open space, fancy cars are parked in circles, a small stage is set up in front with tents spattered around.

I notice some people in my community, standing in groups, listening to what the woman has to say. When we appear, heads turn, judging our last steps. That's why I hate being late. Everyone will stare at you with those siren eyes and you awkwardly weave yourself in the group, trying not to look awkward. I feel even more awkward, being so dressed up compared to the others.

“Being part of this great company,” My eyes scan around seeing their company's logo “Terecc” almost everywhere, “I feel honored to help end poverty.”

I roll my eyes, only hearing fakeness in her voice. Her suit jacket and pencil skirt doesn’t match the event. I roll my eyes even more, because of the way she keeps throwing her perfect red curls back.

I can’t help but shake my head when I notice a cameraman, shooting everything she’s saying. No wonder she’s trying so hard to be perfect.

I scan three other men, standing next to her, hands together in front of them, acting like respected school boys. Their suits are all navy blue, and I swear their faces also look the same.

I grip my teeth and feel like a fool thinking all this. They at least have courage and talking skills.

When the red head finished her speech everyone, scattered to different tents.

I follow mom, who’s rushing to greet Aunt Maria, the friendly woman who lives two houses from us.

“Hey my Rosie.” Aunt Maria’s voice is like warm tea. She always makes me feel safe and comfortable.

“Hey aunt Maria.” We smile warmly at each other and engulf each other in big hugs. A strong smell of sweat enters my nose, but I don’t care. Deodorant is expensive and I know she works hard to provide for her three little children.

I flinch when a camera’s click makes itself known in our direction.

It’s the cameraman, taking photos of us. I look down, hoping he doesn’t continue to take photos of us.

As if in a trance, mom and aunt Maria start to walk, talking like the two best friends they are.

“Hey.” I turn to see the cameraman right in front of me. His hair is in dark brown dreads on his shoulders and he's also wearing a suit, which makes it an odd combination.

“Hi?” I feel my cheeks turning red and I want to mentally facepalm myself.

“Do you mind if I take some pictures of you?” He asks in a friendly voice.

I swallow, “Uhm, I-”

“It can be you giving the community some water.”

“Oh no, I-”

“But I first want to take some alone of you.” Without any more questions, he makes a shoo movement with his hand, making me step backwards.

Ohno. He thinks I’m part of the company. He points at a spot a little further and I hesitantly step a few steps back.

“Perfect.” He starts to angle the camera, and I don’t even know if I should smile or what I should tell him. I’m not who he thinks I am.

“Sorry but-” I cautiously speak but once again I get interrupted by a deep voice.

“She doesn’t want to take a photo, Dereck.” I turn to look right into intense dark green eyes.

My eyes widen. It’s the same guy I bumped into earlier today. I can’t imagine how red my cheek must be now. What is he even doing here?

What must I say?

I awkwardly look back at Derreck, who just gives a curt nod and walks away.

“Uhm, thank you.” my voice breaks and I try to look at any area on him that isn’t his eyes. He’s still wearing his leather jacket and dark blue jeans.

He’s chewing on a small piece of wood and I can feel his eyes on mine.

He takes small steps forward, literally touching my shoulders.

I swallow, feeling his warm breath on my forehead as he looks down on me.

Without thinking I look into his eyes, catching a whiff of a minty and woody smell.

I suck in a breath, feeling overwhelmed with small adrenaline shocks, exploding in my heart and stomach.

Wait. What will other people think when they see us standing so close to each other, staring?

I step back and awkwardly scratch my neck, eyeing the commotion around us.

Kids holding water packets with toothy grins. People laughing and being happy.

“So, you’re a poor girl?” he asks with a chuckle, showing his perfect white teeth.

I frown, “What?”

He shakes his head and stares ahead of me, a devilish smile still playing on his lips.

“You don’t belong here.” His voice is serious and I can’t help but stare at him unbelievably.

He’s a jerk. Mom warned me about these good-looking guys, or just people in general, who look on the outside, but are vile creatures on the inside. Just like the popular girls in school. They don’t have good hearts.

I think about Tiffany, and her golden tongue. She would’ve made him cry by now.

“Why?” I frown at him.

He just lifts his shoulders and I see him holding in many things he wants to say.

“That’s not very nice to say.” I say, surprising myself.

“Why?” He looks at me as if I’m some kind of joke.

“Because these people are my family.” I say, look around and raise my hands.

He chuckles again. His voice reminds me of breaking chocolate. The most satisfying sound I could’ve ever heard.

“Doesn’t look like it.” He says, looking at me to people behind me.

I shake my head at him and knit my eyebrows together. If he wasn’t this pretty, I would’ve lost my mind already in anger.

We stand in silence for a few seconds, me looking away, while he looks at me.

“Too bad, you aren’t rich.” He makes the remark. I look at him, hoping that he’s joking.

What the hell is wrong with him? His a retard.

“What? Why?”

“Well poor girls don't really have friends.” He spits the stick from his mouth as he keeps on smiling at me. Somehow it feels more like a challenge than a smile. As if he’s trying to get under my skin.

“What has that got to do with anything?” I bash at him.

“Fewer friends to fuck.”

My mouth drops.

He can't be serious.

I fold my arms over my chest.

“You don’t deserve girlfriends.”

Having strength I walk past him, and push his shoulder hard with mine.

I don’t know how I did it, with the little confidence I have and somehow I knew that this isn’t going to be the only encounter with him.

"Why don't I deserve a girlfriend?" His voice comes up behind me, making goosebumps errupt on my skin.

My eyes land on mom, who's still takking, this time with two more people.

I turn and look at him unbelievably. His irritating smirk is getting on my nerves.

"Because you cheat." I say, swiping my tongue over my teeth.

"Well, I'm sure, considering, your," he indicates to my facewith his hand, "I'm sure you couldn't help but do something unfaithful?"

"Considering my what?" I fold my arms over my chest agin and glare at him.

"Your face." He mumble, looking down and putting his hands inside his leather jacket.

Standing so close, I notice some light freckles decorating his nose. He really is handsome. Girls must be standing row to have him, so he have it easy. It's probaly imprinted in his mind, that he can only have s****l relationships with girls.

"What about my face?" I ask and can't help to start and giggle. I cover my mouth, and notice an interesting smile starting to play on his mouth, making me blush.

"Well, it's beautiful."

His words makes me astonished for a moment. I didn't think he was going to say it.

I step back from him, escaping the closeness and I suddenly feel cold.

I smile at him, hoping that he understands that I'm saying 'thank you'.

"I've got to go." I rell him and immediatly turn.

I don't know why, but I kind of wanted to talk to him more.

But he's a jerk. He only wants one thing and I won't be able to give him anything. I'm poor.