Resilient Jewel

CHAPTER 4

“Thank you so much Bri, I don't think words can properly express my gratitude” Amelia said to her friend who sat across from her at the dining table.

It had been two weeks since Amelia left home. She had sobbed profusely on her way to New York.

“Stop Amelia, you know you're welcome here anytime” she chortled with a mouthful of food.

Amelia and Brittany had attended the same university. But shortly after graduation, Brittany got an offer from a company in New York. Without any hesitation, she packed up her bags and moved.

After tossing and turning through the night, she called Bri in the wee hours of the morning, narrating a bit of her ordeal.

Her bags were packed right after Bri agreed to accommodate Amelia at her place.

It was a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment. Brittany had gotten a better job on Wall Street and was coping so well for herself.

They were having Chinese takeout for dinner. “Have you heard from Kayla?” Brittany asked.

“Not yet, Mrs Brent said she’s refused to speak with me as she's yet to forgive me” Amelia sighed deeply.

“I'm sure she’ll come around” Brittany held her hand reassuringly.

Amelia's chest tightened, she thought about Kayla every day.

She had begged Mrs Brent, their neighbor, to allow Kayla stay with them till she came back to get her.

“How have you been coping with your jobs so far? Was it three or four? I still don't know how you take on so much”, Amelia let out a deep breath.

Her search for an office job wasn't easy as she was either unqualified or lacking experience. She decided to take up other jobs to ensure she wasn't leeching off her friend.

She worked as an afternoon shift waiter at a five-star Michelin restaurant and a bartender at night.

During the weekends, she tutored rich students from the Ivy League and cleaned public toilets in the evening.

“Well it's three now, I quit the weekend cleaning job” Amelia poked her takeout.

“What happened?” Brittany looked up, noticing a change in Amelia's tone.

“You won't believe that my stupid supervisor made advances at me”. Brittany covered her mouth in shock.

“I wish I hit him more, sleazy bastard” Amelia murmured under her breath.

“Well good riddance” Brittany raised her can of soda, as they clinked their cans.

Dropping her can mid-gulp, Brittany asked, “Did you see the link I sent for that job opening last week?”

“Yeah, I sent in my application the same day you sent it. They are yet to get back to me”.

Amelia still had hopes that she was going to land an office job soon. She conducted lots of research for possible fields she could work in and applied online for job openings as well.

“I see how hard you've been working, I'm very positive you'll receive good news soon” Brittany smiled at her encouragingly.

She could tell Amelia had a long week and was overwhelmed from working so many jobs. An idea popped into her head.

“You know what? Let's have a Netflix and chill night or do karaoke?”, “What's your pick, milady?” Brittany curtsied.

Amelia's phone chimed with a message notification. “Just a moment,” she said, picking up her phone to check the message.

Staring at the message, Amelia froze in disbelief.

Her eyes weren't playing tricks on her right?

“Why? What? What? What's wrong” Brittany panicked, grabbing Amelia's phone.

It was an email for an interview, the job opening she had sent to Amelia last week.

Brittany screamed in a high-pitched tone. Grabbing Amelia by the shoulder, they jumped in circles.

“You got the jobbbbbbb” Brittany screamed again, hugging Amelia.

*****

Amelia took one last look at the address on her phone as she got out of the taxi.

She wanted to confirm that the skyrise building in front of her was the correct location for her interview.

She smoothed out the wrinkles that had formed on her skirt from the ride in the taxi.

Taking one last deep breath, she walked towards the revolving door and pushed her way into the building.

The interior of the building was the best she had seen. She couldn't stop herself from gazing in awe at the high-rise ceiling.

So much attention and love had been put into the design of this office.

From the delicate, sweet-smelling fresh flowers in the lobby to the exquisite sound of waterfalls in the building.

This had to be the most luxurious-looking building she had ever stepped in.

“Good afternoon, I'm here to meet Sean Wesley.” Amelia smiled at the lobby receptionist.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked. “Yes, an interview slated for 12pm” Amelia responded.

“Just a moment” she busied herself, placing a call to notify him of Amelia's presence at the lobby. “You can go up, Miss Jones. Take the elevator to the 30th floor, second office by your right.”

“Thank you” Amelia responded, walking towards the elevator. The elevator doors chimed open, it was empty.

She got in and punched the number for the last floor. Rubbing her sweaty palms against her skirt, she tried to calm her nervousness.

She wasn't going to blow this shot, she had to give it her all. She had to get this job.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened, in walked the most gorgeous man Amelia had ever seen.

His exquisite cologne infiltrated her nose and filled the entire elevator. He was on a call so he barely noticed her.

He walked to the back of the elevator. Amelia moved a bit forward, facing the elevator buttons.

She couldn't help but admire his reflection as the doors closed. He looked like he just walked straight out of a movie set. He had the perfect ratio face.

His crisp white shirt was folded up to his elbow, revealing a bit of his veiny hands. Some strands of his side-swooped hair fell dangerously close to his right eye.

Ending his call, he looked up. Amelia's eyes met the most piercing blue eyes she had ever seen. It held an intimidating glare that softened once it landed on her.

He walked forward towards her, Amelia tensed. The hairs on the back of her neck rose with each step he took.

“What floor are you going to?” his question startled her. “Uhm, 30th floor” her voice came out shaky. He snaked his arm around her while keeping his distance and punched in the last floor.

His deep velvety voice already had her stomach in knots. Now he was standing a few inches close to her, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Suddenly the elevator shook, causing Amelia to shriek. Her back was pinned against the wall but a strong hand held her waist.

Before her brain could register what was going on, the elevator shook again and the lights went out. She kept her eyes shut.

She wasn't scared this time because of the hand that kept her steady. The lights blinked back on.

“Are you okay?” Amelia slowly opened her eyes, his blue eyes stared back at her with concern. His right hand rested above them on the wall of the elevator.

Amelia stared back into his eyes, too stunned to speak. Just then the elevator door chimed open, Amelia didn't care what floor it was. She bolted out.

*****

“Just a few more questions before we round up the interview. Where did you grow up?” Sean asked

“Easton, Pennsylvania” she replied. Sean was a breath of fresh air from blue eyes in the elevator.

He was charming and handsome but not her cup of tea. She felt an air of comfort around him, which eased her nervousness.

“Have you heard of Mr. Florian Ford before?”, “No” she responded. “What of Damian Doberman?”

“No” Amelia lowered her gaze, who were these men and why should she know them.

“That's odd, you don't know the owner of the building you're seated in” Sean held a questioning gaze

“I sincerely apologise, I should have done more research before coming in today. Truth is, I moved here last month and I'm yet to adjust to the big city” Amelia's voice held regret.

Was she going to lost this opportunity? She was too excited, preparing for this interview that she forgot to learn the basics.

“You're hired” Sean's voice jerked her out of her thoughts. “Wait what! Really?” she beamed.

“Yeah. This job is a very delicate one and you'll be working closely with the CEO”

Sean placed a contract agreement in front of her with a pen. “You need to sign an NDA before I reveal the details of this job”.

Amelia looked up at Sean expecting more clarification. “You'll not be coerced to take this job. However you can't share the details of the job description with anyone, hence the need for an NDA” he nodded at her.

Amelia signed the contract agreement in front of her. “Perfect. Now let's head to the CEO's office” Sean led the way out of his office.

Few moments later, they were standing in front of a tall door, Sean opened the door and walked in. She followed suit, closing the door gently behind her.

What was it with this office and tall guys? She thought briefly as she walked behind Sean's back that towered over her.

“Good afternoon, Mr. CEO” Sean joked, causing the CEO to laugh. They seem friendly.

Sean stepped away from her revealing the CEO.

Amelia's eyes widened like saucers. It felt like air had been knocked out of her lungs.

She was staring back at blue eyes from the elevator.