The builders of Italy

Chapter Eight

The continuous ring of the alarm brings me back from la la land. I yawn effortlessly and stand up from the bed slipping my feet into my novelty rabbit ear slippers. it feels so warm on my feet and I like it very much even though Alexa constantly teases me on how big the rabbit ears are.

After my warm bath, I put on a blue fitted skirt and a white button-down shirt pairing it with a white blazer. I brush through my hair staring at it in the bathroom mirror, I should have it dyed to black for official reasons. I slid the only black heels I have into my feet and I am good to go.

What's that noise in the kitchen? it sounds like someone or something was shuffling around. I tiptoe to the kitchen ensuring my heels doesn't make a single sound. It is just Alexa looking for God knows what. She is wearing a hand-me-down pyjamas. It belonged to her mom..Alexa was just six year old when her mom left with a younger man and never returned. Her dad's girlfriend turned wife moved in shortly after two years and he never had time for his kids anymore. As soon as Rupert's reached 18, he moved out taking his younger sister with him and they never for once went back. 

"Hey Rosa" her voice is groggy probably from all the alcohol she drank last night. she looks like a ghost.

"You look like La Llorona except for the fact that you are not weeping or you might actually be weeping, one can't be sure" I laugh at my words and take a sip of her coffee.

"is that supposed to be a joke or something. I do not look like a bereaved ghost who in fact caused the death of her loved ones" she grabs her coffee from my hand carefully in order to avoid spillage of any kind.

"why are you up this early and most especially dressed like that?" she gesticulate as she takes in my outfit.

"I have an interview at 9" I tell her.

"an interview? college interview?" she yawns and sits on one of the barstools.

"a work interview at BOT Inc. " she stared at me with a puzzle look. "what's that?" she asks.

"Ever heard of the builders of Italy? that's it" I explain to her not expecting the loud piercing scream that follows. I place my palm on my ear until she finally stops screaming.

"What is wrong with you? why did you scream so loud? I know you are also surprised that I landed a job there right? but you don't have to act like such a fan girl" I walk up to the cabinet and pour myself a coffee.

"I wasn't screaming because of that" she says.

"Then why were you screaming? was it because we got here on Monday and by Friday I already got myself a job? I am a natural sweetheart"

"Nevermind. The thing is just that you don't know this company and what they do, you can't just go over and start working with them" she gets up from the stool and walk over to me "if you really need a job that bad, you can work at Rupert's firm you know" I will work where I want to work. I don't need anybody's approval.

"isn't it diapers Rupert makes?" I think that's what they make.

"it isn't diapers, they make pads, tampons and other toiletries" she says with a serious expression.

" see why I can't work there. Every month of my life since the past seven years,I get to see tampons and pads and now you are telling me to go work in a company that produces pad" I stare at her "no will do " I deadpan. she sighs and calmly pats my shoulder

"you don't have to be in that department, you can always be a manager and besides Rosa, you are crazy". excuse you. "hey! watch it" I glare seriously annoyed.

"you and I both know Rupert firm doesn't make tampons or pad or whatever assumptions you have up there" she says while poking my head.

"I thought they did" I honestly thought that's what they did. 

"Good morning ladies. Rosa long time no see" Rupert greets as he walks into the kitchen dressed up for work.

"I saw you yesterday Rupert" I remind him.

"Did you? besides where were you last night? Alexa and I searched everywhere for you and couldn't find you" 

" I went in search of a job" at least there is a truth somewhere in what I just said.

"That explains why you are up early and dressed. so what job is it?" he asks picking up my coffee from the table, taking it to his lips and taking a small sip.

"I am going in for an interview today"

"cool but where exactly?" he drinks from my coffee again.

"builders of Italy I think" Alexa answers for me and Rupert spits out the coffee from his mouth and turns his head sharply to me "what the f**k!" I should be the one saying that. why are they both against me working there. I give him a look as in challenging him to come up with an excuse for me not to work there. He seals his lips and scratches his head "That's nice. come with me, I can drop you off before I head to work" 

"That looks like a Greek offer. what's the contingency that once I step into your car, you won't restrain me from getting down" I question testing the waters. I can't trust Rupert not to do such a thing.

"Well the possibility of that happening is a 2 because instead of doing that, I will have you injected and subdued for the next two weeks" does he actually mean that? he has a serious expression on his face. I move back looking round in case there's an injection flying out from God knows where.

"Calm down Rosa. He is joking" Alexa soothes me pulling me to sit on one of the chairs.

"who said I was joking" Rupert says still feigning the serious expression.

"We get it. Now you can go. Bye" Alexa shoos him away. He walks out the door muttering something under his voice.

"darling, this outfit is ridiculous for an interview" Alexa points out with a look of distaste. I thought it was beautiful.

"is it? how bad is it?" I ask glancing down at my wrist watch. if I don't leave now, I will get there late.

"it makes you look like a Nanny" really? I didn't know that. I stand up and quickly scamper to my room to change into a much better outfit.

I am trying to find another outfit to wear. I had changed into seven different clothes but Alexa had made different nasty comment on each of them. It's now I realize Alexa has just been trying to make me late. I am so stupid not to know that earlier. I put on the first outfit I had worn earlier, grabbing my bag I walk outside the room to the kitchen where Alexa is sitting reading a fashion magazine.

"You are back in the Nanny's cloth" she says glancing up from her magazine.

"How could you Alexa? you were just trying to get me late, that's totally not fair" I am almost in tears. yeah I do cry for every little thing. she smiles at me and shrugs. 

"that's only because it's going to be so lonely here without you" she pouts. I know she is not really going to be lonely, besides the old couple nextdoor can keep her company isn't?

"You can go knit some sweater with Jo nextdoor" I suggest to her and in a flash the pout changes to a scowl and she gives me a middle finger shoving me out of the way and stomps up to her room. I laugh out and rush out of the house. It's a forty five minutes drive away and this is 9:20. I am going to be late all thanks to Alexa. I am going to bury her once I get back. she better prays I get the job.

"You're late" that's the first thing that Anna says immediately I walk up to her. I cringe at the sound of her voice. it sounds as if if she is angry.

"It's just 10:03" I tell her. 

"You were meant to be here at 9AM Rosa" 

"you said 10" I yell and the people around stare at me making me give an awkward laugh.

"You said 10"I whisper quietly.

"But you said you heard 9" seriously Anna. I was only joking. "it was a joke" I say

"I don't take jokes lightly. I am sorry but you are going to have to come back next week" she says and my jaw falls open and I almost cry. I turn around to walk out. Alexa wins.

"I was just messing with you Rosa. you don't have to look so deflated" Anna calls after my retreating back. I turn to her with a big smile which she returns.

"Take the elevator to the 9th floor. There are three doors, enter the one in the middle and a little warning from me....."

"don't go into the other doors" I say cutting her off.

"yes that but what I really wanted to say is do not answer Lydia"

"Who is Lydia?"I ask.

"Just ignore any lady you meet on that floor. she is a b***h". oh that. whoever Lydia is, don't expect a greeting from me. I smile and walk to the elevator ignoring a middle aged man that is smiling creepily at me. f*****g pedophile.