The builders of Italy

Chapter Seven

 I can still fill my heart beating erratically, even though I am now standing in front of a large desk at the company's lobby. I can't help but remember how his deep and husky voice sounded 'have a safe night bello' causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"bienvenida señora" (welcome ma'am) the lady at the desk greets. she can't be more than a few years older than I am. she's got cropped red hair and hazel eyes. she is indeed very pretty.

"Good evening" I greet not remembering what it is in Spanish. what if she doesn't speak english? 

"Do you speak english?" I ask silently praying she does because I might understand the language but I am not so fluent and I can imagine how embarrassed I will be if I think I am greeting her and what I am in fact saying is she looks like a dog. I don't want to ruin my chances of getting a job here.

"yes I do. why won't I ? she gives me a genuine smile. Thank goodness she isn't a b***h.

"good because I speak english too" I tell her and she gives me a funny look " Don't you think I know that already?" she asks and I look at my feet. way to go Rosa.

"I hope am not disturbing you or anything" I ask carefully and tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

"well you aren't disturbing anything. As you can see everyone has left" she say gesturing around the wide empty lobby with only the both of us being the only soul around. The building is really big. it is tall but not really, I think it has about 12 floors.

"I just wanted to ask if you guys maybe have an open application for the post of an intern" I say with an hopeful expression. She drums her fingers on the large desk thinking deeply.

"We are actually closed right now but you can come in tomorrow at 10 am by then, I would have spoken with the HR manager and hopefully you get the job" 

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate your effort and I will make sure to be here by 9 am" I assure her.

"I didn't say 9am, I said 10" she clarifies. I know that. I am not deaf, I just think 9 will be okay.

"oh..I thought you said 9am" I lie and smile at her.

"No. just be here by 10" she says and pick up her already packed handbag.

"alright 9 am it is" I say and quickly turn around before she reminds me she said 10.

"I said 10 AM" she calls after me but I didn't turn back "didn't get that" I say and walk out the door. It's dark and I am stuck here. I don't even know where I actually live. I bring out my phone from my clutch and realize it has ran out of battery. what am I going to do now?.

"hey lady! I didn't get your name" the red hair from the lobby calls out walking up to me. The evening breeze blowing through her short hair.

"it's Rosa" I rest my weight on my left leg. The heels is beginning to hurt my feet.

"Rosa..cool. I am Anna and I think you should pull off those shoes if they are discomforting you" .

"it's okay. my feet are fine." I don't want her to know how the shoe is in fact killing me.

"Alright then. see you tomorrow" Anna waves walking away. Doesn't she have a car? speaking of cars, I have no means of getting home. I pull off the heels and run after her "hey Anna" I finally reach her panting. She's got fast legs and now I regret not running like my classmates back in highschool who were always prepared whenever the gym teacher takes us outdoors for track activities.

"Can I use your phone for a second?" I ask trying to calm my breath.

"Sure but you can just ask for my number and I am just going to give you instead of pretending you need my phone just to secretly input your number" she says and hands me her phone. Who said I needed her number? maybe I do actually need it but right now, the only thought of occupying my mind is how to get home. I dial Alexa's cellphone and it goes straight to voicemail. pick up your freaking phone Lexy I say to myself calling her again and like before it goes straight to voicemail. I can't actually blame her, she is probably still at the party. She would have been searching everywhere for me, I didn't inform her I was leaving. I shouldn't get ahead of myself. if Alexa noticed I was gone, she would have called. shoot. my phone battery is down.she is probably wondering where I am. I need to get back to the palace at once. The ceremony should just be starting as it is already few minutes past 8.

"Thanks" I appreciate Anna giving her phone back to her.

"Do you need any help? I can help" she offers. 

" Are you possibly going to the royal ball tonight?" I ask and she shook her head.

"you should have gone with the guy with whom I saw your little act with earlier. he was heading towards that direction." she saw us. oh my goodness. I can feel my cheeks gradually turning red 

"There's no time to blush princess, it's getting late "

"can I still get a bus around here?"I perk up.

"Okay let's do it this way, I am just going to drive you there and then turn back home" she's really going to drive me back?

"you are really going to drive me all the way back?" I am literally bouncing with happiness causing her smile to widen "of course I will. it's not everyday I get to see a beautiful girl come up to me and ask if she could be my friend" she says and grins.

"I actually came here to submit an application" I clarify. she should know that right? after all, she was the one who asked me to show up tomorrow morning.

"same thing.. application and friend. I am pretty sure they're spelt the same way" she says and walk up to a red BMW convertible.

"they don't sound the same neither are they spelt the same way. I can spell the words for you if you don't mind"I wonder if she actually doesn't know how they are spelt. she turns back and faces me "are you going or not?" she asks feigning annoyance then burst out in laughter "Rosa, I ain't stupid. I know how to spell. now get your ass in the car. I have to be home by 10, my boyfriend and I have plans for tonight. she has a boyfriend. That's definitely cool. " does the plan involves making babies" I ask grinning.

" maybe or maybe not but I do wonder" she says smiling and I laugh walking up to the car and I sit quietly at the passenger's seat.

"Here we are" she announces to my non existence mind. I look out the window and look back at her "you can come in, you know" I offer.

"Nah.. I'm good and besides you don't suppose I wear a suit skirt and a loosed shirt to a ball. Not just any ball, a royal one" she is right. She is not me that just dresses ridiculously at any point in time but today I actually look different and that's because I put in extra time to make myself look good.

"Well then, thanks for the ride Anna. see you tomorrow"I open the door and go out.

"tomorrow it is. 10 AM sharp" she grins and before I can argue again on how I heard 9, she presses her foot down on the accelerator and speeds of. she is interesting and I really hope she gets me the job.

I walk inside the palace and the ball isn't in full swing yet so I just grab two champagne glasses downing it down my throat. I am exhausted and I already saw the princess and most especially, I am damn hungry. of course, there is a lot of food here but I had been warned. After they introduced the Princess and her husband Enrique, the dance had started. Now most people are dancing and some burying their faces in food. I haven't seen Alexa or Rupert anywhere. I am tired and hungry and the time is almost 11 besides, I have to wake up early tomorrow in order to meet up with my appointment. I call a cab and few minutes later I receive a notification that it is outside. Thank goodness I had connected it to Anna's car on the way here.

" Hola!" I wave at the driver and I climb into the backseat. After putting my address in, he drives off.

I already ate a big box of pizza and had taken a shower. I now lay down in my pyjamas after ensuring the doors were securely locked. I can't have any chances. I really hope I get to intern at the builders of Italy. it's going to be like a dream come through.

I look forward to tomorrow and most especially the look that will be on Alexa face once I tell her where I had been all night and how I possibly have a job now.