If You Stay Right Here

Chapter 5

The reception area was exquisite with three glamorously dressed ladies sitting there with their ear pieces as they spoke on the phone. Other equally well dressed people walked in and out and past some giving me a polite nod while most walked past me as if I was not even there.

“Good morning, I am here to see Stacey Banks” I said to the receptionist in the middle when she had cut the call. She frowned a little as she gave me a disapproving up and down eyeball massage.

“Do you have an appointment?” she said brashly

“Yes, my name is Jaydeen Fischer”

The other two receptionists looked my way almost simultaneously when I mentioned my name. The receptionist I was talking to whose name was Stacey raised her eyebrows.

“You are Jaydeen Fischer, as in the one who is taking over from Stacey?” she said not hiding her surprise.

“Err, I have never met Stacey and I don’t know that I am replacing her” I said

“Ok, if you say so, but she had told us to expect you and we, I mean I thought you…”

“I was going to look better than this?” I said my face flashing with embarrassment. The other two receptionists cringed.

“I’ll let her know you are here” she said then pressed a number on her phone

“You can take a seat right there” she said pointing me to the multicoloured sofas.

“Thanks” I said

“Err, can you show me where the bathrooms are” I said 

“Yes sure, the ladies is right round the corner”

“Thank you” I said and rushed in the direction she had pointed.

“Stacey is going to have a fit” I heard one of the receptionists say

“I can’t wait to see her reaction” the other one said and laughed sarcastically. I quickened my pace and pushed open the door.

I stood in front of the mirror feeling bad and wondering why I had not listened to my mother and worn something more snazzy than the unflattering green midi wrap dress  I had chosen.

I then emptied my whole handbag on the sink as I desperately prayed I would find some lipstick or make up that would save me from embarrassing myself from whoever Stacey Banks was. I was so relieved when an old make up stick fell out and onto the floor. I picked it up and applied it on top of the red lipstick my mum had insisted I put on which made my lips look a little fuller and the colour pop a tad bit more.

I picked up the old make up brush that was in my bag, rubbed it against my hand to clean it then used it to apply a bit of blush on my face. I then took the powder and lightly applied it to my chin, nose and forehead which made them a little less shinier. I stroked my hair that was loosely arranged and attempted to arrange it in a more flattering and feminine manner.

“First day is it?” I voice said from behind me which startled me a little.

“Yes” I said looking back as out stepped a girl with blond hair that was a thousand shades of gold making new mosaics each moment in the warm bathroom light. From afar you could say her soft curls were the colour of rich cream, but up close it was a chorus of hues. She had the type of hair every girl dreamt of having, the type thousands spent money to have yet hers was all natural.

She blue eyes were a perfect added feature to her well made up face which was very striking, the type that does not need never a disguise or the thick layer of make-up she had on. She had in a very flattering way that girl next door look and her clothing fitted her perfectly without her seeming like she was trying too much not overly fashionable or bright in colour. Everything about her made her blend in.

“Yes” I said and laughed nervously.

“I know how that is. Which department?” she said as she washed her hands.

“Err, department, I err I am here to see Stacey Bank”

She stopped and looked at be with wide eyes, “You mean THE Stacey Banks” she said which made me more nervous than I already was.

“Yeap THE Stace Banks like everyone keeps saying” I replied

“All I can say is good luck” she said

“At this rate I will need all the luck I can get” I said sounding obviously nervous.

“I am sure you will be ok” she said

“I hope so, oh and by the way I am Ashley, from sales” she said as she reached out one of her hands

“I am Jaydeen Fischer” I said returning the handshake

“Don’t be so stressed you will be fine” she said with a warm reassuring look.

“Thanks”

“Ok, we better get out of here before we both lose our job. I will see you around ok” she said as we both walked out and she went the other direction.

“Cool” I said as I straightened my dress one last time and started walking to the sofas.

There was a very pregnant lady standing by the reception sniggering with the three receptionists. The lady raised her eyebrows and tilted her head sideways as they all gawked my way in a way that I felt naked. She then plastic smiled at me in a way that never meant good things. She pushed back her shoulders and observed as her eyes were drawn downward and upward scrutinizing every inch of my attire. 

Tossing her pitch black wavy hair she glanced my way. 

"You're Jaydeen," she said, eyes narrowed and head tilted to let her hair dangle. 

"Yes" I replied putting my bag in front of me to hide myself.  

"You're err, you are not the slight bit what I expected” she said then shook her head as she turned to leave.

I stood there looking at her as she walked almost gliding in red bottoms and a black dress that made her look not pregnant from the back. She stopped and looked back at me “Well don’t just stand there, lets get to work” she said then rolled her eyes as I walked quickly towards her, as the receptionists laughed out loud.

“This is going to be interesting” I heard one of them say.