Chapter 14: Grand opening
2066 Words
Mia returned home to the stares of everyone living in the flat. They were all staring at her from the centre table where they observed dinner.
She stood at the door, a bit confused.
"It took all day?" Grannie asked
"No. I stopped by the grocery store" Mia said, showing her the bags of veggies and toiletries she had in hand.
"How was it?" Sarah asked
"It went well," Mia said walking towards the table. She looked exhausted
"It's not about it going well! Did you get hired or not?!" Grannie asked, making Mia almost jump in fright at how loud she was.
"Grannie" Kimpab cautioned but the older woman glared long and hard at him.
"It's not a pizza store, Grannie. You'll wait till you get mail or something" Mia explained, shrugging off the cold look Grannie darted her.
"Did you meet the boss? Is he handsome?" Sarah asked.
"I need to head upstairs…." Mia whined.
"She just got back and you're already on her neck," Mark said. "Go settle down Mia" he adds with a smile.
Mia smiled and went up to her room in relief; the last thing she wanted was to face anyone's questioning. The ones she had answered at the interview were more than enough to destabilize her for an hour or two.
Especially that Ryan!
Mia winced as she recalled the look he had when she walked in. Mia pulled open her door almost sobbing; she wasn't going to get hired. She was very sure of this fact.
Ryan and she are not exactly on good terms; he had made it clear the first time they met. He hated nosey neighbours.
Mia knew she wasn't nosey but her curiosity was a thin line away from nosey. Of course, he wouldn't want her both at his house and place of work.
What if she got hired? What if the others fight for her? Like Leo for instance. She knew she would do great as a personal assistant and she was more than fit for this job…
Maybe her education might pose a few defects and her medical history too…
But she was able to prove to them how fast and how much she took in the information.
It's all well and good unless someone gives reasons why his neighbour can not be employed in the same company. That was reason enough for her to feel like she lost already.
Mia sorted her groceries as well as her toiletries and was soon on her way to meet the rest downstairs when she decided against it; she deserved to stay in her room all week long if it was possible.
She made herself some noodles and was soon on her way to bed when she recalled having washed her blanket that morning. She was so nervous the day before that she had spilt coffee on her blanket.
What if she meets Ryan outside? She wasn't ready to face him just yet. She knew it would only make matters worse and he was going to rub a whole lot in her face.
He had never done that but she felt that he would now!
Would she freeze to death because she's so scared?
What if he makes fun of you? Does it matter? She decided to be the better person by not saying anything hurtful to him.
And she couldn't freeze to death avoiding a man who would probably shrug if she landed in the hospital!
Mia stood up and went out to get her blanket but to her surprise, he wasn't out there. She picked up her blanket and hurried back in before he came out.
She laid down on her bed with a sigh; they were supposed to send her mail or a letter if she got accepted or not.
She needed a new job and fast. Grannie was going to be all over her case if she didn't get one soon enough.
That woman could be very stern sometimes and Mia found it hard to know when she was upset or not.
But she loved her anyway.
Grannie had taken her in after she left the hospital. Mia was on her way down the bridge where Grannie sold jewellery and had stood there for hours, watching people and the cars driving by.
The kind old lady-not so kind anymore- offered Mia a place to stay and also helped her get a job at a pizza store.
She knew the old lady had good intentions but she could get extreme while doing that.
Mia's mind kept ruminating on places she could get job latest by the next evening before she fell asleep.
****
Ryan pulled open his fridge and helped himself with a can of soda. He had been on his laptop all evening since his last attempt at sleeping was an epic fail. He wasn't a nightcrawler but he rarely sleeps at night and when he did it would only last for a few hours before he woke up again.
Ryan settled on his couch as he recalled Mia's interview that happened a few days back; she was impressive, to be honest. Even with her background unknown to her, she had strived to make something out of her life.
He had wanted to ask her why she got fired from her job back at the cafe when an image of her crying in front of his gate haunted him. He knew she would be hurt if he did so he kept his questions to himself.
Mai Da Silver….
Da Silver sounded almost familiar. Was it because of the sync in the name?.
She should have found her family by now if she recalled her real name and last name. That was enough information for her…
Da Silver was the last name Grannie had given Mia herself.
Ryan recalled how expensive that would be; hiring a PI to find her parents while earning from a job as a waitress.
She couldn't afford it and that only made Ryan more interested in his next-door neighbour…
She wasn't outside tonight nor had he seen her around lately. Was she embarrassed after talking about her background?
Ryan wanted to hit himself hard in the face for asking her such a personal question.
But to be frank, any boss would want to know whoever he was employed at his place of work. He wasn't trying to be mean. He asked a question and he was glad she had answered him in pure honesty.
The next day was the official welcoming of the staff as well as the grand opening of the company. It was going to be one heck of an opening with the investors coming in and possibly the media.
A few of the staff had taken to the orientation earlier in the day and he was quite sure they were ready to move.
Ryan was glad Queens Empire had that great influence on its buyers and that was why he chose it anyway. If he were to start with an unknown company, it would only make things difficult when his father finds out about his new activity. Ryan was protecting the company staff as well as its existence with the media.
If there was one thing Robin hated, it would be the media and that was what Ryan would use to his advantage.
The next day was indeed a big day…
----------------
A knock on Mia's door had made her open her eyes in pure annoyance.
Who would come over to her place so early in the morning?
" Mia!"
It was Sarah. What could have been so urgent that she couldn't wait till she was ready to come down her bed of her own accord?
Mia dragged herself off the bed and walked towards the door, her eyes drooping in sleep.
"What is it?" Mia asked, almost sobbing. It was just nine in the morning and they wanted her to face reality already?
Grannie had been throwing a fist a week long and she had taken it to her room. Eating, watching television, and checking online for vacancies.
No luck.
"Queens. They sent a letter" Sarah said handing it over to Mia
Mia's shoulders dropped; it came in too soon.
"Check it out!" Sarah said, nudging Mia with the letter.
Mia sighed and pulled open the envelope and then the letter. She went through it and line by line she felt like she had just crawled out of her world of self-pity into something better.
"I got in!" She said in excitement with tears in her eyes.
"See, I knew you would get in," Sarah said with a bright smile on her face as she wiped Mia's tears with her finger. She hugs Mia fondly.
"I'm so happy for you," Sarah said and released Mia with a gentle pull on her chin.
Mia went through it again to be sure she read the words right and noticed the date for the grand opening
"23rd of this month is the grand opening," she said.
"What time?" Sarah asked.
"11 am"
Sarah's shocked eyes made Mia worried.
"Today is the 23rd Mia!" She said,
Mia wanted to scream her lungs out!!.
Why does it seem like the universe wanted to punish her?
It was a minute to ten and she was yet to get ready. Mia could never get ready in an hour!
"What are we going to do?" Mia said.
"Go to the bathroom. I'll pick out your outfit and do a bit of makeup. Then I'll call my designated driver to come to pick you up, okay?" Sarah said.
"Thank you so much, Sarah. You're the best!"
"Hurry up," Sarah said.
Mia hurried to the bathroom while Sarah helped her to pick an outfit; a checkered skirt that had buttons running on both sides, a turtle neck top, and a pair of heels.
Mia had a few clothes and was often in jeans and a random top. She needed a change of wardrobe if she wanted to look the part of an assistant.
Mia was soon out and she got dressed in a rush.
"You need clothes, Mia. Invest in your appearance would you?" Sarah pleaded as she applied lip gloss on Mia's lips and then combed her hair.
"I will Sarah. Probably tomorrow. It's Saturday tomorrow" Mia said
"The driver is downstairs and I paid him for a speeding ticket," Sarah said, handing Mia a side bag.
"Sarah"
"Hurry up you're late" Sarah urges as she walks Mia out the door and down the stairs.
Grannie was in the kitchen when she heard the loud clicking of heels on the staircase.
That lady and her lousy heels! If she had her way, she would burn all the heels she had.
"Sarah…"
Grannie turned and stared at Mia in shock.
"Are you supposed to go on dates when you're yet to get a job?" Grannie asked.
"She got accepted for the job. She's going for the grand opening!" Sarah shot back as she and Mia hurried out the door.
"Good luck," Sarah said as Mia settled in the back seat of the car.
"Thank you, Sarah," Mia said again.
"Byee," Sarah said as the car drove off. Sarah smiled in contentment and was soon on her way back into the house.
Mia was a nervous wreck in the car as the driver sped off. She had no idea what she was to do or what to say…
She checked the date on the envelope to know when it arrived… it arrived three days ago!
And she was too busy sulking in her room to notice!
"We're here, miss" the driver announced.
"Thank you, sir" Mia exhaled and grabbed her purse, clenching it hard as she got out of the car. She walked towards the company and was let in by the guards without much question.
As she approached the main building more and more people turned their heads to admire her. She felt uncomfortable but went on walking not knowing where she was headed.
"Mia?"
She turned to face a familiar face; Leo.
"Woah. I almost didn't recognize you" he said smiling.
"I'm so sorry I'm late." She said apologetically
"You're just in time Mia. I don't know what Ryan would have to say though" Leo said sceptically
"I don't understand," Mia asked genuinely confused
"Ryan owns the company and you're his assistant"
- Writer
