Falling Red

1

♤ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart ♤

*unedited*

♦ V E R O N I C A ♦

"I am finally here." It is late in the afternoon and I finally made it to my destination. Today I realized, when you are getting late, the whole universe tries to delay you more and more. However, it is good to not miss this opportunity.

I really feel like I am dreaming. No. I am living my dream. It is really hard to accept that I am so close to my goal. Just a small jump and I will catch it.

I breathe out a long breath as I stand in front of the most exquisite hotel of the Seattle. I tilt my head backwards and gazed at the clear sky. Oh, God, I am really going to work here. The grip on my handbag gets tighter with excitement. Just yesterday, I finally got approval from the HR team. This is really big news to me to work in such position in this top hotel. Even though it is not high but I am too a novice in this field. Everyone has to start from the scratch.

Paramount Group of Hotels do not have a long history but it is really surprising that it grows up so much in a short span of six years. I really admire the boss here. Though, I have never seen him in person but he really has an insight and a clean view of his goal. He is the real dark horse in the field of the hotel business.

"This is my chance to prove Mia that I am not worthless. I can stand on my feet. I can earn something too." I do not need anyone's support to survive in this world. I have to prove that I can make a small place for me in this big world.

Mia is my cousin from my mother's side, which is very, what I say, 'unfortunate' from her point of view. My mother is the only person who loved me but she died last year and that was the time I realise that I have to leave that hell hole. Otherwise, I will end up like her--caged in a golden prison till you die.

After I moved here to Seattle, more appropriately eloped here without telling anyone, life had been different for me. It takes me some time to settle in the life style of a girl out of home, without any sense of security. Security? I chuckle at myself. What security did I have in the past? I have to rely on myself in order to save Mom and myself. In order to not disclose my location, I stopped using the previous credit cards and bank account. Resulting me a bankrupt and penniless.

However initially, it was just fine to live with Mia but later there were some little clash between Mia and I, and with the passing time it got worse and worse. Now, I feel like I was a burden to her. Sometimes, she really makes me furious with the tag of 'wastrel'. She is always like a bossy person, making it hard for me to even breathe fresh air on my own. Everything, everything that I do has to be permitted from her. It really made me annoyed but now no more. I release a helpless sigh and then gather my thoughts. Don't let others ruin your day, Veronica. Smile and be happy, I cheer myself. It is not like I have to live with her my whole life. Once I get this job I will think about moving out.

Yeah, I will no longer a good-for-nothing person.

Walking into the hotel, I raise my chin up, straighten my shoulders and puff my chest out a bit—to maintain a professional posture. Precisely, it is because I do not want to show my low side to anyone here. My eyes filled with a new light as I go to the receptionist. All the way I mentally patted myself to boost my morale and try to be as calm and sophisticated as I can.

Looking closely at the lady at reception, I feel all so-called-gathered confidence goes down. She has her black hair tied in a neat bun—not a hair out of its place, unlike me who daily wrestle with the hairs to set them in its place. Her well dressed uniform did not have any extra unwanted crease. Sigh. Even she looks more appealing than me. A feeling of self-consciousness gets into me and I unknowingly run my hands over by a solid peach coloured dress that ends just below my knees.

"Excuse me," I force a smile at her, "I am Veronica Cooper. I am here to report for my internship."

"One minute, Ms. Cooper," she says before busying herself in her computer and intercom. After a minute she glances at me again and said, "The Manager is at a meeting. Please, wait in the lobby." She points out towards the direction of the lobby.

I shrug. "Okay. Thank you."

As I walk deeper towards the lobby, I run my eyes around. The interior of the hotel is exclusive and refreshing—either it is the marble used, artwork around the corners, or the feel of giving an extra touch, everything has a sense of lavishness. Too fancy, too excessive. I try to imagine myself in this place and the result is very ugly. However, I cannot just turn back and run away from here. Can I? I am sure, I will die in shame if I did that. Moreover, Mia will kill me if I did not get a job soon. Precisely, I think, she will disown me or throw me back to my father. Nah, don't think about him. I don't think he would even bother about my absence.

While sitting at a place for ten minutes, I feel my heart race against my chest with countless assumption. Deep inside my heart, I know, how much I try but I will always be an introvert like my sister has always said. This time coming to look for a job ─ my first time ever. I grip the hem of my dress and purse my dry lips. I have to get this job. I have, have, have too. Yes, I can do it. What is the big deal in it? Except I as experienced as a new born baby. That's not big, right? I can learn it slowly.

"You must be Ms. Veronica Cooper?" A thick masculine voice brings me back to reality. I look up. A man well dressed in a white shirt and black suit with a very formal slim necktie. However, his old features and tough expression is something I have ever seen. As if all the burdens of the world have landed on his head.

Stop it, Veronica. I chid myself as I stand on my feet and greet him with the most pleasant smile that I can muster. "Hello, sir. I am Veronica Cooper."

He arcs a brow. Crap. Do I look so horrible when I force some extra enthusiasm? s**t. Holy Cow. Why don't I just bang my head in some wall at my brainless and idiotic performance? Or better, why not the ground swallow me up?

"I am sorry." I hurry up to explain. I am not good in pleasing someone. "I am just a bit flustered and nervous." I spit out a black lie with the sweetest face that I can put forward. So unprofessional, my sub-consciousness screams at me, and royally ignored it.

"Never mind. I understand." He shakes his head. However, his face does not show a bit of understanding expression. My lips twitch. At least work on your expression, old man. "My name is Samuel Green, the manager of the Paramount Hotels."

"Oh." Crap. This is my first impression on the Manager of this hotel. Kill me now. Why? Why I always ruin everything! I grumble from inside and surely want to cry out loud. However, my face remains stiff not showing my internal struggle. "Manager Green."

He does not bother me anymore and pass me a bunch of files. "Keep these files with you and go through each of them. It contains all the guidelines and policies of our hotel. I had already appointed Kelly Anderson as your mentor. She will contact you and from now she will be responsible for your training. I hope you will not disappoint me."

While I am still lost in guessing the number of files in my hands, this old quack has already turned and left.

Wait! Does this mean I am selected?! Why do I feel like there is no worth of this job in his eyes? Whatever, I shoo away the thought. Forget it.

However, I still feel miserable while looking at the files that I have to read. Really? I still have to read so much. I thought after college I will be free from that complicated life of books and papers but it seems I had made my life more miserable. Huff. Don't worry, don't worry. It will pay off in future. I just not have to give up.

I hold my handbag and open the first file while walking out of the lobby. It contains the Dress Code Policy for Paramount Hotels.

Paramount Hotels require that employees dress neatly and appropriately at all the time and that they maintain adequate personal hygiene. The success— before I read more, I get into a man at the entrance of the hotel.

The impact comes unexpected and I stumble backwards. All the files in my hand scatter all over around me.

"I am so sorry." I flush red in embarrassment. It is alright to drop my things but now they are mixed with his files, it is all messed up. "It was my mistake. I did not see you coming. I will pick them all."

The man shakes his head and gets down on the floor to collect the files. "It is alright, Miss. It was also my fault. I was in a hurry."

I shake my hands in disapproval and hurriedly get down to pick the remaining files up. It is really good that this man is open minded and has a good nature otherwise she probably would lose the job on the first day itself. "No, really. I—"

"Hey, no worry," he smiles a charming smile. For a second I feel myself captivated with it. He gives me a hand and helps me get up. "Moreover, pretty girls are to be cherished, not to get angry."

I feel my face heat up with his words. His smile and enthusiasm is contagious, which lightens my mood a bit. This time I notice him closely. Sure, he is a young, attractive man just like on the covers of the magazine. He is tall yet elegant. His honey blond hair makes a sharp contrast with his blue eyes. They are as deep and clear as the vast ocean.

"This is yours," he says and passes me a file.

"Thank you." I give him an apologetic smile. "I will not bother you more."

"Sure. It is pretty late. Take care."

I do not wait to waste more of his time. I randomly hold the files and scramble off the hotel. But there is a persistent smile on my lips. At least met a good man today.