4. ROSALYN

“Hey,” Kiara squeals, engulfing me in a tight hug and I return the gesture.

“It’s been so long,” I commented.

“I know right.”

We break the hug and walk into the apartment, the place that I will be sharing with Kiara for the foreseeable future. It is not big but at least there are two rooms and enough space for both of us.

“Kiara you didn’t have to do the rent part.” Kiara offered to pay the complete rent for the next two months so that I would be able to get a stable income without worrying about it. I am extremely grateful for the help.

“We went over this Rosie. I am doing well financially. It’s your time to shine now,” she says and moves to the kitchen to cook. I unpack my stuff and arrange my room.

“You’re glowing,” she notes during dinner.

“No,” I quickly say and mentally slap myself for being so eager to refuse.

She narrows her eyes.

“I got a job interview. As much anyone can glow with that-”

“You had sex,” she cuts me. “Of course, this is the after sex glow.” She smiles mischievously and I swat her arm.

“Fine, I did,” I confirm.

She leans closer on the table. “How was he?”

“Ungodly. No man should be allowed to be this good," I say biting my lip.

She wiggles her brows and I can’t help but laugh. “It was just one night.”

“He did not ask for your number?” She gapes when I tell her the full story. “And how come he was wearing a Brioni if he’s a small engineer?”

“I thought about it too but maybe he just didn’t want to tell me the real name of the company so that I won’t be able to approach him.”

“Why would he do that?”

I shrug but I hear the unspoken answer loud and clear in my head. Because he did not enjoy the night. Because he does not find you worth the time.

It’s hard to think so after the time we spent but there’s no denying the fact that he did not want me to contact him.

“Anyway, so the interview is tomorrow?” Kiara says, changing the topic.

“Yeah.”

“Best of luck! I know you’re gonna kill it.”

“Thank you, Ki.”

I spread a few clothes and showed Kiara all the options. We’re deciding on my outfit for the interview and I kid you not, it’s not as easy as one might think. First impressions are the key. I wanna do this the right way

“This red top with the black skirt?”

“Too bold,” she rejects.

“White shirt, black skirt?”

“You’re not a waitress babe, no offence to waitresses of course.”

“Brown with white?”

“Too light.”

Finally, we settled on a dark green shirt and black skirt with heels.

Walking inside the building of SweetHarvest Treats feels surreal. My dream job is so close that I can taste my success. I approached the receptionist.

“I have an interview.”

“For which post ma’am,” she asks, going through a list.

“Graphic designer.”

“Please go to the 14th floor.”

I ascend the elevator with a few more people. If I get this job, then I'll get many resources and I'll get to learn many new things. I will also be able to send money home for mom and dad.

I get down on the 14th floor. The floor is buzzing with life and my stomach churns at the prospect that this will be my new life. A smile spreads on my lips.

“Are you here for the interview?” a man asks.

“Yes.”

“I’m Christian. Please follow me.” He leads the way and I follow him while subtly taking in my surroundings. We stop outside a door where 3 others- two men and a woman have already assembled.

“Mr. Luke Carlson will be taking your interview. He’ll be here shortly,” Christian narrates and leaves. My heart leaps at the prospect of having to make small talk with these people or else stand in uncomfortable silence.

However, as a handsome man approaches my heart’s cartwheels come to a halt.

“Hey, I’m Luke Carlson,” he shakes his hand with each one of us. His rough fingers clasped mine and held my hand longer than he did others. 

“I take it that Christian told you I’ll be your interviewee today?”

We all nod and, satisfied with our response he hums along.

“Let’s go one by one. Who wants to come first?” He looks around.

This is a test. He’s waiting to see if we have the guts to come forward and grab the first opportunity. 

“I do,” I volunteer.

“Great,” he holds the door open for me and closes it behind us. Even without saying much, Luke commands the room. He walks around the table and we sit at the same time.

“Please introduce yourself.”

“I’m Rosalyn Shay. I grew up in Chicago and graduated from Columbia University. Aside from loving what I do, I like animals, books and coffee.”

“Rosie, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t need to ask you 10 questions relevant to the field because if you weren’t knowledgeable, then you wouldn’t have been able to clear the previous tests.”

I sit up straighter in my chair. “Yes sir.”

“My job is to study the traits of the person before hiring him or her. And I’m hiring you.”

My jaw drops open. “You’re hiring me?”

“Yes.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“What if one of the ones outside is a better match?”

“They missed the chance because they did not rush to the opportunity served to them on a platter. And as I said, you have knowledge and your work is good. That’s why you were outside. You have guts, so now you’re inside.”

I’m still stunned but this man earned my respect with his words.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Please call me Luke.”

“Alright, Luke.”

“Please tell others that they can go on your way out.”

“Will do.”

As soon as I walked outside with a broad smile on my face, I did not have to say anything. Others picked the queue and left.  

I told Christian that I got the job and he showed me to my supervisor.

“May I come in sir,” I knock at his door.

“Yes.” He is an old man with a wrinkled face and a thick moustache. 

“Good morning sir, I am the new addition to the team. I got hired today,” I say with a cheerful smile.

“Stop talking woman, you’re hurting my ears,” he grumbles.

My smile wears off and I don’t know what to say.

“Martha will tell you what to do.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I turn to leave when he mumbles, “Hired a woman again. When will these kids understand?”

I almost huff a laugh. Being judged for my gender was the last thing on my New York agenda. Blood rushes in my veins but I don’t want to be thrown out on my first day. So I silently take my leave to find Martha.