4

“Calm down and tell me everything that happened.” I nodded and began my story.

I sat down for about two hours before I was called in. I thought maybe they had changed their minds about offering the job or maybe I had missed the interview. I almost gave up and walked out. Then a lady came to me, telling me Mr. Black wants to see me. I straightened my dress and recited the words that Mama taught Ray and I, before I followed the lady into Ace’s office.

Ace was sitting there calmly behind his desk, as if he had been waiting for me. I took the empty seat he offered me in front of his desk. Ace stared right into my eyes and I froze. That was unlike me, but in my defense, he caught me by surprise. He trapped me with his beautiful blue eyes. They reminded me of that night when we almost kissed. Then he glanced at my lips and I glanced at his, remembering our little moment yesterday which I ruined.

Ace cleared his throat, startling me. Then I realized he just messed with my mind. I did a great job forgetting about yesterday until now. Chicken nuggets. I just hope that I don’t get distracted during the interview. Curse you Ace.

“Miss Raven Snow,” Ace began and we got on with our interview. He asked me questions about my age, where I’m from, and the names of the schools I attended, from secondary school to the university.

I’m twenty-seven years old. I’m half British, half Ghanaian. My mother is Ghanaian and my dad is British so I have a dual nationality and hence my skin color. I attended private schools in London and attended the University of Oxford. Then I moved to the US months afterwards. I got a really good job that paid well but I quit because my boss was racist and didn’t like that I was mixed race.

Ace asked about my working experience and asked me a few more questions. From the look on Ace’s face, I could tell that I was nailing the interview. He was impressed with me. But I was still thinking about yesterday.

“Miss Snow I would like to ask a few more questions before we wrap up.”

“Ok. Please go on.”

“Why the hell didn’t you kiss me yesterday?” He asked, my mouth fell wide.

“What? What has this got to do with the job?”

“Just answer the question Miss Snow.” He spoke calmly.

“I’m not going to answer that. Those reasons are personal.”

“Miss Snow, I don’t like to repeat myself.” He pressed.

I sighed and answered him. “I didn’t know you. You were a stranger. I didn’t recognize you as Ace Black of BGGC. But even if I knew, I still wouldn’t kiss you. I don’t do that and I’m sorry we almost did. What I’m not sorry for, is disappointing you because we didn’t kiss, Mr. Black.”

Ace smiled briefly and then suddenly, his face was void of any emotion. It scared me but I didn’t want to feel or look intimidated. I stared right back at him. Ace stared at his screen for a brief moment and the words he said next crushed my spirit. “Miss Raven Snow, you’re not competent enough for this job.”

“What?”

“Everything counts in an interview Miss Snow. The way you speak to the interviewer, how you answer the questions asked, your outfit.”

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” I stared down at myself. I was wearing a white long-sleeved pocket blouse with a black pencil skirt. I wore a brown robe cardigan since it was chilly but I left it in my car. My hair was also neatly combed. There was nothing wrong with my outfit. “Ace, there’s nothing wrong with my outfit. Or did you want me to lie when you asked about the kiss?”

“Miss Snow, you’re not qualified for this job. You may leave my office now.” He said without any emotion in his eyes.

“Fine. I will leave. I’m not going to beg you for this job anyway.” I angrily stomped out of Ace’s office and left the building. I was a bit frustrated and hurt because I hadn’t been called incompetent before. I knew I was competent enough. Or maybe I was over-confident. Whatever. Ace still had no right to deny me the job because I didn’t kiss him yesterday.

I got to my car and started it but the engine wasn’t responding. “Great. Could this day get any worse?” I said to myself. My day indeed got worse. It rained and I got wet when I stepped out of the car for a bit. I didn’t even bring an umbrella. I wanted to cry at that point because I was so angry and frustrated. When I couldn’t start my car and the rain kept falling heavily, I did cry. Finally the engine roared to life and I drove home, wet and looking like an ugly bird that fell in water.

I cried on my way home. When Ray opened the door and saw how miserable I looked, she immediately embraced me. I cried out all the anger and frustration. She asked me to calm down and I narrated to her everything that happen.

“That bloody bastard.”

“Don’t swear.”

“Sorry. So, he denied you the job because you didn’t kiss him yesterday?” I nodded, sniffling. “And he had the guts to call you incompetent. He can go fuck himself. You’ll find another job and he’s gonna regret that he didn’t give you the job.”

“Ray!” I dragged her name when she cursed.

“I’m sorry but he deserves that.”

When am I going to find a new job? My paintings aren’t enough to pay the bills.”

“Did he want you to beg him? Did you beg him?”

I finally calmed down. “You know me very well to know that I would never beg for anything.” Ray embraced me again.

“Raven, there are a lot of job opportunities for people with your qualifications back in London. I’m sure you’ll find one easily.”

I shook my head. “I’m not moving back to London.”

“Then let your friend Lana find you a job.”

“I won’t do that either. I’ll find a job on my own.” I pointed to my chest. “My own efforts, Ray.”

“Gosh you’re so stubborn. We’re not telling Mama about this until you’ve got a job.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice.” I agreed.

“Clean up while I heat up your lunch. I will leave afterwards. One, because I’ll go to work tomorrow. But I will check up on you. Two, I know Lana will be here soon to ask about the interview. I don’t want to be around when she gets here.” I chuckled. “I hate her guts.”

“I know you do, Ray.”

Ray and Lana don’t see eye to eye. They dislike each other. Hate was a strong word and I didn’t like to use it to describe how they felt towards each other. I don’t know exactly why they dislike each other, they just do. But I’m friends with Lana because she helped me settle in when I first moved to the US and I helped her prove to her father that she’s competent enough to be the CEO of her father’s company. And we’ve been good friends since.

Ray and Lana are the most supportive people in my life, besides my Papa. Mama just thinks I waste my time fooling around. Ray and Lana are always there for me when I need them and I’m grateful that I have them in my life.

I escorted Ray out after I changed into comfortable clothes and ate my lunch in peace…...not so much in peace. I ate my lunch while growing hate for Ace Black.