CHAPTER TWO: Hard work down the drain

Selene’s POV

“You should try to be more careful next time” the young dashing man says with his alluring deep baritone voice that sounds akin to a distant thunder. Jesus Christ! Are you kidding me?! You literally just spilled hot coffee on me sir! I retorted back already forgetting how good looking I thought he was moments ago. The least you can do is apologize for almost sending me to the hospital in an ambulance rather than being all cocky with me. 

“I’ll take care of the dry cleaning and any medical expenses of course, just tell me how much you’ll need” he replies me in a rushed tone without even sparing me a glance, carelessly tapping away on his phone. Oh God I really have this urge to smack him through the face, I’ve always had a terrible temper. Exactly! all you rich men think you can get away with everything and anything just because you have money. I could sue you for this you know? Yes… I know, he says slowly finally looking up to me, poor people always look for every opportunity to get out money from the rich I guess, I’m not surprised. And that was it for me, I can’t hold in the rage anymore, looking around I sight a cup of ice tea on the counter and quickly grab it spilling the whole content on this jerk’s face. He should have a taste of his own medicine!

Before I get the chance to say anything, a couple of men whom I presume are his bodyguards rush inside the café and grab me almost as if I killed someone, dragging me vigorously out as I screamed at everyone and no one. I get thrown out and even lose a shoe amiss the whole commotion. They fling a card at me which I guess is money for the dry cleaning while screaming all zero leaving me right there, I sigh in distaste. Feeling completely embarrassed I pick up whatever dignity I have left, dust myself and quietly try to find my phone to call the one person I know in this city. I struggle with the tears that are threatening to fall, swearing mentally and wishing I had done something more awful to that jerk face and at the same time handled the situation better. 

Sonia picks up the phone in one ring, thank God, as I narrate my ordeal to her and finally releasing the tears I have been holding back all this while. Don't cry sweetheart she says soothingly to me which only intensifies my crying, wait for me at the bus stop close by I'm coming to get you. I sit down at the bus stop waiting for Sonia to come fetch me and not long after, her car stops right in front of me as she urges me through the glass to come in. I quickly pack up my things and rush to the car finally feeling a little relief seeing someone I’m familiar with. 

It’s okay sweetheart you don’t have to be so upset. Most men out here in New York are pig heads so don’t bother yourself too much about it. Come on let’s go get you cleaned up, she says with an encouraging smile on her face. At least someone in this city understands me. She drives us to her apartment and I change into one of her dresses after which we go out to grab dinner together. 

After having the meal, I feel so satisfied and happy. I guess I was just hungry no wonder I cried so much. Nothing back home tastes as good as this and I’ll get to eat more of this, at least if I’m able to get the job. Sonia clears her throat and looks me deep in the eye, I can feel my heart thumping really loud as I dread what she might say. I’m use to disappointments in my life but right now I’m really desperate for a win. She smiles warmly at me and that familiar giggle erupts from her mouth, chill! you don't need to be so tensed… So I spoke to my boss and I got you an interview not just as a Lawyer but as a Legal Adviser for Vermontary Enterprise! she screamed beaming with smiles. My heartbeat stopped for a moment as I stare at her, mouth agape and my hands trembling as I try to decide if this is reality or just life fucking with me as usual. This better not be a prank, it feels too good to be true… these were my final thoughts as my eyes fell shut and everything around me went pitch black.  

What happened? I ask weakly trying to find my strength as I access my environment, realizing I’m at a hospital. The look of worry on Sonia’s face make me feel guilty as she bombards me with a million questions. Just as I’m about to reply her, the Doctor works over to us. Hello Miss Selene, how are you doing now? Emmm, I’m much better Doctor what happened, I reply him weakly. It was a mild exhaustion on your part but nothing to worry about, you just need to get as much rest as you can and try not to stress yourself. I noticed you got burned at some areas on your body, we've treated that as well. Alright doctor, thank you very much, Sonia eagerly replies on my stead. We leave the hospital in silence and go straight back to her apartment. 

Getting to her apartment, Sonia gives me a warm hug reassuring me that everything will be alright and that she’ll always be here for me. That somewhat made me feel much better and then, I remembered why I fainted in the first place. Oh my God Sonia you got me an interview! I love you so much I could literally kiss you right now, I screamed in excitement while pulling her into my arms for a hug. She complies and hugs me squeezing the breath out of me but I don’t mind it, I was way too happy at the moment. We speak at length about the job and she puts me through on how to prepare. 

The interview is in three days so I have to go back home the following day to pack a few things, I will be staying with Sonia until I’m able to get the job and settle well in the city. God knows I have no idea how I am going to explain all these to my parents.

The journey back home is quite uneventful as I rack my brain on how to come clean on what has been happening so far in my life. In the end I decide that it won’t be wise to tell them just yet and once again I lie to them that I have been sent to New York for work. It is better to be safe than sorry I think to myself, I’ll definitely tell them the truth when I eventually get the job. I quickly pack necessary things that I'll be needing and take off to New York but this time around I know exactly where I’m going so no chances of being embarrassed by any stranger. Thoughts of the guy from earlier on still roaming my mind, I feel anger but yet longing for this young man I somewhat detest. It doesn’t matter though, there’s no chance in hell that I’ll ever be seeing such a cranky man ever again. I get back to Sonia’s apartment and settle in well, feeling utmost gratitude for this young soul that has been nothing but my savior so far. I begin to prep for my interview, I go through every article I can possibly find online meticulously and some materials Sonia was nice enough to lend me. I familiarize myself with their past legal cases and pending ones and rehearse answers to potential questions. I pull an all-nighter for two days and at the end I feel pretty confident in myself. 

The long awaited morning is finally here and I wake up having a mixed feeling of tension and excitement all together. I lay out my best suit as I go through my notes one last time. I can’t afford to stomach any meal so I just have coffee and dash out the apartment ignoring Sonia’s plea to drive me. I need to take the bus so I can calm my nerves and mentally prepare myself. I slowly walk into the Vermontary Enterprise and shudder with anxiety as I feel the rush of fear sweep through me, I absentmindedly walk towards the reception desk and before I can coordinate my thoughts I see everyone rushing towards the door and adjusting themselves as in a movie. I look in that direction and there comes my arrogant yet majestic prince walking through the hallway, it feels as though the air itself changed. A subtle gasp escaped my lips as my heart began to race frantically. Time seemed to slow down as he walks pass me, his confident stride, effortless grace and captivating fragrance, God! that scent… 

I quickly avert my eyes not wanting to be caught staring as I whisper my thoughts to a lady standing next to me in obvious shock. Who is the young man and why is everyone gathering to somewhat greet him as he entered. Looking at me as though I have two heads she replies softly, he’s Elias Vermontary the CEO of the Vermontary Enterprise. My breath gets caught in my throat and for a moment I can’t move, my hands are trembling slightly as I loose my composure. An unsettling mix of confusion and fear grip me as everything feel surreal and distant. I can’t believe I spilled ice tea on my to be boss, I’m definitely not bagging this job I say hopelessly to myself as tears threatened to flow.