ARIA
I couldn't wrap my head around my purpose anymore. Everywhere I went in hopes of getting a job, once they hear my name, they turn me down instantly. In total, I've applied to about twenty-six jobs now and none of them want me.
Dimitri was still staying with Ivy at home, I can't even afford his education yet. I stood in front of Veyron Industry, the only place left that I haven't applied to in the whole territory. It was a place I knew for sure I could never get a job but I just had to try, even though my hope sat on a thin thread.
I sighed deeply before walking in with my emerald heels and well-tailored shirt and skirt. My skirt kept folding upward as I walked, growing shorter and shorter with each step I took.
"Not here," I lamented. Every step forced me to pull down my skirt awkwardly till I got to the receptionist.
"How can I help you, Ma'am?" The blonde lady asked nicely.
Give me your job. That's how!
I ignored my thought and smiled at her. "I'm here for a job application as a secretary."
The receptionist's gaze almost swept me off my feet. She took off her glasses and slowly looked at me from my feet straight to my head before scoffing and laughing. Then she returned her glasses and dropped her pen.
"Girl, be serious. What are you here for?" She asked again.
I frowned. "I already told you I came here to apply as the secretary."
She sighed deeply and took off her glasses.
"Okay. Let me advise you. Although I know you can never get the job, I would advise you to avoid the embarrassment from Kinky." She lowered her voice. "She is an evil bitch and merely seeing you, she would insult you and send you home. It happened to me, I won't want it to happen to you too. You can apply to work with me as the receptionist. That, they can consider."
She was being nice, I thought. But I'll take my chances and if it doesn't work out, I'll take her advice and apply as the receptionist.
I smiled at her faintly. "I really appreciate you looking out for me but I would really love to try."
She shrugged and shook her head, clearly giving me the don't-say-I-didn't-warn-you look.
"If you insist. Take the elevator to the right and go to the top fifteenth floor. Kinky would meet you."
"Thank you," I said with a smile. "I'm Aria. In case we meet again."
She returned the smile. "Stella."
I took the elevator and went to the fifteenth floor as she had instructed. When the elevator doors opened on the fifteenth floor, I found myself in a hallway as quiet as a graveyard. It wasn't empty, tens of people sat in transparent-enclosed rooms, working on computers with headphones in their ears.
They were too organised. I wished I were one of them. I looked around and waited for Kinky but she never arrived. Instead, I heard a familiar voice walk towards me. Movement came from the elevator entrance, Selene appeared in the hallway and approached.
"Now where is the recruit?" She said to the lady beside her as she stood in front of the elevator. She didn't see me but I could see her.
She is Kinky?
Hell no!
Just no way. She must not see me here.
She glanced at her watch. "I doubt she needs the job. Send her home when she shows up," she said to the lady beside her with a swing of her hand. She was about to walk away before freezing.
"Wait a minute. Could she be here already?"
Very quickly, I looked around for any possible way out. My feet light against the tiles, I walked forward gently till I found a door. Only that it wasn't a door, it was an elevator. I hopped in quickly and went to the top floor, the only floor above.
Hopefully, Selene won't find me here.
When the elevator doors opened, all I saw was a big space, like an apartment. There was a cute table and chair in a large space, a living room, a dining room…I could see outside, there was a pool and a little golf area. This is paradise.
I didn't have the time to look around. I heard the elevator go down. That was my hint that Selene could be coming up here. So I went to the table and hid under it. A brown timber print covered the front so no one would find me hiding there.
"What are you doing?" A male voice made me tremble vigorously. I didn't know who it was, I didn't care. Nothing was as important as hiding from Selene right now.
"Shush!" I exclaimed without looking out. "I'm hiding from someone. Just please, please, don't say a word."
"Who are–"
The elevator doors opened and heels clicked on the ground. I was damn sure it was Selene. She must have followed me up here. I just hoped whatever type of man was outside wouldn't sell me out.
"What do you want?" He said in a thick voice that sounds familiar. But I'm sure I don't know anyone working here.
"A new girl came today to apply as your secretary but she is nowhere to be found. Shall I cancel the meeting or have someone look for her?"
I heard the man laugh a little. "Come out," he ordered but I remained there, hoping he wasn't talking about me.
"Sir?" Selene peeped.
"Not you." He walked over to the table and dragged me out forcefully. "Are you the one they are looking for?"
I kept my head down, hoping Selene wouldn't see my face. I shook my head. This is the perfect time to have long hair.
"No, I am not." I tried my best to make my voice thicker than usual. I turned to the man, raised my head to see his face. He was handsome, but that didn't give him the right to sell me out like that.
"Jerk!" I mouthed. I can't believe I was going to apply to be his secretary. Perhaps he was the manager or someone lower.
"What did you just call me?" He asked.
"Asshole!" I mouthed again, turned and attempted to leave. His strong hand yanked me back.
"Aria?" Selene was not sure if it was me.
Fuck
I turned to the man and pleaded this time. "Please, let her go. I'm begging you!"
"Leave," he ordered Selene. I sighed in relief. She didn't question him, she just left. Once she was out, I took a deep breath. I looked at the man in front of me. His grip on my wrist was hurting.
"Who are you? Who sent you here?" His aura has changed, this is dangerous.
I gulped. "Who are you too?" That was the dumbest thing I have said in a very long time. He smiled and pushed me till my back hit the wall. He pressed his elbow hard on my neck. His claws tore his skin and he pressed them close to my eyes.
I choked and begged him with my eyes, trying to pull out of his hold on my neck.
"Who are you?" He asked again.
I tried to answer but he choked me too much. I began to feel dizzy, and the pain turned into numbness.
He released me, I fell to the ground with a loud thud and coughed.
"Speak."
"I'm Aria." coughed. "Aria Valen. I didn't come to intrude. I was running from Selene and you just–" had to be an asshole. "I'm sorry, I'll leave now."
"You think I don't know a thief when I see one? What did you come here to do?" He frowned and folded his arms.
I managed to stand up. "I'd never steal. I don't need your money. I have more pride in myself than you can see."
He smirked. "You don't know who I am?"
"You asked like I should," I replied.
"That's interesting. If I give you ten thousand dollars to lick the floor, would you?"
They are all always the same. "Would you do the same if I offered?"
He laughed hard. "You are something interesting. Nice chat. Leave."
"Huh?"
"If you don't have a death wish, leave."
I grabbed my bag from the floor and went to the elevator without saying anything else. I went straight to the ground floor and didn't even tell Stella goodbye. She was right after all.