The next day, i woke up early. Showered and got ready. My interview was scheduled at 10 a.m. Yes..!! Vic had fixed an appointment too. She's a darling. I wore a white shirt which fitted a lil too tight. And a black skirt which hugged my back like a long lost lover. Aaaarggghhhh.. I really need to control my calorie intake. With a simple nude make up i was ready to face the world.
I booked a cab which was thankfully on time.
I got out at the place given in the address provided by vic.
And holy shit.... what a building. A lush green garden, a really happening canteen and the entrance to the giant of a building. My hands started sweating. There was no way in hell i was going to qualify for Hemsworth International Inc. For a second it crossed my mind to go back and enjoy my day as a tourist. But then i thought that even though i wont be selected but atleast i will get an opportunity to have a small tour of this place.
With that my nervousness went away. One thing was sure though. Vic had good contacts. But this was too fancy a place for an ugly duckling like me. I stood out like a sore thumb. With those thoughts in mind I strolled inside the building gate which beeped. I was asked for the purpose of visit and the lady checked me behind closed doors and allowed me to reception area. What was with so much security.? It was a regular job place only albeit far fancier which i was used to. And reception area was freaking wow. All shining glass and leather. I was dumbfounded. Someone tried to get past me as i was standing in the way and i came to my senses. Mia, stop making a fool of yourself. I turned my head towards reception desk and holy cow. Do they hire supermodels for a receptionist.? I exhaled. I was having a bad feeling. A very very bad feeling. Receptionist looked at me and raised her perfectly trimmed eyebrow. I walked to her and informed her that i was here for an interview. She gave me a sceptical look and asked me to wait. Well, whatever miss bitchy eyebrows. Atleast i was gonna enjoy my wait on these super soft leather sofas. With that I turned and planted my ass on these mini heaven. After a minute or two i heard some hustle bustle. Many big bulky guys in black entered the door and someone was in the centre of the circle formed by these guys. I was intrigued as to who might this be. And then miss bitchy eyebrows called my name. i turned my head and walked towards her. She asked me to take a left turn and go straight.
I went as per her directions and saw a closed door. I knocked and waited a second before entering. A skeleton of a woman with very short white spiky hair sat at the other side of the table. Her eyes were cold and she seemed tight lipped. Upon seeing me she gave an expression of being disturbed. Wasn't she aware of my arrival.? She must have been around 60 i guess but her back was ramrod straight. "Have a seat Miss Johansson". She uttered tight lipped. I took the seat and she introduced herself as Anita Hathaway, Head of HR. She asked me basic questions on my qualification, my interests, previous job etc and some really deep questions relating to finance. Surprisingly i was quite confident in my answers and she said she will mail me regarding the job.
I came out of the building and i was on cloud nine. I couldn't believe my interview was a piece of cake and as if on cue my phone rang. It was Vic. " It went great Vic. I can't believe i did so well.",I said. Vic said " I am so proud of you Mia. I knew you would bang it. And today you are shifting to my place." To this I happily agreed and cut the call. I turned to the left towards exit and bam. I hit myself on a wall and fell on my back. " Hey sorry. Are you alright.?" It was a deep velvety voice. I opened my eyes. And my breath caught in my lungs. What the hell in the world was an Adonis doing on earth.? He had a mixture of blond and brown colored hair playing on his forehead. Deep blue eyes, sensuous lips which were now smirking at me. I snapped out of my haze and remembered i fell flat on my butt and was now half lying and half sitting awkwardly on the pavement in front of this total stranger. I quickly got up and brushed myself off. Mr. Adonis said " You hurt.?" I shrugged "It's ok"
"I am Edmond. An electrician. Came here to see some problem in one of the offices" How a mere electrician could be so fucking handsome.? That receptionist too, was nothing less than a supermodel. Did they employ only superbly good looking humans.? I was out of luck in this job. He cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. I coughed and said "Nice meeting you Mr. Edmond. Have a good day". With that I almost ran away. It just didnt feel right to give away my name to a complete stranger. I got into the cab parked just at the exit. In the confines of the cab I revisited the face of Edmond and heard his velvety voice caressing my skin. I had this feeling, it will be a lifetime before i forgot this face or this voice. And that smirk will haunt my nights.
I reached hotel and after having a little snack, i started my packing. It took me all of 20 mins only as I hadn't unpacked most of my belongings. The cab came on time and dropped me at Vic's address. God, she was smiling ear to ear. Her smile was so infectious that i felt my lips stretching. She came running and hugged me tightly. We went inside. Her flat was awsum. Decorated in the shade of pink and white and cream and a little sky blue, it was amazing. She had various small pots having many floral plants. It strangely felt..... homely.
It was a two bedroom apartment with a cute tiny kitchen and a small cozy dining room. She had white sofa with pink cushions. The kitchen was nicely stocked. All the latest appliances were there but they seemed quite unused. I asked Vic, "you don't seem to enjoy the company of these kitchen robots.?" She laughed and said," Mia, i am always just too busy to fill my tummy. I and Alex usually eat outside." So that explained her slender figure. But well, that was going to change soon. I rather enjoyed cooking and with these minions, i could do wonders. Vic showed me my room and I totally fell in love. It had an amazing view. The room was so spacious and airy. A large cupboard stood in the corner along with a big dressing table fit for queen Victoria. But ah, the royalty was standing right beside me talking on phone. A little to the left of the cupboard was a hazy glass door. I opened it and saw a big bathroom. My hotel room could have easily accomodated inside this. It had a big bathtub, a separate shower cabin with hundreds of nozels whose purpose was completely alien to me and a grand wasbasin. I could have slept in the washbasin.
I turned to Vic and as if on cue she said," what's wrong Mia.? You don't like the place.?"
I laughed," Vic, how could anyone not like this place?" "Then what's wrong Mia .? Your expression says that you don't much like the place. Tell me what's the matter.?" I said," I never knew that you were so well off. And now this is making me uncomfortable." To this she said," Mia, chill. Alex bought this really old house and turned it into this. Technically it's not even mine." " I don't know Vic. It makes me really Uncomfortable. I have never been brought up in such surroundings. This is All new to me. It is too much to take." To this Vic argued," but isn't it your new life Mia.? Shouldn't you try something new for a change. When you have decided to lead a new life then why I have to force you to accept every new change that comes your way.?"
" you are taking it totally wrong Vic. It's just that I can't afford these things and so I am uncomfortable to accept it."
" Why are you so stubborn.? Can't you simply accept what ever life has to offer.? Why are you so not open To change. And then you say you are going to start over. You are going to start afresh. Tell me one thing Mia, If I had been Poor then would you have left me.? If no, then how could you think to leave after knowing that I am well off." She Turned and went out of the room. I started thinking on her words. Was she right.?Was I being too stubborn.? Maybe I needed to take life a little less seriously. I went out of the room. Vic was sitting on the couch.Wearing a sour expression. I sat beside her and said, " I am really sorry Vic. And she smiled instantly saying, " it's all right. No worries. Lets go out today and we'll have fun." I frowned, " Vic i dont have much clothes." " It's all right. Borrow mine. Or better yet become my slave for the day." She said the last part with a twinkle in her eyes and wicked smile which clearly meant trouble for me. I said, " What.? Why would i do that.?" She said, " trust me Mia, please say yes". I mean come on, who can say no to such a puppy face.? I relented and agreed. She instantly hustled me out of the house and into her car. Yes, she owned a car. But whatever, I wasnt going to fuss over these things from now on. I asked her like hundered times where were we headed to but it was as if she had glued her lips. We got down in front of a really fancy salon and I knew where this was going. I stopped and and held Vic's hand and said, " You are already doing much more than enough for me. Please dont do this anymore." To this she argued, " Mia, just for once put yourself in my shoes and tell me what would have you done if I were to come to Sydney.?" This sealed my mouth shut. She smiled and pulled me inside salon. A lady in her mid fifties welcomed us with a lovely smile and Vic introduced me. She took me away and Vic followed.
They made me sit on a chair and then the tortures started.
I had facials with special glow skin treatment, hair cut with bangs and then hair spa, manicure followed by nail spa, pedicure, full body wax, threading and then the hairstyling with small loose curls at the ends. It took us 4 hours. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant with Alex. We both were very tired and headed home. Vic hugged me good night and disappeared in her room. I filled a water bottle for the night and entered my heaven. It felt incredible to have a place and feel that you belonged and someone was there to lookout for you in this foreign place. I again thanked god for sending someone like Vic in my life.