Chereads / Captivated at First Sight / Chapter 9 - Good News

Chapter 9 - Good News

Rod is already in the office and was oblivious to what is going on until a 'Red' message popped out on his computer.

Rod pondered what got the president mad.

The elevator opened and the handsome president came into view.

"Good morning President." Rod greeted as he stood up.

"Morning." Angelo went straight to his office.

Rod who was still standing sighed in relief. It didn't seem like the president is in a bad mood. In fact, he feels like the president is in a good mood. Maybe they just misunderstood.

A beep sounded, which interrupted Rod's musings. The president is summoning him.

"President, your schedule for today is.." Before he can continue, Angelo interrupted him.

"When are we holding again the audition for the 'Captivated at First Sight' campaign?" Angelo asked as he began to go through the stacks of folders on his desk. There's three stacks of folder on his desk and the stack closest to him are urgent ones.

"The audition will be held three days after the gala, Monday morning."

"Is it possible to move it to an earlier date?"

"We can't. Your schedule is fully booked prior to the audition. Do you perhaps have some reservations regarding it?"

"I just feel like we aren't progressing fast enough with this campaign."

"I can try asking the people involved in the audition if we can move it, but I doubt it can be done since they also have their own schedules to follow."

A few seconds of silence ensued. Angelo suddenly thought that he wasn't ready yet to talk to her and meet her in person again.

'What will he say?'

'Will she remember him and the embarrassing incident?'

"You don't have to worry about it. We will just go with the scheduled date then." Angelo said as he opened the folder on the urgent stack that he chose to read first.

"Yes, President." Rod was a bit baffled.

"So, what is the decision of the marketing about the Model of the New Face Modelling Agency?"

"I've received their email last night, and they wanted her to audition. They explicitly said that you should definitely give her a chance."

"Seems like we are on the same page. Rod, please do inform the New Face Modelling Agency that their model will be given a chance to audition. Inform them all the specifics regarding the audition."

"It will be done."

After that, Rod briefed the president about his schedule for the day. Done with the briefing, he immediately emailed the manager of the New Face Modelling Agency - Maya.

Somewhere downtown, in an office, a sudden scream can be heard.

"Ahhh!!! Oh my God!" Maya was seen jumping out of joy - literally.

She was just looking through her emails when an email popped up. Now, she wouldn't be this happy if it were any other email, but when she saw that it is from 'the' Tan Corporation, she was ecstatic. She became more erratic the moment she was done reading. She ran into the agency's president's office. Without knocking, she opened the door and 'invited' herself in.

"Jim! Anne is granted the chance to audition! Pinch me! I think I'm hallucinating!" Maya shook a man with pixie ash brown hair who is rocking a printed camel 2-piece suit with a black inner shirt. Suddenly Maya yelped in pain. The man she was shaking pinched her in her hand.

"Why did you do that?" An aggrieved Maya complained.

"Well, you told me to pinch you. Second, I'm getting dizzy with how you are shaking me. Third, how many times do I have to tell you to call me King. Now, tell me the details."

"Well as I told you awhile ago, Anne was given the go signal to audition for the Tan Corporation's new campaign. It will be held three days after the charity gala that we are attending, Monday morning from 9-12. Models are not allowed to have makeup on. They should be in a plain white shirt with no graphics or logos no matter how small it is, and also they should wear plain jeans with it. They also informed us to tell our model not to be late. Their president isn't keen on tardiness."

"Oh my. That is great to hear. Well, where is our one and only model?"

"Oh, she went to buy coffee since we ran out of it. We go through our stock so fast because we three are such 'coffee aficionados.' She will be back any minute now."

"I'm back!" Speak of the empress, and she will come.

"Anne darling come into my office." Instructed 'King.'

Speaking of Jim, he is the president of New Face Modelling Agency.

King or legally known as Jim Smith established the agency a month ago. He established one for his dear friend Anne and also because he is passionate about fashion. Before he became a president of his own, he was working in his family's company as the head of the Human Resource department. Yes, he is rich and was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Despite growing up in luxury, he is grounded and never looked down on anyone. King is talkative and a delight to hang out with. He can be harsh sometimes if he thinks you are in the wrong and he is the definition of 'no filter.'

"So, what's going on?" Asked Anne.

"Well.." King cut himself off in the midst of talking to tease Anne. He knows how impatient Anne can get.

Silence ensued until Anne got irritated. "Well, what?"

"You got in!" Maya excitedly told her.

"On what?"

"Darling, Tan Corporation gave you the chance to audition for their new campaign."

"Oh, my word! You two are not pranking me are you?" Asked Anne in suspicion.

"Of course not. Who do you think we are?"

"But to be honest, there's no way that I'm not gonna get in," Anne stated with confidence.

"Darling you need some humble pie to tone down that confidence of yours." Told King with amusement.

"If I don't even believe in myself, nothing is gonna get done."

"You know, there is a thin line between arrogance and confidence."

"I know and I'm an expert in toeing the line. I can even dance within that thin line blindfolded while on my tippy toes." Anne stated in good humour.

She knows that arrogance is not a good thing, but lacking confidence is a sin that you commit to yourself. You have to stay true to yourself. Be confident. Believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to. And also, to have self-respect and self-love ...because that is when you can be much happier in life.

"Well, Anne has the face, the body, brains and charm.. so I guess, she does have the right to be confident. And besides, in this industry, you have to have that confidence to survive." Maya enumerated Anne's qualities in her defence.

"As expected of my dear sister, you are always on my side." Anne hugged Maya's arm to show her appreciation.

"Anyway, my darling Anne, since you are now one step closer to getting the campaign, you have to do your best. I know you don't do things half-heartedly, but I will still reiterate that you give your 100%. Do it, not because of us, but do it for yourself."

"I know. Thanks, King. I will give everything that I have got...not only for myself but for you two and the people who believe and cared for me. I am blessed to have met you two. You two will always be a part of me that I will cherish for the rest of my life. You two know that I love you right?" Anne said in seriousness. She didn't know what came over her, but she can't help but feel sentimental. She is blessed to have amazing support - a family.

"Oh my, what got into you?" King was caught off guard by Anne's declaration of love. He was touched.

But Maya is different, she was sniffling and tears rolled down her cheeks. "I love you too Anne. You don't know how lucky I am to have you as my best friend and sister. You too King. Despite us clashing sometimes, you will always be my best friend and a family too."

King threw tissues in Maya's face. "Ugh. You do know that you look ugly when you cry.. so don't cry." King jokingly said to lighten up the mood, and he succeeded.

The trio laughed with their silliness.

They tacitly came into an understanding, that no matter what happens, they will always be together as one family for life.

Some might say that their reactions to the good news were over the top but if only they knew the things that have happened and how hard they worked, then... they would understand.