"Yes, I need your help. If it is not a bother." I quietly said. Asking help is something that I try my best to not do.
I have always been self sufficient. I was used to doing things on my own. That is why asking help is such a foreign feeling for me. Just like being drunk is. I did not hear a response from Ashton making me raise my head.
"Why are you not looking at me? I think manners are important in a person. If you want to my help, you should look me in the eye and say it." He said in a serious tone and condescending tone. But the expression in his eyes confused me.
Was it amusement coupled with tenderness that I saw in his eyes? That can't be. That is just next to impossible. I'm definitely hallucinating. He doesn't even recognize me, so why would he feel that way towards me.
Knowing that Ashton is Mr Nice Guy, I bet he is viewing me as a charity case. He knows what happened outside. He might actually be getting back at me for being rude to him. I sighed. My just desserts, I guess.
"Would you please help me out?" I asked him in a pleading voice while looking straight into his eyes. Yep, I can definitely see amusement in those blue depths. He is laughing at me, I bitterly reminded myself.
"I'll take it from here, Sheila. But this will serve as my first and final warning. Never do this again. You already have one complaint from your colleague and I think you do not need another one or else you might be the one ending up applying at a different company. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Mr Kempt." She said in a humble voice. "But I only said that she is not listed because I know that Ms. Jessica will no longer allow her to join the interview."
This lady really knows how to rub salt onto your wound. Had it not been for her being rude to me in the first place, I would not have been late. I could arrived at the venue a few minutes before 10am. That would have given me time to compose myself and even to look at myself and make sure that I am presentable enough for the interview.
"You might think that you meant well, Sheila, but it did not come out that way. You were rude. Plain and simple." With that he turned around and looked at me and then headed towards the elevator.
I was about to follow him when Sheila stopped me.
"How do you know Mr Kempt?" she asked in a moderate voice making those near us look at me incredulously.
Would I get into trouble again because of Ashton Kempt? This seems to be a classic example of history repeating itself. I can feel the nasty stares given to me by the female population around me. Well, I am not easily intimidated. My conscience is clear.
"What do you mean, Ms Sheila?" I asked coquettishly.
She sneered. "I saw both of you talking outside. If you think that you will get a chance to win his attention, think again. You are not his type." she said.
I can hear the ladies around me snort. They must be thinking the same thing. Well, what do you know? It is definitely history repeating itself.
"Are you not coming, Ms Smith?" Ashton asked me from where he was standing. Quite a few feet away from me and Sheila so he has no way of knowing what we were talking about.
I smiled at him and said "I'll join you in a second, Mr Kempt."
I turned to look at Sheila, contempt evident in my eyes and clearly said, "Let me remind you Ms Sheila that had it not been for you, I could have started the interview on time and would not need Mr Kempt's assistance. Had you only taken a moment to get rid of your prejudice and sincerely hear me out, this mess could have been avoided."
I turned and started walking towards the elevator but then turned and looked at Sheila and said "By the way, he knows I was not late." With that, I hurriedly followed Ashton to the elevators.