"Of course, I'm going to get the job. How do you think I made the top five applicants without even doing the aptitude test? He promised to make sure I get the job, and if he dares to return on his word, I'm going to send our pictures to his wife." She said with a peal of evil laughter, making Vanessa impulsively take out her phone to record the conversation.
"Trust me when I say I've got things under control. I'm just going to breeze in and out of the office. That's what you get when you're in a relationship with someone as important as that." She bragged, making Vanessa frown.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be careful as always. I need to go in now. I'll call you when I'm done." She promised.
Vanessa quickly picked up all her belongings and rushed into one of the toilet stalls when she heard the lady flush the toilet. She peeked at the lady from the toilet stall as she washed her hands and applied a new coat of lipstick on her lips before walking away.
Vanessa really hoped they weren't here for the same interview cause she would hate to think all her efforts in preparing for the interview had been in vain.
Vanessa raised a brow when she returned to the waiting hall and saw the lady from the restroom comfortably seated in one of the seats.
"Hi!" The lady greeted with a pleasant smile when her eyes met Vanessa's.
"You're the last person. It's nice to meet you. My name is Maya." She chirped, making Vanessa conclude she was just a bimbo who used her body to get what she wanted, making life difficult for other ladies who were trying really hard to make an honest living.
"My name is Vanessa," Vanessa said, deciding that it was probably best she befriended the girl. This time, she understood the importance of keeping her enemy close. That way, she could easily find out if the girl really ended up getting the job as she had bragged.
"I hope we get the job. You can't imagine how much time I spent preparing for this interview." She gushed dramatically.
'On your back, I suppose?' Vanessa thought with a smirk but maintained a friendly smile as she looked at her, "Why don't we take pictures before the interview starts? That way, we can always remember people we met at the interview whether or not we get the job." Vanessa suggested after observing she was just the type of person who wouldn't say no to something like this.
"Yeah! I think you're right!" Maya said excitedly as she moved closer to Vanessa.
"Why don't we use your phone? I think it's better than mine." Vanessa suggested as she eyed Maya's iPhone.
"Sure. Let's do that." Maya concurred as she unlocked her phone and handed it to Vanessa to take the photos.
.....
Vanessa took as many pictures as possible, and fortunately for her, the girl was one of those picture freaks who couldn't get enough of the camera.
'She makes everything easier, Vanessa scoffed in her mind as she continued taking more pictures while the girl kept smiling happily, much to Vanessa's irritation. These were the kind of girls she hated the most. Stupid, clueless back riders who paved the way for themselves by climbing men's beds....oh and don't forget homewreckers too. This one was a combination of all.
"Woah, that's a lot," Vanessa exclaimed as she scrolled through the pictures.
"Yeah, we just have to pick the best and delete the rest," Maya suggested while Vanessa continued scrolling through the pictures.
"These pictures are so good. But sadly, we have to delete any of them. Your camera really did justice to these pictures, and it would be a waste if we delete any of them." Vanessa ruly said, feigning a sad sigh.
"Yeah, I think they're cool too. We look beautiful in all of them, but they're too much." Maya sighed.
"Why don't I send all these pictures to my phone? Then you can delete the ones you don't like from yours. I like keeping memories, and I like your smile on each of them. You have a beautiful smile," Vanessa praised, hoping the girl would agree to her idea, and of course, she agreed. The sweet effect of compliments, Vanessa chuckled inwardly.
"Sure." Maya nodded affirmatively while Vanessa flashed her a grateful smile. If there was something Vanessa had mastered overtime was masking her expression. She wasn't one to wear her heart on her sleeves. At least, that's what she thought of herself.
She opened the transfer app and deftly transferred all the pictures from Maya's phone to hers. Thankfully, Maya had her attention focused elsewhere.
"Here," Vanessa passed the phone back to Vanessa and offered her 'thank you' after taking what she wanted from Maya's phone.
Soon the interview began. They were called in one at a time. Vanessa wished Maya good luck when it was her turn to go in for the interview.
She couldn't help but feel irritated when she saw the way Maya carried herself, like she was sure of the job and was only going there to receive her appointment letter.
Immediately after Maya disappeared from view, Vanessa quickly started scrolling through the images she had transferred from Maya's phone. She smiled to herself when she finally saw the pictures of Maya with a middle-aged man. This was going to come in very handy if things didn't go the way she wanted them to go, Vanessa decided. Someone could say she was scheming, but in this world where dogs bite dogs, she always has to be two steps ahead of every opposition, or in this case, unqualified bedclimbers.
Vanessa was more than surprised when Maya returned barely a few minutes after she had gone for her interview. And this was by far earlier than the others, and she had a cheeky smile on her face.
"Hey, Vanessa, it's your turn. Break a leg." She chirped while Vanessa flashed her signature fake smile. 'This had better be good, or else she was going to do something crazy,' She told herself.
"Good morning, Sir! Good morning ma'am" Vanessa greeted the people in the room before handing over her portfolio to them.
"Take your seat." They offered.
Vanessa looked at the faces present, especially the middle-aged man sitting at the center. He was the very same man in the picture Maya had. And he seemed to be the one in charge of the interview.
The interview went on as usual, but Vanessa couldn't help but notice the man's lack of interest in her interview, but she decided not to ponder on it. The result of the interview would tell, and God helps them all.
After going through her portfolio, and had impressively answered all the questions she had been asked. She was asked to leave.
"Ms. Scott, we'll contact you as soon as the results are ready," One of the interviewers said.
"Thank you"
As soon as Vanessa stepped out of the room, she decided to look for a certain someone. She hurried out of the building to catch up with her, and to her surprise, she saw her waiting outside.
"Why are you still here? I thought you left?"
"No, I'm waiting for a friend." Maya replied, "How did your interview go?" she asked.
"We'll have to wait for their call," Vanessa replied. She couldn't help but notice the smile on Maya's face.
"Maya, why don't we exchange numbers? That way, we can keep each other informed about the interview. And I also think we would be great friends."
"Sure," Maya willingly agreed. They exchanged numbers, and Vanessa left.
She had a weird feeling about the result of the interview. But heaven knows she wouldn't lose to a bedclimber, not in this life or next.