Melissa swiped out a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed he forehead quickly. She was nervous, very nervous. After getting accepted for the job of a marriage event planner, she was scheduled to meet with her client for more details on the job.
She was here now, at the location the client had texted her. Melissa wasn't nervous at first, but as soon as she stood in front of the tall skyscraper, her anxiety went into full over drive. This was obviously a big company, filled with people who were high class, a place she didn't fit in.
Melissa looked down at herself. She tried her best to look professional as she wore a feminine suit with hills. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun and a clip was placed at the left side of her hair to avoid strands from slipping down to her face. Melissa exhaled for the 20th time and finally gathered courage to enter the building.
The entrance had a glass door which slid open as soon as she stood close to it. Melissa mouthed the words "wow" as soon as she stepped into the building. It was just the reception, but the decor was exquisite. The room was lined with rows of comfortable chairs. The walls were filled with pictures and drawings of things Melissa couldn't understand. One of the paintings looked like a man trying to do a back bend on a boat, but ended up bending all the way, making him look like a cinnamon roll, at least that was how Melissa could interpret it.
At the top of the frontal desk was a big TV screen that was showing the news at the moment. The red hair lady in a sitting, sitting at the news desk was moving her mouth, but Melissa couldn't hear or make out what she was saying. At the side of the oval shaped desk was a tall trophy case. It displayed several trophies with the names of the trophy owners underneath, but Melissa was too far away to make out the tiny words.
Melissa's heels clicked as she finally reached the front desk. An attractive tall, dark skinned woman with a bob cut had a receiver in her hands. She glanced up at Melissa and back at the paper documents that Melissa couldn't see as she kept talking on the phone. Melissa nervously adjusted her skirt and waited for her to get off the phone.
"Good morning. Do you have an appointment?" She said as soon as she placed the receiver down.
"Yes, uh I'm the marriage planer, I'm here to see your...boss?"
'great job Melissa, great job.' Melissa cursed inwardly.
The woman studied Melissa for a moment and picked up the receiver. "Just one second."
She dialed a number and waited as it rang. Melissa heard a click and the woman began talking.
"Yes. Yes. A marriage planner. Right now? Alright."
She slammed the receiver down and looked at Melissa.."You'll have to wait for a few minutes. You can take a seat while you wait."
Melissa nodded sheepishly and robotically walked over to a chair and sank into it. After a few minutes of staring at the muted TV screen, a young woman wearing a horned rim glasses popped out from the set of stairs on the right side of the room. She walked over to the front desk and they both talked in hushed whispers for a few seconds. She made a sharp turn to Melissa and began walking towards her.
"Melissa Stevens?" the young girl asked as she adjusted her glasses.
"Y-Yes, that's me."
"This way please."
She made a U turn and began making her way up the same flight of stairs she had come down from. Melissa got up from the chair and followed her hastily. They got to an elevator and Nelly walked into it without hesitation.
She pushed the button that had the number 24 on it and the elevator began to move.
The smooth calming music playing in the elevator was having the opposite effect on Melissa. It was making her more nervous than ever, or was it how long the elevator was taking to reach the 24th floor? Melissa exhaled once again, calming her nerves.
The elevator came to a halt and it slid open. Nelly breezed out without hesitation and made her way past a frontal desk. Melissa followed after her, trying to keep up with her pace. She made a turn to the left and stood in front of a large door. Melissa stood beside her and gazed at the door in front of them.
"Boss, it's Nelly." She said as soon as she knocked on the door.
"Come in." Her voice beckoned to them.
Nelly pushed the door open and walked in, Melissa following behind her carefully. Diana sat in her chair, behind her large desk as she looked up at them. She took off her glasses rested her chin on her palm.
"Who is this?"
"This is the wedding planner ma'am, the one I found." Nelly replied.
Diana eyed Melissa carefully. Melissa could feel her gaze piercing through her. Clearing her throat, Melissa put on a smile. She couldn't have an anxiety melt down here.
"My name is Melissa Stevens, it's nice to meet you ma'am." Melissa chirped.
"Have a seat." She commanded.
Melissa walked over to the large white L shaped sofa placed in the middle of the office and sat down on it. It surprised Melissa how soft the sofa was, as she could feel herself sinking into it.
Diana pushed the paperwork in front of her aside and diverts her full attention to Melissa.
"I heard you had some what average qualifications in this field?" She said and signaled for Nelly.
Nelly scurried to her and handed her the tablet she held.
"Yes ma'am. I majored in this field back in college."
"Hmm.." Diana voiced as she scrolled through on the tab.
She handed it back to Nelly and looked at Diana with an icy stare. "Normally, I wouldn't pick just you for this job because of your poor qualifications, but right now I don't have time to look for anyone else. I expect you to deliver a good job. This wedding is a very important one."
"You can trust me with this ma'am." Melissa replied.
"Good. Nelly will email you the details of the arrangement and the guest list."
Melissa nodded. She had a lot of work to do.