"What a caring husband you've got ma'am," the uber driver said to her after she was settled.
She smiled and looked out the window. When she turned back to look at him, he was staring at her from the rearview mirror. He smiled and nodded, just to make her feel at ease because she looked tense. Was she scared of him?
"He's not my husband" she replied.
"Boyfriend then? Maybe fiance?" He pushed further.
"No, we're just roommates... Friends..." She sank deeper into her seat and went through her phone. She just scrolled up and down the apps. She thought the uber driver was going to take it as a clue to stop bothering her.
His job was just to drive, right? Why was he being nosy? She thought, almost grunting loudly in frustration.
"Not lovers? He continued. "Maybe not lovers yet. The chemistry between you two is really strong. One can smell and sense it from afar"
"So you're a psychic then? Mr—" she paused, waiting for him to fill his name in.
"No, I'm not a psychic. But I do know love when I see love. My name is Max"
"Okay, Max. Are you married? Do you have kids?"
"No ma'am. I don't have kids. I'm not married either"
"Good. Now, please be quiet and drive. That's your job, right? I'm going for an interview and as it is, I think I've answered more questions from you than I intend to answer during my interview" she said in one breath.
"My apologies ma'am" he apologized and was quiet.
She felt guilty at the way she spoke to him. He just wanted to be friendly and although he was being too chatty, he was saying the truth. But she just wasn't in the mood for petty talk.
She sighed deeply.
"My name is Crystal. Please call me Crystal. I'm sorry I spoke to you rudely. I'm just tense and I don't want to mess this interview up. I hope you understand" she sat up.
"Absolutely ma'am. I do. I apologize once more" he replied but wasn't smiling anymore.
"Please call me Crystal" she almost knelt, pleading.
When she looked at his face in the rearview mirror, she saw the same look of mischief on Jason's face on his.
She liked him instantly. At least he's fun.
"Okay. Crystal" he replied and the smile was back on his face. She felt really good and alive and slightly energetic... She was able to relax.
Max began to speed up the car.
"Woah! Easy please!" She cautioned.
Crystal didn't like to drive fast. When she was ten years old, her father died in an accident. She had been in the car the night it happened and since then, her fear of cars had been uncontrollably shooting up.
She only endured high speeds when Jason drove. With him on the wheels, she would always be able to relax as the scenery whipped past her window. Jason was her guardian. He watched over her and protected her.
It was a short drive and in less than twenty minutes, the uber halted in front of a large building. It was one of the largest industries she had ever come across in all of her life.
She was staring at the industry's name, written in bold and large letters, as she alighted; "TWILIGHT ENTERTAINMENT ", she read out loud.
The environment alone was intimidating and for a second, she felt like turning back and going home.
"Good luck Crystal" Max called out and honked twice when she didn't move or respond.
She was just standing there, staring at the building in front of her, mouth agape.
"Thanks, Max" she finally said.
"Please I would like to be your personal uber. I know it's not possible to use the app and still have me come pick you up but I can give you my phone number if you don't mind"
"What?" She asked still absent-minded.
"Will you take my phone number please or give me yours? I'll be available anytime and anywhere you need me to drive you"
"Yes of course. That'll be nice Max. Here" she handed him her phone and he typed in his phone number and stored it in contacts after beeping.
"Thanks again," he said and drove off after she stepped away and closed the passenger door.
The sound of a blaring horn from a nearby car brought her out of her reverie. She jumped and almost cursed at the driver loudly.
She smoothened her clothes and hair, then lifted her head and shoulders with all the courage she could muster as she walked to the large glass doors at the entrance.
"Why would such a big industry have just one glass door as its entrance?" She thought out loud.
"How many doors can you contain?" A voice behind her asked.
She jumped, slightly surprised.
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking out loud" she smiled apologetically.
"No problem. Are you here for the interview too?" The man asked.
"Yes, I am. What about you?" She asked.
"I am too. My name's Dave" he offered his hand for a handshake.
They were almost in front of the receptionist's desk.
The receptionist was a young lady, probably in her early thirties. She had bright red lipstick on and her dress was so clingy and revealing.
"Hello. Welcome to Oceanic. I'm Martha. How may I help you?"
"Hi. We're here for the interview" Dave smiled at the receptionist.
"Your names please?" She asked, opening a file and picking up a pen that lay carelessly across the counter.
"I'm Crystal Adams"
"And I'm Dave Anderson"
"Okay. Miss Adams and Mr. Anderson, this way please", She led them into a waiting room where they met five other people who didn't spare them as much as a simple glance.
"Wait in line" The receptionist pointed at some seats and left as hurriedly as she came.
"You haven't told me your name yet" Dave continued the conversation from where they'd left off.
"But you heard me telling the receptionist my name"
"Oh. Crystal. I love the name. Clear and transparent like glass"
"Yea... I guess so" she replied. He was talking too much.
"So, what job position did you apply for?" Dave curiously asked.
"Events planning and interior design" she replied, smiling widely.
"But I didn't see that in the list of vacant posts" he replied, more curious.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. I just want to try it out... I'm sure when I present what I have, they'll understand"
"You're charming" he replied, mocking her.
She almost lashed out at him and it took a lot of self-control techniques to calm her nerves.
Tips from YouTube videos were finally paying off.
"So what do you have to show? Maybe I can help. I have a little experience in that field"
"Really?!" She brightened up.
"Well, for starters, I think the entrance doors are too small—"
"Wait. You're planning events and decorating interiors. You're not an architect. Maybe they have their reasons" Dave chipped in the middle of her explanations.
"I guess so. Well, this room is too dull. A place where people sit to wait for an interview should look more welcoming. There should be a touch of welcoming colors like blue or white" she rambled on.
"What's wrong with the brown paint here? This isn't your home right?"
"Yes, I know. But this is the first place we know if the industry is worth it or not"
"mmm... Well... Maybe you're right"
"I'm sorry I've said so much. What about you? What position did you apply for?"
"Its a secret" he smiled
"Excuse me?" She couldn't believe her ears! She had spent the last five minutes rambling about what should be done here and there. She had been talking to someone who was listening but not willing to share his part of the story.
He could be a spy! Why didn't she think of that?! And now he could go back to his bosses and rat her out to them and then she could kiss any opportunity to work in this heavenly place goodbye.
"Are you a spy?" She asked curiously.
"What? No. Why would you even think like that?"
"You're such a jerk Mr. And what you just did is unfair"
"What do you mean?" He asked looking confused. Instead of replying, she just looked sideways and noticed that three candidates had left.
Maybe they weren't there for the interview, she thought.
Thirty minutes later, another lady walked in with the same file they had seen at the receptionist's desk earlier.
She had the same bright red lipstick but this one displayed less flesh. Maybe because she had none to show. She was skinny. Too skinny.
"Mr. Dave Anderson" she looked up and when he raised his hand, she said "please come with me"
"Wish me luck" he tapped Crystal's shoulder.
"Good luck" she smiled sincerely.
"He sat there for about three more seconds, staring at her. Then he got up and left.
Dave didn't return but the lady with the list did.
"Miss Adams, please come with me"
"Yes ma'am"
Crystal could feel her heartbeat. She could hear it and she thought the lady walking in front of her could hear it too.
She was tempted to ask if there was a back door because all applicants she saw going in never came out. At some point, she got scared.
They took the elevator and rode to the 10th floor which was the office at the top.
Her nervousness increased.
"Will I be interviewed by the CEO?" She finally asked the lady.
"Yes. He's asked to interview you by himself. I wonder why"
She didn't look at the lady's face but she already sensed contempt and jealousy emanating from her. The elevator began to feel stuffy.
'Ding'... The doors opened and they stepped into a free hallway. There were fewer people on this side of the building and they all looked serious.
The lady walked to the third door and knocked.
"Come in," said a voice from inside the office.
"Miss Adams, sir," she said and presented Crystal. She left immediately.
Crystal had her head down... Too down.
"Good morning Miss Adams. Please have a seat and let us begin" the CEO spoke.
His voice sounded familiar and she could swear it was Dave. She slowly lifted her head to look at him and she finally did.
"Is this a joke!" She yelled.
She couldn't believe her eyes.