I had forgotten about the jacket as it was stuffed into my bag after I washed and dried it off earlier. I knew nothing about the man from the previous night. Not his name, not his number, only that he lived in San Diego. Which was not much to find him with.
Suddenly, I felt really bad. "Just how expensive is it?" I thought. I took out my phone and typed in the name I saw on the suit, it was Bironi Vanquish ll. And it costs $43,000 for a piece.
It could be fake, there are lots of them in the market these days. But he kept hammering on how expensive the jacket was. This will be bad for everyone involved. I took out my phone to call Sandra, somehow, she always had an eye for things like this. The phone rang for a few minutes and then went straight to voicemail.
That evening, I barely slept. I turned and twisted from one end of the bed to the other. And when I finally got tired, I reached out for my phone. Maybe, if I watched videos on YouTube about people who had money, I'd have mine.
But all I searched was related to Bironi Vanquish ll. How to know which one was fake? whether washing it in a machine will reduce the quality?
Just as I felt sleepy, I got an email. My chest felt tight and I wondered if he had somehow found me. I wanted to leave the message, pretend I never saw it. But I was expecting other emails too, from the thousand and one jobs I had applied for. I just had to open it.
But no one said I had to open it myself. I tiptoed to Sandra's room which was right across from mine. After the third knock, I heard a groan from the room, followed by sounds of objects falling off and finally, she opened the door.
"Do you know what time it is?" A sleepy Sandra asked.
I did not have to say much. I only shoved the phone in her face. Sandra took a step back to read it. Her eyes widened and she snatched the phone from me.
She yelped "They invited you for an interview?"
"What interview?" I asked and snatched the phone from her.
Sandra stared at me confused, "you didn't read it?" Her brows arched.
"I was too scared to." Things like that made me anxious about everything, that was no lie. The lie was that I was waiting for the email cause I wasn't.
I applied for a job at the Streamline company for over three months but did not get any reply from them until that very moment. I felt a weird feeling. I wasn't sure what it was but it made me uneasy.
I was going to talk about how I felt with Sandra but she shoved my phone back to me and slammed the door so hard on my face. "Bad listener."
I heard her yell at the other end "proudly."
It had been months since I turned in my resume for a position on the Streamline company research team. But I never got a response. I was pretty sure my resume was locked up somewhere, lost between the others.
Robert told me they only selected employees according to their financial status and connection with the law. I had none of those. So call me pessimistic or whatever, but, I knew something was up.
By morning though, Sandra was up and had a cup of coffee before her on the dining table. Robert was somewhere outside, talking to the plants. He believed they grew with more positive words than water and sunlight.
I leaned on the door leading to the dining room, hands folded across my chest, "I'm not sure I want to go." I told her.
"Is this about that bullshit of it not being real?" Sandra's brows arched.
I drew closer to her and sat right across on the other side of the table "What about that awful prank last time? What if it's the same..."
"Are you being serious? That was months ago..."
"Exactly." I cut her short "same as the application letter. I submitted that months ago. Why did they call now?"
"Besides did you forget what Robert said about how they only employ people..."
She raised her hand "When has Robert ever said anything positive? I don't know how I still radiate so much positive energy. Secondly, we are very sure this reply came from the company, right?"
"I guess."
I suddenly felt her hand over mine, she smiled and said "I'd come with you. If that would make you feel better."
My eyes lit up. "You promise?"
"Yeah. But if you get your pay, you have to buy me a new plant." She replied all smiles.
"Deal"
"Let's get that job."
By 8 am, a worried Robert dropped us off at the company building. The corporate headquarters loomed large against the skyline, a testament to modern engineering and the power of industry. Its façade was a seamless blend of glass and steel, reflecting the cityscape like a giant, shimmering mirror. Sunlight danced off its surface, creating a dazzling display of light and shadows that shifted with the passing hours.
As one approached the building, the entrance came into view—a grand, revolving glass door framed by sleek metal accents. Inside, the lobby opened up into a cavernous space with ceilings that soared several stories high. The floor was a pristine expanse of polished marble, cool and smooth underfoot, echoing the footsteps of those who passed through.
A reception desk, crafted from dark wood and brushed steel, stood prominently at the center of the lobby. Behind it, a wall of living greenery added a touch of nature to the otherwise industrial decor. The air was infused with a subtle, refreshing scent, a blend of clean linens and citrus.
To the left, a bank of elevators waited silently, their doors opening with a soft chime. Each one was an engineering marvel, whisking passengers upward with barely a whisper. The walls inside were lined with mirrors, giving the illusion of infinite space.
On each floor, the offices stretched out in a meticulously organized layout. Glass-walled conference rooms lined the corridors, each equipped with the latest technology, ready for meetings that shaped the future of the company. Workstations were arranged in an open-plan design, fostering collaboration and communication among the employees. The hum of conversation and the soft clatter of keyboards filled the air, a symphony of productivity.
Private offices, reserved for the company's executives, were furnished with modern, minimalist furniture. Large windows offered panoramic views of the city, a constant reminder of the world outside. Shelves lined with books and awards spoke of achievements and knowledge.
Break rooms, scattered throughout the building, provided oases of comfort. Plush seating, coffee machines, and stocked fridges offered respite from the workday. In the basement, a state-of-the-art fitness center awaited those who sought a workout before or after their day at the desk.
Outside, meticulously landscaped gardens and walking paths provided a serene escape from the bustling interior. Benches and shaded alcoves invited employees to take a moment of peace, breathe in the fresh air, and gather their thoughts.
The building was more than just a workplace; it was a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the relentless drive of the corporation it housed. It stood as a beacon, drawing in talent and fostering the dreams of those who walked its halls.
"It's huge." Sandra yelped as we waited for the secretary to usher us in.
I sighed deeply, was not sure why but I had to. "it's okay, I guess."
Sandra watched me again before she placed her hands on mine, "you'd be fine. You'd do..."
"Miss Amelia Thompson?" The secretary called out and I dropped Sandra's hands as I jumped to my feet. "He'd see you now."
"Thank you." I said as I walked into the office while she held the door open.
"You're tense, relax." A voice spoke up. "Is what I'd say if I were your therapist, but I'm not so, stay calm or use the door behind you."
"I'm sorry." I apologized and cleaned the sweat that had built up on my palm.
"For what exactly? Getting sweat everywhere or making the cleaners work double time?" He asked, a pinch of anger trailing somewhere in his voice.
"Both?"
"Don't worry, we pay them enough." He tossed a piece of paper into the bin and let it fall on purpose to prove his point.
If I wasn't so desperate for this job I'd have given him a lengthy talk on proper waste disposal.
"Now Amelia, I must say, I never thought I'd see you again." This time When he spoke, he finally turned to face me.
"Jacket!!"