ARIANA
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is our utmost pleasure to introduce the one and only Ariana Gwen, a true legend and inspiration to us all. We are extremely delighted to welcome you to the podium." The suited man said and the whole of islington applauded in happiness.
I felt my head swell in satisfaction and a big smile made it way to my lips. "Yes." I whispered silently to myself. "Finally. I made it."
With a graceful gesture, I set the wine glass on the proffered tray, held by a poised uniformed server.
"My lady." A deep, velvety voice cut through my focus and I slowly turned my gaze forward
My breath faltered as I gazed upon the most stunning being.
'when did angels start coming to earth'
Wake up Ari!
I snapped out of my daze and immediately wore a smile on my red lips.
"May we?" With his hand still stretched, he gestured with his other hand to the podium.
In response, I cleared my throat gently and nodded.
Slowly, I placed my gloved hand on his lustrious palm and he pulled me up ever so tenderly.
Gosh...I want this man as my husband.
When I was firmly on my feet, he repeated again. "May we?"
"Yes." I responded this time in my cooed deluxe tone.
We trudged along at a snail's pace, but I soon felt my feet become weighed down, as if stuck in quicksand and I couldn't move.
'What happening?'
I looked down at my feet and a huge gasp escaped my lips as my mom was right on the floor, clinging to my legs like it was her only hope. "M..mom?" I stuttered, astonished at her action.
Why the heck was she holding my feet?
"It's time you wake up." She scowled at me, still on the floor with her hands on my feet.
"Mo..." Before I could complete my word, she pulled my hands down and my eyes went shut.
My eyes fluttered open, the noisy running fan on the celling glared at me and then I realized...it was all a dream. I was still in this shit hole.
"F***." I cussed.
*
I glowered at the empty plate in front of me with so much intensity.
'cruummm...' my stomachs whimpered, calling me back to earth.
I picked the empty plate and yelled as I walked into the kitchen. "Mom?"
She was washing the dirty dishes and her back was against me.
I stood behind her and puckered my lower lip. "Am hungry."
No response.
"Mom!"
Still no response.
"Mom??!!" I tapped her and she hummed a "what?"
"Am hungry."
"And how's that my business?" She inquired, still washing the dishes in the sink.
"Ya my mom."
"Am I?"
"Yes mom. Okay, I know I should have woken up early enough to do the chores and prepare breakfast but...."
She dropped the dish she was washing and turned her gaze upon me. "But what Miss?" She questioned with an arched brow.
"I...I...I...I..."
"Just open a music industry and sing your i's." She rolled her eyes and returned to dishes.
"Am sorry mom. I promise to wake up early enough to make breakfast for us."
"That make how many?"
I thought for awhile and answered her confusedly. "I don't get you mom."
"That make how many promises you've made in this month?" She glanced at me through her shoulder.
"I'll..."
"Ateb fi tywysoges." {Answer me, princess} She yelled in Welsh. She only speaks her mother tongue when she's pissed.
Damn! I'm cooked.
"Eleven." I mumbled.
"I can't hear you."
"Eleven!" I said louder than the first time.
"Uh huh...maybe when you get to fifty, you'll really change."
"I'm changed momma."
"I believe you." She nodded sarcastically.
"I'm serious mom."
"I know. I said I believe you."
"So please give food to this precious tywysoges of yours before she dies of starvation."
"The precious daughter who didn't care if I die of starvation? She can die for all I care."
"Mom!" I cried, stamping my feet on the floor. "Am sorry."
"Seriously, I don't know if you're growing or waning. I know getting a job is hard, at least do the chores and cook while I work...no! No! You won't do that. All you do is to sleep, eat and watch Netflix everyday of your pathetic life."
Damn...she's really pissed
"Mom am seriously searching for work."
"And you expects me to believe that?" She dried her hands with the kitchen towel and spread it on the cabinet before she finally faced me with a big scowl on her face. "When was the last day you stepped out of this house?" She snapped at me. "Uh? And you expects me to believe you? Impossible!"
"I'm doing an online search mom." I explained but she scoffed in disbelief.
"Oh! Is that the idle people new language? Online search? I beg your pardon." She hissed and stomped out of the kitchen.
"We're in 24 century, not the 90's" I said following her every movement.
"Online search is bullshit!" She declared hitting her hands on the nearest table.
"It not mo..."
"I don't care!" She screamed, looking into my eyes.
I could see the raw pain in her eyes.
"Just get out of these fucking walls and get something doing. Don't just sit indoor while I go out and bring food for you!" Her breathes become heavy and my eyes watered as I stared at her.
I swallowed the tears that threatened to fall...I deserved it!
After my father died in a plane crash at a tender age, she has been the one taking care of me, all by herself...with no assistance. Sometimes she would walk five shift just to bring food home and pay my school fees.
I know she's meant to be relaxing...eating the fruit of her labor but what the fuck am I suppose to do? I've literally walked all the paths in this god-forsaken street looking for job, tendering my application but none called me to resume. Even if they did called me, it's either they have a trivial position for me.
And now am trying to get a job outside islington but she just don't see it.
What else am I suppose to do?
"A..riana am sorry." She stuttered after the deafening silence. She attempted stretching her hand to touch me but I drew backwards.
"I'll get the job, I promise you." My feet took me away from the parlour to the room, my hands bolted the door. I bounced on the bed, buried my face in the pillow and cried my heart out.
Gosh! I hate this life.
*
I paid the taxi driver and stepped out of the car. "Thank you sir." I smiled politely and shut the door.
"Good luck." The taxi driver said to me before he drove off to god knows where.
I catch it.
I need all the luck I can get cuz here I am standing in front of Delphine. Delphine is the largest constructing company in London and yesterday they called me for an interview due to fact that I submitted my CV online...ONLINE!
I stared at the huge building in front of me praying inwardly that I get employed.
Taking a heavy intake of air, I stepped into the building and my jaw nearly hit the floor. The interior was breathtakingly perfect...did I mistakenly stumble into paradise.
Ariana!
Snapping myself of my daze, I walked to the receptionist with a subtle smile on my lips. "Good morning."
"Good morning ma'am." She responded with a smile. "How may I help you ma'am?"
"Erm...I'm here for an interview." I answered her.
"Okay ma'am. Just take that elevator..." She paused and pointed at a corner. "To the tenth floor. When you get there, someone would be waiting to direct you."
"Thank you so much ma'am." I appreciated her with a big smile.
She returned my gesture and wished me luck while I walked to the described elevator.
I stepped into the elevator and did a short pray before the door slid open.
As she said, a uniformed man was already waiting there for me.
He walked me to the entrance of interview room, wished me luck and stepped back.
Today must be my lucky day with the loads of luck I'm getting today.
Here goes something...
*
"....You're dismissed." One of the interviewer said to me and I sighed heavily but still placed a smile on my lips.
"Thank you sir. I hope I'll be hearing from you soon."
"We'll see about that." The same man responded. He was a middle-aged man with an unshaved beard on his chin.
I nodded as I gathered my stuff together, then I stood up and did a polite bow before I headed to the door.
"Miss Ariana." My hand halted on the doorknob when I heard my name being called.
Swiftly, I turned around and answered with a smile "Yes."
This time I recognize the voice as the silence aged man...he hasn't said more than two sentences since I stepped in this room.
"How soon can you resume?" He questioned staring at my face.
'how soon? soon what?...' I blinked confusedly gazing at the ground as I pondered on his words.
What does he...oh! Oh my gawd!
"As soon as I get hired." I grinned, feeling my head swell in happiness.
"Okay." The aged man nodded and took his gaze off me.
I fidget anxiously as I stared at the ground, waiting for his next word.
Two minutes passed and still yet, he hasn't said a thing.
'I thought I was getting this job.' I exhaled dejectedly.
Three minutes passed and my legs began to hurt.
"You're hired." The aged man muttered softly.
I chuckled silently as a huge grin made it way to my lips. "Thank you sir."
"You're to resume on Monday."
"Okay sir." I shook my head excitedly, trying to suppress the scream of joy that was threatening to fly out.
"Congratulations." The middle aged man said with a subtle smile.
"Thank you." I said without turning to face him.
"You're dismissed." The aged man muttered.
"Thank you sir. Good night sir." I bowed politely and stepped out.
I walked straight to the elevator and clicked the open button.
Finally, the elevator chimed open and I stepped inside. "Ahhhhhh! Ahhhhhh!" I screamed for joy in my highest pitch.
'ting...' I heard the elevator chimed and I swifty composed myself.
Who wants to ruin my moments?
The elevator door slid open and the figure outside stepped inside. I lifted my gaze to the person and I swear, time halted...