Chapter 5 Fifth Chapter

Love is not by age but by two hearts that love each other...

Magellan sat behind the large desk, seated beside him on the right side was his P.A Andrew while on the other side were other members of the board that had been chosen to be there as the judges of the auditions.

Choosing the right model wasn't easy at times so the more the "judges" were, the merrier... The easier the job would be and the faster all these would end.

It's not like they didn't have any other thing to do, but this was equally important as any other job.

"You know, I'm glad you came because most of the ladies out there waiting to be auditioned are here because of you and not the job itself". Andrew said with a small smirk plastered on his face.

Magellan tilted his head a little as he looked at his P.A as if he had grown an extra head.

Moreover, he knew what Andrew had said was nothing but the truth.

"Why give me that look?. We all know that it's the truth". Andrew answered. "Look at you, stunning looks, heavy toned and muscled... You're the perfect definition of dark, brooding and handsome not forgetting filthy rich as well".

"You're every woman's and man's dream guy". Andrew added, his smirk getting wider.

"Andrew". Magellan called in a serious tone though he was inwardly smirking as well.

"Yes?".

"Shut up". Magellan remarked, not sparing a glance at Andrew again.

Andrew smiled to himself and gave a small teasing salute, "Yes Sir".

Magellan smiled to himself as well, thinking of how his PA really needed to be taught a lesson but that would be later on and not now.

They were best friends anyway so he didn't mind the teasing at all. What did friends do together after all? Wasn't teasing each other one of them?.

His smile faded when his peripheral caught sight of his Secretary, Shakira walking towards the table in her small, quick steps in those click clack heels of hers.

He exhaled sharply as he got ready to listen to what she had come to report this time around, "Mr Alladiah, sorry for the interruption". She started as her eyes quickly looked around, the auditions hadn't started yet and the other "judges" were busy murmuring amongst themselves. She hadn't interrupted anything but that didn't mean that she had to be disrespectful of the sort.

"What?". Magellan snapped, sending her an annoyed look.

"Mr Hitar the owner of the millionaire hotel chain is here. He's waiting for you in the board room, Sir". Shakira answered.

Magellan exhaled. Why did this man have to come now when he was giving himself a short break?. Didn't he know what bad timing was?.

"Tell him I'm busy". Magellan replied.

"No you can't!". Andrew exclaimed quickly to both of them before turning to face Magellan and talking to him in a hushed tone, "He's on the verge of bankruptcy. If you invest in his business right now before any other person does, when it goes back to being stable you'll be owning fifty or so percent of the shares. We need this Magellan, think about it."

"Also, most of the share holders in his hotel withdrew and the hotels aren't doing any better. Our sources state that he has tried most business men but none of them is willing to help him". Andrew said with a sharp exhale.

"Don't you want to make your Father proud?. The more investments, the better". Andrew added, he was aware of the weight that those words carried with them in Magellan's heart but this was for the better. They all needed this.

Nonetheless, Magellan would do anything to make his father happy. He would do anything to keep his feet ground on the current position he held in all of his Father's businesses.

"You have to go". He added again as Magellan looked at him, his hand touching his chin a little as if he was in deep thoughts.

Magellan sighed and looked at Shakira, "Did he come alone?".

Shakira nodded her head, "Yes. He came with Marcie, his personal assistant".

Magellan stood up, Andrew following close behind him as he walked away pushing Shakira roughly to the side causing her to stumble several times almost to fall if not for her holding onto one of the chairs for balance.

Several people looked at her questioningly but she chose to ignore them by walking out quickly due to the embarrassment she had felt.

She should have gotten used to Magellan's brutality but no, it always hurt her a lot because she was human and not some animal for his amusement.

Nonetheless, why hadn't she resigned and looked for a job elsewhere?.. Right, the Alladiah's paid very well and she needed the money so until then, she had to bare with the cold treatment that she received from the man.

She hastily walked back to her station to proceed with her work with the hopes of evening to get closer soon for her to go home.

•••••

Riska turned around the corner in the hallway which opened up to a large waiting area. She stopped on her tracks. Her eyes widened at the number of the women present and already seated in a queue form, arranged by the number tags they had been given upon arrival just like her.

The women present varying from their different skin tones, body size and height as well. There were a few men as well who had come to try their luck in the auditions.

The number of the women present didn't really astound her. What astounded her the most was the way the women were dressed. All fancy and expensively dressed as if they were going to a party or something of the sort.

A few women looked at her with judgemental eyes, others giggled obviously laughing at her making her feel out of place by the way she was dressed as if she was going to an office interview for a secretarial job instead of modelling auditions.

She felt ugly, stupid and dumb. She even felt like transcending back in time so as to change her outfit into a better one and also apply some more makeup and look just like them.

Looking at them once again before taking a seat, she felt like a loser. There was no way she was going to get that job when looking like this. Actually, the women around her were more beautiful than she was.

She felt a cold sweat of nervousness trickle down her spine making her to shiver. The woman seated beside her, raked her eyes over Riska and gave out a snort before turning to talk to the other woman beside her.

Swallowing hard, her phone rang in her bag which she quickly fumbled in her hand bag to reach it.

On the screen, her Father's contact was displayed which made her jump to head towards the ladies bathroom so as to answer her phone.

A few ladies looked at her questioningly but she ignored them.

"Hello". She answered letting out a breathe while shutting the door behind her with a soft click and leaning her back on it.

"Riska dear". Her Father exhaled and gave out a nervous chuckle.

"Father? Are you okay?". Riska asked, worry lines etched deep on her forehead as she thought of what could possibly be wrong with her Father.

He sighed, "I.. I just wanted to check up on you and know if you are already there".

Seriously? Riska thought to herself. She was worrying herself over nothing!. Her Father was the overprotective type and of course he had called to check up on her or rather know what she was up to.

Riska sighed and took a step away from the door. Releasing the worry lines from her forehead to a relaxing stance.

"Father I'm fine. I'm already in the company and I'm waiting for my turn to go in". Riska explained, turning her head to look at the door then back at the mirror in front of her where she could see her reflection.

"Aah that's good. That's good. Be careful and in case of anything, call me. Okay?". Mr Rubis asked.

"Yes Father".

"Don't come home late. I'll be waiting for you and oh! I'll prepare for you your favorite meal for dinner". Mr Rubis offered making her to smile and feel at ease for the first time ever since she had walked in the LA Mujer fashion house.

"I'll be there Father as soon as I'm out of here". She promised.

"I'll be waiting". He replied then hanged up.

Riska took in a deep breathe and placed her phone back in her hand bag. Looking at her reflection again, she wondered whether she'd be able to get the modelling job or not.

To be precise, she wouldn't mind if she got another job apart from the modelling one in the same company as well. She needed the money, her Father needed the money even behind that attitude of his of not needing any help from her.

She was desperate at the moment and she'd do anything, even weighing her chances of getting the modelling job.