She got down from bed and took a warm shower to start the day. Then she took her neatly ironed ivory chiffon top and a black formal skirt and slid into it, then packed her hair into a neat ponytail. Alice wasn't a big fan of makeup, but she decided to add a lip balm that highlighted her pink lips. She took something light for breakfast before leaving for the interview. She gave Audrey a call on her way to the company.
"Are you there yet?" Audrey asked
"No, I'm on my way. And I'm so nervous" Alice said
"You don't have to be nervous, you got it, okay. You are the smartest girl that I know, and I'm sure he will be impressed" Audrey's words really sunk into her mind and she felt much better.
"Thank you so much Audrey. I have to go now"
"Alright, see you later" she said Alice disconnected the call.
After getting down from the cab, Alice stood in front of the big and magnificent building of the company. The emotions started coming in. She was actually going to face him again, and the thought of seeing him made her heartbeat accelerate. She took a deep breath and went in. The receptionist informed him about her arrival and kindly directed her to his office. Alice took another deep breath and her shaky hands tapped on the door lightly. The voice from the other side of the door responded and she went in.
Alice raised her head slowly to look at him and their eyes met, she almost forgot how to breathe. He was sitting on his executive chair with that intimidating and charismatic aura that demands respect. ' damn he looks so good ' Alice thought to herself.
"Good morning sir"
"Welcome Miss Taylor. Please have a seat" he said and gestured for her to seat on the chair opposite him. Alice sat carefully with her heart still pounding in her chest. Alice hoped with all her heart that he remembered her as the girl from the bar but he never mentioned a word about it, so she gave up. There was no need for bringing up the issue in the middle of an interview.
David asked her several questions about herself, and her experience in the field and Alice answered with confidence. From her resume it was clear that she is skilled in the area and would be very useful to the company. He was impressed.
He was too embarrassed to admit that he remembered her from the night when he was drunk, so he decided not to talk about it. Both of them had a lot running through their minds but no one had the courage to bring up the topic aside from their formal discussion.
Alice waited with anticipation as he examined her resume with full attention. This was an open opportunity for her to get a well paying job and she couldn't miss out on it so she came prepared to give it her best shot. Well, with the way everything was going, he seemed impressed.
"Well, that will be all. I will contact my assistant to put you through and we'll get back to you by tomorrow" he concluded. Alice nodded and hesitantly stood up to leave. He was actually enjoying the conversation and didn't want her to leave so soon. He tried to say something but he fell speechless and short of words. What was he going to say anyway? A part of her wanted to remind him of the other night, while the other part told her not too. So she left without saying a word further.
David cursed inwardly as he watched her leave. Why didn't he say anything? He relaxed on his chair feeling all helpless. His phone rang and brought him back from space.
"Hello! dear"
"Hi Mom" David replied as a smile appeared on his face
"How's everything going? Hope you're not working too much?" She said, sounding worried.
"I'm not, you don't have to worry"
"Have you eaten lunch?"
"Aaaa... I.." David stuttered as he didn't know what excuse to give
"Don't lie to me David. I know you haven't taken anything" she said
"Fine, I'll go get something to eat. You don't have to babysit me"
"Okay. Have you spoken with your brother?" His mother asked and silence echoed from his end. The last person that he wanted to think about now was his brother. And he didn't know what to tell his mother since he had no intentions of speaking with him anytime soon. His parents always pampered his younger brother and they hardly reprimand him. He was the favorite son, not until he went wild.
"I know that both of you have your issues and what Jake did was very bad. But he's your older brother and I want peace to reign in this family" she solicited
"Mom, maybe we can talk about this later. I'm really busy" he said as his head already began to ache from thinking about the whole scene of that night.
"Fine, I won't push it. But take care of yourself okay"
"I will. Love you" she responded and disconnected the call. David breathed a sigh of relief.
Few minutes later, Audrey called and they decided to have lunch together since she was nearby. That would at least distract him from over thinking.
"Hey! I know it must be hard, but your mom is only looking out for you" Audrey said
"I just wish that I could get away from all this," he said. And honestly he was tired of being used. Audrey reached from across the table and took his hand in hers.
"Everything will be alright, I promise. And I'll be here for you" she said. Audrey has always been very close to him and she has always been there for him.
"Thanks Audrey" he said and gave out that smile that made her heartbeat accelerate. If only he knew how she longed to be with him. To be in his arms right now and make him forget about Maya.
========
After the interview Alice went straight home. She spoke with Audrey on the way and told her the interview went well. It actually did.
"So how did it go?" Her dad asked
"It went well, I guess"
"Don't worry, I know you will get that job. So go freshen up and get something to eat"
"Thanks Dad" Alice said and went to her room. She took an off from work at the restaurant today as she already explained to her boss that she was going for an interview. So she was free for the rest of the day. After taking her shower and putting on some simple house clothes, she went to a small room in the house where she normally practiced her skills on drawing and painting. She had a lot of work pending and this was just the right time to complete her work. If things go well, she might showcase them soon.
There was a large painting of herself and her dad resting comfortably on the wall. Out of all the things she drew and painted this was her favorite. She took her paint and brushes and continued with the unfinished work. This is the way she expressed her feelings sometimes when words failed. Today, for some reason she couldn't figure it out, but she was happy.