the fall | abel tesfaye

chapter sixteen - the interview

A week has passed since I left Abel kneeling in front of me on the campus grounds. The feeling of betrayal still lingers on my mind as I think about his unforgiveable actions. How could he do such a thing?

I must be reading him wrong. Maybe he doesn't care for me at all. Maybe it was all just in my head in the first place.

My hair falls in loose curls around my shoulders as I run a thick comb through it. Today is the day of my interview for the record company and I am beyond excited. Ben has gone above and beyond for me ever since I've gotten to know him and I'm so thankful that he was able to pull some strings to get me an interview.

"Where are you off to?" A voice snarls from the doorway. I snap my head around to see Monique standing in the corner, a hot pink bag hanging from her shoulder and a skinny black dress hugging her figure. That is some outfit for midday on a Thursday.

"I have a job interview," I snap in response, not bothering to hide my annoyance at her.

I've barely spoken to Monique for a week since she's been drooling over Hayden. She's been in and out of the dorm only to grab a change of clothes and shoot me a few glares every once in a while.

She sighs and closes the door behind her as she enters the room. 

"Look," she begins. "I'm sorry, okay? I don't like this tension that's building between us. We've barely been here a week and a half and we're not speaking. Can we just move past all of this petty shit?"

I put down my detangler and narrow my eyes at her. "Petty shit?" I say. "I'll 'move past this' when you can finally admit that you're wrong about Hayden and stop accusing me of making up such horrible things."

Monique shrugs. "I just don't understand why he would do something like that," she says. "Maybe you guys just got off on the wrong foot."

I go to turn around again but she stops me by grabbing my wrist. "Maybe we can sort this out. Come to dinner with us tomorrow night? I'm sure we can come to an agreement. And if he really did what you said he did, he can apologise for it."

I roll my eyes but sigh in defeat. This guy really isn't worth losing my closest friend over, no matter what he did.

"Fine," I say. "But I'm not staying long, and if he pulls any more shit-"

"Yay!" Monique wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tightly. "Thanks Ara, I promise you won't regret it. Where is your interview?"

I begin to grab my things and sling my bag over my shoulder as I explain the record label to Monique. I also mention how Ben has been super helpful and she shoots me a few sneaky grins.

"Ooh, this guy sounds nice. What happened to your handsome bad boy though?" She presses.

My stomach drops.

"Oh, I- Nothing," I say. "He just isn't right for me."

Monique cocks her head at me but decides not to press. "If you say so. He was kinda hot though. You definitely need something to spice up your life right now, especially before classes begin Monday."

I roll my eyes again and start to head out. "Guess I'll see you at dinner tomorrow then," I say.

"Yay! I'm so excited Ara. Good luck at your interview!"

I give her the thumbs up before hurrying for the bus that leaves in five minutes.

-----

The record shop is situated on the corner of a quiet road only 20 minutes from campus. The exterior is painted a deep brown with floor-to-ceiling windows at the front. I take a deep breath before entering, nervous about sitting through a job interview.

I open the door to see Ben's cheerful face rushing towards me. "Arabella! It's so good to see you."

He pulls me into a warm embrace and I relax my body under his tight grip.

"I hope you're excited. The boss said he's keen to meet you, I haven't stopped talking about you since I mention you'd be keen for a job here." He blushes as he reveals this to me, and I giggle.

"Thanks Ben, you've already done so much for me. Where should I wait?"

"Arabella Jones?"

A tall, dark-skinned man walks down the staircase of the store dressed in a deep blue suit and formal shoes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is William."

He rushes to meet me at the base of the stairs and reaches his hand out to shake mine.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I reply nervously.

"Please, call me Will." He shoots me a sparkly white grin and I return a timid smile. "Your good friend Ben here has told me lots about you."

If possible, Ben blushes further and stares at his shoes.

"If you follow me up to my office, we'll be able to have a chat about what position suits you here."

"Thank you si-, Will," I correct myself, following the boss upstairs.

His office is large and situated in the corner of the second level. With large, oak doors and a matching desk at the far end of the room, it emanates importance and success. Large bookshelves line the perimeter of the room, each featuring various records and signed frames with successful artists I am very familiar with.

"Please, have a seat," Will says, gesturing to a large leather seat in front of his desk. I thank him and sit down whilst still admiring the office.

"So, Arabella," Will starts. "What brings your interest to XO today?"

"Well, I have the biggest passion for music," I begin.

I go on to explain my childhood and how I was constantly playing the piano and writing music. When I wasn't performing in front of my school, I was hidden away in my room writing new music and listening to my favourite records on repeat.

Will is impressed, and he chimes in at appropriate times about his similar experiences with other artists and producers at the label.

"My nephew, in fact, is an excellent singer," he says. "Whilst he is a seasonal trouble-maker and has his fair share of drawbacks, he is truly talented and has a heart of gold. Very deep down." He chuckles to himself at the memory of the boy, and I smile.

"Does he come here often?" I ask, curious to meet such a person.

Will nods gleefully. "Oh yes. He visits often and I almost always find him asleep in the studio late on a Saturday night. Albeit with a few naked women on the occasional weekend, but making music nonetheless." He bursts into laughter and I shift my feet uncomfortably.

Never mind, then.

Suddenly, there are footsteps and two knocks outside the office door.

"Come in," Will calls.

"Uncle Will, is it alright if I-"

The voice stops immediately, no doubt at the sight of me in the chair in front of him.

That all too familiar voice.

Oh no.

It can't be.

The nephew.