The Million Dollar Contract (On Hold)

Chapter 12

12

Ariel woke up an hour earlier than her alarm clock was set to. Perhaps excitement or apprehensiveness prompted her senses to joke awake as it was her first day. She was still in her bed recalling the semi-professional resignation email she sent to Bob through Kelly's laptop last night, and the fact Kelly was only working there just to be with her best friend rendered two employees' posts vacated at once.

Kelly lent her a black sleeveless pencil dress and matching heels to work for the day. She got ready in a matter of ten minutes which included a bath, coiling her hair into an immaculate bun, putting on a moisturiser, concealing her dark circles and applying a strawberry lip balm.

She then woke Miles up and got him ready for school. James was out of town for two days, he would be coming back tonight so it was only them savouring each other's company. Ariel wasn't complaining either, she also preferred avoiding his presence.

After breakfast, Kelly rode them to their respective destinations. It was half past seven when she reached her new workplace which was half an hour early than her office time, it was sort of her habit to be present before the allotted time.

She straightened her dress in the elevator and tried to strut like every employee here once the door slid open, but she knew she was miserably failing in the imitation. She crossed the closer aquarium corridor and found Irene sitting behind her desk, who stood up when she noticed her presence. "Heyy, good morning, Ariel," She stated with wonderment plastered on her features, her hand struck out for Ariel to take. Ariel glanced at her hand and then at her. Her lips automatically morphed into a pleasant smile.

"Good morning," She shook her hand, biting her lip timidly.

"You're early for your first day," She beamed lightly, her spectacles scooted down to her nose tip as she turned her head to the desktop when a notification popped.

"Ah yes, I was hyperventilated for the day to start, but so are you," She retorted in the same energy, crossing her hands across her stomach. Irene turned her gaze back, Ariel's smile stretched wider once their sight met. Her anxiety lessened down a bit by her homely demeanour.

Irene chuckled faintly listening to her comment, "Yeah, I came early to sort your schedule but it seems like we are going to do it together now," She grinned, gesturing to her to step behind the desk beside hers. She informed her that a desk was assigned to her, where she would be mostly spending her time, working. She sought out some tasks for her and gave her instructions accordingly.

It struck nine when Alisa's heel cling-clung clicked against the marble, alerting them of her presence. Both of them erected on their feet once she came into their sight. Alisa sashayed toward Ariel with her hand outstretched, and expression almost the same as Irene's when she first saw her. "Hello, young lady,"

Ariel blinked nervously, taking her hand in and shaking lightly while her eyes were fixed on Alisa's glimmering face. It was the first time she beheld her face this close. She concurred with her heart over the fact that Alisa's skin was smoother than silk, her complexion indeed shone like a satiny moonlight, as if she was a supermodel figure. That told how much she paid heed to her self-grooming.

"I thought you were going to join us tomorrow," Alisa's indirect question broke the torrent of her thoughts, it took a second for her to register her indirect question.

A glint aglow on Ariel's flushed cheeks as she tried fetching her voice after listening to her. Did she hear him wrong yesterday? He told her to join them from tomorrow. Maybe he had said the day after tomorrow. Maybe, she misheard him. "Umm, I thought I was told to join from tomorrow...I..." Her voice quietened in awkwardness.