Destined // zjm

two

I show my acceptance letter to the security standing at the entrance. When they are done with all the checking, they finally let me in.

I step into the cold air of the lobby and take in the prepossessing view that was before my eyes; the most picturesque office I've ever seen. The walls are painted in white with portraits and paintings by various artists hanging from the walls - mostly modern art and graffiti. A huge chandelier hangs delicately from the ceiling which adds to the glory of the big hall.

There are several doors which lead to the main offices or to various departments as I could guess. I am on the ground floor and all I can see is a reception on the geometric centre of the hall - the other is occupied with two sets of luxurious two-piece sofas, an expensive glass center table and a white leather couch probably for clients. There are several elevators lined up and atleast two guards are standing beside each.

Very punctual about security, I see.

A few employees hurriedly pace inside. Might be late like me. While making my way to the reception I almost run into a blonde woman who seemed like she was in her mid forties. What is wrong with me?

I finally reach the reception without knocking myself or anyone else out, where a woman with icy blonde hair wearing a maroon blazer paired with a black blouse buttoned in such a way that it almost reveals the top of her breasts, was standing behind a desk. She must be atleast a head taller than me and her make up screams over do.

"Um, excuse me?" I try to keep my tone calm.

She raises her head to have a look at me and giving me a distant, formal smile asks, "Yes?"

"Hello, I'm Evelyn Cooper. I had an interview today," My grip on my purse becomes tight, I hope she doesn't tell me that it's cancelled because of my delay.

She remains silent as she sifts some papers and then purses her cherry red lips, "Evelyn Cooper."

"Here it is. But weren't you supposed to be here at nine? " She skims through the papers and then glances at her wrist watch. "And it's nine-thirty now. "

Her stare was almost challenging and taunting as if mocking me.

I bite my lower lip, I knew this would happen. "Actually, I got into some problem today so.. " I trail but she interrupts me.

"Nevermind, Ma'am." Ma'am? I frown and then gain my composure.

Her name was Brittany, as I can tell by the name printed on the nametag she was wearing.

"Alex will escort you to your waiting room which is on the sixth floor. Have a great day." Britanny says and shoots me the fake-st smile I've seen in London.

"Yes, thank you." I sigh.

"Hello, Ma'am," What's with these people calling me ma'am? No thanks but I don't want these people who are supposedly older than me to "ma'am" me.

I mentally roll my eyes as tall blonde dressed in a dull gray attire supposedly to be Alex gives me a wide smile, I nod and then return the gesture. Do they have a blonde squad here because suddenly all the females I see were coincidentally blonde. The chairman or the CEO seems to have an affinity for blondes.

Alex motions me to follow her with her hand and I comply, an uneasy feeling swirling inside me.

Once we reach the elevator her perfectly manicured fingers press a button causing the door to slide open, I enter after her.

"So nervous enough?" Alex asks, probably what she asks from every other person who is in the same situation as me.

"A bit, " I lie, in all honesty I was highly strung but saying that I am not maybe gave me some stability. Maybe.

The elevator door finally clicks open and we get out. Alex guides me throughout and on my way I come across another desk spelling reception, a woman with ginger hair is seated on a chair behind the desk, wearing a simple navy blue dress.

No blondes anymore. Finally.

"Here it is. And would you like some refreshments, Ma'am? " She asks politely and I shake my head, no.

"Can I help you with your blazer?" She offers and I nod. She helps me with it and then hangs it on the wall.

"If you need something, Ma'am, contact Brooke," She turns to me and addresses to the woman at the reception. I look in her direction to find out that she was bestowing me a smile. I give a nod to Alex who leaves soon after and then take seat on a sumptuous black leather couch.

When I received my acceptance letter last month, I still remember my mother crying for what seemed like hours and then telling me how much she would miss me and how proud I've made her. To say that I was happy would be an understatement, I was elated beyond words. Finally all my hardwork has paid off. But the interview was what was giving me an uneasy feeling at the pit of my stomach. What if I don't get through it? And they say no? Thoughts like these were making me all the more nervous and I could feel sweat forming on my forehead. I take a deep breath and try to focus on something else.

My thoughts then drift to the boy who gave me a lift this morning. It dawns upon me that I didn't even ask his name. And the fact that I will not be able to see him again made me sad, I have no idea why. I can't feel attached to a random boy.

"Ma'am, Mr. Malik will see you now." The woman who was later sitting at the reception, supposedly to be Brooke informs me and I let out a little cough. Ma'am, again? I think I'll have to get used to it now. 

"Please, call me Eve. " I say simply to which she nods.

"Let me escort you to his cabin then, Eve." She says with a hint of friendliness in her tone and I nod, basically too nervous to say anything else. I look down at my hands. What if I say something I'm not supposed to? God, I hope it all goes good.

With that I muster my lost courage and stand up from my comfortable seat.

"How many people are going to be there?" I ask, biting my bottom lip.

"He'll take it personally, " She gives me yet another smile and motions me to follow her and without trying to pull any other conversation, I do what I am told to.

My throat goes dry once we finally are infront of the door to his cabin.

C E O - in black bold letters is written on the gold template that peacefully hangs there on the huge door.

I swallow hard when Brooke knocks at the door. Some mumbling is heard from the room before she opens the door wide for me to enter. After several attemps to gain my composure I step in, the cold air of the cabin causing me to rub my arms against each other to keep myself warm.

As Brooke leaves, my eyes soon rests upon a man seated on a massive chair, his face towards the walls that had certificates and other testimonies of the company's accomplishments hung on them gloriously. There is rather a huge art of graffiti hung in the middle of the wall that added to the beauty. It would be a lie if I say it didn't look strange and out of place but still, it is artistic.

To say that the cabin is huge would absolutely be an understatement. It is far above from huge, even the living room of my flat is not this big. It is too big to accomodate just one man.

Rich people and their luxuries.

As the back of the chair is facing me, I could only get a view of his jet black hair. There is something in his voice that makes me question myself if I had heard it before but I can't quite put my finger on it where. Letting my thoughts wander into thin air that occupies the spacious room, I clear my throat trying to catch his attention.

After a while, he swings around in his chair and It feels like all the air left my lungs. Familiar hazel eyes, olive skin complexion, luscious black hair messily done into a quiff and a jawline which fractures his face perfectly. His full pink lips form into a smirk as he motions me to take a seat.

~*~