ESTHER

Chapter four

    The day of the interview finally arrived. During the first six days, I learnt a lot about make up. I became pretty good at it, for someone who hardly applies it. After the first six days, Phoebe, Angie and I all qualified for the second lesson.

     We had a new roommate who was part of the fourth badge. She got on our nerves pretty much. If I had taught that Angie was indifferent towards me because she was rude, I realised that I was wrong. She was just plain indifferent. That's how she is. Her attitude towards the new roommate, who goes by the name Cass, is what could be classified as rude. Unbelievably rude.  I couldn't blame her though. She deserved it.

     She didn't get passed the first six days though. She was disqualified after the first trial. We got a bit of joy from that. Not to be rude, but I didn't like that girl. 

     During the trials for the second lesson, for those that will be selected, I and Angie got in. Phoebe was good, but not too good according to our instructors. We had to wait till the ending of the month when the final interview will take place.

     The final day came, and we were led to a room where we had to select formal attire that will go well with us and also where we can apply our make up. After young through rack and rack of formal clothes, I started to lose hope on ever finding a cloth that will fit me.  As I made my way to another rack, I spotted an applicant like me pick up a blouse and skirt, holding them together side by side. She moved her head slightly to the side as if contemplating, then she shook her head and returned it.

    I went over to the rack to see the clothes she picked up. The skirt certainly caught my interest. It was a black fake leather, high waist skirt. I loved the feel of it because it enhances the shape of the wearer. The shirt she picked out did not go well with it, so I started moving around looking for a shirt that will.

     I finally found a long-sleeved chiffon poker dotted shirt. It felt lost but enhanced the bust, and an attached tie was fixed to it down to the end of the shirt. It was a shirt one wears over the head as there was no zipper, and the only button was the one attached to the slim collar of the shirt.

     I quickly made my way to the dressing room, but not before I picked up a pair of stilettos. I did a simple make-up on my face because I felt like I didn't need much, then I quickly put on the clothes I selected.

     The skirt came with a belt which made my waist look slimmer than it already was and my hips fuller. I loved it. It was what I could describe as formally seductive.  Someone shouted that we had five minuted left till the ramp walk. I quickly put on the shoes I had brought and checked my self one more time. When I was satisfied with what I saw, I went out.

     We were told that everybody on the ramp walk will be interview individually. Once someone was done with her walk, she was being interviewed straight away. They are also looking for someone whose charisma blends well with Jack Rhodes.

       They gave us each a number and fortunately for me, I was number twenty. That was enough time for me to prepare myself and get my bearing. We were backstage and could not see what was happening in the hall.  After about five people had walked the ramp, word started spreading that Jack Rhodes was part of the interviewers. Now that brought my nerves to another rising tempo. I was not expecting that.

     I started fidgeting and when I felt like I was finally going to lose it, I remembered what my uncle told me.

     You're doing it for the money.

     Yes, money. What a better way to calm someone's nerves. I took deep breaths and finally, my turn to walk the ramp arrived.

     I walked how I normally would because I'm pretty sure that if I do get the job, there was no way I would be able to walk like a model all the time. I couldn't see the judges clearly from the beginning of the ramp, but I was proud of myself because I walked smartly and boldly. When I finally arrived at the end, I gave a small bow before I finally took in the faces before me.

     There were five of them, but Jack Rhodes was the most outstanding. The television where I had always seen him did nothing to enhance his beauty. He had glowing green eyes and dark, very dark hair which was swept slickly to the back of his head. Whatever he used on his head made it very shiny and looking silky.  He had high cheekbones and a pointed nose, with a broad chin.

     I noticed he had a scar at the left side of his face, just barely above his eyebrows, but it did nothing to his good looks, if not make him look more handsome, in a rugged kind of way.  I finally looked away from him and noticed a woman who was looking at me with indifference. As if she was used to seeing people like me. She looked like someone in her late forties and she seemed, very fashionable. I suspected that she was a designer.

     Another woman who I instantly recognised was also part of the Judges. Vashti, Jack Rhodes supposed ex-fianceé. Why I found that surprising, I wasn't sure. She looked at me with detest and I almost had the urge to scowl at her. Jack Rhodes still had his poker face on.

     There was a man, an elderly I could instantly tell, who looked nice. Warm even. I instantly liked him out of all the judges. He smiled at me encouragingly.

     The last person was a very young man, who was also very handsome looking. He had a professional smile on his face and was the one who started the introduction.

     "Hello, I'm James. You already know Jack Rhodes, " he said, pointing to him, " and Vashti" pointing to her. I could detect a slight trace of annoyance when he introduced her. Pointing to the other woman, he introduced her as Sasha and the elderly man, who was also a designer, as Steve. I nodded and smiled at them respectfully.

    "So let's go straight to the point. Why do you think you are qualified to work here?" He asked as he folded his hands and placed his chin above it. I started to give my answer and I was a little bit nervous at the beginning, but the encouraging smile from Mr Steve helped to boost my courageousness. When I was done, James smiled and dismissed me. I bowed my head respectfully, something I had been doing since I was young, then finally left the room.

     When I returned backstage, I felt all the tension leave me. I sighed in relaxation as I slumped back on the couch. Though it was one question I was asked, the environment was relatively tense.

     By the time everyone was done with the interview, we were asked to give the judges ten minutes for them to decide. While the others were particularly brimming with nervousness, all I could imaging myself doing was taking a long hot shower and licking a huge bucket of Ice cream after.

     They called us out after the ten minutes was up. We all walked to the ramp ending and all stood in a straight horizontal line. Mr James stood up to address us.

     "I won't take much of your time. We have finally reached our decision. While I have to say it was a hard one because you all did great. But sadly, we can only have one winner." He paused and gave each of us a glance. I felt his eyes stay longer on me but he quickly removed it before I had time to process my thoughts.

     "The person, who we all decided will become our next colleague, is none other than, Miss Esther..."