Chapter Seven

Chapter 7: New Job

Selena's POV

As the doors closed, a boulder in my mind seemed to have been pulverized. I can't believe I was already thinking of which old peoples home I'd take her to.

The old woman was actually cute and fun, she's scanning the road like a three year old waiting for her dad to bring her favorite stuffed toy over. 

A chuckle escaped my lips and I paused awkwardly.

What's wrong with me? I slapped my cheeks

"What was that about?" Fred handed me a bottle of water.

"Nothing." My mind wondered to the diamond ring in my bag as I stared into his eyes.

"Did you enjoy the cupcakes? Your little devil and I woke up early to make them" He smiled ear to ear as he opened a chair for me.

I subconsciously glanced over to his daughter who was currently playing with a waiter.

Why did it end up like this?

"I'm sorry. I used it as an apology to Mrs. Chopper and you know she's the biggest fan of your cupcakes. You know I can't lie to you." I made sure our eyes remained locked. I want to get every grasp of how he was feeling

"You didn't have a single one? Let's keep this a secret from Victoria." Disappointment was written all of his face "Did she give something?"

"No." I replied calmly. 

"Oh!"

"Fred… was there something in the box or—?"

He stared at me blankly.

Admit it Fred!

He really wants me to be his girlfriend and he's scared of telling me this.

"No! I meant in return since it's your birthday."

Just admit it. I might actually consider accepting.

"I don't think she remembers today is my birthday. I don't think even my parents remember. I don't think even I remembered. How did you know by the way."

"That's a secret" He laughed

He didn't admit he put a ring in the cake? I'll play along then. It's not like he'd ever confront Mrs. Chopper. Even if her did? I'll play along again.

"How you knew about my birthday shouldn't be kept a secret. Did I blurt it out once? If not for you, I really would not have remembered till Lexi surprises me this night. Like last year. I totally forgot" I laughed and threw a napkin at him.

"Was it really nice last year?I regret moving in after your birthday last year. I would have made that smile wider"

"I think I'm correct when I say you only knew about my birthday this year if not, at most a few weeks ago."

"Not an excuse."

"I wasn't giving one. Well, at least you saved me from Mrs. Chopper's claws " I moved my hand like a claw on the table.

"Does that reward me with treating you to dinner tonight?"

"You know Lexi would definitely have something planned out. I'm sorry"

"Um... No. No worries." He waved his hands with a smile but his eyes deepened in sadness.

I'm sorry Fred but, relationships never work out for me.

"I have to get going?" I picked up my bag.

"Home? I can drop you off." He got up already removing his apron.

"I'm meeting Lexi somewhere." Third lie today. 

I had an interview by two and the place was quite far and I needed to get changed and padded up. My dressing would call for a lot of questions I'm not ready to answer.

****

A stunning beautiful woman with red hair, cut into a blunt bulb and mild make up which brought out her deep blue distant fox- like orbs that could seduce a man at a glance sashayed towards me her hips moving in the same direction as her clutch purse which she held with her finger sideways. One word description— sexy!

She wore a black designer long leather jacket that was inches above her knee. The clattering sounds of her scarlet red heels echoed in the room making her aura feel much more mysterious.

She slightly pulled down her designer sunglasses and looked at me in a daunting manner. Her heels made her at least two inches taller than me.

I felt a little pang of jealousy. An exact picture of that dress has been lying in cart for the past three months.I frowned at the thought and shook my head trying to forget about it.

"Summer?" She sounded disappointed.

I wore a black suit pant with a white sleeves blouse. I threw in a black short jacket at the last minute because Lexi warned me countless times that the air conditioning here is like no other. 

"How long have you had those shoes? And what's up with the face mask and bucket cap?" She sounded disgusted and folded her arms.

My eyes fell on my sturdy white canvas without lace. I just got it second hand last week. It didn't look so bad, why is she reacting this way.

Megan Keys, she was just like how Lexi described her as 'Arrogant and rude'. She doesn't seem to caring about the other party's feelings. She was the one that invited me here but she behaved like I was wasting her time.

My time was much more precious than hers.

"Miss Keys, I'm summer and I have to wear the mask and bucket cap to remain anonymous." I tried to sound appealing

"You are simply not what I was expecting. Let's start the interview. I could also tear that off and you won't remain anonymous" She sat down on couch, crossed legs as she tugged some of her hair behind her ears. She behaved like she owned the world or was auditioning for a role where she's an arrogant shameless home wrecker; a mistress.

""Rip it off if you dare. I'd become rich" I yelled in my head

"If I'm not mistaken your last audition ended in a "

"Why that particular audition?"

Is she asking why I brought it up? Should that even be a question?

"With your parents influence and sisters popularity you shouldn't be spotted in auditions like that."

"So, you are trying to tell me I have a lot of shortcuts to success and I'm starting from scratch acting like a fool."

Where did that come from now? Isn't she supposed to be some rich missy.

"No… that's not what I meant. I'm sorry. Let's ignore that please."

"You are now making me the bad guy here."She sent me a glare. That wasn't necessary now Miss Keys.

"No! No, I'm not. I'm sincerely sorry"

"I've been forgotten for a long time under the feathers of my sister. I've been caged in her shadows and my first real spot I earned a freak just had to ruin it. You didn't ask about that just wondered why I didn't buy my way to a Forbes interview or Chelsea studios. I chose you, you didn't also ask about that"

Why did she sound right?

"I said I was sorry. But this has just being a question in everyone's mind. Why is Megan Keys struggling?"

"The interview is over"

"I met a woman like you earlier today; she carried a pink Gucci purse that could buy my entire wardrobe. She was with an extremely sexy man and they came to an eatery I work they made the place look like garbage. I'm actually not surprised you chose me. I have a fast growing fan base and you knew by doing this we are helping each other. Circumstances affect our decisions. I know that rich couple just had to stop by the eatery to have a quiet talk or something. I just didn't know why you chose to be in that situation.

"Without that freak I wouldn't have ever dreamt of meeting you. I would be in the final stage by now." She stormed out of the room and I let my shoulders relax on the chair.

I pitied her for a minute just now.

I didn't examine the room before. It was really big with two sets of couches in the middle facing each other forming a bracket with a box table dividing them. I was seated at the right. The room's decoration and furniture was simple and still managed to look alluring and worth a king's ransom.

It's not every day you get to visit a place like this.

The door flew open all of a sudden and Megan puffed in. "What do you think you are still doing in here? To be seated in this room is charged per minute. Out! You are no longer worth it."

I picked up my notepad and scampered out of the room like a dog that was running to a doggy treat. I didn't pause one bit. I darted out of the hotel. In case I have to pay for each tile I stepped on.

I scrolled through my mail as I strolled to the nearest bus stop. I can't afford another taxi today again.

No new message or old contract I can renew.

This is the craziest birthday ever. 

I sighed in defeat and placed my phone in my pocket. It took me about fifteen minutes to get to the zebra crossing so I could enter the bus at the other side. I met a crowd beside the traffic light, I brought out my phone to call Lexi when a mail entered.

It was from Sarah.

I tapped it open and took in slowly each word.

"You've been selected. Write a two page article on women empowerment. Deadline would be contacted soon." I muttered to myself and literally jumped up on the street screaming and laughing.

"Mom is she having those mental bwakdown?" I heard the voice of a little boy at my side and it dawned to me that I was in public. I simply tugged my hair and buttoned my blazer. Good thing I was still wearing a face mask.

***

Getting to my apartment, I hurriedly picked my laptop from the couch and darted to my study table. I fished out my old note book and turned on my laptop. Glancing through the notebook I felt my eyes closing, squeezing it shut for some seconds and opening it wide, I tried to get rid of the sleep that was threatening to invade.

I have to start the work today so I can be able to meet the deadline because the pay is really worth it and would tend to a lot of my debts. Sleep wasn't an option even tonight.

Scrolling through my laptop I often rolled my neck from side to side to loosen the kinks but, the letters were now becoming blurry and my eyes teary. I squeeze my eyes shut again and opened them wide repeatedly.

My phone vibrated on the table and thankfully it was Lexi. Talking to her should get rid of the sleep. Tapping the green button her high pitched voice fell into my ears.

"How was the interview with Megan?"

I don't really have the luxury to gossip with her now.

"It was…. It was as you .. expected." My voice was flat and sleepy

I am really tired. Maybe I should take a nap for like two seconds.

"What are you doing?"

"Writing. I got a call from Sarah."

Now she has hit an interesting topic.

"Wow! That's so amazing."

Her voice snapped me awake. I was already drifting away. I really need this nap!

"Selena? You seem tired. Should I hang up?" She sounded worried.

"No! I'm awake. I can hear you!"

"So?"

"So, I'm working on it as we speak. No sleep for…."

My head was now resting on my hand.

"Selena climb the bed."

I literally got up from my seat looking around, I picked up the nearest object beside me wanting to throw it at someone. I looked around and realized, I was in my room.

I must have dozed off.

"Selena." Lexi sang and I looked at my phone.

Of course! I was talking to Selena.

"I won't be coming home to celebrate tonight. How about we celebrate on Friday. At the beach. It's my treat."

"That… That'll be fun. We could build sand castles."

"You are drifting off. I'm hanging up now boo. See you tomorrow morning."

I picked up my phone when I heard the notification sound.

"Lexi I'm hanging up. I have to call Sarah. Bye! Love you! No problem !"

I tapped my cheeks hard before dialing her number. I sat on my bed and kept the phone on speaker.

"Selena! You have two days to submit your first sample. Don't let me down."

"I wo- not. I'm…."

"Selena!"

"Mom, just one…"

I drifted off