Chapter 5

I enter the building and just as I imagined, it is damn huge and a really busy place. It seems that people here are very energetic. I go to the counter and speak, “Hello. I am Loretta Harvey. I have an interview today.” The lady looks up, “Wait, just a second. Let me check.” The lady types something on the computer and then looks up at me, “You may go to the 3rd floor and take a right turn from there. It is CEO’s office. You will have your interview there.” I smile nervously, “Thank you.”

I go to the 3rd floor and as told take a right turn but run into someone just as I take the turn and my file drops down. The man standing there is eyeing me with confusion and seriously I am doomed. Even though I know it’s not unexpected that he’s here but still I didn’t think I would run into him. I pick up the file and state, “Umm, Sorry Sir Maddox.” I try to leave but he stops me, “Wait, but what are you doing here Loretta?” He asks with a smirk. Now of course I will have to tell him. Uhhh. “Okay so since I know you won’t let me leave until I tell you so I am here for an interview.” Sir Maddox laughs and says, “Oh, so we have a singer in our class. I will have to break this news tomorrow.” Oh. No. “No Sir. This is supposed to be a secret until I have my first debut released. Please pray I pass this interview.” Sir reassuringly smiles, “Don’t worry Loretta. If you have talent, my son will immediately approve of you. And a piece of advice, be confident. He hates people who are not confident speaking for themselves. Now go, since he hates latecomers.” I smile confidently at him, “Thank you, Sir.”

I knock on the door and when I hear ‘come in’ I enter the door. The office is indeed really creative. There are a few paintings on the wall. The table is covered with files. There are even stickers on the back of laptops and computers. Well, what kind of CEO does this thing? His back is facing me since he is sitting facing the window on the opposite side. Finally, he turns his chair, and guess what? My mouth is wide open in shock, he smiles showing off his dimple, “You are allowed to close your mouth, Miss ‘I am not a singer.’ Wait, what? Now he is gonna tease me. Me? Huh. “Well, you know I can’t go around telling random strangers that I am a singer.’’ He breathes, “You didn’t know my face before coming for the interview? Well, this is new.’’ I sweetly smile, “I hate searching up people online.”

He finally notices that I am still standing so he gestures for me to sit down. “Ok, let’s start the interview. Introduce yourself and tell me about your singing career.” I first hand him my file and then spoke, “My name is Loretta Harvey. I haven’t debuted yet. I have signed with a company before and I was near my first debut but because I couldn’t show my face for the video, they gave my song, which I had written and even sang to anyone else and after that, I left that company. After that, I had been interviewing but due to the face problem, no company wants me.” Maybe I spoke too much. Huff that’s my problem. I just can’t shut my mouth when I am nervous. He nods his head while his eyes are still on the file. After a long silence, he finally speaks, “Okay. Are you nervous to sing in front of the crowd?” I think for a while before speaking, “No, definitely not.” He nods his head, “I have a question though, Why didn’t you put on your mask today, then? Were you again afraid that you won’t be able to make it?” What is he even talking about? Is he mad or what? “What are you trying to say?” I ask him with confusion written all over my face.

He eyes me confusingly as he speaks, “I mean you are not wearing your mask today, but Steve mentioned that you never go anywhere without the mask.” Is he possessed or what? How can he not see my mask? I think he has some kind of problem. “I am wearing my mask. There is no way you can see my face.” I annoyingly say. He looks really confused and taken aback. Even I am confused like there is no way he can see my face. He stands up and comes near me and touches my face, “Look I am even touching your face, this means you are not wearing the mask.” I have lost my ability to think right now. Many people have touched my face before but because of the mask, I wasn’t able to feel their hands. Of course, when my family touches my face, I can feel it because they can see my face.

This is just ridiculous. How in the World is this possible? I stand up from my seat and go out of the office, and go to a random girl sitting on the desk, “Can you please tell me what color mask I am wearing? I forgot to see myself in the mirror.” The girl is startled at first but then she answers, “Umm, you are wearing a white mask.” I take a deep breath and say, “Can you please say this in front of Mr. Ashton too? Please don’t say no.” The girl nods still unsurely. I enter the office without knocking, with the girl. Ashton looks up from his computer, anger written on his face, “Miss Loretta, I am sorry but you may leave. This is an office and what you just did was not acceptable.” He touched my face and he is the one to be angry too. Wow. “I am sorry but I have to clear something here. You don’t believe me that I am wearing a mask, right? This girl is the proof that I am wearing the mask.”

I nod at the girl for her to speak. She is hesitant at first but then I give her my pleading eyes so she speaks, “Umm Boss, she is right. She is wearing a white mask.” She bows and leaves the office immediately. Ashton’s face is as confused as ever. He suddenly starts laughing and says, “If I can only see your face, then is it like I am your prince or what?” Is he mad or what? Can’t he see I am serious here? “Excuse me, but this is a really serious problem that you can see in my face. If you get to know the truth, you won’t even be able to say a word. I am sorry but can we please reschedule the interview for tomorrow?” Ashton’s face becomes serious and he speaks, “I don’t have time. I am sorry but if you want to give the interview, you can give it right now only.” I clear my throat, “This situation is not comfortable for me. It’s a really big issue that you can see my face. I would like to meet you at the café tomorrow. I need to tell you something before we have an official interview.” He eyes me suspiciously, “Umm, even though I don’t know what to say but still, since you are so serious about this matter, let’s meet at the nearby café here tomorrow at 11 am.” I take a breath of relief, “Thank you for cooperating with me. See you at the café then.” I turn and leave the office.

For an hour, I just drive randomly thinking about what to do. There is only one way that he can see my face and that is that my grandfather has allowed it. Only my grandfather has the power to let anyone see my face. But the question is my grandfather doesn’t even know him. How in the World is this possible? I think I should tell him about who I am, maybe he would know something. Should I talk about this to my parents? They will make a really big fuss about this. I don’t think I should tell anyone about this right now. I should first discuss it with him and until then I will just keep it to myself. It’s not like this is my first time biding something from my family. I am hiding an even bigger secret than this in my heart for years.

Now I make my way to Castle since I am gonna spend this whole week there. Even though that’s my real home but still it feels unusual to go there because it’s seriously my first time living in my home for a week. I have spent my whole life in Kathy’s house. There was an accident due to which I was supposed to hide my identity from everyone. That is why to keep me safe, my family asked Uncle Harvey to adopt me since they trust him with their lives. That is how I have been living my life until now. My family hasn’t told about the accident to anyone. Only Uncle Gratiano, Aunt Lisa, Dad, Mom, and grandparents know. But I also know about this accident, they don’t know that I know about it but anyways I know.

I take a deep breath and finally enter Uncle Gratiano’s house. Mary came running to me, “I am waiting for you forever. The designer is here. Come and help me to choose a dress.” Seriously, this girl can’t do anything without me. I smile at her, “Okay darling, Let’s go.” We enter the living room and there is the designer with a living room filled with dresses. I take a look at all the dresses. Aunt Lisa comes from the kitchen and picks up a dress, “Look Jenny, I suggested her this dress but she wanted to take your opinion on it as well.” I take the dress in my hands. The material is perfect but I don’t think this style is for Kathy. “Umm, Aunt I don’t think this will suit her. You know the design is kind of old.” My aunt nods, “Okay, then choose whatever you girls feel like until I bring snacks for you guys.” I smile at her and send her a hand heart for food. She shakes her head laughing and disappears into the kitchen.

My eyes are roaming around all the dresses and suddenly stop on one dress. This dress is just perfect. Kathy will look World’s best bride in this. I pick up the dress and put on Mary imagining how she would look and this is gonna be amazing. “Look, Mary, this dress is just perfect. Go and ask Aunt Lisa, she will love it.” Mary takes the dress from me and puts it on herself and exclaims, “THIS IS PERFECT.” And she runs to the kitchen.

After the dress selection and eating nuggets, I go to the garage. And yes there is my little brother washing cars. I secretly take a picture and then go to him and shout, “This is going viral.” “What! NOO. I will kill you if you do that.” I evilly laugh and say, “Let’s make a deal then.” Steve hits his head on the wall three times, “Why me? I mean what in the World did I do to have a twin like her?” I go behind him and whisper in his ears, “You killed a pure soul.” He turns around with a frustrated face, “Whatever. Tell me what do you want?” I smile sheepishly, “I just don’t want you to tell our family about my interview with Mr. Ashton. Once I make my first debut, I just want to surprise them, okay?” He thinks for a while before speaking, “Even though you know how bad I am at keeping secrets but for the sake of my picture, I will do it. Anyways, how did your interview go?” I think for a while about what to say and then it clicks to me, “It did go well but he wants to interview me again for some reason.” He opens the pipe and starts washing the car as he speaks, “That’s a rare case.” I smile and turn to leave not before saying, “Well, I am rare after all.”