CHAPTER 9

She pulled herself together and ran to her mothers closet which was filled with expensive vintage clothing, each piece was timeless.

April picked out a black Chanel dress, it had a high collar and stopped above her knee. She then paired it with a pair of black Louboutin's.

April went to the vanity table and put on some light makeup and fixed her hair into a high bun, she left some waves loose so it had a more youthful vibe. Trying on the dress it fitted her perfectly. Adding a black leather Chanel bag to complete the look, she put her phone, ID and keys inside. It was summer and the temperature had risen in the afternoon so she did not take a jacket.

She stepped out of her new condo with a spring in her step. She went down in the lift and smiled as she walked past the security.

"I'll be back later Jace."

Jace was lost for words and his jaw dropped, he had to take a second look at the beauty that just walked past him. This was the same girl as earlier but now she had a cheerful aura and wore clothing that matched her beauty perfectly. He was glad that he had not judged her too soon earlier as he may have made a big mistake and would only regret it later.

April who had just left the condominium beamed as she walked to the gates of the community. This was an expensive neighbourhood to live in and people had either chauffeurs or cars of their own so there would be no taxis passing by or busses. As she was thinking a guard approached her from his post.

"Miss, can I book you a taxi, it's too hot a day to stand about?"

April turned and saw an older man he was dressed in a guards uniform and it said Cerulean Condo's on his shirt so she smiled up at him.

"Yes please, I have to get somewhere in less than an hour, would it be quick?"

"Yes Miss we have taxi cabs on standby just in case, these Condos have every amenity. Just ask one of us or the door security. I'm John."

"Thanks, John, I will have to trouble you then."

April stood under a large chestnut tree to get some shade while she waited for a taxi. The summer made it searingly hot outside, there was no breeze so the branches stood still allowing April some must needed shade. A lot hung on getting this job so her nerves built a little, she started to nervously play with her hand and pace a little. Just when she started to overthink a car pulled up, it was a taxi. It was very efficient and one arrived in five minutes. She waved goodbye to John and got in the taxi. She greeted the female private taxi driver.

"I'm Jackie, where to miss?."

"April... Walker Interiors please."

"No problem, I'll get you there as soon as I can." Jackie noticed the young girls nerves and so she started up a conversation.

They made small talk and April forgot about her nerves before going to Walker interiors. Jackie was friendly and liked to small talk, she had a family with two men around April's age. As they chatted April received Jackie's card with her information on it and told her to call her if she was stuck and in need of a lift. She thanked Jackie and said goodbye as she had arrived outside Walker Interiors.

Walker Interiors building was a skyscraper, It had hundreds of employees. April had heard that the CEO was young and had many partners, everyone wanted the Cinderella story. But April had remembered in her past life it had turned out that CEO Casey Walker was in a relationship but it had been with his long time male friend. Though she couldn't remember his name, so these women had zero chance.

She walked straight to the reception desk, where a young lady was typing away. April stood at the desk and waited patiently for her to finish. The girl looked up and noticed April after some minutes.

"Sorry I didn't see you there, you should have said something. How can I help you today?" The girl was young and polite so April didn't mind the wait, she knew it was intentional.

"Afternoon, I received a call from Michael he said I had to fill in some paperwork to start the internship on Monday."

"Oh yes, of course, go to floor sixty-seven and knock on the door to your right. That's Michaels office."

"Okay, thanks for your help."

April smiled and walked to the lift hitting the button, she then arrived at floor sixty-seven and saw a few doors, the one in the middle looked like a meeting room. So she ignored it and walked past. Seeing the only door on the right she fixed her dress and took a deep breath and put on a smile before knocking.

Knock Knock

"Come in" The same cheerful voice came from the other side of the door as she had heard earlier on the phone.

She walked in and tried her best to remain calm and composed, she looked up at the man who was seated behind the desk.

Michael was a young man with longish blonde hair and he wore a sapphire suit. As she got closer she noticed his sparkling blue eyes matched his suit, he was a very handsome man who seemed very outgoing and cheerful.

"Hi..." She started to speak but Michael interrupted her words.

"April right, take a seat. I remember your sweet voice from earlier, you are the only one that sent me a CV that was even remotely in the same scope as their degree. You did Fine art and Fashion and textiles am I right?"

"Yes, I would love to be able to use my artistic flare no matter where I work in the future." April had taken a seat opposite Michael, he seemed so friendly and honest.

"You are young and show a lot of potential. We got in contact with your references this morning and both professors would not stop singing your praises. So I would like to snap you up before others realise it too. If you agree please sign the contract and you can start Monday morning."

Michael passed her the contract and a pen, she sat wordlessly as she stared at it in shock. April could hardly believe it, she knew her professors would give her a good reference as they always said she could do so much with her talent.

In her past life, after she graduated she never painted unless it was for Lucy so in this life she would only use her talent for herself. She smiled as determination filled her body she leant forward to pick up the contract. Her hands were steady and her mind was made up, without even reading she signed the contract.

April looked up at Michael and smiled at him, the smile was pure and honest so Michael felt good about inviting her to join the company. He stood up and reached out to shake her hand.

April rose and shook Michaels's hand. "Thank you for the opportunity I won't let you down.

"I see that you are talented and I believe your words. Come let me show you around."

Michael came around his desk and showed her out of his office. He guided her around the company, it had many meeting rooms and offices just like her fathers company. The people looked friendly and hard working. She hoped to fit in here and she would work hard for her future.

"On Monday you will meet the CEO, he likes to meet every worker and induct them into the team." Seeing her look of concern, Michael responded. "He's a great guy so don't be nervous. I have to meet a client downstairs so ill walk you out."

April nodded and followed him into the lift. It seemed that she would enjoy working here, so she had to make the best of it and make a good impression on Monday. The lift opened.

Bing

Michael led her out of the lift the sun was still out, though it was low in the sky as it was the late afternoon. Orange rays filled the sky. Michael looked particularly handsome with the sky backdrop. He stopped and fixed his hair before smiling at April.

"I shall see you on Monday."

"Yes thank you for your time and for filtering me. I really won't let you down. April beamed up at him and wanted to show her earnestness.

" I believe you." Michael looked down at her, his face was youthful and sincere.

"Well, then Michael I will see you Monday morning." April walked out of Walker Interiors and turned right to walk down the street to get a taxi.

She hadn't expected to bump into James Stewart her ex-fiance from her past life so soon. He was attractive and refined, a gentleman with a scholarly aura, glowing with magnetism and dignity. No wonder she fell for all his lies. She stood her feet seemed to be glued to the ground.

James was walking towards April, the low sunlight hitting his back. Looking towards him, Aprils eyes seemed to be stung by the light shining into her eyes causing her some irritation. He was tall and she needed to look up to see his face clearly. However, looking up at the man she thought she knew, she then thought that you could never see through one's authentic emotions and nature.

In her previous lifetime, she had met James Stewart in High School. Then, she had been showing her paintings at a gallery in the City and they had got chatting and found out that they had a love of art in common. The elegant temperament of a gentleman had immediately occupied her heart!

After which, he had started to pursue her fiercely. However, she had always been consistent towards him from the start to finish, keeping a subtle distance without rejection. After all, he was gentle and kind and from a good family. She had only kept the distance from him as she was young, shy and a bit insecure.

As the years went by he had pampered her in front of her father but then wouldn't bring her out in public. Only now did she find this strange.

He did nothing for her unless it was in front of her father. And she, to get into his good books, had often brought him to all sorts of high-class parties. Slowly, his contacts had improved and he became good friends with many people that her father knew.

Thereafter… he had drifted apart from her and even kept a distance from her. It made her feel rejected and insecure.

She knew that in her previous lifetime, James had all along treated her like a stepping stone, making use of her status to build up his business contacts.

When he had fallen for Lucy she wasn't sure but together they had used her contacts, stolen her art, snatched her company shares and so much more. In the end, she had even died by their hands.

James looked up when he felt a pair of piercing eyes stuck onto him whenever he moved, he creased his eyebrows and glanced towards the gaze. He saw a young girl wearing an elegant black tailored dress that hugged her body. Her hair was up in a messy bun showing off her delicate neck and pale complexion. She had little makeup on which added to her allure and youthfulness.

The young girl merely stood there quietly like that. Her charming composure made one's heart skip a beat, willing to brave anything. And she… looked at him with a strange gaze which was unique from the other girls who appreciated his looks. Her deep black eyes were like bottomless abysses, with a coldness that sent a shiver up his spine. Who was this young girl and why did she stare at him like this?

Seeing her smile he couldn't believe his eyes, even his heart felt like it had lept out of his chest. He stammered out her name in disbelief.

"April... April is that you? You look so... so different."