Chapter 3 Three
Before she could regain her composure, the owner of the voice continued.
The voice belongs to Annie Morio, her nemesis from high school.
Annie had never liked Lily and she didn't bother hiding her hatred for the poor girl. Things got rustier between them when Lily took Tracey’s place as Kyrian's wife for Annie and Tracey were best friends.
Annie Morio, the campus belle, her high school tormentor and anti fan, stood surrounded by her usual flock of admirers.
She hadn't changed one bit, her perfectly curled hair shone in the sunlight, her designer outfit hugging her frame in a way that made Lily suddenly hyper-aware of her own baggy shirts and shorts.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Lily," Annie drawled, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Still dressing like you raided a thrift store dumpster."
Lily clenched her fist but kept her face neutral. After all these years, she wouldn't let Annie get to her. She wanted to punch her in the face, after all Claire had told her not to tolerate anything from anyone, but she didn't want to cause a fight. She might be disqualified from the interview, and it would ruin her chances of saving her father.
Speaking of Claire, Lily regretted why she hadn't accepted the outfit Claire had picked for her.
"Just wear the blazer and slacks I picked for you, you need to look the part," Claire had said, but Lily refused. Now, nature chose to punish her with Annie of all people.
One of Annie's lackeys, a smirking girl with gel-slicked hair, chimed in,
“Is that the file for this interview I see in your hands? Oh dear, I'll rather you just turn and go home.”
Seeing that Lily didn't move, the girl continued.
"You really think you stand a chance at this interview? Just give it up already. Miss. Annie is the boss here, and she will see to it that you get nothing, pathetic loser.” She turned around and followed Annie and the others inside the company.
Lily's heart sank. Was Annie really the boss? Was this nature's ploy to punish her? She would rather just go back home, but would it be worth it?
Lily swallowed and stood her ground. Claire had taken so much time and had put a lot of effort into finding her this job. She wouldn't just give up yet.
She walked into the building. She was directed by the receptionist to where she sat with the other applicants.
Lily adjusted the strap of her cloth as she stepped into the gleaming lobby of Markonsic Solutions. The air smelled of expensive perfume and polished marble, and the sound of clicking heels echoed around her.
She felt very comfortable in her outfit; a baggy shirt, a faded sweatshirt, and her most comfortable sneakers.
But then she saw them.
Dozens of other applicants sat in the waiting area, each dressed in crisp blazers, tailored shirts, and perfectly knotted ties.
They were all dressed to impress in their formal suits and polished shoes. She could swear that their polished shoes reflected the overhead lights. Her stomach twisted.
"I should have listened to Claire." She regretted for the second time that day.
More applicants throttled in. The room was buzzing with low chatter. Perfume and cologne lingered in the air like invisible clouds. Leather bags, ironed shirts, hair slicked and styled - everyone but her looked like they belonged in a luxury fashion magazine. Lily's heart began to sink.
One voice caught her attention.
"Oh, wow, did someone get lost on their way to the gym?" The mutter was loud enough to be heard. Snickers followed and Lily turned. All eyes were suddenly on her and she could see the mockery on their faces.
"Maybe she's here to clean the office," another applicant joined in, and they all burst into laughter.
"I think she thought this is a casual Friday, you know, at a fast food joint."
Lily clenched her fist but said nothing. Her cheeks burned. She wanted to leave. She almost did.
"I thought they were hiring for an administrative position, not a janitor." Laughter broke out among a few others. One person even came close enough to tap her shoulders.
"You're sure you're in the right place, Miss baggy clothes? I'm sure the maid's interviews are next door."
"I'm sure," Lily said calmly, despite the rage coursing through her. "But thank you for worrying about me."
Her response only worsened and intensified the negative comments about her. It seemed each person tried to outdo the other with hurtful words. Their words stung, like arrows making straight for her heart.
Unable to keep up with them, she stood up and decided to leave the place.
The interview was about thirty minutes away, she would come back inside when it was time to start.
She ran into the next room she saw and was more than glad to see that it was empty. She took out her phone and immediately dialed Claire's number. Unfortunately there was no response.
“Ugh! Claire please pick up!” She muttered. She needed her words of encouragement now more than ever. She put down her phone in exasperation and looked around the room. It was then she noticed a young man seated at the end of the room.
“Ohh, there's the green file with him. He must be an applicant with the same predicament as me,” she thought.
He was dressed in a plain suit and a tie, which didn't come off as sophisticated as the ones other applicants wore. She took a deep breath and walked up to him. They could talk about their problem and help each other prepare for the interview.
“Hello, good morning,” she greeted, a light smile on her face.
There was no response from the young man, he didn't even bother to look up at who was standing before him. He kept his eyes glued to the company magazine he was reading.
“Do you mind if I sit? Well, I'll just sit down. I guess you're upset that you were laughed at. I was too, but we have to brace it. Wait, isn't that this company's magazine you're reading? Can I join you? It will help for the interview.”
The young man gently placed his book on the table and stared coldly at the woman who had taken a seat beside him without his permission.
Just who the hell did she think she was to come and constitute a nuisance here? When did the company allow just anyone to waltz in? Weren't the security doing their jobs properly?
