Chapter 1: Iris: The coffee jerk
I ALMOST had a perfect day.
Almost!
But the devil told happiness to hold his beer as he flipped my day upside down like the pancake it is. And guess how he decided to play ? By using a total jerk to ruin both my clothes and mood.
It all happened a few minutes ago as I was coming out of the HR office where my interview had just finished. I was all rainbows and sunshine, plastering a fake smile at my interviewer whilst closing the door and turning around when suddenly, a jerk who was sprinting in the corridor decided that he wanted to swerve in my direction.
He bumped into
and my face hit his chest, leaving bits of makeup on his navy suit and a not-so-made-up left side on my part. Then ca the sensation of sothing wet and cold flowing from my breasts to my legs that made
pull away from the guy before
and look down.
I'm not a fan of coffee, but spending ti with my grandparents made
a great expert at knowing espresso, and the remnants in the paper cup lying cozily on the floor confird my speculation, to which I grimaced.
"Not my clothes!"
"My coffee!" The guy and I loudly scread simultaneously, making everyone passing by the door face in our direction. Not that I cared about them anyway since I was now a cold-sticky ss thanks to soone.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust then did my impression of the scariest glare ever, before looking at my assaulter, who was bending over to pick up his cup. Then he raised his head and just like that, I wanted to forget everything that happened.
He had long dark lashes that showered his mint green eyes like lace when he blinked, with lips so pink if they were roses in a flower shop, every woman would buy them without checking her bank balance. His jaw bone was sharp, reptilian even, with a freshly cut beard to complint its masculinity, and white tanned skin so smooth, it made him look. . .(I grimaced at the thought) drop-dead gorgeous.
He slowly rose from the ground and I kept my eyes fixated on his face, slowly raising my head along with him till it was tipped upward a bit. His face was that good-looking, no kidding, and for those few seconds, I forgot to vent my anger until it was too late.
Patting my shoulder, he made his first step toward the now-closing elevator right on the far end of the corridor, mumbling so gibberish I couldn't understand.
"Hold the door!" I heard him call out once again, as he dashed by yet another group of ladies. Within the next few monts he was gone, and I was left standing on the door, coffee drenched, with my left side makeup smudged from the encounter and a few strangers who were gawking at
like I was a supernatural beast.
It took a lot of self-control to stop
from cursing loudly at him, but I managed to do so either way. Looking back now, I thank goodness I did because right as I was biting my lip and glaring at the now-closed elevator, the door behind
swung open, and out ca a chubby lady who seed to be in her early twenties—the HR manager who had been interviewing
a while ago.
Kayla was it?
As soon as her eyes t the disaster before her, she gasped and clasped her mouth all together. "Oh no, what happened to you Iris?" She asked, her eyes seemingly widening with each passing second.
" So jer-," I bit my tongue, "so guy poured coffee on
and ran away," I sumd up the apocalyptic accident, but that didn't stop her from gasping a second ti. She raised a badge right by the breast pocket of her suit and for the first ti since the interview, I noticed the na tag with a golden leaf crest and her na written in white.
"Was he wearing this?" Kayla looked worried, enough to make
try to rember the details of the incident. I hadn't noticed the badge on that jerk's suit when we bumped into each other so. . .
"No, he wasn't," I announced. That seed to make Kayla ease up a little. "But he did go through that elevator," I added pointing at the lift. Considering there was a sign written "staff only" by the side, I had to assu he worked at this company, and I was right because Kayla's face dropped imdiately.
"Please follow ," she said apologetically, gesturing for
to enter her office, and we made our way to what I would soon realize was her restroom. Talk about company privileges.
Now here I am, stuck in a manager's restroom as Kayla tries to clean my blouse with a wet napkin. I face up to the white ceiling, wondering why my life is always a ss. Nothing seems to work for , and even when it does, soone always appears to ruin all my hard work, like they have so disastrous port key specifically ant for .
"Ugh!" I shriek loudly, oblivious to poor Kayla who flinches at my sudden outburst.
"Sorry, did I pinch you?"
I shake my head."No. You just helped
a lot, but I think it'll be better if I finish the rest of the cleaning at ho. This won't be coming off without a bit of washing powder and a machine," I say pointing at my clothes.
Kayla tilts her head to the side as if she is doubting my words, but one look at my clothes convinces her otherwise.
She bites her lip and says, "Well I will apologize on behalf of the guy who poured cof-"
"Please don't. I'm okay," I cut her off and lie for no reason because I am far from okay. But it's all worth it when I see her rigid body relax as a gentle smile appears on that cute chubby face.
"Then I'll leave you to it. Thank you for understanding," she says, making her way for the door before adding," I owe you one."
"Then you better hire ," I joke.
"I'll consider doing that."
And just like that, the door closes and I'm left alone with my bitterness. I peek at my clothes, hoping they'll magically look clean, but of course, that's just my wishful thinking. It's only the imagery I make in my head of
grabbing the jerk's neck and snapping it into two that calms .
He better pray we don't cross paths again.
"Fuck my life," I say to no one but myself, taking makeup wipes from my purse all whilst cursing silently. After adjusting and covering the stained parts on my clothing (not that it helps), I co out of the restroom and head for the elevator. Luckily there's no one inside and I press the ground floor button that leads to the mall below.
As expected, once I step out of the elevator into the mall, people gawk at , and it doesn't help that everywhere I go there are pieces of the trending fashion by Adder.
It makes
look ten tis crazier!
After all, this mall holds fashion pieces from the most prestigious clothing and jewelry company in Africa—Adder, a brand that receives critical acclaim not only in Africa but around the world.
Rumor has it that this company is worth a billion dollars and it rivals even the big gurus in the fashion industry worldwide. Which makes
the madwoman among the respectable rich people filling this mall.
It's a good thing that I talked with security this morning when I asked for directions to the HR offices, otherwise, I'm pretty sure they'd have chased
out of the mall as soon as I stepped inside. I manage to exit the front door in peace, but the people coming inside through the walkway still gawk at , and I don't bla them, because even the outside of this edifice manages to humble .
I an, the walkway is adorned with pink rose bushes on the edges, and a well-manicured dark green lawn covers the rest of the land, with a dash of flower pots containing various types of flowers here and there.
I think I spot an arbor on the far end of the branched-out walkway, and the clear soapstone tiling the walkway ground adds to the magical aura of this place. It's a natural regal entrance that needs no red carpet to look expensive, which does a good job of making
stand out from the crowd—in all the wrong ways!
I clutch my purse tightly and decide to make a fool of myself one more ti by sprinting towards the car park, past the onlookers to take refuge in my white rcedes. Then, like any normal person whose day has just been ruined, I scream my lungs out to calm myself.
It does help
feel a bit vindicated; enough for
to turn my vehicle on and drive ho in utter silence at least.
In less than an hour, I park in the garage at my house that connects to the kitchen's back door. Reaching for the keys in my purse, I pause when I notice how the door is slightly open.
Maybe Grandma and Grandpa are back from work?
Silently opening the door, I take a peek inside to see the Adams siblings—our neighbors and my best friends, sitting on my favorite couch.
When I started living with my grandparents at 7 years of age, the old couple probably thought I was lonely; so they asked our neighbors' kids to play with . Their parents agreed, which initiated the strong bond I have with the Adams family—even though their parents moved out a year ago.
At first glance, the siblings look like twins, with the sa light brown eyes, blond hair, and fair tanned-white skin (although Mary's skin is much smoother than her brothers). But after looking much more closely, one can tell that Jerald is older than us, although it's only by four years.
The two don't seem to notice when I enter since their eyes are glued on the TV, then I follow their focus, and my purse drops to the ground.
They're watching the new episode of the Demon Slayer ani that dropped last night, the sa episode they promised to watch with
once I returned from my interview. Of all the ways to betray , they just had to choose the most offensive one.
As if to mock , the credits start to roll and the siblings grunt together in denial.
"Ugh!" Mary cries, "Now we have to wait a whole week for a new episode."
"Tell
about it," Jerald asserts his sister's words, " I feel like flying to Japan and paying the director to drop the next episode tomorrow."
" At least you guys watched it already, what about little old ?" My comnt makes both of them flinch before they turn all their focus on
in a swift simultaneous 180 turn.
"Hi Iri- whoa, what happened to you?" Jerald asks.
" Betrayal. How dare you!"
" I think he's talking about that," Mary points at my clothes.
All of a sudden, my anger dissipates and I look at my now-clotted clothes. The coffee has dried by now. "I bumped into a guy who was holding coffee so the whole lot got dumped on ," I quip, " but don't change the topic."
I'm too late with adding my last comntary because Mary jumps over the couch and starts making her way towards . "Who was it?"
I shrug, "I don't know."
"Then does he work at the company? Did he have a na tag on his suit? Do you rember his face?"
"Geez you idiot, one question at a ti," Jerald says coming to my aid. " Let her answer slowly so that we know all the details," he adds, hovering over Mary and
whilst glaring before hissing, " This is when you answer her questions, Iris."
I blink at him, then avoid eting his eyes altogether as I find myself reminiscing about that jerk's face again. Damn him for being so good-looking, I would have settled the score with him imdiately had it not been for that face. Now here I am being roasted like I was in the wrong.
"Iris!" Mary snaps
back to reality and I flinch.
"W-well, I don't rember his face clearly," I lie.
" Damn!"
" Lucky son of a bitch," Jerald cents his sister's remark."Well, there's no use stressing over spilled coffee. Rember that we have dinner with the guy who might be your boss in the future Iris so be ready by five," Jerald adds as he turns toward the kitchen.
After coming to a decision with my grandparents about
working sowhere where my English degree would be appreciated, Grandma used her connections to secure an interview for
at Adder as a magazine editor. And after telling the siblings about the exciting news, Jerald told
he's friends with the Head of the editorial departnt.
I had thought he was joking back then, but after my interview date was set; he ca with the news that our et and greet with my "future boss" was set on the sa day.
Talk about convenience.
I scrunch my nose at Jerald, " Don't think I'll forget about you guys watching Demon Slayer without !"
" Well, consider
creating connections for you an apology honey, " he retorts. I cross my arms and do a neck roll with an attitude to which he sticks his tongue out. Although I must say, I am grateful to him even though I'm being childish.
With connections like his and my grandparents, I was able to land an exclusive interview at a prestigious company. Now all I need is one more push and I'll be good to go.
" Then I'll go watch Demon Slayer too before I groom myself, " I shout at Jerald, " and you, " I add pointing at Mary, " you have to pay for the backstabbing. "
" Yes. I will, " Mary answers robotically.
Smirking victoriously, I stomp my way upstairs to my room, reminding myself to forget about the coffee spill; because even though I had a bad day at the company with the coffee jerk, life goes on—always.
★★★★★
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