135
Tight black dress at my knees that accentuates my body and enhances my cleavage; shoes and purse of the same color, nude lipstick, my hair with slight waves, and a confident attitude that suppresses that I'm about to pee myself from nerves right now.
As I enter Carter Marketing Agency, Sebastien's company, unlike the first time I was in this place, the eyes of all the employees rest undisguised on me.
I try to overlook them and return my eyes to the front, I enter with Chloé the elevator that takes us to the administrative floor, where I know I will meet him, and I will have to see him again after yesterday.
He had already told me he would be at the company, I feel my nerves on edge.
I let out a loud sigh when the metal doors open, and as I am exposed to everyone present there, almost to the second I can hear the murmurs of the people when they see me. Their gazes seem critical, and I don't even have to hear them to know that they are judging every step I take.
"Ignore anything you can hear," my friend whispers in my ear.
"It's barely my first day here and I feel like they already dislike me," I whisper back.
"Of course not, they're like that with all the new people," she tells me. "Well, you've already been here once, so I won't be joining you anymore."
"That's fine," I retort.
"And don't worry, you're already hired, so the only thing you have to make sure of is that I don't fire you," she says with a laugh, then leaves a kiss on my cheek and finally walks away.
I turn to Sebastien's secretary to announce myself, and before I can go through, she instructs me to wait until Mr. Carter signals for me to enter.
I decide to take a seat in one of the armchairs in front of the office, and after several minutes in which I seem to have a churning in my stomach, the door of that place opens and catches my attention.
Out of it steps a short, curvaceous, black-haired woman. Her gaze falls on me, and there is a lopsided smile on her face as she sees me.
"Juliette Moreau," the woman names me and I immediately stand up. "Come in."
I walk up to the door, and as I enter the office, I find it impossible not to feel like a nervous wreck when I see him: Damien Garnier.
Standing there, elegant, with his neat suit, perfect hairdo, and majestic presence.
I don't dare say a word, and just watch his uncle Sebastien detailing me from head to toe, both of them noticing my hair in particular.
"Miss Moreau," he calls to me, gesturing for me to approach them, but I end up reacting belatedly and approach several seconds later.
"Good morning, Mr. Carter, Mr. Garnier," I say quietly, then shake the hand they extend to me. Feeling their touch of Damien, it's impossible not to remember everything that happened yesterday.
Shit, I have to stop thinking about it.
"Let me introduce you to Isabella Valdez," he says pointing to the curvy girl who greeted me at the door.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Isabella, but you can call me Bella," she greets me, holding out her hand.
"A pleasure, my name is Juliette, but you can call me Julie," I say with a smile after reciprocating her greeting.
"Miss Valdez is part of the advertising and marketing work team in the products and services area," Mr. Carter lets me know. "You will be assigned to this area and will begin a paid probationary period. Isabella will be in charge of guiding you and showing you the method and work space."
"You will be under my supervision," she now says. "I will watch your performance and report back to Mr. Carter."
"Okay," I say, swallowing hard.
"I don't want to waste any more of your time. Welcome to Carter Marketing Agency," he says with a serious expression. "My nephew will be around for a while."
"Thank you, Mr. Carter," I reply and I watch him grimace in discomfort at hearing me. "Mr. Garnier."
Does he know about what happened between me and his nephew? I hope not, how embarrassing.
"Come on, Juliette," Isabella says, asking me to follow her, and after giving one last look to the one who keeps her fixated on me, I leave the office. "Phew, now I feel like I can breathe again."
So says Isabella once we are outside.
"You look a little stiff, are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, I am."
"I know that being in the presence of the boss can be overwhelming as well as scary, but believe me if you do your job to the best of your ability, you won't have any problems."
"I hope I do everything right then," I replied, thinking of Mr. Carter 's nephew.
"You will, I was just as nervous as you were when I first started working here."
"How long have you worked at the company?" I can't help but ask.
"I'll be working here for three years next month," she answers, stepping into the elevator. "It's been quite an experience, but it's been worth it. See, coming here as a scholarship recipient "del otro lado del charco", it seems like a fairy tale."
Has she spoken Spanish?
"El otro lado del charco?" I question, repeating her words incredulously.
"Excuse me, I forget I live on the güero side. I mean Mexico."
"You're Mexican?" I questioned in astonishment.
It's actually the first time I've interacted with someone of her nationality. I met people from several countries when I was in college, but it's not like I've ever struck up a conversation with them."
"Yes ma'am," she replies with a distinctive accent. "And you?"
"I'm from Madrid, I was born in Spain."
"The European and the Latina, I think we'll make a good working team."
"I think so too," I say with a broad smile.