Chapter 4 New job

Aurora's POV:

In the morning, I received a message from an investment company, confirming my job as a receptionist. I was a person who never worshiped money, I earned as much as I needed. I had no secret reserves of wealth and had no wish to have one. I did not fantasize about an elegant mansion, BMW, or a walk-in closet. I lived in the moment, I had things that I wanted and needed, like; I loved coffee, so I had the

best coffee machine, but as I did not like waffles, so no need to own a waffle maker, right?

That was how I went on in life. So, last week while scrolling through Pinstagram, I spotted a really impressive art page and that's when I developed my new interest in artwork. Right at that moment, I knew I had to learn art by, investing in the best course offered in town and buying expensive art supplies and for that I obviously needed money.

As I had no huge savings, I knew I needed to work somewhere to earn money to satisfy my new

fascination. Maybe, fate was on my side in that regard because not many days later, I saw the job advertisement of the receptionist at the company, and I knew I would have to get my hands on it. On that same day, I talked to the manager at the restaurant and pleaded to have me for the night shift from now on. It seemed like I made the right decision, and the proof was a message saved on my phone.

Monday would be my first day at the job, and I was so very much excited. The reason behind my excitement was not the receptionist job, but instead, I was

excited because this job would take me one step closer to my current obsession with Fine Arts.

On my way to the apartment, I bought a bottle of expensive wine to break the news to Sia.

As I entered the apartment, I saw Sia sprawled over the couch, watching a crime documentary, her hair messy and her sleep-deprived eyes gawking at the screen. If I hadn't known Sia for such a long time, I would have assumed that she had her heart freshly broken but I knew her better than that. I already knew that she was binge-watching her new favorite crime series. Sia had always been like this; she rolled from one extremity to the next, skipping all the in-between parts. If she liked some series then she would either binge-watch or not watch it at all.

I mumbled my greetings and went to the kitchen to grab two glasses for the wine I bought. I set the glasses at the coffee table and started pouring the wine when Sia squealed, "OMG Aurora, you are the best. How did you know that the wine was what I needed to digest all the gross scenes of this crime series? Seriously, I just love

you the most."

I rolled my eyes, "Just a moment ago you didn't even acknowledge my arrival and now I am the best thing ever happened to you?"

"The one who is at fault here is not me but this series because it has literally engulfed me since the morning, it isn't even excusing me to release my overflowing bladder," Sia said while making puppy eyes.

In response, I mimicked her puppy eyes and said, "Yes yes, I can truly understand your 'helplessness' at the moment.""So, what the occasion is?" asked Sia while taking a glass I offered.

"Not a big one," I said at first, but then after giving it a thought, I corrected myself, "Actually, it is a big deal for me. Remember I told you about my willingness about learning Fine Arts? I just got appointed as a receptionist in this investment company."

There is confusion all over Sia's face when she said, "So you wanted to do Fine Arts and you got to be a receptionist? And that too in the investment company? Just to be clear, are we drinking in the celebration of your new job or are we getting wasted in the grief of your lost passion? Because as far as I can see, there is no relation between Fine Arts and investment company. Actually, there is one; and that too is the inverse relationship between both." She said it all in just one breath.

I groaned loudly, "Sia dear, your brains cells are officially fried by these documentaries. I got the job because I'll get paid, and then I'll be able to do a Fine Arts course because I am not God gifted in that field, remember?" I explained patiently."Ohh yeah, how could I forget? I still remember your horrendous diagrams in Biology notebook," Sia laughed.

"That was because I knew I was not going to be a doctor or a Biology teacher. So what was the point in being pro at drawing a bloody diagram of heart or kidney?" I deadpanned.

There was a silence, and then Sia said, "I am so happy for you, Aurora. You may not know but I really admire you. At the age where girls want all the facilities available in the world, you just wish to get what you need and what your heart deeply wants and to get that, you work really hard."

I didn't know how to reply to that. I am not good with compliments. "Thanks, I guess," I replied confusingly.

Sia stared at me for a few minutes, deep in thoughts and I thought that the situation was going to get awkward if she would utter some deep, poetical words for me again. But then she said, "Will there be hotties in your office?"

I laughed hard at that, and said, "Yeah, I should have told them that I am willing to serve you in

every possible way, only if you hire some 'hotties' to quench the thirst of my eyes."

It was already 10 pm, and I didn't want to be late for my first day. So I said goodnight to Sia and made my way to my bedroom. I changed into my P. Js, fell on the bed, and turned off my bedside light. All ready to welcome the sleep.

The Monday morning, I woke up at 7 am and went through my daily routine. Although my job had switched, my routine was the same

as before. After having a shower, I had my usual breakfast of coffee and a peanut butter sandwich, but now I had an extra hour to spare. I spent the whole hour loitering from here to there.

Of course, I did not want to be late on my first day, but I also didn't want to be the first one to open the office gates. When finally clock struck 8 am, I grabbed my bag, checked my phone and keys in it, and left for my first day of the job.

My new office was about 10 minutes by train. So, right on time at exact 8:50 am, I was standing in front of a giant building with a

huge board at the top bearing the name of the company.

I made my way through the sliding doors, went straight to the elevator and up to the 15th floor. The office was situated on the 15th floor of the building. Inside the office, a tall, scrawny and sweet lady in her late thirties, wearing a navy blue skirt with a white blouse, was seemed to be waiting for me by the reception desk. She was one of the three people who took my interview just a week ago. I did not remember her name and wondered if that would have a bad impression. Like reading my thoughts, she introduced herself, "Good Morning, Aurora jenning. I am mary, the secretary here. I reckon it is your first day at the job. Welcome here, I hope you'll have a good time here and will serve us in your best interest." She had a bright smile on her bright red lips.

I mirrored her smile and introduced myself, "Good Morning, nice to meet you. Thanks for having me here. I'll make sure to work hard."

She nodded with a smile and then we went through other formalities;

Mary gave me my employee card, showed me my workspace, gave me some documents to sign, and all that.

Just as we were about to finish the formalities, I heard the deep, harsh, and piercing voice of someone's shouting. I couldn't hear clearly, but I could hear bits like; ... nothing ever happens on time here... I told you to get them ready by 10 am... meeting is just in an hour... what the hell am I going to show the party?

I looked over at Mary, who had her lips pressed in thin lines, her eyes full of dread and she said rapidly;"I am sorry. That's our boss. The bad morning, I guess. Excuse me. He must be looking for me soon."

She had a horrified expression on her face when she rushed to the boss's cabin. Just as she was about to enter, she stumbled back, straightened herself, and stood there by the door. A moment later, I saw a man in a dark blue suit and a crisp white shirt, rushing out of the office. He looked at Mary, anger seeped out from his every nerve-ending when he shouted, "I need these fucking documents to be ready by 10 am at any cost. Otherwise, I'm going to fire every fucking useless employee here."I was still contemplating his rude and arrogant behavior when he turned his face towards the reception desk. Suddenly, I was frozen at my spot, blood left my veins making me dizzy. I didn't want to believe my eyes but I knew what I was seeing was not some illusion. There, just a few feet away from me was a man I never thought I would cross my paths with.

He looked at me for two minutes straight, seemed to recognize me, then all the anger seeped from his face replacing with amusement. His lips pulled up in some kind of a dangerous smirk. I dared a glance over his shoulder, on the nameplate on the door from where he emerged from was written in Italian font;

Andrew davilla . The CEO of Davilla Investments He was none other than the man I punched in the casino like some, ten days ago. I was hoping that he had forgotten about that 'incident'. But the expression on his face suggested to me that he had that moment folded in the ridges of his brain ever since I punched him, and now he was more than happy to have a mouse under his big, muscular paws.