IVY'S P.O.V
The first two weeks have been completely stressful. I wasn't able to concentrate on my studies. I could see my grades getting lower and I was no longer the first one to raise my hand when teachers would ask the most general of questions. I found myself getting detached from the subjects that interested me.
My mind was still hung up on how my world became empty after Chace left me. It might sound stupid to put it this way, he meant a lot to me. We weren't dating. We weren't in a relationship. But we always enjoyed being around each other so much, when I read his letter, I was the hopeless one. I thought there was no one who could fill up the void that troubled me in ways that made me remember the fun memories we shared.
I'm in my room, standing in front of the mirror and tying my hair into a neat loose pony-tail.
I apply some light make up to hide the dark circles, that are slowly disappearing. I have to make a good impression if I want to ace this interview. Today is my meeting with Verve, a multimedia design company, which recently opened up. It is also planning to spread out globally, my stomach is doing a series of flip flops. I have been waiting for this for such a long time, I don't know how to thank Evelyn.
I'm wearing navy blue denims with a V Neckline Self Tie waist blouse, which is a rich shade of green. Jaden was kind enough to let me borrow it since my wardrobe is nowhere near formal, I have to shop for clothes this coming weekend. I have five more minutes remaining till the Uber comes, I use the extra time I have to prepare for tomorrow's test.
I slap my book shut when Chace pops into my head. I can imagine him standing next to me, his toned arms flexing, reaching out for the book in my hands as his bright blue eyes shine deviously. "You have no idea how much I want to rip those clothes of you and make love to you on this table, right here, right now," He says huskily, pushing my hair behind my shoulder, his hand finding their way to my neck and the other resting on my hips. "You really think it's easy to forget me?"
Stop.
"Stop!"
I gasp, quickly grabbing my file which contains all the important documents I need for the interview, shutting the door in a hurry and run where the cab is waiting. After telling the driver my location, I rest my head against the window, watching all the buildings nearby look stationary, I haven't fully recovered.
Chace Lambert is a guy unlike any other, only he has the capacity to drive me this wild and make me want a lot more than what I originally bargained for. I try to divert my attention by scrolling through Amazon, seeing what new outfits I will need Incase I get the job.
We stop outside an enormous, posh, glass like building with an A rotating at the top, the way it has been constructed takes my breath away. It is those kind of buildings you will see in magazines, I hand over the money and step outside. Pushing the door, I walk towards the desk where a lady with red hair and red lipstick greets me with a half hearted smile.
"Follow me." She curtly says, I follow her into the elevator, pressing the button to the 78th floor. I feel a little giddy as I can practically see the entire floor underneath my feet, I hold on to the steel railing to support myself. The lady who introduced herself as Glenda, laughs a bit.
"It's ok, you will get used to it. I was like you when I first got hired."
I breath in relief when the elevator dings, we walk through a narrow corridor until we stop at a door that's partially open.
"You may take a seat while I inform Mr. Ribeiro of your arrival."
I nod and sit down, tapping my feet with nervousness. My mind is filled with "what ifs". What if I don't get the job? What if Mr. Ribeiro doesn't like me? What if I act like an idiot and start doing the twist because I failed miserably?
Sweat forms at the back of my neck, my teeth beginning to chatter. "You can come in now," Glenda politely motions for me to come in, I straighten my pants and walk into a large room. The walls are painted blue, marble floors that are crystal white with a tinge of red, bolting horizontally, I couldn't help but be enamored by the sheer beauty of this office.
"Good Luck." Glenda says before closing the door.
"If there's one thing I can't tolerate," a deep voice expounds, breaking the silence. A man is standing in front of the window, adjacent to his desk situated in the middle of the office, his back is turned to me, hands in his pockets.
I could tell from the material that he is wearing an expensive suit, tailored from either France or Italy. "It is when people don't have a sense of morality."
Dark eyes penetrate through my soul, face carved with sheer perfection, it is suitable for an Armani Exchange or any luxury fashion brand commercial. He is a good six foot four, the sleeves of his shirt giving me a faint glimpse of muscles and abs highlighted behind his shirt, he doesn't look more than twenty. Face that represents youth, body of an ideal man. No, don't even think about going there.
"I am fully aware of the effects I seem to possess on women, Mrs. Torres," The man whom I believe to be is Adrien Ribeiro, addresses me with a frown, I immediately snap out of my daydream and meet his steely stare. He looks beyond irritated.
"I-I'm sor"-
"It is a four letter word I don't want to hear." He cuts me off and sits down, I pull out a chair and place my hands on my thighs, steaming with embarrassment. Handing my folder, Adrien opens it and takes out my C.V, scanning it critically. I bet he is contemplating to kick me out.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself, Ivy?" He asks, crossing his legs on top of one another. Adrien probably thinks I'm an unprofessional psych-wad.
"Sure. I am currently in my second year of college, majoring in Journalism and Mass communication. I finished m"-
"Why should I hire you?" He interrupts glancing up from the pages. "What makes you think you'd be a good asset for this company?" My cheeks flush.
"I think I'd ma"-
"you think?" Adrien raises a questionable brow, his lips lifting with shadowed vanity, I want to kick myself.
"When you are in my team, under my watch, people don't think they do. Do you have an experience with managing finances, other than doodling lines?"
I shake my head vaguely, my heart thumping promptly. This is a disaster, I think he's doing it deliberately. "Do you at least know how to make a PowerPoint presentation? Operate a photocopy machine?"
"I can do more than that, Mr. Ribeiro. If you would've given me the opportunity to finish what I had to say earlier, you can be the judge if you want to hire me or not."
I shouldn't have said that. Adrien looks at me with intent, crossing his arms against his chest. He doesn't say anything, I can make out from the expression on his face that's telling me to go for it and ramble like an idiot.
"I need this job, the more I learn the better. I'm a hard worker and I'm someone who doesn't give up easily, I never back down without a fight," I also want this job because I want to get over the fact that Chace matters to me. I don't want to spend three years of college, feeling sorry for the both of us over something that will never be possible. It was my fault that I let him get in the middle of my priorities.
"I want to equip myself with as many opportunities as possible. I not only draw lines, I can make the lines into a full fledged idea that I strongly believe will meet the company's standards. If you give me a chance, I won't let you down."
"This job won't be easy. You'll be working for long hours, despite being a student and you have a degree to focus on, I will go easy on you. If you are willing to sacrifice your weekends, I'm not giving you a choice. You'll be reporting to me and me only. Do I make myself clear? I have no room for excuses." He says with full caution.
"I understand, Mr. Ribeiro."
"Good." He shot up, holding out his hand. "When can you start?"
"Tomorrow, evening will be fine. My classes end at one ten, except on Sundays, which end by four."
"Email Glenda and she will have your schedule forwarded to me. One more thing, before you go," I get up and shake his hand firmly.
"What is it?"
"If you mess up once, you will be let go without warning. I will see you in my office, right after your classes end. Instructions won't be repeated twice. I expect you to get it right the first attempt itself. Never choose dumbness as a choice, Ivy. You may leave."
"Thank you, Mr. Ri"-
"Call me Adrien. You can address me as sir." His Smile is blinding. He holds the door open, I catch a whiff of his cologne.
"Thank you, Adrien."
Standing in the lobby for the cab to come, it seems the weight I had been carrying on my shoulders has been lifted. Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new day, I want to go and lie down. I climb into the vehicle, watching the A rotating at the top of the glass building.
I thought I was over him. But I can still feel him breathing down my neck.
( hey guys ! I felt motivated to write another chapter and was a little excited to introduce the second Love interest, Adrien ❤️ team Adrien is team chace ? 😏)