Chapter 3

- Ella -

Our eyes locked for a few seconds. My mouth was thrown agape in shock while he had a blank expression on his face. He was the first to get himself and look away but he was so composed as if he never knew me. If he had not looked at me the way he did, I would have been fooled into thinking he did not recall me, but he damn did.

"What are you here for?" He asked and I did not miss the coldness in his voice.

"I'm...here f..for the interview," I stammered, my voice betraying the effort I had put in to stay calm. He grunted. His attention had returned to the laptop in front of him and he did not even bother to ask me to sit, so I stood there looking like a dummy.

"Who's going to tend to your bar, manager?" He asked without looking at me but the mockery slapped me hard. His question already cleared all doubts if I harboured any, of him not remembering me.

Of course, I had lost all senses to be offended. This man holds the key to me getting the job I need so badly and there is nothing I can do but beg that he overlooks whatever had happened between us.

"I asked you a question," He looked at me sternly.

"I'm sorry sir," I found myself bowing. "This job is more important to me than the bar sir."

His lips twitched into a smirk.

"Too bad," he muttered to himself but I heard him.

"Sir?"

"Tell me, Miss...?"

"Emmanuella sir."

"Miss Emmanuella. Why should we offer you this job?"

I knew he was only making a show off me, but I had no choice but to play along.

"I am a very dedicated and hardworking lady, sir," I told him. "I will make sure the company benefits from my work in every way that I can sir."

"Oh really?" He chortled, making me look stupid. "I doubt if I can expect that from a bartender. Anyway, you will hear from me."

He returned to his work yet again and I stood there, not knowing what to do.

"You can take your leave, ma'am."

What? He did not even look through my credentials. I gulped hard and worked out nervously, almost peeing my pants and curious to know if his eyes were on me, turned round to check. He does not seem a bit bothered about my existence.

I returned home, and tears filled my eyes.

I headed to my room and locked the door.

"Ella?" I heard Mother call. "Ella is that you?"

She walked to my door and knocked.

"Ella, open the door, child. What is the matter? Did something go wrong at the interview?" She waited for a reply but I couldn't talk. "Oh, poor child. It doesn't matter, some other offers will come. I prepared your favourite meal."

I burst into tears when I heard that. My sick mother had gone to the kitchen to make food for me while I flopped my interview.

"Mother I failed," I sobbed.

"It's okay, come on. Now open the door for your mother."

I opened the door and let her in. She sat with me and consoled me while I cried bitterly. I had high hopes for this job, but now...

"What's wrong?" Coco appeared at the door, looking from my mother to me with a worried look on her face.

"She came back from the interview sad," my mother explained to her.

"Why don't you go to your room and rest? I will talk to her," Coco said, leading Mother out of the room gently. She came back and sat beside me on the bed.

"The interview did not go well did it?" She asked.

"I'm not getting that job," I shook my head in self-pity.

"Why, what did they say? You're not qualified? But you've got good credentials. I've always known this people are so heartless. Just because you've got no connections, they'd rather have their eyes blind to your potential."

"They did not say I wasn't qualified," I told her and she paused.

"So what they say?" She wanted to know. I went silent and she immediately knew something else happened.

"Okay, spit it out."

"It's him," I told her tearfully.

"Who's him?" She asked, puzzled.

"The guy from yesterday," I said and it took her a moment to realise what I meant. She gasped, her hands over her mouth.

"No fucking way," she muttered.

"He did not even bother to look through my documents. He said he would get back to me after making a sport of me in his office. I just know he's never going to give me that job."

"This cannot be good," Coco said. "But I've always told you to mind your mouth, Ella. Look what it's caused now."

"I already know this is messed up. Don't make me feel worse," I frowned at her.

"I'm sorry," she pulled me closer. "I don't mean to make you feel that way. Look, fuck him and the job. You're still gonna find another. You're a very talented and brilliant lady and I am sure many other companies out there will gladly take you."

"I'm so broken. Mum's health is deteriorating by the day. If I don't get this job on time, I will not be able to foot the medical bills, and I might lose her."

"Shhh," Coco put her finger over my lips. "Shut up. You're not gonna lose her, okay? Everything will be fine. I am sure you are going to get a job soon enough."

I rested on her shoulder and sniffed.

"I want a chilled drink," I whined and she chuckled.

"Well, you are in luck because I bought one from the shop, hoping to celebrate with you, but I guess it's still gonna be useful for us."

She brought out the drink from her big dress and I wondered how it managed to fit in there without any signs. We looked at each other and burst out laughing.