Chapter 3 - Alaina
The morning comes around a little too early for my liking. However, it’s completely my fault as I had forgotten to close the curtains the night before and the sun is streaming in the window. I lean over to check my phone, it’s just after seven. Nope, four hours is definitely not enough sleep. Groaning, I turn over and roll myself out of bed, staggering into the bathroom. After I’ve brushed my teeth and splashed cold water on my face, I head to the kitchen in search of coffee. While it’s percolating, I decide to fire up my laptop to check my email.
As I take my first few sips of coffee, my email loads, and I nearly spit coffee all over the keyboard. I need to read the email about five times to make sure I’m not hallucinating due to sleep deprivation.
Dear Miss Winters,
Thank you for your interest in the position of Personal Assistant to Mr Lucas Frost, CEO of Frost Enterprises. We are delighted to offer you an interview on Friday 27th September at 9am sharp. We understand that this is short notice, however the recruitment for this position is time sensitive. Please confirm by email as soon as possible your availability for your interview.
Regards,
Ruth Davidson
Human Resources.
With a squeal I instantly send a reply to let her know I am available for interview and then barrel my way into Carley’s room without knocking and jump on her bed. She opens a bleary eye and the look she gives me is murderous.
‘It better be at least ten,’ she warns as she tries to wake herself up.
‘Not even close, but guess what? I’ve got an interview tomorrow for a personal assistant position at Frost Enterprises,’ I squeal excitedly while bouncing on her bed.
She grabs me in a huge hug, squealing and bouncing with me.
‘OMG, this is amazing; they have to pick you; they’d be crazy not to, we need to make you look fabulous for this interview,’ she rambles as we make our way into the kitchen for breakfast.
‘I don’t think they are going to care what I look like,’ I say with a laugh watching her bound around the kitchen.
‘Nonsense,’ she dismisses me. ‘With a company like this, appearances matter and you will be PA to the CEO, so we need to make you look fabulous,’ she confirms. Oh My God, she’s right! Suddenly I have butterflies in my stomach and a queasy kind of feeling. She must notice the change in my face because she grabs hold of my hands.
‘Nope, don’t you dare! You are more than capable of doing this job.’ She states firmly. I just nod in agreement, swallowing the large lump in my throat, trying to follow her positive vibes.
We spend the rest of the day picking my outfit, making sure that I’m prepped for questions, what I’m doing with my hair and make up. Carley is meticulous. Then we decide to order take out and open a bottle of wine to calm my nerves.
I’m up early the next morning, almost an hour before my alarm. I had tossed and turned all night and didn’t fall asleep till two, so I wake bleary eyed and make my way to the shower. I take my time trying to let the hot water calm me; I shave and buff my skin till it shines; I wash and condition my hair. I wrap my body and hair in towels and make my way to the dressing table. I don’t wear a lot of make up when I’m not at the club, and I don’t want to set the expectation that I will in this job, so I opt for light power, mascara and a natural gloss on my lips. I blow dry my hair until it falls in long waves down to my waist. Carley and I had decided on a red dress that hugs my waist and butt, stopping just below the knee. It has cap sleeves and a décolleté neck line. I choose black pumps and matching purse. I finish my outfit with my white gold necklace and earrings that my dad got me as a graduation present, and a white gold bracelet that was my mother’s for luck.
When I come out of my room, Carley is in the kitchen making breakfast and ready for work. She eyes my outfit and gives a low whistle.
‘You’ll knock them dead,’ she says passing me toast and coffee.