Chapter one

"Kate! I really have no idea what I should wear for the interview. I'm just – " I sighed, exasperated as I looked into my wardrobe for the umpteenth time.

"You should just wear what you feel comfortable in, you know. Like ripped jeans and a tee," my roommate, Kate said sarcastically.

"Not funny, Katherine Montgomery." I gave her a look and she sighed over dramatically and came over to my wardrobe.

"You really need to restock your wardrobe. You need new clothes." She picked a pale blue shirt and threw it at my face.

"Hey!" I exclaimed and I took the shirt and threw it at my bed. "Yeah, yeah. I know I need to buy new clothes. It's just that-" I cut myself off. 

"Belle, I know," Kate muttered. "Look you could wear that shirt." She gestured to the shirt on my bed and she brought out a black skirt. "And this. For the interview." 

"I can't remember when last I wore it." I looked at the skirt with narrowed eyes.

"Then go try it out, you bozo." She giggled and I smiled at my best friend. 

Kate and I shared an apartment. A month ago, we had both graduated from NYU. She had rich parents and they got her an apartment because she requested it. She wanted to share the apartment with me. She had a job at a publishing house. I had applied for interviews around New York. I had an interview tomorrow and I needed to get ready for it. It was actually my first interview.

"Look," I said fixing the last buttons of the pale blue shirt.

Kate looked up and she smiled. "You see. The blue shirt is the exact shade of your eyes. It fits you, perfectly. You really need to have some fashion sense girl," She said, a hint of laughter on her face.

I bit my upper lip and stared at the mirror. "The skirt is too huggy." I stared back at the blonde in the mirror. She had pale blue eyes and pale skin. Thin lips. Lean body. Not too fat and not too thin. I quickly turned around to see Kate, because she didn't answer me. "Kate?"

"Yeah?" she answered. I had obviously distracted her from her thoughts. You really never know what goes on in that mind of hers.

"You didn't answer me." I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

"What? Oh yeah, what did you say?" She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts.

"Kate. What's wrong?" I took a seat beside her.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." She said, a frown evident on her face.

"You know, those two words I'm Fine are the two most frequently used words in the dictionary and they are the most told lies," I said forcing her head up. "Tell me, what's wrong?"

"It's just that I miss Jordan so much. We still talk and all, but I can't wait to see him." She frowned deeply and there were creases between her brows. Don't be surprised at how her mood changed so quickly. You just have to deal with it.

Jordan Trenton was her boyfriend. He was in England with his parents. Kate and he had been together for almost a year now. 

"Oh. That's it." I said and I ran to the sitting room to grab her laptop. I logged in my Skype account and I requested a video call with Jordan's. He picked and I saw him in his untidy room. I cringed at the look of his room.

"Hi, Belle!" He said enthusiastically with his dazzling smile. "And if I may ask? Why are you all dressed up?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Oh, this? I was trying it out."

"It matches your eye color," He complimented.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks, I guess. I also noticed. Kate had been missing you." 

"Uh-huh?" he said. "I want to speak to her?"

"Yeah, why did you think I'll video call you then?" I said, taking the laptop to my room. "Kate, look who wants to say hi," I said in a sing-song voice to Kate who was busy fiddling with loose threads on her jeans.

She immediately looked up and snatched the laptop from me, mouthing, Thank you at me. I just smiled and whispered, "Go on."

*

I finally came to a decision to wear the pale blue shirt and the skirt with flats. 

I set my alarm for 6 AM. I was an early riser but I just wanted to be careful. I could imagine myself at 10 AM at the interview sitted in front of the interviewer with raised brows.

I woke up earlier than usual, obviously. I woke thirty-five minutes earlier than the time I had set for my alarm. 

I shuffled out of my bed and I stretched my stiff bones. I padded to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and having my bath. I dressed into my shirt and skirt, slipped into my flats, and tied my blonde hair into a high ponytail. I had a nice long breakfast of hot tea and toasts, considering that it was still 6 AM.

Kate dragged her feet out of her room. "Good morning," she slurred out.

"Morning," I said, confidence radiating out of me. "Sleep well?"

She groaned and made her self a cup of coffee. Yup, definitely not a morning person.

"Going to work?" I asked.

"Yeah," She replied, taking a sip of her coffee. 

"Okay. I'm going for the interview." 

"Okay. Good luck, girl. Show them you're from downtown Seattle." She fist-bumped me and gave me a warm hug.

"Yeah, I hope I do," I muttered and sucked in a deep breath. 

Yes, I was nervous. It was normal right? I mean, I was going for an interview in one of the largest enterprises in New York City. I wasn't that nervous though. 

You go, girl! My subconscious told me and gave me a thumbs up.

I grabbed my bag that contained all the necessary documents I needed. I walked out of the apartment and flagged down a cab.

"Trevelyan Enterprises," I mumbled to the cabman. 

"What? Are you sure that's where you're going, ma'am?" 

What? "Yes please," I replied and entered the cab.

It was 7 AM already and it was still far from the time of the interview that was scheduled for 8 AM.

After thirty minutes, we got to a skyscraper. Whoa!

The cabman dropped me off and I walked slowly into the building. Nervousness had started to grip me. 

I wanted to chicken out and run, but my legs kept walking and leading me into the building. 

I pushed the glass door open and cool and fresh aircon air blew over my face. I sighted a receptionist behind her desk. She was a redhead. She was in a red dress and it hugged her body. She had harlot red lipstick on and she was on the phone.

Tomato.

"Yes... The documents are ready... In the tray... No, sir." She dropped the telephone and looked at me. She eyed my outfit and my subconscious screamed, Stop making it obvious you redhead.

"Good morning. How may I help you?"