The Trap Of Ace novel novel Chapter 8

A pair of stormy grey eyes gazed down at me, my heart skipped at the intensity in them. I tried to move but as if I didn't have any control over my body. I couldn't do anything but to watch those grey pools coming closer.

Then I felt hot breath fanning on my neck, sending goosebumps across my skin. My insides squirmed with anticipation.

"Mine…"

Jolting awake from my sleep, I searched around for him. But there was no one. But, I felt as if someone just called me mine…

Running my palms over my face, I sat up. It was just a dream.

He wouldn't leave me alone even in my dreams, would he? Three days had passed since that night and my returning back to NY, and his words still haunted my sleep.

Shaking my head, I glanced at the time. Shit! It's already eight!

Scrambling out of the bed, I grabbed my clothes for the interview and ran inside the washroom. I'd two interviews today, and the first one was at nine. If I wouldn't reach there in time, I'd lose the chance to work at one of my dream work places.

Actually both of them were important to me. If I got a job at one of them, it'd be a golden ticket for my career as a designer.

And my first destination was Summer Clothing House. One of the most famous fashion houses across the city.

***

"What? But how's that possible? I was informed that I'd have an interview today at nine."

The receptionist sent me a professional look of apology. "I'm sorry for the hassle, but we've found the perfect candidate for the post, so we'd cancel the interview. Didn't you receive the email, Miss?"

I frowned. "What email?"

"We'd sent all our expected candidates an email regarding the rescission as an apology," she informed.

Oh! I'd kept my phone off since I left home that night to avoid my family's questions and a particular person's messages. And I didn't even check my email for some days now.

How could I be so careless?

"Uh, maybe it missed out from my eyes." I bit my lip. "Alright, my bad luck, I guess."

"We're again sorry, Miss. Have a good day!"

Nodding, I sent her a tight smile and got out of there. Time to go to my next destination. I just hoped everything will turn out good this time.

***

Checking myself one last time in the rearview, I let out a breath, wiping my clammy palms on my skirt.

Come on, Em! You've got this!

Chanting the mantra in my head, I got out of the car and looked up at the huge forty something floor building. A big Coopers Fabrics was hung at the top.

I blew out a breath. I really didn't want this chance to get out of my hands. These two were my dream workplace, and now one is gone, left the latter. I'd try my best to impress them to take the ball in my court.

Ignoring the nervous wreck in my tummy, I padded inside. Shoulders squared and chin high in confidence.

But as soon as the crowd in the waiting area came into my view, my confidence melted into a puddle. All of them were sophisticatedly dressed, with CV's in their hands. Definitely for the interview.

Of course, this was one of the most renowned textile companies in the country. What did I expect?

The receptionist guided me to wait with the others as there was still quite time for my turn to come. And getting among these sharp and talented looking people, my nervousness just rose into a new height.

So choosing a vacant seat, I settled at the furthest corner of the waiting area and waited for my turn to come.

My phone blared in my purse, getting some eyes on me in irritation. Getting out the phone, I put it on silent. It was Warner.

"Hello," I whispered.

"Em, thank God you finally switched on your phone. Your parents were killing me asking about you. They're really mad that you left all of a sudden and then kept your phone off."

I glanced down at my nails, the sense of guilt was picking up on me. I hadn't given them that much of an explanation of my sudden leave, and then blocked any way they could connect to me. Just to avoid one person, I'd to hurt so many loved ones.

Since I switched on my phone this morning, I didn't even check the calls or messages. I'm sure my notification box has been flooded.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that you'd to handle my family's bombering. I will talk to you later about it, I'm now at Coopers Fabrics for the interview. Do you've anything else to say?"

"It's nothing, Em. It's just that even I'm worried for your sudden change of heart. Anyway, I called you to give a good news. I will meet you tonight at your place." His voice dripped with excitement.

"What good news? And sure, I'm free tonight." I ignored his first statement.

"That's a surprise for later tonight. Now I gotta go. All the best for your interview!"

I smiled. "Thanks. See you later."

Sighing, I put the phone down. What good news he was talking about?

"Emerald Hutton?" A lady in her mid-thirties with a high tight bun and suit, looked around for the beholder of the name.

"It's me!" Raising my hand, I got up.

"You're next. Mr. Cooper is waiting for you inside," she said. Tone professional with no hint of smile.

Nodding my head, I grabbed my purse, CV, and followed behind her.

Once we stopped before a pair of white doors, she knocked and waited.

"Come in!" barked a voice from inside. I cringed. God knew who was going to take my interview. I already had a feeling of doom.

Tilting her chin, she gestured to me to go on and left. Taking deep breaths, I entered. Restless butterflies stormed in my stomach.

A small round man in his late fifties sat opposite of the huge desk. With a big scowl, he continued to sign in some papers, muttering something incoherent under his breath. A loud noise echoed in the room as he slightly leaned at his right and then sat straight.

Eyes wide, I stopped at my track.

"Would you stand there forever? Sit!" he grumbled, without looking at me. He didn't seem to notice that he just farted before someone.

Trying not to crinkle my nose at the foul odor in the air, I took the chair opposite of his and placed the file of my CV on the desk.

"Hello, Mr. Cooper! I'm Emerald Hutton." I kept my tone as professional as I could holding my breath on.

"So? I'm not here to play introducing ourselves with you. Give me your CV already, will you?" Brushing the arched moustache on his upper lip, he reached out for my file and I handed it to him.

With narrowed eyes, he scrutinized my CV. Though I'd topped in most of my exams and my other qualifications were also good, I was still at the edge of his judgement. Because the way he was looking at those papers, I got a feeling he was a judge in some time of his life.

"You're fluent in Spanish and Italian? Or you just added it out of excitement?" His tone was already calling me a fraud.

But I remained calm. "No, Mr. Cooper. I've especially taken courses on Italian and my second language was Spanish at high school. If you want, I could converse with you in one of them."

"No need." He waved his hand, grunting. "It's not that I'd understand anything anyway. You could blabber to make a fool of me."

I gritted my teeth, but still kept my composure. This grumbling potato was now getting on my nerves. Who takes interviews like that? I wonder who even made him the CEO of this company.

"You eat well?" For the first time he looked up.