Chapter Two

Explaining how nervous I am seemed impossible. There were no words to explain the high-strung feeling that was forming in the pit of me. Two days had come and still I have heard nothing from anyone about being considered for the position. According to many, neither has Emilia but word around the office was she was in good favor.

It was hard to concentrate on much at work. Slouched down in my desk chair, I looked for ways to clear my mind. I would doodle on paper, make small conversations with passing co-workers, and scan through past files.

However, that tactic did not exceed when the phone would ring. My hands would quiver, my body temperature would rise, and my mind became a blank page. Why? I was afraid that the caller on the other end of the receiver was someone who would make or break my hopes, someone who carried my fate on the tip of their tongue.

The phone began to ring. It was anticipation and also a concern. I gripped the phone, my fingers clutching down on it. Like the pattering wings of a hummingbird, my heart beat had intensified to a dangerous pattern. I had to answer. I picked up the phone bringing it to my dry lips before I parted my lips to speak.

“Hello?” I cursed the audible tremble in my voice.

“Hello, is this Ms. Karina Allen?” A male had questioned.

“Y-yes this is Karina.”

“Hi, this is Ky. You ordered Chinese?”

My heart nearly exploded out of my chest. It hit me with a wave of satisfaction and also a hint of disappointment. This was not the call I was expecting.

“Hello? Hello?”

“Yes, I will be right down.” I hung the phone before I stepped away from my desk...

I watched the microwave oven's plate rotate at a slow pace; simmering the meal that had went cold. The plastic fork implanted between my lips; I grew tired of the menacing wait for it to cook. Impatient, I opened the microwave and sampled my food, quickly regretting my decision to test the cold dish. I returned it to the microwave for it to continue just when the break room's door opened, bringing in the cat.

Emilia.

The blue-eyed princess. Everyone's favorite. However, she was nothing but poison to me. She was slick and used her scandalous deviance to get what she desired. She wore nothing but the best and her makeup was always flawless. Freshly manicured fingernails and salon tended hair touched by no one but the best. And me? I could barely comb my curly hair in the morning. She was beauty wrapped in the devil's bow.

Her head held high, exposing her high cheek bones and worked nose, she looked down at me. I snatched the plastic fork from my lips and stood up straight. She looked me over before her eyes landed on my Ugg slippers I strolled around the office in. It seemed to be a stupid time to switch out of my heels. The corner of her lip rose, resulting in a half smile of amusement.

“Hello Karina?” Even her voice was poison.

“Good afternoon Emilia.”

She poured herself a cup of coffee, her smile never falling as she cycled through the room for sugar and creamer. Two minutes. Two minutes until it finished my food.

“How was your presentation?” Her voice was softer than usual.

“Wonderful. What about yours?”

“Excellent. They seemed ecstatic about my plans for changes around here.” I began to feel that pressure building in me again. Plans for changes? I began to regret not explaining my ideas to better the company.

“Oh really?” I hope she did not sense my sarcasm.

“What did you speak on?” She brought the warm liquid to her lips, her smile hidden behind her mug.

“A little of this, a little of that.” I responded as I brought my mug to my lips, hiding the sadden look on my face.

“Oh. I hope you pleased them.” Her hopeful words did not fit her personality. I knew they meant the opposite of what she thought.

“I hope so too.” She shot me another pleasant before she walked out of break room....