Whisked Away

Untitled Part 15

'Okay, calm down, Tan. You got this. Phew, phew, phew.'

"Tanya Brown?" A bespectacled brunette with a pleasant smile called out.

"Yes!" Tanya shot up her seat a tad too fast. Sheepishly scanning around, she followed the woman, who was squinting at a clipboard. Feeling nervous, she averted her eyes to the ground, focusing on the fuchsia pumps treading into the interview room. Feeling jittery, she glanced through the door and as though she was in a movie, the setting was a completely intimidating room filled with three suited men, middle fingers sliding against each page with a boing.

"Take a seat, Miss Brown," one of the muttered, without glancing up.

"Hi," Tanya managed.

"You may begin with your qualifications and your work background."

"Yes, I have attained a degree in English Language and Literature. I am also certified fluent in Spanish."

"And?" Another jollier-looking man with a pot belly looked her in the eye and smiled. "Don't mind us, speak freely."

"I also have a background of experience in an advertising company; just some petty work here and there."

"In other words, you have never had a full-time job relating to the specialised field you graduated in."

"Erm, nope."

"Then how will you convince us to hire you?" The man adjusted in his seat and leaned forward. "Enlighten us."

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Tanya tried to recall if Rose had prepared her with a question like that the night before. "Well, first of all, I am sure all the interviewees waiting outside are just as qualified as I am, and there are probably more qualified people out there who could fit in for this great job at such a huge company."

Tanya paused for a second, "But even with the relevant certificates that I have earned, I have started from the bottom doing petty jobs and along the way, I managed to grasp more dextrous skills, computer skills; I even had my go at doing HR work. Forgive me for being a little too full of myself but for a job that is open to fresh graduates, I am more than enough for this job and I am confident of fulfilling all fundamentals of it."

By the time Tanya had finished, she was taking deep breaths while the three men looked at her with a different look in their eyes; maybe surprise. But Tanya looked ahead firmly. Finally, the man who had not glanced up even once looked up, staring straight at her.

"I like your frankness," He spoke, "that is a valued character in our company. As for your qualifications, they're hardly outstanding but your experience is a bonus added in this situation."

Then, he leaned back on his chair while the two men on each of his side turned to him and discussed discreetly. They then turned back to her and the final man spoke.

"We would like to be straightforward. We are in need of a new editor and the only reason why we opened this title to fresh graduates was an act of desperation. However, we still hope to compare the profiles of our candidates thoroughly and derive to a conclusion."

With her heart sinking, her face fell a little too obviously.

"Don't worry, we will contact you if you are shortlisted," the jolly man added with a huge grin.

Smiling weakly, she mumbled a quick thank you and left the room. Feeling tearful, she dragged her feet to the only place where she would feel better. Pastel walls and the strong smell of coffee was a welcoming thought; the cafe where Pete and her first started out as a couple and had continued to patron the place frequently. With her legs aching in the heels, she slowly made her way out of the building. Men in smart suits and women in high heels were walking all around the building. People from all walks of life had something in common here, Tanya thought as she longingly gazed at every passing person's staff lanyard placed around their neck. How she longed for a place in such a huge and successful company. As she continued gazing at their lanyards, she shifted her eyes to another man's chest realising he didn't have lanyard.

Well, here's another man who doesn't have a place in this company too. That makes the two of us, she wondered as she looked up at his face. No freaking way! Tanya instantly frowned in recollection. It was the rude man from the supermarket. Not sure if he still remembered their 'little' incident, she looked down and walked straight.

"Hey, broccoli girl," he teased.

Shocked, Tanya stared dagger eyes at him.

"Chill, chill. I already said I was sorry, remember?" He smiled nonchalantly, chewing gum, "Anyway, here for an interview?"

"It is non of your concern, and if you even want to listen, chewing a gum at an interview might seem extremely rude. Bye."

Behind her, a roar of laughter erupted which added to the annoyance trickling from every inch of her skin. She clenched her fists and strutted straight, not letting that annoying man get the better of her.

TINGGG! The elevator signaled its arrival. Tanya walked through the elevator door with a few others and waited for a few seconds as they all descended. Reaching ground floor, everyone exited the elevator and shaft and Tanya made her way towards an available taxi and got in.

"Three Love Cafe at Queen Street, please." She said as she kicked her heels out simultaneously.Just as she rested her back against, a familiar face got out of the taxi. Tanya didn't see him, neither did he see her, but their paths had crossed, and now they were bound to meet again. A clueless Tanya, still tied to her past, had just missed her future.