Chapter 8 - An Unexpected Encounter Contd…

Chapter - 08

"Thank you," The girl said.

"Don't sweat it. I didn't do much anyway," Alex said.

"Still, I appreciate your help."

"Well, why were they looking for you? Are you some kind of online celebrity, and you snuck out of the shooting?" Alex asked.

"Well, I am..." the girl began to say but paused after saying a few words. She contemplated as to what to say as Alex looked on, "Well, you can say that I am a celebrity," the girl finally said, with pride evident in her tone.

"Why are you putting on such airs? What's so great about making some eating videos all day long?" Alex said with disdain to the girl. He then looked at the girl from top and bottom and suddenly grabbed her hand, "But looking at you, I doubt you can even eat that much," Alex shook off her hand.

'Her skin is so soft,' Alex murmured under his breath.

On the other hand, the girl was left stunned by Alex's remarks. Never would have she thought that a day would come in her life when she would be treated with such annoyance. Surprised by Alex's behaviour, she even failed to register what he said later.

"Ahhumm... So why were they looking for you?" Clearing his throat, Alex asked again. It was evident from the tone of those people searching for her that they meant no harm to her.

"I... I... I just snuck out of a meeting," The girl said. She was nervous that the guy in front of her might lecture her again.

"Why would you do that? It's not cute at your age," Alex said.

"Huhh..." The girl was left speechless. The guy berated her so bluntly.

After Alex said that, he thought that he was being harsh on the girl for no apparent reason. With a tone much softer than before, he continued.

"They must be worried. I think it would be best if you were to go back and sort it out with them," Alex said.

"I have been locked up in my room all this while. I slipped away because it was getting suffocating for me," the girl said meekly. She was obviously offended by Alex's scolding.

"My floor is here," Alex said. The indicator was showing that they were on the fourth floor.

As Alex walked out of the elevator, he turned to look at the girl, "I hope you won't make them wait long. They are only trying to do their job, and you running away without telling them will only make it hard for them. If you want to go out, tell them first. I am sure they will understand. Bye, then. Have fun!" Alex said, and without waiting for the girl to reply, dashed away.

"Wait..." The girl called out and tried to follow him, but the elevator door was already closing.

'Interesting man. I hope we meet again, and I won't be easy on you,' the girl thought. Contrary to her expectations, she was not 'that' angry with the boy but rather curious about him.

At this moment, the girl's phone rang. After she picked up her phone, she couldn't even say a word before the person from the other side bombarded her with questions.

"Veronica, where are you? Please don't run off on your own just like that. Tell me where you want to go, and I will take you there. Just tell me where you are," the woman on the other side of the phone sounded very much anxious.

"There is no need..." The girl replied.

"Huhh... Why? Please don't go wandering off on your own. You must know how much value the company and the CEO place in you. Please think it..." The women on the other side tried to make her understand.

"I am coming back," the girl replied.

"What?" The woman could not believe her ears.

"I am coming back. Don't make me say it again, or else I will just turn back around," the girl rebuked the woman on the phone.

"No... no... no... Just come back. I will be waiting for you by the elevator, okay? No need to stress yourself. Take your time," the woman began flattering the girl and tried to calm her down so that she does not change her mind.

"Oh... Just hang up already. I am almost there," and with that, the girl named Veronica ended the call and made her way back up.

*Ting

The elevator door opened, and in front of her was a middle-aged woman waiting.

"You are here?" There was still some doubt in the woman's voice, "You sure, you don't want to go somewhere? The director and the producers agreed to schedule the meeting for tomorrow," the woman told Veronica.

"Can we just be done with it? Or do you really want me to go back?" Veronica was somewhat irritated with her manager. She was beginning to regret taking the help of a complete stranger, and what was more frustrating than that was that she actually did what he asked her to do.

"No... no... no... I was just... you know... like... you know...". The manager was struck dumb. Veronica was never the one to get irritated. She was the only one irritating others, but apparently, that was not the case today.

"Sigh! Let's get it over with," getting her emotions in control, Veronica said.

"Right... Right... This way."

* * * * *

On the other side, Alex, unknown of the turmoil he caused in a maiden's heart, was the last one to arrive in the room where the results for the written test were going to be announced.

Entering the room, the first thing he saw was the ladies from earlier looking intently towards him. The PR head was still nowhere to be seen. Since he was the last one to arrive, Alex thought that the reason they were looking at him was that they were angry.

'I had to be the last one,' cursing his fate, Alex thought.

"I am sorry, I thought since I had the time, I could look around for a while. I hope I didn't make you wait for very long," trying to steady the situation, Alex apologised earnestly.

Hearing Alex, the ladies gave him a weak smile. At least the guy was sincere.

"No, you are not 'that' late. We were about to announce the results. Please take your seat," one of the ladies said, emphasising the word 'that'. There was no harm in teasing him a bit.

"Thank you, and I am sorry once again," Alex said and hurriedly walked to the back where he was seated previously.

After Alex sat, the lady at the forefront looked at all the candidates and said, "We are very thankful to you that you have taken out your time and come all the way here, showing interest in joining our company. But only a few of you will be going forward."

Taking a deep breath, the lady continued, "Well, those who did not get to pass don't be discouraged and try harder next time, we will always welcome you here, at Theation. Now I will announce the name of those who qualified for the interview,"

"Anne Allinson"

"Michelle Jones"

"Amber Smith"

" and..." the lady took a pause and looked around the room, finally setting her eyes on Alex.

"Alex Rutherford," the lady announced.

"Yeah..." As soon as he heard his name, Alex jumped up from his seat and pumped his fist in the air. Silence prevailed in the hall. All the people were looking at him with astonishment.

* * * * *