Fated

ELENA "Drat!" As if my day weren't shitty enough because of how late I had woken up, an idiot decided to splash muddy water on me with his sleek red Audi. So freaking annoying! I didn't envision my first ever interview to be this exhausting since I have never had a real job before. This could be my first job, which solely depended on the outcome of the interview at the end of the day. Luckily, the bastard that sped by me had only splashed water on my legs, which could be resolved. I brought out the flask filled with water I always carried about and made use of some of the liquid in it to rinse my legs before stepping to the front of the company's gate. My jaw slackened, and a smile brightened my face as I gazed at the magnificent glass-walled, seven-story structure that stood in front of me. Aiden Inc. was situated in the heart of West Vale, and it was hard to miss. It stood near another grand building that was a bank. This side of the town, commonly known as District One by the locals, was filled with grand corporations owned by individuals, or so I was told. "At last, I am in Aiden Inc.," I breathed out, grinning. The most reputable company in West Vale and the place I had fantasized about working in since after I had graduated from college in business management. It was a big feat as I wasn't that smart to begin with. I was ushered in by the concierge without many questions. "Top floor," he murmured, pointing in the direction of the elevator. Shutting my eyes, I stepped into the lift, and I counted at least up to ten as my stomach did a flip-flop. I inhaled deeply, shoving down the nausea that threatened to spill out. Eventually, the elevator ceased, and I stepped out with ten other people I didn't notice had entered. They all had a brown envelope with them, like the one with me, and strode in the same direction I did. I brought out a mint from the black bag with me and popped it into my mouth before stepping to the receptionist area. The soft clicking of heels sounded throughout the rectangular hall with a glass partitioning it as I walked towards the two girls who stood at the far end in large cubicles, not far from each other, with the inscription “receptionist” boldly written on it. Both had fiery red hair, blue eyes, and burgundy lipstick on their full lips. Both wore the same tight black dress that showed their ample chest. Though it appeared professional, it was revealing. Still, I thought Aiden Inc. was known for its strict dress code because I had heard from several individuals, Renee included, about how strict the interviewer was. A wrong outfit would disqualify a person from getting an interview. Hence, the reason I was in this drab suit Renee had picked out. Perhaps it was a ruse to make the company appear decent since the two girls in front of me had dressed like they were going for a party rather than for work. "How may I help you?" the one whose name on her badge read Claire inquired. A wide smile was painted on her lips as she stared at me. The other girl, Carol, was conversing with someone else, and she appeared to be nicer than Claire. They looked like twins: round face, pointed chin, full lips, and a wide smile. The only difference between them was Claire's hair was slightly lighter than Carol’s, whose was a deep shade of red. Also, Carol's nose seemed a bit broader than Claire's, or perhaps she had flared it. Two sharp canines that resembled a fang pierced out of Claire's mouth as she continued strangely grinning at me. Her crystal blue eyes flickered to red for a brief moment, or maybe I had imagined it while she assessed me as if she knew me from somewhere. She then went ahead to crinkle her nose, and I noticed a vein popped out in her neck. "Claire." Carol let out a low inhuman sound that sounded more like a growl, then smiled innocently as I gawked at her. Weird girls. I did an eye roll, then listened in the direction of where the interview was being held. Even with my attentiveness, I knew I would get lost since I was bad at directions. "Follow me," a gorgeous blonde ordered as she stepped towards the cubicle. She was the only blonde I had seen so far. She had on a pale blue gown that reached below her knees, with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that modestly highlighted her cleavage. Her blonde hair was in a high ponytail, and her eyes, a crystal blue, smiled kindly. I returned the smile, then scrambled after her as she moved. Surprisingly, she had a long stride despite her petite frame, and she moved quite fast too. Our journey to the interview room was silent, and the blonde was somewhat nice as she had told me to refer to her as Ellen. My eyes surveyed several of the applicants that sat on the long bench outside the office door waiting for their turn to be called in. Most were red-haired and dark-haired; I was the only blonde present, aside from Ellen, which I didn't mind. Also, I noticed the lack of male applicants, which wasn't weird as it had been boldly written that only women were needed. When it got to my turn, I stepped into the dimly lit office. I shivered at the coldness the room exuded. I blinked twice before my vision got accommodated to the room's dimness. A chandelier hung above the room, but it did little to brighten it. Still, I could make out a two-seater at the side, a floating bookcase beside it, and two potted flowers at the four corners of the room. A man sat behind a writing desk. He was facing the only window in the room and did not seem to notice I was inside. He didn't turn, neither did he say anything to acknowledge my presence. Was this what he did to the other applicants? I counted to thirty seconds, then decided to break the silence when he didn't. "Good afternoon, sir," I said out of formality, whereas all I wanted to do was slap the phone he was staring at away from his hand. After waiting for another thirty seconds, another thought came to my mind, and I cleared my throat because he didn't respond to my greeting. "Don't do that anymore," he grunted yet didn't turn. You didn't reply to my greeting. What else did you expect from me was the retort at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it. "Start talking," he ordered, still facing the window and his phone. I stepped a bit closer, and he inhaled sharply. "Don't come nearer," he growled, tensing up. He ran a finger through his already tousled hair, making it messier. Dear me, I never knew a boss to be this grumpy. I halted, rolling my eyes, and smoothed the nonexistent crease on my skirt. "I can't just start blabbing. You should ask me a question. I mean, that's the reason I'm here, right?" "Your hair color," he rasped. "What?" My brows furrowed as I stared at his messy brown hair illuminated by the light from the window. "What's the color of your hair?" he repeated. "Blonde, and that isn't even an interview ques—" "We’re already maxed out on blondes, and I don't want another airhead," he said, cutting me off. "Excuse you?" I let out an exasperated sigh at how he generalized all blonde girls. I was done with people that behaved as if the world revolved around them. "You know what, I've been having a shitty morning because of trying to arrive here on time. If I had known the person in charge of this interview was a selfish idiot and a bastard, I wouldn't have bothered! I'm sure you wouldn't know how stressful this is since you only need to sit behind a freaking desk to question whoever comes in!" I ranted. I didn't stop there, though. I was pissed at his nonchalant attitude towards me. "This company is highly esteemed because of how considerate the interviewers are, but you, you are..." The swivel chair he was on turned at my outburst, and his head lifted. My hands went to cover my mouth, and I gulped down the rude comments threatening to spill out as his azure eyes met mine. Good gracious, it's him! My heart ceased beating as my gaze fixated on the man in front of me. He even looked more gorgeous in person than in the numerous pictures I had seen of him. His angular face tilted while surveying me. My skin prickled as he lifted his hand to the five o'clock shadow on his cheeks, and he smirked. A dimple peeked out, making me weak in the knees. It was rare to see people with dimples on their cheeks, especially men, and I was a sucker for it. Ugh, I shouldn't be thinking about his cuteness. How could the person I had been running my mouth about be my boss-to-be and the freaking interviewer! No wonder he had been uninterested and obnoxious. It was exactly how I had classified him before today's meeting. I hadn't even linked his name together with the company. I was preoccupied with how I would get the job and the questions anyone in charge would ask. I was sure I had lost my chance at this job because of the insults I had hurled at him. Indeed, he was arrogant and insensitive as I termed him to be. "Well, well, what do we have here?" His thin lips stretched out in an amusing smile. He was enjoying how irritated I was. His eyes reminded me of the forget-me-nots I adored so much, and they glinted as they trailed me from head to toe. "You can't run from me. Didn't I warn you?" He smirked. He had indeed informed me in his numerous messages that filled my phone, and I despised that he was freaking right! "I don't want your job anymore!" I said, stepping to the door. I twisted the knob violently; however, it was locked. I turned back to him. He was still relaxed in the chair behind his brown desk, and he didn't make a move. "Open this damn door,” I screeched. "Or what?" he murmured, quirking a slender brow. He lifted his body from the chair, and I became aware of the huge difference in our height. He took a step away from the desk towards me, and I took two back with each step. His nostrils flared when he was a few meters away, his blue eyes now turned icy as he scowled. I trembled as my core tingled under his scrutinizing gaze. His pupils dilated, and he tilted his head upward, sniffing. Please, touch me. I'm all yours, and I'll be good, my subconscious shrieked, but I pushed down the annoying voice. What was wrong with me and my stupid thoughts? I should be running out of his office this instant since that was what I had been doing—fleeing from his presence. However, my feet seemed stuck to the ground, and I could only helplessly stare at his gorgeous face and sinful lips. "I'll scream rape," I blurted out. I should think before talking next time. I grimaced while making a mental note. He tossed his head back and chuckled at my assertion. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he laughed, and, oddly, I found it sexy. My cheeks reddened as my eyes drifted to his parted rosy lips. "No one would believe you." He snickered. "Just watch and see!" "Love, all my employees know you are my betrothed except perhaps the new ones to come," he stated. How is that possible!? We didn't know each other, we haven't gone on any dates, and today was my first time seeing him in person. How would anyone know I was given to him to pay a debt I knew nothing about? "Aside from you being traded to me, which they didn't know of. They, however, know we will be getting married in two weeks," he asserted. Getting married? Startled, I gaped at his face, hoping to see that he was bluffing. But, no trace of amusement was on his face as he stared back. Also, he seemed rather pleased at my dismay. How could he set a date that I wasn't even aware of? Or was it because he had every right to? Since my father had given all my rights to him and didn't even care to let me in on the developments. "I'm not getting married to you, you… you sick, pompous dumbhead! I don't want anything to do with you. You can choose from your numerous workers to fucking wed," I raved, yanking the knob with force. I swerved to him again, huffing after some minutes. "Just open this damn door already!" "Fine, but you can't run anywhere. If I were you, I'd accept my fate since it's the best choice and thing your family has offered you," he pointed out. His words stung as they hit home. I darted out of his office, stopping only at the elevator and the exit double door. Claire smirked at my distraught expression. "We hope to see you soon,” she sing-songed at my retreating back. Bitch! A very nasty one, just like her boss. I flagged a taxi down, hopped into it, and thought of the other alternatives I had at getting a decent job here. I was going to do it even if that was the last thing I saw myself doing. I would pay the debt that led me into this mess so that I wouldn't marry him. Though it seemed impossible, I was sure I would pay him off.