Scarlett's POV.
I jumped out of bed at 4:57am, 3 minutes before my alarm rang. Apprehension clawed at my throat as I paced about my bedroom like a feline in hot pursuit of its prey.
"You got this." I whispered under my breath recalling how much I'd prepared over the weekend for this very day. A day that felt like it held my future in its grasp.
My alarm sounded then, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned it off, deciding to try and wash my anxiety away.
I spent about forty minutes under the scalding shower, repeating silent affirmations to boost my confidence but they felt limp, almost useless.
By the time I shut off the shower and stepped into the room my heart rate had reduced to a reasonable degree.
I took my time getting ready, after all I still had over 2 hours to get there. The interview was supposed to begin at 9 but I told myself I'd get there an hour before.
I carefully pulled the long black skirt I'd picked out a day before, perfectly smoothed and sprayed with Layla's most expensive perfume. Same thing went for my blue, long-sleeve button-up.
I blow dried my hair, straightened it for the first time in years and packed it into a high bun.
I appraised myself in the mirror, the perfection and professionalism of my dressing boosting my confidence. I looked ready for the job, now all I needed to do was to nail the interview.
Two firm knocks sounded on my door.
"Come in." I called out as I carefully combed through my lashes with my mascara, one of the only few makeup skills I was capable of.
"Oh wow. Little miss punctual." Layla's groggy morning voice greeted. I could see her rubbing the sleep away from her eyes through the vanity mirror and I smiled in response.
"Did you wake up so early to wish me luck? I'm honored." I cooed as I turned to face her.
"You know I already wished you good luck last night." She slurred, plumping down on my bed.
"You look dead." I laughed, turning back to the mirror to continue applying minimal makeup.
"Thanks to my brother. He wants to pick you up."
My movements halted.
"What?" I almost got a whiplash with how quickly I turned to her.
"Joshua woke me up. He insists on driving you, so you don't get there late. How thoughtful." She deadpanned sarcastically.
I had only met Layla's brother, Joshua Jung, a handful of times and we'd only ever indulged in small talk. The idea of riding with him to work for the span of 30 minutes felt daunting but I had to think it through. It would be much easier than entering the bus, where my outfit could get messed up easily.
I wasn't an idiot. I knew he only asked because he had a crush on me, but it was a helpful suggestion nonetheless, one I was willing to take.
"That's awfully nice of him." I stated slowly and Layla sprang up like a leaf, a look of disgust on her face.
"He wants to get in your pants, Letty."
"Ewwww. Don't say that." I faked a vomit and she rolled her eyes.
"You know it's the truth."
A mischievous smirk spread on my face as I turned to her.
"What if I want that too?" I stated, sending a dramatic wink her way. In a split second a pillow came flying across the room to my direction. I quickly ducked and it hit the vanity instead.
"My goodness! Do you know how long it took me to style my hair?" I yelled and she responded with a groggy laugh.
"He'll be here in 10 minutes. Or so he says. I'm sure he's nearby waiting like a creep."
I couldn't help my laugh of surprise at the thought of Layla's brother truly waiting like a creep outside her house.
"Do you want some coffee before you go? Seems you woke up before the crack of dawn." My stomach squirmed uncomfortably at her question and I shook my head.
"No, thanks. I feel like I'm gonna puke."
"That nervous, huh?"
I nodded with a sigh and she walked to me, pulling me in a hug.
"You're incredibly smart and you're such a hard worker. They'll be stupid to not pick you." She whispered, her words offering a blanket of comfort over my anxiety and I breathed in a sigh of relief, as if a burden had been lifted off my shoulder.
"You always know what to say. When you're not being an idiot that is."
We both laughed at that, just as her phone lit up.
"He's here."
I gulped. This was really happening.
"Tell him I'll be right down."
"Sure thing. Good luck, my love." She placed a firm kiss on my forehead before leaving me to my fate.
I took my bag with shaky fingers, slid into my stilletoes, all which my brother had bought for me when he heard the good news, and made my way to the elevator.
I did my best to calm my breathing in the silence of the elevator and by the time it dinged open my shoulders and chin were held high, feigned confidence in place.
Immediately I stepped outside, the chilly morning breeze slapped against my face. Sitting just a few feet away was a silver Mercedes and resting on it like a swimsuit model was Joshua Jung, in all his handsomeness. The type peculiar to just asian men.
He stood up straight immediately he noticed me, running his hands through his hair.
"Good morning, Scarlett. You look wonderful." He greeted in his smooth tone and a blush coated my cheeks from the sheer intensity of his gaze as his eyes strayed over my body.
"Good morning. Thank you. You look quite good yourself. I really appreciate you doing this for me."
"It's no problem at all." His dimpled smile sent a shiver down my spine as he rounded the car, pulling open the passenger door.
"Shall we?"
I thanked him as I got in and he shut the door softly beside me, rounding the car and sliding into the driver's seat.
The engine came to life and with one arm clapsing the steering, he swerved into the road.
"So, how are you feeling about the interview? Are you nervous?" He asked, obviously trying to keep the conversation going and I gratefully replied. Anything was better than awkward silence.
"I couldn't even drink coffee this morning. What do you think?"
His laugh filled the quiet space.
"That bad?"
"That bad." I repeated in confirmation.
"I still can't believe it. Working for Knightingale would be a dream." I gushed, a smile spreading across my face as I thought of the prestige working for such a company would bring. My parents would surely come crawling.
"I get what you mean. It's the top beer company in the world. But a lot is required to be of any importance there. You have to really be exceptional to be retained."
I gulped.
"Shit, sorry. I'm making you nervous aren't I?" Hearing him curse shot a shiver down my spine. What was happening? Was I attracted to Joshua Jung or was my anxiety affecting my brain?
I cleared my throat before speaking.
"Just a little." My voice sounded strangled and I'm sure he noticed, because we both fell into uncomfortable silence. After a few minutes he reached for the radio, music filling the car instead of our laboured breaths.
We both sang along under our breaths, bringing a sense of ease to replace the previous awkwardness.
"We're almost there." He announced as if I hadn't spotted the skyscraper five minutes ago, but I nodded politely, sucking in a shaky breath.
"You'll do wonderful, Scarlett."
I turned to him, vulnerability shining in my eyes.
"You can't know that."
He gave me a lopsided smile as we entered the parking lot, which was already half full. I guess punctuality was a virtue most of the employees possessed.
"Layla, although I don't tell her often, is one of the smartest people I know. She had trouble making friends because of their…intellectual differences. So if she chose you as her best friend, I have no doubt that you've got what it takes." I watched him closely as every word left his lips, his attention focused on parking properly.
The car came to a halt as I gave him a grateful smile, one he happily returned.
"Thank you. You're right. If I can handle Layla, I can handle this."
"Now you're getting it." We laughed but as my fingers caressed the door he bolted upright.
"No, no. I'll get that." I was so frightened by his outburst that I stayed frozen until he hurried to the passenger door and pulled it open.
The moment I realized he'd reacted that way because he didn't want me to open the door myself, a cheeky grin spread across my face.
"How cute." I commented under my breath and he gave no response but his cheeks coloured red.
We walked in step by step, him taking his time to introduce me to a couple of staff and security before taking the elevator to the 10th floor, where the interview was to be held.
He walked me to the door of the interview room where 5 chairs were already lined up, one of which was already occupied by a slender woman with her nose held high.
"Do you need me to stay with you?" He asked, and even though I desperately wanted to say yes, I knew I had to handle this on my own. So I shook my head, my heart sinking as he wished me good luck and left me to my fate.
"Good morning." I greeted the woman who I'd seen from a few feet away beforehand, taking a seat beside her. She spared me a side glance before turning back to her phone.
How rude.
I sent her a death glare, making a show of moving to the seat farthest from her. I didn't need her bitchy energy mixed with my nerves.
Instead, I went over some of the questions I'd practiced answering beforehand. Time seemed to drag on, the chairs slowly getting filled with more welcoming people who I got into conversations with.
By 8:59am the first name was called. That also marked the time I thought I'd have a heart attack. My heart beat rapidly in my chest throughout each person's interview, which took about 30 minutes.
I hyperventilated in my chair, using up all my nervous energy.
By the time the fourth person had gone in, my anxiety had tired itself out and I was only interested in getting it done. Or so I thought, until…
"Miss. Scarlett Fox."
I gulped.