Chapter 15

LAYLA

I finished dressing and I make my way to my work. Like every other morning, I go and get the coffee for everyone at the office. Of course, nowadays, my greeting is much different than what it was just a few months ago. As I walk through reception Molly greets me happily as I hand her coffee.

"Did you have a good night's rest, Miss Pierce?"

"Yes, I slept like a baby after yesterday's hard work"

"You have a good day"

I nod my head and get into the elevator. I press to go to number thirty-three and then I wait as the music softly plays in the background. I start to wonder whether is this is the life that I want or not. It is just as if I do not really fit.

That is a very ironic declaration because I have never fit better in, in any job like this one. It is just like I sometimes feel out of place. The doors open and everyone greets me with a smile as they take their coffee. I do not put it out on the table anymore, everyone just grabs it from me as I walk through the office.

I go straight to my office and close the doors. I have upgraded from a cubicle to an actual office with a view. I even have my own secretary. I sit at my desk and then I turn around to look at my view through the windows. I slowly drink my coffee and I think of how far I have come.

Then my phone starts to ring. I look at the number but I do not recognize it. Then I answer.

"Layla, hello?"

"Hi, am I speaking to Miss Pierce?"

"Yes, this is she? How can I help you?"

"My name is Mark and I am the manager of Jake Anderson..."

I spill my coffee all over my clothes as I can not believe that I'm actually speaking with the manager of the famous Jake Anderson. A thousand thoughts go through my head about why he would be calling me and where did he get my number? Then only one name comes to mind. Laura. Suddenly, I remember that she just quit.

Then he continues.

"...we are in desperate need of a fashion consultant and Laura highly recommended you"

"Oh..."

I want to slap myself because that is not the right reaction to something like that but I actually have no idea how to react.

"So, why I am calling you is because I want to know whether you would be interested to work for us?"

"Well...I...you know..."

"I am sorry but I do not know. Does this mean that you are willing to take the job?"

I try to shake myself out of the obvious star-studded moment I find myself in and then I clear my throat.

"When is this job going to start?"

"That is the other little problem we have. We are going on a world tour for six months and we need someone tomorrow"

I do not know whether I should laugh or cry or jump or hide. I have no idea how to react to what he just said. How in this world am I supposed to quit the job and then jump on a plane tomorrow for a world tour. On the one hand, it sounds so exciting and on the other hand, it sounds very scary.

"Can I think about it?"

"If it is the money that you are worried about, we can definitely negotiate to what you need"

"No, it is not the money, can I just get some time to think about it"

"We do not have a lot of time as you can think but if you can let me know in the next hour or otherwise we are going to have to look for someone else"

"I completely understand and thank you. I will let you know as soon as I can"

"Thank you and goodbye Miss Pierce"

As I put the phone down on my desk I fell back in my chair. I am stunned because I can not believe what just happened to me. I do not even know what to think about this entire situation. Then I quickly pick up my phone and dial a familiar number.

"What the hell did you think?"

I can hear that she sounds almost shock by my reaction.

"What do you mean?"

"Hi, this is Mark the manager of Jake Anderson, Laura highly recommended you...That is what I'm talking about. You know I have a job right?"

I almost hear her laugh on the other side of the phone.

"I know you have a job but the moment that I quit, I felt so free and I know that you are the best of the best. So, I told them that maybe they can ask you to work in my place. They are doing a world tour starting tomorrow and I feel bad for dropping them like this"

I thought that she was the one that had a stable mind and don't act out of emotion but now she dropped him just before a world tour. Who does that?

"I can not just quit my job and pick up and go"

"Why not? You have always had a stable job with breaks in between but you never did something exciting. Just think about it. You can see the world and do what you love. And you would make more money than what you would make in your current job working for years. Tell me, what would you lose by going on this trip?"

I do not answer her as I think about her last question. What can I lose? I do not have a boyfriend and I only work for money, so what do I have to lose?

"Hello, are you still there?"

"Yes, I am here"

"So? Are you going to do it?"

Suddenly, excitement overtakes my mood. I think that I should do it. I can feel my heart starting to race and I know that what I am about to do is something I would never do. Today, I'm going to change my life and do things I never thought I would.

"Yes, I think I'm going to do it"

"That is great news. I know that you would do a great job"

I do not even give her a chance to finish her sentence when I dial Mark back.

"Go for Mark"

"Hi, this is Layla you just spoke to me regarding the position of fashion consultant?"

"Yes, Miss Pierce, did you make a decision?"

"Yes, I would love to join you but I just have one small problem"

"I am sure there is no problem that we can not handle. What is your problem?"

"Well, I have a job at the moment which includes a contract and I can not just-"

He does not even give me time to finish my sentence when he says.

"That is no problem at all. We will just get our lawyers to do what they need to do and pay what they need to pay. All you have to be worried about is to be at the airport tomorrow morning at eight sharp. Stacy will meet you at the ticket counter. Can you do that?"

"Yes, yes I can do that. Thank you for the opportunity"

"It is only my pleasure and Miss Pierce..."

"Yes?"

"Welcome to the crew"