Just sitting in the car wasn’t going to get the job done. Stephanie knew this, she knew if she didn’t have the guts to get out of the damn car and walk into the shiny windowed building she would never forgive herself.
If she smoked she’d be puffing away right now, she thought silently to herself. She pressed her hot face to the cool pane of the car window. She glanced up at the high rise and sighed. She sat up straight, lifted her chin and shoved open the car door. Only to smack the meter pole, with a loud clang. A dark man yapping on a cell phone glared daggers at her. She could imagine the conversation on the phone.
“Oh, really, Buffy,” her imagined name for his trophy wife on the phone “It was a horrible little red-haired girl crashing into a non-offending meter pole!”
“Biff, please stay away from her!” The imagined wife would intone. He looked like a Biff. Biff and Buffy. She silently snickered at her own sense of humor. Well, at least she amused herself. She straightened her knee-length navy skirt, tugged on her white blouse and marched purposely towards the front door of the building. She pushed open the surprisingly heavy door.
“Welcome to Tantalizing Assets, how may I assist you?” a chirpy little blond said from behind the mirrored receptionist's desk.
“Hi! I’m Stephanie Ramy, I have an appointment with the design department.” She put on a fake smile when inside her stomach was knotting. She couldn’t believe she had an appointment with the T&A design team.
The perky receptionist raised one eyebrow. Stephanie knew the girl wasn't fooled by fake smiles but she couldn't come up with anything better when all she wanted to do was lean over and retch into the potted plant beside the desk.
“Please, have a seat, I’ll call your name when he is ready for you.” Stephanie nodded and made her way over to the small seating area that already had several other people sitting around holding their portfolios and wiping sweat from their brows. This was no mom and pop company, this job interview could be the big break all of them had been hoping for since they had decided to become designers. Most of the other applicants were probably sporting fancy design school degrees. Stephanie, on the other hand, had never even graduated high school. She had to drop out to help her mother raise her two brothers after their dad died in a boating accident. It was a choice Stephanie had made and would not have changed but sometimes she could tell that people looked at her differently just for not having that piece of paper stating she read through War & Peace, struggled to climb a rope in gym class, and attended pep rallies. In her opinion life experience should be what counts.
She started designing clothes as a hobby while she watched the boys and in between shifts at her fast-food restaurant job. Pretty soon some of the other workers would pay for a few of the designs she made, she realized quickly that the sexier the outfit the more people were willing to pay. And when a co-worker offered her $300 to design and create a honeymoon package that included 5 sets of underwear, a sexy dress, and a bathing suit, she quickly discovered that her talents lay in the lingerie department. The girl LOVED her work and still calls her often for a quickie underwear design.
Stephanie’s head snapped up suddenly. Did the receptionist say “he”? She was under the impression she would be meeting a team of people who designed and not just one person. The door the interview room opened suddenly and a small man stormed out yelling in his wake “You have not seen the last of Enrique Gerard Treme!” The man had a very thick accent, and when the door was suddenly pushed shut, Enrique looked at all of them sitting in the waiting area and said: “You will not get this job, NO one will get this job, they are crazy for the things that they want!” And with that parting shot, he stomped out the door.
Stephanie sat back and watched the other interviewees fidget. They all looked like they were facing death row, but with a small gleam of excitement lighting their eyes while they clutched their portfolios close. Stephanie looked down at her small portfolio case and winced. It was ragged, torn down the side, had a splotch of bright pink paint from a recent project, but what did you expect for $3 at the local thrift store?
Stephanie smoothed her navy skirt over her knees and watched anxiously as one after the other of her competition's names were called. She could feel her heart pounding as her name echoed through the hall. She slowly rose to her feet and walked towards a tall, slim blond woman with the severely pulled back hair. She was wearing a tan pantsuit with a beautiful pink button down top underneath. The woman's makeup was flawless and her skin glowed with a tan.
Stephanie instantly felt intimidated. She couldn't compete with these people. She was a high school dropout with a Goodwill portfolio bag. She felt like she was going to hyperventilate. She looked at the blond from the corner of her eye and saw the lady's lip twitch as if she were trying to hold back a smile. They walked up to a large mahogany door and the woman pushed it open and slipped inside, Stephanie followed suit. Stephanie gasped as she looked around her. The room was ornately masculine. The walls were painted a deep red wine, with dark mahogany trim and matching built-in bookcases filled with books. There were red silk chairs facing a matching couch in the corner and directly in front of the door was a thick dark desk piled with papers and a laptop. Behind that desk, boring holes into her was a man with eyes so dark they were almost obsidian. She swallowed and lowered her eyes. Probably not a good move during an interview, but Stephanie couldn't hold that stare.
The man stood, ran his fingers through dark brown hair and narrowed his eyes. He looked Stephanie up and down pausing briefly on her portfolio case, she pulled it in front of her and clutched the handle with both hands protectively. It may be shabby but it served its purpose. Without saying a word the blond handed him her file and sashayed out closing the door with a loud click behind her.
"Please, miss, have a seat." His rich baritone showed no sign of an accent that she could discern. She sat in a very uncomfortable wingback chair situated in front of his desk. She smiled hesitantly and held out her hand.
"Hi, my name is Steph-" The man interrupted her opening speech.
"Just sit down." He sat in his own chair, his comfortable looking chair, and leaned back studying her. "You don't look the part of a lingerie designer." Why, the egotistical jerk! Stephanie frowned and tilted her head.
"Funny," she said, "Neither do you." She was used to looks like the one he was giving her. Stephanie wasn't a tiny girl by any means, but she wasn't huge either. She was a normal woman. And normal women want to look hot, too! Not everyone was a non-existent size. His eyebrows rose at her comment. She noticed the name tag on his desk finally. Jared Sutherland. "Mr. Sutherland, I am a very talented designer, I'm not here so you can make snap judgments because I don't look like one your models, I'm here because I can offer something of value to your company. I may not have the shiny degrees that most of your applicants have, but I have been constructing and designing women's attire for years. Now if you want to see my portfolio and sketches I will be more than happy to let you take a look if however, you think this is a waste of your time, I can leave." Stephanie crossed her arms in front of her chest, her portfolio leaning against her legs. "The, choice, sir, is yours."
"You're hired." Stephanie's mouth dropped open in shock at those words. The man hadn't even examined her portfolio, she wondered if he even knew her name. Sure he had her resume right in front of him but he hadn't taken one glance at it the entire time she had been in the room.
"Excuse me, sir?" Stephanie was finding it hard to believe that the man would hire her without seeing what she could do, it was strange that he would even throw that out there, she was going to have to tread carefully with him.
"I said 'You are hired', Ms. Ramy." He raised his eyebrows "Unless you are turning us down..." He trailed off at the end of his sentence.
"Mr. Sutherland, wouldn't you first like to see my portfolio, perhaps interview me?"
"No, I already know you can sew, that very tailored suit you are wearing is not off the rack and it is made of very fine fabric probably purchased here in New York, also you seem to have a very firm grip on what you want. You didn't cower when I pushed you, and that is hard to find in this industry. I trust that you will be able to begin your duties tomorrow?" He began writing on a notepad in front of him, not looking at her anymore, Stephanie breathed in shakily, unable to believe this was happening. Finally, her big break. She reached into her Portfolio and pulled out a sketch pad. She stood up and laid the pad in front of him on his desk.
"Yes, I will be here tomorrow, just point me towards the Human Resources department so I can fill out the paperwork. In front of you is the project I've been working on for about six months now. It's a line of lingerie for woman sized 12 and up. Your company creates beautiful things for very specific clientele. I would love to see that expanded upon and created for women who are normal sized. I would love to call it All4You and start the line out in basic black then expand to include other colors. Women who aren't a size 2 or even size 10 find it hard to find beautiful lingerie that doesn't make them look or feel like a circus act. I believe this line will open more doors for your company and also show them that no matter what size you are, beautiful is definitely in."
Jared looked at the pad in front of him, opened it to the first page and slowly smiled. On the page was a full-sized woman wearing a peek-a-boo black lace nightie trimmed in red velvet. It also had a matching pair of high waisted underwear that had boning in it to taper out her waist and push up her breasts. It was an awesome look, complete with red velvet gloves.
"Yes...I see you have been a diligent worker, and bold, too, to show me this before you start working. Most new hires wait at least 2 years before bringing forth their own designs. But this...I like this. I will keep this, you bring me a sample next week. Welcome to the team, Ms. Ramy." He stood up, shook her hand and handed her the piece of paper he had written for her. It was a note to someone named Hildy. "Give that to the receptionist out front, she will get you to our HR department.
Stephanie shook his hand and turned to leave. But stopped. she turned her head and said, "Thank you, Mr. Sutherland, you won't be disappointed in me or my line."
"No, Ms. Ramy, I doubt I will." He tilted his head to her and flipped her pad to the next page. He tilted his head as he studied the second sketch in front of him.
Stephanie quickly left shutting the door behind her, it took everything in her power not to begin jumping up and down. The severe blond from earlier looked up from her desk. "Ahh, I knew he would like you!" She exclaimed with a smile, standing and walking toward Stephanie.
"Excuse me, sir?" Stephanie was finding it hard to believe that the man would hire her without seeing what she could do, it was strange that he would even throw that out there, she was going to have to tread carefully with him.
"I said 'You are hired', Ms. Ramy." He raised his eyebrows "Unless you are turning us down..." He trailed off at the end of his sentence.
"Mr. Sutherland, wouldn't you first like to see my portfolio, perhaps interview me?"
"No, I already know you can sew, that very tailored suit you are wearing is not off the rack and it is made of very fine fabric probably purchased here in New York, also you seem to have a very firm grip on what you want. You didn't cower when I pushed you, and that is hard to find in this industry. I trust that you will be able to begin your duties tomorrow?" He began writing on a notepad in front of him, not looking at her anymore, Stephanie breathed in shakily, unable to believe this was happening. Finally, her big break. She reached into her Portfolio and pulled out a sketch pad. She stood up and laid the pad in front of him on his desk.
"Yes, I will be here tomorrow, just point me towards the Human Resources department so I can fill out the paperwork. In front of you is the project I've been working on for about six months now. It's a line of lingerie for woman sized 12 and up. Your company creates beautiful things for very specific clientele. I would love to see that expanded upon and created for women who are normal sized. I would love to call it All4You and start the line out in basic black then expand to include other colors. Women who aren't a size 2 or even size 10 find it hard to find beautiful lingerie that doesn't make them look or feel like a circus act. I believe this line will open more doors for your company and also show them that no matter what size you are, beautiful is definitely in."
Jared looked at the pad in front of him, opened it to the first page and slowly smiled. On the page was a full-sized woman wearing a peek-a-boo black lace nightie trimmed in red velvet. It also had a matching pair of high waisted underwear that had boning in it to taper out her waist and push up her breasts. It was an awesome look, complete with red velvet gloves.
"Yes...I see you have been a diligent worker, and bold, too, to show me this before you start working. Most new hires wait at least 2 years before bringing forth their own designs. But this...I like this. I will keep this, you bring me a sample next week. Welcome to the team, Ms. Ramy." He stood up, shook her hand and handed her the piece of paper he had written for her. It was a note to someone named Hildy. "Give that to the receptionist out front, she will get you to our HR department.
Stephanie shook his hand and turned to leave. But stopped. she turned her head and said, "Thank you, Mr. Sutherland, you won't be disappointed in me or my line."
"No, Ms. Ramy, I doubt I will." He tilted his head to her and flipped her pad to the next page. He tilted his head as he studied the second sketch in front of him.
Stephanie quickly left shutting the door behind her, it took everything in her power not to begin jumping up and down. The severe blond from earlier looked up from her desk. "Ahh, I knew he would like you!" She exclaimed with a smile, standing and walking toward Stephanie.
Stephanie smiled hesitantly. The blond held out her hand, Stephanie took it in a firm shake.
"I'm Marianne Franklin, it's great to meet you! You will love it here." When Marianne smiled her face lit up making her look less severe and softer. Stephanie could do nothing but smile back.
"Stephanie Ramy, a pleasure to meet you. I'm looking forward to my time here at T&A." Marianne giggled at that.
"I've always found the name tawdry. It always makes me giggle, you'd think being an adult I would have outgrown the silliness years ago." She smiled and led Stephanie down the long, white hall to the HR Department. She pushed open a glass door and motioned for Stephanie to follow her.
Stephanie gasped when she looked at the tall blond man behind the desk. The man didn't look up but when he heard Marianne's voice he called out "Hi, honey, did he finally choose someone?" Stephanie froze, of all the people in all the places in the entire world, he would have to be here?
Marianne gave her an odd look and said, "This is my fiance, Keith. Keith, this is our new hire, Stephanie Ramy." At the mention of her name, her ex-boyfriend looked up and their eyes clashed.
"Stephanie..." Keith began, but she held up a hand as if to ward him off.
"No, Keith, not here." Marianne stiffened beside her and glared at Keith.
"You know each other?"
"Yes," Stephanie said shakily. And they did know each other. They knew more about each other then their own families knew. They dated for four years all through her two years of high school, and while she was working at fast food joints to cover the bills.
Keith swallowed hard, stood up and stared at her helplessly. The cold-hearted bastard, he would deserve it if she told Marianne exactly what she knew about him.
She should make him wiggle like a worm on a hook.
"I'm Marianne Franklin, it's great to meet you! You will love it here." When Marianne smiled her face lit up making her look less severe and softer. Stephanie could do nothing but smile back.
"Stephanie Ramy, a pleasure to meet you. I'm looking forward to my time here at T&A." Marianne giggled at that.
"I've always found the name tawdry. It always makes me giggle, you'd think being an adult I would have outgrown the silliness years ago." She smiled and led Stephanie down the long, white hall to the HR Department. She pushed open a glass door and motioned for Stephanie to follow her.
Stephanie gasped when she looked at the tall blond man behind the desk. The man didn't look up but when he heard Marianne's voice he called out "Hi, honey, did he finally choose someone?" Stephanie froze, of all the people in all the places in the entire world, he would have to be here?
Marianne gave her an odd look and said, "This is my fiance, Keith. Keith, this is our new hire, Stephanie Ramy." At the mention of her name, her ex-boyfriend looked up and their eyes clashed.
"Stephanie..." Keith began, but she held up a hand as if to ward him off.
"No, Keith, not here." Marianne stiffened beside her and glared at Keith.
"You know each other?"
"Yes," Stephanie said shakily. And they did know each other. They knew more about each other then their own families knew. They dated for four years all through her two years of high school, and while she was working at fast food joints to cover the bills.
Keith swallowed hard, stood up and stared at her helplessly. The cold-hearted bastard, he would deserve it if she told Marianne exactly what she knew about him.
She should make him wiggle like a worm on a hook.
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