4 The Mask
Max woke up early for a job interview at Ace Company. Her daughter Taly had no idea what she has in mind for this job. She didn't try to wake her because she's sleeping soundly. I made my way to the kitchen to prepare our breakfast first and I have to go to the market to find a cheap man's suit and shoes since we left our old house with nothing but a backpack alone.
I just wash my face with cold water from the sink and rolled my hair into a bun. I ate one piece of bread and drink a cup of coffee as my early breakfast. I brush my teeth and decided to just apply a little make-up after. I'm all set.
After twenty minutes...
I finally found a suitable outfit for my interview. I'm a bit anxious and doubtful about this plan of mine but there's no turning back. My decision is final and this is my only chance to have a decent job. It's time to use my talent even I had to wear a mask for it. For my daughter's future, I have to do it.
After I did all the household chores and cooking meals for my baby Taly, I made a letter to tell her that I have to go to work. I was now on my way to the public restroom to fix my new look which is disguising as a man.
I put my things inside my bag and started dressing up. First, I wear the suit I bought and the shoes. Next, my hair. I have long shiny ebony hair so it's hard to compress them together. Laugh at me but because I forgot to buy a spray net for my hair, I bought one egg in the store. I applied it to my hair to make it thin and firm.
I rolled it again into a bun and knotted it tightly with a hair net. I took the cheap wig I bought too from my bag and placed it slowly around my head. I tilted my face from side ti side to check if it's too obvious or not. By looking at my reflection in the mirror, I would say I'm one of the cool guys you wanted to date with. I cleared my throat and exercise using a huge range of my voice.
If they will find out my identity, my promise to my daughter never is fulfilled forever.
I turned around to check the new me and I think I'm done.
---
I took a deep breath after the driver drew me to my destination.
As my eyes scooted to the heaven-like building, I started to feel amazed by its unique scenery and image.
"Wow! So this is the place where only men work here!", I mumbled while keeping myself calm and cool.
When I heard someone calling behind me, I hastily cleared my throat. I looked back when I saw an expensive car with an expensive driver too. His face was crinkled and looks frantic.
" Hey, will you please give away! I'm in a hurry!", he shouted at me.
At first, I thought he's a superstar with a kind heart but the way he approaches me, he looks like an ugly frog with a huge belly for me.
I hurriedly went beside the parking area so he can enter his car in the parking lot. I had no idea that I was standing on it.
As he stepped out from his car, my eyes twinkled when I saw his 7 feet height like a basketball player. I'm only 5'2 so I look like his little sister if I and he will get closer.
Well, I had to focus on my upcoming interview. Minding other people's business will ruin my plan.
I took a glance at my watch and saw that I only need twenty minutes to rehearse using a male voice. It's a blessing in disguise for me to have a deep kind of voice range like Gal Gadot. It's an alto type when it comes to singing.
While entering the palace-like building with hopes inside, I almost bump into one of his employees.
"Excuse me, sorry!", I quickly mumbled when he holds my arms tightly to help me not to fall.
"It's okay, my fault. Are you okay? Are you here for an interview?", his voice sounded familiar. I think I have a conversation with him before.
As my eyes darted to his face, my lips parted in shock because the guy who helps me bring Taly to the hospital was him. I'm sure it's him even he's now wearing a respected black tuxedo with a shade like James Bond in the movie.
I quickly made my distance from him because he might recognize me as a girl.
" It's okay. Yeah, I'm an applicant here." I simply said trying to deepen my voice. I cleared my throat after.
So he was an employee here. How come he made it to our squatter house if he was working here? Until I finally realized that maybe he was the one who was designated to put flyers on the street and accidentally hears me calling for help. As my eyes gaze at him from head to toe, this man is better than the guy in the parking a while ago. He's rude and arrogant.
His white beautiful teeth became visible when he suddenly widened his lips to smile. He looks so clean and well-disciplined. If I have a boyfriend like him maybe I'll be the luckiest girl in the world. But my dream halt when another male employee went to greet him and slapped him on his butt. I he gay? I hope not.
"Hurry, Russ, the boss is waiting for us!", he told him and I just stay quiet.
His face reddened after what happened.
" It's Axel, one of my colleagues. He's a bully." He told me and smiled again.
"Come, follow me to the applicant's room." He offers to lead me the way and I'm very lucky today. I hope the interview will be a success.
I nodded and followed him through the narrow hallway. I think this is where the applicants were brought. A limited this of the room where no one can preoccupy the interview process.
"Just one the door and fill your information on the white sheet. What is your name, if it's okay to ask?", he said with a friendly gesture.
" Just call me Max. Thanks for helping me.", I replied while raising my hands for a shake.
He looks surprised but accepted it.
"Wow, I know someone with the same name as you but she's a girl though. Well, good luck. See you!", he added and I made my hand into a ball, raising it towards him saying " Fighting!".
I filled myself with courage as I stepped inside the interview room. I quietly walked to an empty chair and fill it. I can't believe that this guy is all a dress designer. I'm still trying to understand why the owner only hired male workers that somen can do these tasks too. Why establishing a big firm but only men can apply? If he accepts female employees then I can work here with much comfort and with great self-esteem.
I roamed my eyes around and there's only one table and one chair at the center. Maybee the CEO itself will do an interview. I hope not. With me sitting here made me vomit in nervous. I think butterflies started to go crazy inside my stomach. This hot and fake hair, I am using adds tension to me. We sat straight and composed when someone came in.
As my eyes landed on him, my heart raises in fear. It won't stop me from beating like someone was playing the drum inside me. This person was the man I met outside. He's the rude guy at the parking lot.
So he was the owner of Ace Company? He doesn't look like a hay male for me. I thought the CEO here is bisexual but my instincts weren't appropriate.
"Good morning! I'm Asher Aragon, the owner of this building. My great designer Mikael suddenly passed away and I need someone like him. First, before I start the interview, I will send trampled clothes here and you will be the one to fix them. Good luck!", he said in his introduction and I didn't expect that this task is also a part of the interview process.
Everyone started to talk to each other, gossips and murmurs can be heard inside the room when the CEO slammed his fist on his desk and yelled at us.
" Are we inside the market? I need a professional designer here not a cigarette vendor outside!", he told us, and everyone instantly keeps their mouth shut.
What will I do now? I didn't even finish the course because I got pregnant with Tally while schooling in my art course.
I just close my eyes and pray for a miracle. As I opened my eyes, I almost fall to my sit to see him in front of me.
"Hey, are you sleeping here?", he asked me with those cold and fierce eyes.
