Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 1: Interview

I pull down my black, knee high pencil skirt, pick up my hand bag and flush the toilet. I open the cubical door and walk over to the sinks. As I wash my hands I look at my reflection in the mirror, checking if my hair and makeup still look ok. I dry my hands off and check myself out again, feeling down my pearl pink blouse.

I sigh rubbing down my thighs, feeling like I've put on weight, and also at the fact that I can't be bothered to go to the gym after work, but I know if I don't go then I'll be even more annoyed with myself. Not to mention I have to work on reception today (which I hate doing) covering some girl who is sick, and having to help out the new girl Marcus has employed... like I'm any help. I don't really know what I'm doing myself. I better get back down there anyway, I've left the newbie by herself. She's probably freaking out. Before I leave I quickly powder my nose and apply some more red lipstick. I fix my hair and then walk out of the toilets. I press for the elevator and step inside. The elevator goes down and the doors open again. I walk out and over to the reception desk.

"You ok?" I ask Beth, showing her half a smile.

She turns her head and smiles looking over at me.

"Uh yeah, I've been fine."

She doesn't sound so sure...

"Good." I smile sitting down next to her. "You're getting the hang of things pretty quickly, for someone who hasn't worked in reception before."

"Thanks. Well actually I was just about to tell you there's a man sat over there who said he is here for an interview."

"Oh ok?" I raise an eyebrow and look over at the sofa he is sitting on.

"He is here to see Mr Daniels, so I emailed him but he hasn't replied."

"You'd need to call up to his office. He doesn't really have time to look at emails at the moment. How long ago did the man arrive?"

"Oh it wasn't long before you came back down, so a few minutes maybe... I just told him to sit and wait, and I was going to call but I forgot which number his office phone was."

I'm beginning to take back what I said about her getting the hang of things, but I guess it's only her first week here. I click and point to the number on the computer screen and dial the number on the reception phone.

"You should note that number down in your notebook." I say passing her the phone.

"Yeah." She nods. "Thank you."

I sigh quietly and stand up. I make my way over to the man, who is now looking down at his mobile phone.

"Hi, are you the gentleman who has an interview today?"

He looks up from his mobile, and looks up to my eyes.

"Yeah, I've already been over to reception." He says in a stern, yet soft spoken voice.

Rude.

"Yes, I've just come over to apologise for the wait. Mr Daniels-"

"I'm so sorry, I have Mr Daniels on the phone now, but I forgot what you said your name was." Beth says with an apologetic smile.

Oh for god sake. The man stands up and shows a little smile. He's quite tall!

"Mr Jackson."

"Ok thank you." Beth says with a little giggle and quickly walks back over to the desk picking up the phone.

"Have you signed in yet Mr Jackson?" I ask.

"No."

Well he is full of chat isn't he?