Claire walked over to Jake’s just as he was leaving the house. She has been just on time to meet him. Claire smiled. He saw her too and flashed her a bright smile.
“Hey Claire,” he hailed.
Claire walked over to him and greeted him back. His mother was at the porch, so she went to say hello to the nice lady. Jake walked over to come pick up the last of the things he needed and stopped as he heard Claire talking about her new job at Tristan’s. He was rather happy for her and asked her how much she would be earning. Claire told him and he was amazed. When she asked, he told her to never mind however he jokingly added that if they ever had need for a guy who’s good at construction, she had better recommend him or he would come hunt her in her dreams. Claire laughed, she was not done yet with her good news, she reached into her jacket pocket and brought out the new phone.
“Wow Claire, things seemed to have suddenly become perfect for you overnight,” he teased and took it from her.
After inspecting the phone, Jake began punching in numbers and beeped his phone saying he now gets to call her anytime he missed her. He added that they could even go home together. It appealed to Claire although a naughty thought rose in her mind. It had something to do with her discussion with Danielle. She took a brief moment to check Jake out, he was really handsome and kind of lanky. The lankiness was not really her thing, she had a knack for well built guys like Tristan. Oh she had to come off it, Danielle had explained to her that he was only a celebrity crush. She needed someone else she would like and wondered if she could try liking Jake. What on earth was she thinking that morning when she had job. She smiled as Jake’s mom put in her number too before handing the phone to her.
“Now, I don’t need to pray for heavens to send you across when I crave your delicious cookies,” she said.
Claire eventually bade her bye as she joined Jake in his car. That should save her a whole lot especially as she was expecting her first salary by the end of the month. Jake drove her all the way to the restaurant and then bade her bye. She looked at her watch and saw she was a couple of minutes late. Well, that would not matter now would it, she was here already. She began walking into the restaurant, they should be about getting ready to receive customers but then the sign still read closed. She felt they might have forgotten as she entered and tried turning it around.
“Leave it be Claire.” Danielle’s voice called out.
Now Claire had to admit that the place was oddly silent, she wondered why especially now that Danielle’s voice did not sound lively. Why would they have the place closed by that time. Claire decided to ask questions. She whirled around as she was speaking.
“But the time’s….,” she was cut short and had to swallow the rest of her words.
Claire could not believe her eyes at whom she was looking at. Those eyes, yes she recognized the stern gaze. She was looking at Tristan Jenkins in the place. She was thrilled and did not know what exactly she was going to do. Perhaps she should approach him and ask for his autograph. Oh, she could not believe the heavens had been so kind enough to grant her the privilege of meeting him that morning. Her day had just been blessed.
“Time…,” he began looking at a piece of paper on the table where he sat frowning,” Time Miss Willows I think is something you toy around with. Is this the time you show up for work?,” he thundered.
Alright, maybe her day would be taking the wrong turn after all.
“She began yesterday sir.” their manager said to her
“And then what, she gets to come by whenever she deems fit. First impression Samuel,” he said to the manager.
Claire felt so ashamed of herself and hung her head on her shoulder. She was staring at her feet and asking the ground to swallow her up. First time she was meeting her crush and she was already giving him hassles.
“I’m sorry sir.” she said
“Sorry would not cut it. Come over here and join the others,” he said to her.
Claire dashed forward and stumbled against a chair on the way. This was really embarrassing she thought as she pushed in the chair. She walked over to where the others stood and was beside Danielle. With the way he was glaring at her, one would think she had stolen something from him. Claire prayed earnestly that his focus would shift away from her. She had already made enough spectacle of herself and could no longer bear standing there and taking all the attention. She wanted his attention in her fantasies but certainly not this way. Claire was more than happy when he moved on to begin staying the purpose of his sudden visit. Claire hoped he was only passing by as after all that had happened that day between them, she was not sure would be able to cope with both of them in the same working environment.
Well unfortunately for her Tristan Jenkins had saddening news. He had gotten a house at Norman and would be moving in there before the next week runs out. In his defense, he had noticed they were rather new and were slacking in their duties especially now he had seen one of the reasons, he said looking at Claire. He would be with them for the rest of the year. Her world just did a double flip backwards. Claire looked up at him as he continued speaking. Questions were going through her mind as she asked herself how she was going to cope.
“Now I would be calling in each of you to the office to better access you. Those found wanting would be dismissed with immediate effect.” he said casting a look at Claire.
The bit of information got to her as she wondered what assessment he was talking about. As she watched him walk away into the office, she began to pray he would not ask for credentials. That was one aspect she had nothing and was lucky when they did not ask of it the previous day. She bit her lower lips as he called for the first person.