Chapter 5 - Beginning

RAELYNN

I didn't believe my eyes. It was a card. Della's mom Shelly Peterson's visiting card. From the night I met Zayn.

I still remember her saying that I could ask her for anything and I turned her down. But she gave me this card and asked me to stay in touch. And this piece of paper was going to help me.

Maybe I could do it.

Maybe this card could help me get at least a small job which would get me some pay so that I don't have to leave. Life could be full of possibilities. I start ugly crying at the thought of it. I might not have to go back.

How could I have forgotten?

There were still 4 hours till I check out of the hotel so I wanted to take the chance and see if there was anything Shelly can do to help me. I had run out of money and I couldn't even pay for one more day.

Normally, I'd have never asked someone for a favour this big but I was desperate... and this time, she was my last hope.

I didn't unpack my bag in case the plan didn't work and I don't get the job. I'd still have to go back. But I decided to go to Shelly Peterson. I had to.

I put on a formal dress, I didn't know If it was formal enough but yes. Tried my level best to fix my face. Failed. But It shouldn't matter because at least I didn't look shabby.

I rushed my way out of the hotel deciding that if I didn't get a job, I'd come back to the hotel and go home back to Portsmouth with my suitcase. I got a cab after a minute, just praying as hard as I could. I was following the address on the card.

In a few more minutes, I was here. I stepped out of the cab in awe of the beautiful and posh area. This building was the best-looking building I had ever seen. So, this was the Music production company Shelly Peterson owned.

Direction Music Ltd was its name and the best music company in Los Angeles. This was always the kind of firm I imagined to work for. And here I was. In a do or die situation. I just had to impress Shelly with whatever I had. Without wasting any more time, I put on the best smile I could and went in.

To my utter surprise, the staff and everyone there was 10 times nicer than any other firm. I've never been treated this generously in any firm this whole week. They ask me to sit with a complimentary glass of water after I asked them about Shelly. No firm did this to me. I loved the atmosphere too.

The firm was beautiful and classy with brown patterned designs and wooden impersonation designs, it looked both cosy and elegant. This place was all I wished for.

I waited for an hour. I was scared that if I didn't get the job and also couldn't make it back to the hotel before the check out time, I'll have to pay for another day whereas I was left with money to only buy the ticket. It's been a hell of a ride.

"Ms Shelly is waiting for you," suddenly, a girl probably my age came to me.

I got up adjusting my dress and hair trying to look as presentable as possible. I walk to the open door of her cabin and knocked.

"Come in." She didn't look up making me feel nauseous. I stepped in.

"Hey, Shelly. How are you?" I was being too informal. She looked up at me almost judging me and squinting her eyes a little trying to finally recognise me.

"I know you?" She tried smiling.

"Yes. I'm Raelynn Taylor. We met at an event. Della..". She squinted her eyes a little more.

"Della... oh. Oh my god, Raelynn. It's such a pleasure to meet you." She left her seat and hugged me making me wonder if I deserved such a warm gesture because I came here with a selfish reason. She asked me to sit as her assistant brought in coffee.

We talked about things here and there. About Della mostly and how she has turned a lot more confident about herself. I was happy for her. She's not gonna have to run away from her problems like me.

Finally, Shelly started, "So, is there something I can do for you Raelynn?" So here goes nothing.

"That night, you asked me that I could ask you a favour to return me for the favour I did?" Silence.

"So I want a job," she smiled.

"Oh is that it? I can give you..", I cut her off.

"Here. I want a job here." Her face faltered. I screwed up big time. That was too much to ask for. Why did I do it?

She hesitated and asked me for my resume. My resume was average, not even deserving. I hated it. I hated so many things about me that I lost count sometimes. As she scanned through my resume, she made a disapproving face. I was doomed.

"Let me be honest with you. You're not eligible enough to work here. I'm not sure your resume fits into the standards." It was over. I disappointed her and that was the worst feeling.

Here, I was a different version of myself. A more confident and selfish version of me which wasn't such a good option for me. I took my resume, I was feeling worthless. I got up to leave. I didn't want to struggle anymore. I was taking a high road because I was close to giving up.

"I can give you a job somewhere else."

As I heard this, I had a crazy idea. This was my last chance and if not I could still get a job somewhere else. I turned to face her.

"You know what, Mrs Shelly? I did you the biggest favour with helping your daughter and keeping up your reputation that night so you should at least be grateful for that. You don't even care about your daughter let alone your promises. Also, I don't think the media would like to miss this story as Della is on her way to becoming the talk of the town..", Shelly was surprised at my behaviour. I couldn't screw this up anymore.

"So please just consider me working here. Even in the smallest position, I agree." Shelly was looking at me intensely. She was gonna call the guards. But suddenly she started laughing. "I'll do anything, it doesn't matter. Just.. please!"

"Who are you, Raelynn?" That sentence rang so many bells. Shelly broke into a genuine smile. "Who are you? Are you cunning? Smart? Innocent? Or just dumb?" She said.

I was taken aback.

"I like you, you know. I like your confidence. You do have your ways."

I apologized to Shelly. She asked me why I needed a job. So to make her trust me better, I tell her my story.

After thinking, Shelly said,

"Raelynn. I will employ you here as a bring and take Assistant. You're joining from tomorrow. But understand one thing, one mistake and you're out." I almost jumped out of my soul in joy. I did it. I couldn't believe I made my way through.

We discuss the other details altogether.

"You're the boss and I'll follow your command Mrs Shelly," I said. We did reach a normal stage after I told her everything. I felt content.

"No," Shelly said. I frowned. "I'm not. I mean I'm not the boss. I am but not the only boss of this Music company." I got confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked. What was she talking about?

"There's a majority partner who's a more important boss than me. We are shareholder partners, and he owns 70 per cent of this whole firm." Okay... This has to be good.

"Who is he?" I asked.

Finally, Shelly said...

"Zayn Mitchell. He is the CEO."