Fan Fiction |
by Sensitivegal
It had been two days and she wasn’t in luck. She couldn’t find work. She went into a café that was next to the motel she’s staying at. It was a crowded place. She found the only empty table and quickly sat down before anyone else could take it. A waitress came and took her order. She picked the newspaper that was lying on the table and turned the pages until she got to the job section. She scanned through the page.
‘Excuse me,’ someone called out. She looked up. A Chinese woman stood there wearing a green skirt and yellow T-shirt. If Charlene wore the same clothes she would have looked like twins with slight difference.
‘Yes?’
‘Is this seat taken?’ she asked politely.
She looked so fragile, Charlene thought. ‘No,’ she pulled out the chair with her foot. Without saying anymore she went back to looking at the advertisement for a job. A waitress came and put her tea down. The waitress took the woman’s order.
‘It’s hard to find a friend here,’ the woman spoke when the waitress left. Charlene again looked up to face the woman. ‘I’ve been here three months and I still couldn’t find a friend.’
‘I’ve only come here two weeks ago,’ Charlene said not knowing if that’s what she was meant to answer.
‘Where did you come from?’
‘Hong Kong,’ she replied. She wasn’t irritated with the woman but she wasn’t used to this. This, meaning talking to strangers or making friends either. She wasn’t allowed to talk just to anybody. Her father wouldn’t let her. That was one reason she ran away.
‘My name’s Gillian Chung,’ the woman introduced herself.
‘Charlene Choi,’ she said. She went back to looking at the paper not knowing what else to say.
‘I’m searching for a job as well,’ Gillian said. ‘I’m looking for something like a secretary.’
‘At least we don’t have any competition,’ Charlene joked. Gillian stared at her not understanding. ‘I want to work as a receptionist. Meet different people.’
‘Oh, right,’ Gillian said when she understood. ‘How about if we search together?’ she suggested.
Charlene thought of it for a minute. ‘Okay,’ she gave in. Gillian squealed happily. She shifted her chair next to Charlene’s and looked at the newspaper. Charlene was taken by surprise. She sure wasn’t used to this.
‘Hey look at this,’ Gillian didn’t look at it for more than a minute and she found one. ‘There’s a job going for a receptionist and a secretary. What do you think?’
She read the advert. This was a great opportunity. ‘Chen Enterprise,’ she read out loud. ‘Why does that sound familiar to me?’
‘Probably because the guy’s mega rich and well known around the world,’ Gillian spoke even though Charlene had been talking to herself.
‘Really?’ she said, interested. This was the second time she didn’t know a famous person.
‘Yeah! His way big!’
‘Is he bigger than Velcois?’ she couldn’t help but ask curiously.
‘Yeah. I read on the magazine that Chen Enterprise wants to take over Velcois,’ Gillian informed her. Charlene gasped. She thought her father was a rich guy but this must mean that this Chen guy was richer. ‘The latest magazine I read was that he went to Hong Kong on business to try and get Velcois Enterprise.’
‘Is Velcois Enterprise going to sell?’ she asked worriedly.
‘Nobody knows yet.’ Gillian changed the subject back to the job. ‘We should phone them and get a interview.’
She wanted to know more about what’s going on with Velcois but didn’t want to sound too suspicious. She couldn’t believe her father didn’t trust her to say about the Chen Enterprise.
‘Let’s call now,’ she suggested. She ripped the newspaper where the advert is. ‘We can call from my motel room.’ They both drained their drink and rushed out of the café. They walked to the motel and then to her room. ‘You phone first,’ she told Gillian nervously.
‘Okay,’ she took the paper from her and dialled the number. It took a couple of rings before she got through. ‘Hello,’ she spoke in a confident tone. ‘I read on the advertiser about the secretary job going. I’d like to apply…Yes… Gillian Chung… Thank you, I’ll see you then.’ Gillian hung up and looked up at her. ‘I got an interview today in two hours,’ she squealed excitedly.
‘Great!’ Charlene exclaimed.
‘Now it’s your turn,’ Gillian said.
In sweats Charlene picked up the receiver and pressed re-dial.
‘Hello, Chen Enterprise, how may I help you?’ a cheery woman greeted her.
‘Hi! I’m calling for the job going as a receptionist,’ she said.
‘Ah, yes!’ the woman said. ‘Can I have your name please?’
‘Charlene Choi.’
‘Well, Miss Choi the interview starts at two.’
‘Thank you,’ Charlene said, relieved that she wasn’t going to ask any question over the phone.
‘Okay then Miss Choi. I’ll see you then,’ the woman said and hung up.
‘So…?’ Gillian said.
‘Got the interview at the same time as you,’ she told her.
‘I have to go to my apartment and get changed. We have an hour,’ Gillian pointed out. ‘How about after the interview we meet there?’
‘Sure,’ she thought that was a good idea as well.
‘I just hope that we both get the job!’ Gillian prayed at the door. ‘Good luck!’ she waved goodbye.
‘Ditto,’ Charlene waved back and then closed the door.
She smiled. She had made a friend and she didn’t have to try. She had a quick shower. She looked at the clothes she bought while she was looking for a job. She needed something smart. She chose to wear a red blouse and a black skirt. She brushed her hair and pulled it up in a ponytail. She then looked at her make-up. She didn’t want to wear much make-up. So she just put on mascara and a light lipstick.
She looked herself up and down on the mirror. She tried smiling. She was impressed at how she looked. She looked at her watch. She had half an hour. She wore her black jacket and left for the company with her bag and her papers in her hand. She hailed for a cab.