Chapter 9: Make me a cup of coffee
"Thank you so much for helping me arrange yesterday, Elena. I would have had to do all of the work alone if you weren't around. My uncle had an emergency meeting," Amelia said to Elena as she stood in front of her door.
Amelia was dressed in a white ironed shirt and black office pants. She carried a black tote bag which hung on her shoulders. In her bag were her credentials. She was fully prepared to apply for a job at James' company.
"It's nothing, Amelia. You are my new neighbor and it's only nice of me to help you out," Elena responded, and Amelia bounced her head happily.
"So… where are you headed? You are off to work?" She asked, and Amelia heaved a sigh. "Not really, Elena. I'm just going to apply for a job. I hope I'm accepted into the company."
Elena smiled and nodded. "You seem smart. You will be accepted. I wish you good luck." Amelia nodded and smiled widely. "Thank you. And you? You aren't going to work?" She asked, and Elena shook her head.
"I'm yet to secure a job. But I have it under control. You should quickly head to the company now. You don't want to be late," Elena said, Amelia bobbed.
"True. See you soon." Amelia waved at Elena and hurried down the corridor. She could feel Elena's eye boring into her back. She looked back and waved at her again. Elena waved for the last time and entered her apartment.
Amelia chuckled happily as she headed out. 'Finally, I have someone I can call my friend. She is so nice and beautiful.' Amelia couldn't stop thinking about her new friend.
Amelia sat in front of James' office after she got to the company. She was asked to wait in front of his office by the receptionist.
After some minutes, she heard someone approach her. She looked up and when she saw James approaching, she sprang to her feet. "Mr. James. Good morning, sir," She lowered her head.
James stood in front of Amelia, his hands buried in the pockets of his new deep-blue blazer pants, and stared at her from head to toe.
He could notice how neatly ironed her shirt was, though it was a little bit big for her.
Her pants were also ironed and big. 'What's with her and big clothes?'
He moved his eyes to the bag that was in her hand, and he could see her file. It was bigger than her bag, so she couldn't zip it. Her shoe was the same she wore the first time she came to see him.
Amelia was forced to look when she noticed how quiet he was. 'God, what is he thinking now?'
"Why are you here?" He asked, and she quickly reached for the file in her bag and pulled it out.
"I'm here to apply for a job, Mr. James. I would love to work in this great company of yours." She bowed severally as she spoke, and this made James smirk.
James uttered no words, instead he headed to his door and opened it. He walked into the office and left the door open.
Amelia interpreted it to be a "come in" gesture, so she hurried and followed behind him. He picked up a remote from his desk, pointed it to his Air conditioner and switched it on.
He walked to his chair, removed his blue blazers and hung it on his chair.
"Tell me, Amelia, give me one reason why I should employ you to work in my company." He sat on his chair, crossed his legs and stared at her.
"Because I'm competent, I have a very good result, I'm hardworking, I…" She stopped counting her fingers when James raised his hand.
"That's enough. I didn't give you the opportunity to boast in front of me, woman," He said, and Amelia clasped her lips. "I'm sorry, sir." She bowed, and he sighed.
"So, you want me to employ you even when I'm yet to forgive you, hun?" He asked, and she bobbed.
Amelia dropped her bag on the couch in his office and walked up to him. James' eyes widened as he watched her approach him. "Mr. James, please…"
She reached for his hand and held it tightly. James' jaw dropped in shock as he looked at her hand on his.
"Please, Mr. James, I need this job and your forgiveness. Everything depends on it." She raised his hand and placed it on her forehead.
James furrowed his brows and kept staring at her in awe. 'She has the guts to touch me?' He could perceive the aroma of the coconut oil she used to moisturize her hair.
Amelia soon realized what she was doing, and she quickly dropped his hand and moved away.
"Oh. My… I'm so sorry, Mr. James. I didn't mean to touch you, I… I was carried away. I was too…"
"Make me a cup of coffee… now," James interrupted her speech, and her mouth slightly fell open.
"A cup of coffee?" She ashes with confusion registered all over her face.
"The first thing I check in my secretary is how good her coffee is. This is your first assignment." He pulled his chair closer to the desk and switched on his computer.
"Oh God! Your secretary! Thank you so much, Mr. James. I promise this will be the best coffee you have ever drank!" Amelia uttered with great excitement.
"And if it isn't the best I've drank, you lose the job, and you will have another reason to ask for my forgiveness," James responded without looking at her face.
Amelia took James' words as a threat, and it sent shivers down her spine.
"I'll try my best, Mr. James. I'll be back with the coffee soon!" She walked to the door, and before she stepped out, she turned to look at him.
"How do you like your coffee, Mr. James?" She asked, and James raised his eyeball under his lids.
"If I tell you, how will it be an assignment? Find out for yourself. I need to work now," He responded, and she slowly bounced her head.
She got out of the office and headed to the receptionist. "Hi, Ma'am. Please where is the kitchen around here? Maybe the restaurant or…" The receptionist pointed to her right hand side, and Amelia stopped talking.
"Thank you," She responded and walked away.
She headed to where the receptionist pointed to, and she found the kitchen. It was more or less like a restaurant.
She saw a woman behind the counter, and she hurried to meet her. "Hi, Ma'am," Amelia greeted with an energetic smile and tone.
"Hi! What would you like to have?" She asked and raised her head to look at Amelia.
"I would love to make a cup of coffee for Mr. James. Can you please let me?" She asked, and the woman broke into laughter.
"Cup of coffee? For Mr. James? Are you new to this company?" She asked, and Amelia creased her brows and slowly nodded.
"Yes. Why are you laughing, Ma'am? I can't make coffee here?" Amelia was confused. "Who gave you such an idea? Everyone knows Mr. James doesn't take coffee. He drinks tea, not coffee."
"What? But… but, he…" Amelia stopped talking and sighed loudly.
'What do I do now? What if I make coffee and he rejects it? What if I make tea and he tells me it is against his instructions?'
Amelia grabbed her head weakly, and the woman couldn't stop staring at her.
"What's wrong? If you still want to make the coffee, it's fine. I just felt I should tell you."
Amelia nodded and smiled faintly. "I'll make tea instead." 'I hope I don't regret this.'