Chapter 4
Tessa's POV
I stood there frozen, a whirlwind of confusion and fear enveloping me as I made my way towards the door - finding a staff member waiting to take me to my given room for my interview.
How could I even make it to the second stage with anyone looking like this? I felt utterly humiliated at this stage in more ways than one…
Perhaps the man from before just found some amusement in questioning me… it was the only reason In which I could find for this that made any damn sense!
The shock lingered in my expression as the given staff member eyed me impatiently - them all having somewhat of the same attitude as their superior - who of course was none other than Mrs Felicity.
"Move it, girl! We don't have all day," The lady barked at me in disgust, breaking my trance as I nodded frantically.
I stumbled forward, dazed and disoriented, heading down the eerily quiet hallways…
As I stepped outside of the campus building, the sunlight felt harsh on my battered skin - causing me to tighten my hold around my abdomen in fear of being exposed any further to anyone on the outside.
I glanced around quickly but thankfully, it was just as quiet out here than it had been in there. Had the other classes on campus been dismissed now for the judgment day?
The biting cold wind struck upon my exposed legs, a painful reminder of my earlier humiliation as my bare feet was met with the rough scratchy texture of the stones below - causing me to wince.
I scanned the courtyard, searching for any sign of human life, before the staff member put in charge of me made a beeline for the second campus building which was only a matter of minutes away from the main one…
“Hurry it up girl! They don’t like to be kept waiting!” The snippy woman hisses over her shoulder at me as I chew my lip to halt my pained yells every time I was met with another sharp rock or stone.
We finally made it to the steps, as I sigh in relief at the smoother surface - my feet now on the verge of bleeding if I was to be made to walk outside for any longer…
I followed her inside before I was led down a long corridor on the left, the only sound being of her high heels clicking ominously against the tiles.
It didn’t take long before we approached what was known as the ‘staff only corridor’ which consisted of better rooms, better facilities, more comfort and nicely decorated offices.
Of course this is where they would put the males for the interviews - it made sense…
As we approached, I warily glanced up at the stoic guards lined outside each door - as they avoided meeting my curious stare - keeping their faces void of any emotion and their eyes forward.
Well and truly - terrifying! All of them!
“Quit staring you foolish girl!” I blush instantly when hearing another sharp order, diverting my eyes back down again - keeping a close view of her high heeled feet in order to know which direction to go in…
My mind raced, anxiety gnawing at my every thought. How could I possibly even make an impression in my current state? This was nothing more than a waste of both my time and the males.
Why he even wanted to do such a thing with me was uncanny?
The clicks of the ladies heels finally halted, as did my own steps - which caused for me to glance up - seeing her facing me now.
Her disgusted eyes raked over me once fully, before she released a deep sigh followed by an eye roll.
“Your guess as to why you are here is as good as mine… you should be lucky that any of them are even giving you any time looking like that! Now get in there, you have fifteen minutes so make it count!” She rolls her eyes, seeming almost bored, as my heart clenches at the numerous insults packed in to her short sentences.
Great, now I really don’t want to go in there…
I turn to stare at the plain brown door - knowing all too well who exactly I was going to find behind it!
I glance up anxiously to find probably the largest guard that I think could ever exist (even larger than any of the rest I had passed) as I chewed my lip and reach forward for the cold metal handle…
Let’s just get this over with!
With a deep breath, I grasped the cold metal door handle and pushed open the door, revealing a decent sized office room with the blinds pulled closed to offer some dim lighting…
The stark contrast between the chilly corridor and the warmth within the room caught me off guard - as I instinctively gravitated inside in order to heat up my bare skin despite knowing who I was about to face...
As I entered, the door closed behind me with a resounding thud, echoing around in the enclosed space. The room contained a simple wooden table and two comfy sofa chairs, one in which was occupied by the same green-eyed male who had questioned me earlier.
I remained by the door, extremely unsure and nervous to make any sudden movements in the event of angering him at all…
Maybe he’s brought me here to kill me off for upsetting him? Perhaps he didn’t want to make a scene?
After a short moment, he eventually looked up from a document he had been examining in his hand, his intense gaze locking onto mine as he leaned back to get comfy in his chair.
The room seemed to shrink in size as the weight of his scrutiny bored down on me like a crushing truck - causing my palms to sweat and my muscles to tense.
"Sit!" The wolf commanded with a single flick of his hand, gesturing to the empty chair opposite from him as I gulped and nodded once.
I complied, feeling the tension in the room escalate with each closing step that I took towards him…
The floorboards creaked beneath my bare feet as I walked, with each step reminding me of just how embarrassed I was to be in here looking as dreadful as I do.
"Well, well, well… bet you didn’t expect to see me again so soon eh?!” The creature chuckles to himself, clicking his tongue in amusement as his green eyes pierced straight through me once again.
Those damn well dangerous eyes of his could be used as a weapon!
“Tessa, is it?" His voice was monotone and measured, betraying nothing and all I could do was nod, my throat feeling suddenly dry and constricted as my name rolled off his tongue…
Of course he knows my damn name already…
"Your appearance doesn't match the efforts of the other girls around here and I would like for you to explain yourself!" He demanded, his eyes narrowing as he caught me well and truly off guard.
Panic welled within me as I struggled to find the right words… how do I even explain it? How weak will I sound when I tell him about my bullies and about how horribly they had treated me seconds before the assembly bell had gone!
To a man of his dominance, his strength, his power… he wouldn’t so much as even care to hear my excuses!
"I... I just didn’t make much of a… an effort this morning, I guess? Slept in and r-ran out of time!” I mumble, my hands pulling together to rest on my thighs as I fidget to prevent myself from shaking.
“How dare you…” Is all he says next, causing my eyes to dart back up to find his expression stern and his eyes now narrow.
Uh oh…
“Tell me Tessa? Do you think that I’m just your typical fucking idiot?!” He leans forward ever so slightly, using my name to scold me like a child along with sending a horrifying wave of fear jolting itself around my body.
Crap! How have I upset him this time?!
“N-No… of course n-not… s-sir!” I defend, holding my hands up in sudden surrender - praying that he won’t unleash complete hell on me.
This fifteen minutes so far was feeling like a life-long death sentence!
“WELL THEN DON’T YOU DARE LIE TO MY FUCKING FACE!” He yells aggressively, eyes flashing a shade darker as he does so - causing me to instinctively move back a little in my chair.
“P-Please… I-I’m sorry…” I tell him in a whisper, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water - surprised that he had gotten so pissed off about my excuse!
It seems there is no getting out of this…
He pauses for a moment, looking pissed before he leans back once again, sighing agitatedly.
“Start again and don’t you dare fucking irritate me any further!” He snaps, as I nod and attempt to somewhat steady my breathing - fighting to hold back the tears that threaten to fall.
“O-Ok… the truth is… that there was an incident b-before the bell rang for judgment. I didn't p-plan for this to happen or to look this b-bad I swear…" I stammered, acutely aware of my disheveled state but knowing I had to admit the truth or it was game over for me here…
Why he even had the time to listen to my petty problems I don’t know?
He seemed to listen to me Intently, his arms resting comfortably on the arms of his chair. "What sort of incident?" He presses bluntly, as I reach up to wipe my sweating forehead.
I hesitated, grappling with whether or not to disclose the humiliating details of my encounter with the other girls…
In the end, I opted for a more vague response - knowing that it wasn’t a lie, just not the fully detailed version. "Y-Yeah, I guess you could say I was... sort of t-targeted." I shrug, keeping my eyes low in shame.
"Targeted? Well then, explain it to me!" He urged impatiently, with a flicker of genuine interest flashing across his features.
“W-well uh… it was just some girls from my dance c-class. They ruined my clothes, my makeup, and th-they even tossed my belongings out of a window. I barely made it in time for the line up… b-but I promise I didn’t look this bad this morning!" I confessed, a flush of embarrassment staining my cheeks red.
He observed me in silence, contemplating my words. "So why did they target you in the first place?"
I wish he would just quit asking me questions… but I knew that there was no avoiding giving him the answers if he wanted them…
I shrugged, feeling the injustice of the situation. "I don't know. They j-just don’t like me I guess? But today w-was the worst because I actually made an effort to look nice… believe it or not.” I admit, unsure of why I felt the need to share so much with him, however I had started now so what was the use in holding back now?
The wolf didn’t show me any pity, nor did he seem to care for my hurt - all he wanted was a plausible explanation of why I looked this damn awful for his visit…
“You say that you actually looked somewhat decent when you left your room this morning?” He questions, suddenly seeming bored.
I all but nod, unsure of whether I was seeming cocky or not, however he had warned me about lying already and the truth was, I did feel that I looked my best when I left my room this morning… since I really did try with my makeup and hair…
“Well then you can just prove it!” The male insists, seeming set in his words as I furrow my brows.
I felt suffocated in his presence, as though I were being tested with a variety of tactical mind games…
“W-What s-sir?” I stumble, unable to understand his thought process.
“I will progress with you on to stage three and you can prove to me that you don’t look like a fucking sad whiny female every day of your life!” He concludes, ensuring to toss in an insult all the same as I blink back in confusion.
What is the catch with him? Does he just enjoy this? Enjoy seeing females squirm around him? Why is he even giving me any of his time?
It all makes no sense…
“B-But why are you doing this? I shouldn’t have even m-made it to stage two looking this b-bad…” I state the fact, as he catches me completely off guard with a deep chuckle.
“Call it fucking charity work if you want angel! You caught my eye amongst the other perfect looking females back there… but I thought that you were maybe some wild little rebel that I would need to break and squash… but it turns out that you’re actually just a scared, timid little girl!” He smiles, flashing his perfect set of teeth - eyeing me with nothing more than sheer amusement.
I was like a game to him… a thing to just toy around with I guess?
“Now get out, go home, and fucking prove to me that you can look even half pretty! I’ll pick you up at seven!” He suddenly nods his head towards the door, his tone harsh and unforgiving as I instantly scramble to stand - thanking him for his time and hurrying my way towards the door.
What the hell just happened to me…