Chapter 11
"Oh…Look at my daughter," Mrs Roberts chuckled.
Amanda giggled and looked at herself again in the mirror.
"You look breathtakingly beautiful, sweetheart. If they do not accept you for your experience and certificates, your beauty and delicate nature would take a toll on them," Mrs Roberts complimented.
"Oh, there you go again mother, making it about my physical appearance. I get bothered if it all comes down to my looks. I will change into something less show-offy. I don't want to be seen as attractive." Amanda had a frown on her crease.
"Stop it Amanda!" Mrs Roberts cautioned sternly. "You seem to forget that just because you had babies does not mean you are less beautiful. The reality is, men would still want you. They will crave you and there is nothing you can do about it. The only thing you can do is to empower yourself, especially financially, to avoid them using you recklessly."
Even though her mother's tone was harsh, Amanda got the message clearly. She was becoming too scared and defeated by the situation from her past, but she would not allow herself to be put down by anyone or anything.
Sometimes, she felt like dressing too beautifully was putting her in the position of being seen by those men who prey on weak women, like the man who got her pregnant and the restaurant manager who tried to have his way with her.
"Whatever happened should stay in your past. Do not allow it to control your future. You are a resilient young woman and I admire that trait about you."
Her mother smiled encouragingly at her and Amanda felt a gust of confidence wash through her as she took one last look at the mirror and then exhaled with a smile.
"I think I am ready, mother." She declared and picked up her folder and her purse.
"That is the spirit. You go girl!" Mrs Roberts cheered her.
"I left a few dollar bills by my bedside for the kids in case you need to get them anything. It is the last of my savings."
"You need not worry, Amanda. I still have some change left. By the way, I hope you have everything you may need for the interview and every document they may ask for?"
"Yes I do, mother. Let's go over it again:
My driver's license
My language test, because I am not American born.
My certificate of Completion of the Supervisors course.
My high school certificate and college exemption certificate.
Is there anything else, mum?" Amanda quizzed.
Mrs Roberts lifted her head like she was in deep thoughts and then shook her head.
"I don't think so. I think that is all. Alright, run along! You do not want to be late."
Amand hurried out of the bedroom and stopped in her tracks when her mother called her back.
"One important thing, Amanda."
"What now mother?" Amanda asked with hastiness.
"Do not say a word about the Quadruplets to anyone. This may cause you limitations."
Her mother's face was stern but Amanda could see beyond the sternness. She could see that all her mother was trying to do was help her secure the job.
As painful as those words sounded, they were the right thing to do.
"Okay Momma," she mumbled with a slight frown and hurried out of the house.
<<<<<The Xi Hotel>>>>>
Mr Kenny, a man in his mid-forties, was seated in the large conference room. He was sipping his coffee and reading through his laptop. The profiles of all the applicants that indicated interest in working with the hotel as supervisors and cleaners were glaring before him and his secretary, Nondon.
"The applications are too many, Nondon. You should have sorted them before bringing them to me. I hope I will not be compelled to interview this large number of people today. We don't even have many openings, anyway."
"Yes sir. The recruitment officer mentioned that we need about two supervisors and ten cleaners."
"Alright. I see three ladies and a male who are indicating that they would like to serve as supervisors. I would like one male and one female to strike a balance."
The secretary jotted them down.
"Hence, we would just interview two of these ladies; take down these names,".
He looked at the pictures of the ladies and his attention stuck to Amanda's face. Her eyes and her smile attracted him.
"Take down Amanda Roberts and Meryl Robinson. I think these will do. Then we send out emails to other applicants indicating that we are sorry but their applications were not considered. Try to sound as courteous as possible, the Xi company will not be associated with any form of rudity."
"Yes sir," Nondon responded and sat down to prepare the rejection emails.
Amanda highlighted the Cab and walked sturdily towards the company, her heart beating with anxiety. She wondered what to expect from them. She bent her head and said a silent prayer, then she walked in toward the hallway door. It was a large structure with a fantastic architectural design and she was intrigued by the sight of it, seeping in every way out of it.
The building looked like a moving boat on the sea.
"What a perfect aesthetic design," she giggled to herself and got in almost staggering on her heels.
She went to the receptionist's desk and asked her in a low tone:
"Good morning. I am here for an interview. I got an email yesterday evening. Which way should I go please?".
The receptionist had a bit of a haughty look. She eyed Amanda curiously and asked her to hold on for a while with a leer.
Amanda was taken aback by that attitude and wondered if she had done anything offensive.
She stood aside and waited for the receptionist to call the manager and after a short while, she called her forward.
"Please, walk down through that corridor and take your left turn. There's a door with a tag on it that says 'conference room', walk in through it.
Amanda thanked her nonchalantly because the lady's attitude pissed her off.
She took the direction she was given and walked down the corridor.
Before she knocked on the door, she was asked to knock. It opened up.
A tall bearded man with long hair was standing before her. His hair was gray and his eyes were blue, but he did not seem old. He had a mischievous grin and a look that spelt assault.
Amanda almost lost her balance at the way he looked at her lustfully.
"Welcome, Miss Amanda Roberts. You may come in for your interview.