chapter one: at first glance
I stretched out over my bed, belly up and exposed like a cat. Damn I hated mornings, always did. Luckily though I didn't have big brother Chris looming over me anymore, not since I could afford my own place, a modest studio apartment in Raccoon City's "decent" district. Well I could afford it for a while anyway seeing that I lost my previous job over at the Arkas clothing store.
Tossing aside my fluffy magenta comforter I flung my legs over the bed and decided not to oversleep today. Not when I had my first interview in an hour. The Umbrella Raccoon Office was actually close by all I had to do was take Ennerdale St. all the way down to get there. Meaning an hour was plenty of time.
Standing up I walked over to the window and slid the curtains aside letting the sunshine in. I lived on the seventh floor of the apartment building so I had a pretty decent view of the city. Though I admit there wasn't much to stare at other than well, other buildings in the area.
Tasting morning breath on my tongue I reminded myself that I had to get ready. Stripping off my pink flannel Pjs I entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. As always it took about three minutes for the water to get warm enough to bear, all the while I made sure not to look at myself in the mirror, the last thing I wanted was to see myself naked.
Sure I wasn't bad looking but I wasn't movie star quality either, I guess the word average comes to mind. I closed my eyes feeling the warm water fall over me, my hands rubbing soap over my neck, making sure to scrub behind my ears, down my arms, armpits, breasts, stomach, the length of my long legs and coming back up. My hands lingered over my navel but then I quickly rinsed the suds away.
I wasn't really familiar in 'touching' myself, in fact it felt awkward every time I did try. My college friends always talked about how it was sometimes a lot better pleasuring themselves than to have a guy have a go at it. Let's just say they didn't make sex sound all that fun. Then again they could say things like that, I on the other hand was a virgin.
Switching off the shower I wrapped my favorite pale yellow towel around myself and grabbed another to dry my hair. Towel drying my hair was just never enough, blow dryer it is. Teeth brushed, hair dry and styled to its usual straightness I was ready to get into the clothes I had left ready since last night.
I buttoned up a white collared shirt, if this shirt didn't say interview ready I don't know what did. I had decided to go for a straight legged black trouser, the pair I bought a while ago and liked because it made my legs look longer than they already were. Yup, they didn't fail me. I debated whether I should put on a blazer or jacket but it looked hot outside and the last thing I wanted were sweat stains under my armpits!
I think I'll let my hair stay straight today, putting it up in some elaborate up-do was going to take me more time and I still needed to pick up my coffee and bagel, can't start my morning without them. Ok, I had my keys, phone, purse and… where was my resume? My eyes widened, how did I forget that! Putting my keys and purse down I opened my desk drawer and sighed in relief, ok so I wasn't that irresponsible after all. Keys, check, purse, phone check and now resume.
Rushing out of my apartment and down the hall I took the elevator down to the small lobby. There was only parking on the street meaning I had to find a spot a little down the street but as long as I hauled ass I should be fine. Tossing my stuff into the back seat I got in and started the engine. Settling into the driver seat it reminded me how much I missed my Ducati, my one and only love in life- my motorcycle. I still can't believe I let Chris talk me into getting a car, though I guess it did have its perks.
The coffee shop was on the way luckily and driving and inhaling a blueberry bagel at the same time was a skill I had become proud of. "Shit!" I hissed beneath my breath, apparently my driving and drinking skills still needed work. At the next stoplight I looked down at my shirt to assess the damage, a small little brown spot stained my shirt just over my left breast. I'm sure it wasn't noticeable.
Parking near a parking meter I dug into my purse and fished out some change, enough to cover me for an hour, that should be enough time. I stepped out of the car listening to all the honking and street noises of a very busy city. Slipping the loose change into the meter I turned around to face the Umbrella Raccoon Office building. Wow, although I've lived in this city for a couple of years, I never really paid any attention to this building, or any other building actually.
The structure reflected the city surroundings like a mirror, sunlight reflecting off it like if it were all made of silver. Umbrella was a well known pharmaceutical company, or corporation I guess. I didn't know too much about it but I did know that the corporation was involved in making Raccoon City as modern as it was, creating a lot of jobs and bettering the economy, then again economics wasn't exactly my idea of fun. In short, they did awesome things for this city and getting to work for them was a pretty big deal.
Brushing off a few lingering crumbs of bagel, I held my resume in one hand and took a deep breath. Ok, get it together Claire Redfield this was one interview I literally couldn't afford to screw up, moving back in with Chris was a definite no-no. Straightening my posture I walked toward the building passing a few fountains and elaborate landscaping and opened the heavy glass doors that lead to the main lobby.
Holly crap! The inside was even more amazing than the outside, shiny marble floors and glass walls, people walking around with very expensive looking suits. No one stopped to look my way, they all seemed busy as hell, though the fact that I was insignificant was a relief because I seriously felt underdressed. I made my way to the main reception desk beneath the giant red and white Umbrella Logo that hung from the ceiling like a billion dollar trophy.
"Good morning may I help you?" a very young, and intimidating beautiful, woman greeted me. She flashed perfectly whitened teeth as she smiled, chocolate colored eyes demanding eye contact. "uh, yeah, I'm Claire Redfield and I'm here for my interview appointment at 8:00"
"Oh yes, Miss Redfield we've been expecting you" she said and gestured over to the wall lined with empty black chairs to my right, "please have a seat and someone from management will call you into a room." She finished saying. "Ok, thanks" I said eagerly, although this all felt scary as hell in a 'I'm way out of my league' kind of way, I also felt a shrill of excitement.
I sat on the first chair available and waited, pressing my knees together so that I remembered not to appear too casual. I pretended to look over my resume not wanting to look out of place as a lot of people walked by me. A sudden feeling came over me, like a weird reaction to other people's changing vibes. I looked up and watched as a guy, dressed in head-to-toe black walked in, his blonde hair slicked back and his eyes covered up by dark sunglasses leaving me to stare at his edgy lips and squared jaw.
I immediately found him attractive. People seemed to move out of his way as he walked, some actually stared at him. But who was he? I watched as he walked over to the main reception desk and approached the same woman who I had talked to, I didn't get her name…
He had walked with perfect posture but as he approached the desk, he slightly leaned over and I'm not sure what he said to the young receptionist but her face only became redder the longer he stood there. She gave a light giggle and then I suddenly forgot to breathe. He had turned his head to look straight at me, at least I think he was staring at me, I couldn't tell with his glasses on. I suddenly gave a little prayer that I would get called into a room already!
I quickly looked away, focusing on the pile of papers that were once my neat resume and application files. Damn my fidgeting! I risked a peek up and gave a slight sigh of relief, he wasn't there anymore. "Claire Redfield" my name was called, a guy maybe about 26 years old stood a few feet away from me and dressed in a nice navy suit, sandy hair kind of shaggy looking over his baby face features, what was it with this place and sexy people?
"Yes" I answered as I stood up. "Follow me please Miss Redfield" eager to get out of the main lobby I followed him. He looked over his shoulder as he walked, "First time here?" he asked, finally someone who did small talk. "Yeah is it that obvious?" I smiled at him. "you were looking a little deer caught in the headlights back there" he said half laughing and I laughed too, "gee thanks" I said sarcastically. He suddenly stopped by a door, after talking to him I hadn't realized where he was taking me, I suddenly found myself in a hall with a line of doors. He stood to face me, "I'm Randy Hall by the way" he said and stretched out his hand to me, I took hold of it and he gave me a nice firm handshake. "Claire Redfield… but you already know that" I laughed, God how awkward can I be?
"So… are you the one that's going to interview me?" I asked changing the subject and I hoped he said yes, I already felt loads comfortable with him. "Actually I was going to be the one interviewing you but seems like upper management had a change of plans." He answered and began walking down the hall again. I followed him aimlessly, upper management? Just how upper was he talking about?
Randy led me to an elevator at the end of a hall, a very fancy looking one at that, prettiest elevator I ever saw. Randy moved to the side and like a gentlemen gestured for me to go in first. "So does these 'upper' management changes happen often?" I asked once the silence between us weirded me out. "Umm, not very often but every now and then the people at the top like to get involved with…" he paused most likely looking for the right word, "The little people?" I offered and he gave out a laugh, "I guess you can say that"
The elevator doors opened and he once again let me out first. It took me a moment to realize that the floor I had just arrived to was one massive office, glass windows lining the walls and overlooking the city. Suddenly the floors were all black still anally polished, in fact everything was spotless. My heart jumpstarted, what did I get myself into? "Ok Miss Redfield, see that chair there?" I nodded, "Just have a seat there and wait to be called in ok?" I was at a loss for words and all I managed was a nod again. Randy smiled and left me alone in one of the most intimidating offices I have ever been in, I so did not belong here.
Ok so I thought a few minutes passed but as I nervously glanced at the clock that hung on the wall across from I was aware that twenty minutes have passed by. How long was I going to have to wait? Then it hit me, my car! I had only put enough for an hour. Then again it wasn't my fault these so called upper Umbrella people decided to meet with me, was a normal interview too much to ask for? Ok I had a plan, maybe if I hurried back outside I could avoid a very unnecessary parking ticket, the last thing a college student like me needed was an extra expense.
After waiting another five minutes I finally decided to ahead with my plan. I shot up from the comfy seat and took one step forward, it was going to be hell finding my way back to the lobby, this place was a rat's maze. As soon as I took my next step I heard two words that made me freeze in my tracks. "Come in" oh no, too late.
It took me a moment to move again, my heart suddenly in my throat. I turned around and very slowly opened the dark wooden doors. I stepped inside and I wish I had never got out of bed this morning. The 'upper management' stood across the room, a very familiar pair of dark sunglasses placed over his chiseled face as he stared forward and right at me. Holly Shit.