Chapter 1 – Oh The Places We'll Go
*Two Years Later*
I've only ever been this nervous twice in my life, once when I was delivering the closing arguments for our national debate competition as the only sophomore on an all senior team and the other time was losing my virginity in a cheap motel on prom night, how cliché? I'm not exactly sure why I'm so nervous, I've been on numerous job interviews before but never at my dream company I guess. After graduation, I did a two year master's program in Scotland. I had a great time there; of course I lost contact with most of my college friends, except my best friend that is. Rebekah insisted we Skype every day and it was exasperating but I couldn't deny her that small pleasure. The program in Scotland was extensive but I came out a rising star. Now I'm sitting in the waiting area of Wilfred and Sons Inc. and I'm ecstatic.
Wilfred and Sons Inc. is my dream. I spent every day dreaming of this moment. I worked my ass and I'm getting my dream. My phone started buzzing, I reach for it; it's a text from Rebekah wishing me good luck. I should reply but I can't risk the chance of someone walking out and seeing me on my phone, thinking I'm not serious about this opportunity. I place my phone back in my bag and continue to internally freak out. If I didn't get this job, which is highly unlikely, I could get a job somewhere else, I'm sure of it. Let's be real though, the actuality of me not getting this job is extremely low, I know everything there is to know about this company and I'm more than qualified. I got my undergraduate at NYU and my masters at UWC, I even did an internship where I was awarded on my excellent managerial informative skills, so no I'm not worried. Everything will go perfect, just according to my plan.
"Bonnie Bennett," the clerk calls from her desk. I stand up and straighten my skirt. I give myself a once over in the small mirror then walk towards my future.
"Oh come on Bonnie!" Rebekah's voice rings loudly above the pillow that was currently muffled over my face. We've moved into a different apartment, way classier than the one we lived in during our college years.
"BONNIE!" she drones, it's more of a boh-oh-on-nee. It's really annoying. "I refuse to let you sit in your room and be depressed, it's just one job Bon! You have tons of more interviews."
I know she's right but I can't help it. I thought I had everything in the bag. I walked into my interview confident as ever, the answers flowed freely. I had an excellent time. I thought my interview was perfect, so imagine my surprise when I get home a few hours later and there was a message saying that they were sorry but I just didn't fit the bill that they were looking for. WHAT THE FUCK? Of course, I made a fit about it and sat in my room for the past two days, feeling sorry for myself. I have an interview today in an hour and half. This is why Rebekah is currently shouting at me, it's an interview at her brother's new company. They just lost their MIS manager and are looking to hire a new one. I frown, maybe I should go to the interview, I do need a job or Rebekah will be forced to kick me out of the apartment, not like she would.
"I really just want what's best for you and it may not be your dream company but my brother has been working his ass off and the company is as well-known as Wilfred and Sons," she pauses, "please go to your interview, please."
Rebekah never begged. It wasn't in her DNA, she'd much rather scowl or pout but never beg. She isn't lying about her brother's company, second to W&S they were top notch. While I was in Scotland I made sure to check up on the affairs here and the company steadily crept up on the market. They pay their employees well too. What do I have to loose really? Worst case scenario, I don't get the job then I'll be off to another job interview at another building. I sigh and remove the pillow from my face. Rebekah beams, she knows she's won.
"Find me something nice to wear," I pause and scrunch my nose, "Bonnie appropriate please."
Rebekah rolls her eyes and moves to my closet, Rebekah has excellent taste, sometimes it's a little too extreme but excellent none the less. I guess that's why she's a working Fashion Designer, yes after four years in college , Rebekah Mikaleson decided what she wanted to do for a living. I trod to the bathroom, mentally noting that I when I get back, I'm taking a bath. My shower is quick and fast, I step out and check the time, I still have an hour and fifteen minutes before my interview. Rebekah makes a demonstration of showing me what she has selected.
"Not bad," I smirk moving towards the closet for my underwear, I walk around naked, no big deal. "So will I finally get to meet your brother? Although I did imagine that it would be at a big dinner where I've met the others."
"No, he's been away for the past three months on business in Tokyo, he'll be back on Sunday," she sighs while helping me put on my clothes, "we've gotten closer you know? Ever since he moved here two years ago, I miss him when he's gone."
"Careful, you may be harboring some incestuous feelings there," she sticks me with the pin, "OW! It was a joke you bitch!"
Rebekah laughs, she knows I always make fun of her when she mentions Kol. I suppose it makes sense for them to get this close, they hadn't really spoken much throughout their teenage years. Everything changed on graduation; he left her message about good news which turned out to be that he was starting his own company on this side of the country. Graduation, I scowl, we went out on graduation and I met a guy except I don't really know his name or anything. Not that I care, he turned me down. Whatever, old news.
"I'm really excited for you to meet him when he gets here on Sunday," she gleams.
I was excited too; he's one of the few Mikaleson's that I've yet to meet. He was offering me a job so I guess he can't be that bad. There's supposed to be a big family dinner with Rebekah, Kol, Alexander (Rebekah's boyfriend), Esther (Rebekah's mom) and me, I guess. It's supposed to be at her mom's house in Long Island, which Alexander offered to drive us to. It was kind of a welcoming party for me, weird right? Her mom loves me like her own and it's nice because I have no family of my own, not now. I didn't know my mom and my dad died a year ago. Exactly a year after his wife, died during childbirth. A pang of guilt hit me in the stomach. I had promised her I'd be there for the baby's birth but I booked my flight to Scotland for that same day.
I quickly push the thought away and continue getting dressed. It took a few minutes but I was ready to go and with an hour until my interview, I leave the apartment, waving to Rebekah who shouts "Good Luck!"
"Well Ms. Bennett, I highly doubt we will find anyone more perfect for the job than you," the plump lady conducting my interview says. I made the interview with time to spear and was in awe of the office. I love W&S but this building put it to shame. Everything is perfect.
"I am flattered by your compliments," I reply sincerely, "does this mean what I think it means?"
She nods enthusiastically and rises from her desk," Welcome to Kindred Murals Incorporated," she extends her hand and I take it, "we are pleased to have you as our new MIS manager."
I grin. Really, it's an awkward cheesy grin that shows my twenty-two years in it. I'm happy, beyond happy really. I just got a job! My first job as an adult. This was exciting, Rebekah will be thrilled and she'll gloat too.
"Thank you so much," I beam, gripping her hand with too much enthusiasm.
"Let me take you to where your office will be and a tour of the building itself."
She leads the way and I eagerly follow. She points out a couple of different places, like the fax room, cafeteria, lounge and bathrooms. She tells me what each floor is and how to access the stairs in case the elevators aren't working. She makes her way to the other side of the building and shows me my office. It is gorgeous. The desk is not too big, I find it to be the perfect size for me, its mahogany and I can see my reflection in it. I walk by the desk to look out the window at the view, breathtaking. While it shows scummy Manhattan I can only imagine what the sunsets look like. They were a few other things in the office as well but they were irrelevant. Mrs. Fringe proceeds to talk about starting salaries and I'm really too excited to pay attention. I have to come by the office tomorrow to sign a few documents and then I'll officially be an employee.
I leave the office and go down to the lobby. It's a good day; I am having a really good day. I walk through the revolving doors and collide with a firm body. Omph! I swagger backwards and almost tumble over but the person outstretches their arms and catches me.
"Thanks," I murmur looking down and straighten my outfit.
"No problem," the voice says then turns away.
There was something familiar about that voice but I couldn't figure out what. I shrug and continue through the door, hailing a cab.
I am hung-over. The sun is too bright and I can't think straight. I'm not sure if I'm having motion sickness from the long drive to Long Island or if I'm just really hung-over. Good news is that Rebekah is severely hung-over as well. After my new employment, we went for drinks and since it was the weekend we went crazy. I had to physically stop Rebekah from going home with some asshole. She told Alexander about her almost slip up, he got mad but since he promised her mom that he'd be there for the dinner, he's driving us.
"I wish you two acted more responsible, you're adults for God's sake!" Alexander's disapproval quite obvious in his tone of voice. Alexander doesn't drink; he deems it as unladylike and distasteful. I don't like him even though I've only known him for a week; I've heard Rebekah bitch enough about him to form my opinion.
"Oh shut up, I'm sick and tired of your self-righteous attitude, I don't want you at my mom's, stop the car," Rebekah shouts.
He stops the car and we get out. They argue for a moment and I stand by awkwardly waiting to be noticed again. I supposed it's a good thing that we are still in the city and can take the ferry to the island since neither of us own a car. My phone buzzes and it's a message from Aiden, I smile. Aiden is my sweet, sweet, Scottish lover. We are trying the long distance relationship thing, I hope it works out, I really like him. I reply quickly then call a cab. We wait a few moments after Alexander drives off and a cab comes to take us to the ferry dock. I'm still pretty hung-over but it's better now. Rebekah looks sad and I would offer comfort except she likes to brave out these things on her own. I move beside her and rest my head on her shoulder; she understands the gesture and smiles.
It only takes an hour or so to get to the island and we call Esther to get a driver for us. From the dock, the ride is only another hour. Rebekah and I fall asleep, the hangovers were gone but our headaches still lingered. I knew Rebekah was still sad about Alexander and I was determined to make it up to her. We pull up in front of the outer gates to the mansion and I gape. I've been to her house a lot of times but every time I give the same reaction. Her house is amazing and I'm thoroughly envious. Her mom greets us and gives us both a hug. She expresses her disappointment in Rebekah's latest failed relationship.
"I'm disappointed because the caterers were expecting five, I suppose it's a good thing that your brother decided to bring his girlfriend to the dinner, honestly Rebekah, can you have a relationship that lasts longer than your Brazilian wax," Esther says coldly in her accent.
Rebekah nods her head and walks by. Her mother leads us into the Den where we await further instructions.
"Honestly, mother makes me angry most of the time," Rebekah says reaching for a class of champagne.
"At least you have a mother," I reply shaking my head at the waiters offer for a glass.
Rebekah frowns; she knows I get a little uptight when she bashes her parents. It may not be ideal for her but at least she still has them. Her mother joins us shortly and indulges in idle chatter. The doorbell rings promptly at six and her mother rushes to the door. We hear the pleasantries and greetings and I know that this is my chance to meet my best friend's brother, my boss, Kol Mikealson.