2nd chapter
The flight was quick and uneventful. Once she left the building, she waved over a taxi to drive her to her destination. Caroline enjoyed the quiet drive from Pisa to Volterra, the driver didn't bother her with useless small talk, so the woman could enjoy the beautiful landscape in peace. With each passing minute, she got more and more nervous. She started to fiddle on her jacket and her right leg began to jump slightly. Her eyes darted to the GPS and she sighed deeply.
She tried to think of something else and her mind got back to her fiancé, to the kiss they shared when she had to leave for the security check and his waving hand when she vanished in the mass of people around her. Another sigh left her mouth and she looked back outside. They were on a lone road, endless fields around here and in the far distance ahead she could see a town. Caroline was so close to her potential new home, that she began to twitch in her seat in a nervous manner.
The hour-long drive came to a stop in front of a huge castle. Once she paid the driver, he sped off with a last 'have a nice day' and Caroline stood dumbfounded in front of the door for a moment. She breathed again and shuffled in her bag. She took her application, even though she knew they already had it, and pressed it onto her chest. With another deep breath she opened the door, she was 30 minutes early, but she had nowhere else to go in that amount of time.
Her heels echoed in the large room and she looked around in hope she would find someone. To her right stood a large desk with various pamphlets, a computer and the usual office utensils on it. It could be her potential new working place, but her eyes roamed farther. „Hello?", she halfheartedly called, while putting a strand of her light brown hair behind her ear. She got no response, so she walked a little closer to the desk, her eyes roaming over it, but as soon as she wanted to take one pamphlet another door on the other side of the room opened.
Caroline quickly lowered her hand and straightened her back, as she looked at whoever was coming through that door. Once she saw the person her mouth slightly hung open. She quickly cleared her throat and tried to look away, but her eyes were glued to the woman approaching her. She had a smile on her lips, her heels clicked rhythmically on the floor and her movements were that of a goddess. She made her way over to Caroline and held out her hand.
„You must be Ms. Smith; my name is Heidi. Pleased to meet you." Each word sounded like an angel's poem, and Caroline's self-confidence sunk immediately, she could spend the rest of the day listening to the woman, but she reminded herself of the reason to be here. Her hand still in the that of the goddess. „Yes, thank you. Pleased to meet you, too. I'm a bit too early, but I can wait if that's alright with you." Caroline spoke hastily, but Heidi had no problem understanding her. Her smile widened a bit, as she let go off the human's hand.
„That's quite alright, please take a seat. I'll inform the master that you arrived." Heidi's smile stood perfectly in place and all Caroline could do was nod at her request. She sat down and when Heidi left the room, she realized her breathing normalized slowly. She was completely taken aback by the beauty of that woman. After a minute in silence, her eyes darted to the ceiling and a smile formed on her lips. Then she frowned, suddenly realizing how Heidi referred to the person she would meet for the interview. 'Master', maybe he really was some royalty, it would fit into this whole scheme. She wondered how that person would be, some snob or someone you could actually talk to.
Her thoughts got disrupted as the door opened again, Heidi appeared in the frame and looked over at the other woman. „The master is ready for you, please follow me," she said with a smile and Caroline immediately rose to her feet. In a quick pace she walked over to Heidi and followed her through a large corridor. She couldn't help herself, but look at the countless paintings, sculptures and ornaments, she might be not very interested in art, but she couldn't deny the beauty of it.
Suddenly Heidi came to a halt and turned to the slightly smaller woman. „Here we are," she started and Caroline looked at her inquiringly. „Let me give you a bit of advice. Only speak when you are asked and only ask questions about work, nothing else." Caroline looked totally baffled at her. „Okay, thank you," she answered lowly and Heidi finally pointed at a door on her right. Caroline looked in the direction and slowly made her way over to the old wooden door. She knocked briefly on it and got an immediate response. „Come in." The voice was male and with a deep breath she opened the door and vanished in the room.
Heidi still stood in the corridor when she got company. „Fresh meat I assume?" A devilish smile formed on Demetri's lips; his red orbs switched from Heidi to the door. „I suppose so." She shrugged and turned to her coven mate, when another one came into view. „How long will she last, what do you think?" Felix' huge build came to a hold next the two others, an amused smile on his lips. „Since nearly all of us will leave soon for the immortal child, I assume longer than most," Heidi answered and let out an amused laugh. „Well, she should be grateful that we got her away from that douche of a man," she continued and started to walk down the hallway. „Aren't we generous," Demetri continued and chuckled darkly as he followed her. „Speaking of, it was nice of you, Heidi, to give her some heads-up advice." Felix walked next to his companion and looked over at the woman. Heidi just sighed. „I hate office work; I just hope she is smarter than the others and don't upset the masters as quickly as the last five." With these words the three vampires walked deeper into the castle.
Caroline tried to steady her breath when she closed the door behind her. Her eyes darted to the man in front of her. He quickly rose from his chair with an eager smile on his face as he held his hand out to greet the woman. „Ms. Smith, welcome to our humble abode. I was relieved that you could accept this rather short planned arrangement. My name is Aro Volturi." For a moment, Caroline was completely taken aback by his nearly overwhelming acting. She stepped forward to shake his hand. Caroline was a bit surprised at how cold his hand was. She didn't judge as she had cold hands most of the time as well, no matter if summer or winter. But his' were exceptionally cold and it felt as if she shook hands with a statue. She didn't want to overtheorize everything, she had to make a good first impression after all and his behavior or physical well-being shouldn't influence her that much. She needed that job, so she took a deep breath and tried to focus back on their conversation.
„Thank you for inviting me and especially for taking care of all expenses," she said in a low voice, but it was no problem for him to understand. Even though, she just spoke a sentence, he had enough time during their short handshake to explore her mind. She was still young, so it was easy for him. With a smug smile he offered her a seat and sat down as well.
„Well, Ms. Smith, do you have any questions up ahead?", Aro asked and put his hands on the desk in front of him. His eyes observing every movement of the young woman. Occasionally, his mind got distracted by their current arrangements regarding the Cullens' immortal child, but he was more than capable to handle a conversation with a human. Caroline's mind wandered, she didn't think of questions up ahead, but since she knew close to nothing about the job, that should be a good start. „What kind of work is expected from the vacant position?" Her voice was a bit louder than the last time, trying to boost her courage. She wanted that job and she needed to make a good first impression.
A small grin formed on Aro's lips as he answered her. „Most importantly, you will take care of any incoming calls and mails and direct them to the responsible person if necessary. You will also welcome any guests, coordinate the schedule for the companies working here, like the gardeners and help organizing the guided tours. You already met Heidi; she will work with you on that matter."
Aro leant back on his chair, his red orbs meeting her brown ones in an almost cold stare. „You see, we take discretion very seriously in our business." He breathed for a moment and Caroline couldn't even move a muscle. „My brothers and I deal with the utmost important tasks on a daily basis, you will learn in due time that most incoming calls or mails won't be of any importance."
The atmosphere in the room was nearly unbearable for the woman, when all of a sudden Aro's posture relaxed a little. His eyes gleamed with mischief and curiosity once more. „Anything else, you'd like to know?" The vampire just waited for her to ask a question about his nature, he knew it was burning her head, but she obediently followed Heidi's advice. Aro's lips curved in amusement at her response. „Thank you for the information. In the invitation, it states that an accommodation was offered. Is that true?" For a moment her eyes wandered through the room, taking in the elegant but clean office. Caroline might not be very experienced, but that room seemed to be only used for interviews and not really for work. She studied the desk in front of her and she could make out the slightest bit of dust on it. She didn't judge, but it made her curious.
Aro laughed lightly and clasped his hands. „Oh, that is true. We offer a room in the south wing. You'll find there everything you need, including a kitchen and a living room." Caroline nodded slowly. „I am engaged, can my fiancé live there as well, when he moves here?" For a split second, Aro's grin seemed sinister, but he quickly corrected himself. His eyes trailed over the woman in amusement, which confused her slightly. „But of course. Congratulations." A small smile spread on Caroline's face, when Aro spoke up again. „If that's all you want to know," he started and took a few papers in his hands, before he continued. „I have the contract. Read it well and if you are willing, you can start tomorrow." He handed her the papers and stood up. Caroline was taken aback, she thought he would ask her something about herself, her intentions, but he didn't. She eyed the contract in her hand and looked up to the now standing man. „I'll leave for now. Heidi will check up on you in 30 minutes. If you accept, she'll show you around."
„Alright, thank you", was all Caroline could answer, before Aro left the room. She looked flabbergasted at the contract in her hands, it took her a moment to realize that she technically had a job. Slowly a smile crept on her face as she began to read the papers in her hand.
As far as Caroline was concerned, the contract was the nothing but ordinary. She would earn more than she hoped, but everything else was just the standard. She read everything slowly and carefully and after around 20 minutes, she took a pencil and signed the contract. She smiled happily as the realization finally kicked in. Her right leg bounced slightly; she couldn't wait for Heidi to show her everything. She just had to remember to tag her luggage along, which she had left in the entrance hall. The woman started to play with her engagement ring in anticipation.
After another long ten minutes, she heard a light knock before the door finally opened, revealing the stunning woman she met earlier. Caroline stood up immediately, handing the contract to the woman in front of her. Heidi's eyes quickly scanned the documents in her hand and smiled at the woman. „Please follow me, I'll show you your quarters." With these words, Caroline followed the woman once more. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a wooden door, which Heidi opened in a swift move. The women entered into some sort of living room with a couch, a table and several bookshelves. The kitchen was in the same room to her left, the bedroom with the affiliated bathroom was right behind the kitchen corner. It wasn't extraordinary but beautiful nevertheless. Caroline was in awe as she eyed each room. „I took the liberty to bring your luggage into your bedroom," Heidi said after a while. „Oh, I'm sorry. I totally forgot about that. You didn't have to," Caroline quickly answered ashamed. But Heidi just shrugged at her remark. „Make yourself comfortable, I'll get you tomorrow at 7:30 am." She turned around to leave the room but stopped in the doorframe, one hand laid on the wood. „Another word of advice," she started and looked smiling at the younger woman. „Don't wander around at night, you might get lost." Her lip twitched at the last part in her own dark amusement. Caroline furrowed her eyebrows but nodded at her words. She still wondered how someone could look like a goddess and speak like an angel.
After Heidi left the room, Caroline unpacked her luggage and glanced at her watch. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized that it was already 7 pm. She fumbled in her bag for her phone and quickly dialed John's number. She waited patiently but after a short while she only heard the mechanical voice of the voicemail. Disappointment filled her heart and she bit nervously on her lip. After a moment, she decided to write him a message, he was probably still at work.
Caroline changed into her pajamas and made herself comfortable in the large bed. This day was far too exhausting to stay up late and she had to be fit when she finally started to work tomorrow. With a small smile she closed her eyes and it didn't take her long to finally fall asleep.