Apprentice

He stood at the back of the room, seemingly unaffiliated of the boisterous crowd. Judging from my point of view, his side profile alone justified that he is one hell of an attractive man. His protruding nose, high cheekbones and prominent jawline already spoke volumes. His dark tousled hair contrasts with the expensive tailored suit he is wearing. From a distance, I couldn’t tell the colour of his eyes but imagine how mesmerising it would look if it was blue.

“Ruby, you’re drooling,” My thoughts suddenly became fuzzy when I refocused my attention towards my friends. Still fazed, my friend continued to speak, “You were ogling at him for—,” she paused, glancing at the watch on her wrist. “Approximately five minutes.” She continued. I blinked as I felt the heat creep up on my cheeks. I shook my head, trying to remove the image of his charming face in my head. “I’m not.” I choked. “You were!” She argued. “No— Yes, I was definitely staring but not five minutes!” I said. We remained silent for a while, listening to the clattering background. Looking over my shoulder to catch a glimpse, I found him face front in my direction, chatting to a much shorter man to his side. His appearance was much more bewitching than I anticipated. “Okay, that’s it, we’re taking you to him.” My friend said, but before I could insist, they were already dragging me towards him.

He looked up when he noticed we were nearing him. When his eyes met mine, I was surprised to see them as dark as ink and when I was in front of him, I recognised the flecks of gold and brown within them. They were like amber and onyx. I deduced that blue eyes might hold the depth of the ocean but brown eyes hold the magnitude of the black hole. It carried a weight too heavy for even the ocean to sweep away into its abyss.

“May I help you, ladies?” He asked, his voice boomed. It’s a voice to sink in as it wraps you up. He had that rich, silky tone. He speaks as if he controls the world, his experience seeping through. He would remind you of a stormy day. A nice one. “Oh fine young man, you don’t mind me asking for a favour do you?” My friend asked, keeping a tight grasp on my elbow. A small smile quietly slide into his plump lips, setting his drink aside and proceeded, “That depends on what you are asking for,” A light shines into her eyes and a grin perks up onto her mouth, “Well, I’m wondering if you can keep my friend, Ruby, accompany for tonight,” The man’s eyes flickers between her and I, it went for a while as if he’s debating in his head if he should trust us. Or thinking it might be some kind of a joke. When he glanced back at me, it lingered for a while.

Being under his glare felt like I was being closely watched by a hawk, a predator watching over its prey. I squirmed on my spot, a signal that I was uncomfortable. He looked away and murmurs, “It should be fine,” My friend smiles, ends reaching ear to ear, “It definitely should be. I promise she’d behave.” And before I knew it, I was left alone, standing awkwardly in front of him. His height towered over me, with his broad shoulders and seemingly menacing eyes intimidated me, preventing me from striking a casual conversation with him. ”Marco, I’m sorry to intervene, but my wife is calling me,” the short man, who he was conversing to earlier, tapped his shoulders and excused himself. Leaving me and him completely alone.

The awkward tension was crisp in the air and it made me wince. Numerous of starter lines dashed into my mind, it was overwhelming. When I finally decided to give up and excuse myself silently, he— Marco— set his drink down and faced towards me, “So what do you want to do?” He asked. Taken aback, he sounded like he was there to babysit, not to socialise and have fun. “It’s a party, what do you think?” I said. His face remained expressionless. “What do you want to do?” I asked him when he kept silent. He looked away, grabbing a bottle of champagne and refilling his glass. My eyebrows scrunched, confused as to why his mood was somehow different. Did he not like my company? I admit, I’m awful at conversations and terribly awkward at first, but once he’ll know me, he would not regret. Albeit, I’m not jumping to conclusions and assumes that he hates me, it just paranoids me that his expressions are unreadable. His aura, it felt like it dissolved into thin air.

“If you can excuse me,” I finally said, turning away from him. As I started to walk, a felt a soft grip on my arm. Looking back, I was surprised to see him cautiously close. “I apologise if I acted a little bit weird just minutes ago,” He started, but I immediately waved my hands in front of him to dismiss. “It’s okay,” I said. “No, it’s completely unforgivable. That was a jerk move and I didn’t mean to. I was just starstruck. I didn’t know what to do,” He said. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Starstruck? What was he on about?

When he saw my reaction, a wide smile flashed on his face. “It’s illegal for someone to be as gorgeous as you,” He said. My eye widen in shock. This Greek God just called me ‘gorgeous.’ “Now, don’t go anywhere because I don’t want anyone else to steal you. I am supposed to be your company tonight.” He added, snaking his arm around me.

...

I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it that night. It was, in fact, the best nights I have experienced. I’m sad to say I didn’t get the chance to ask for his number since he was dragged away by his colleagues. Although, I’m never going to see that beautiful face ever again. I want to give him the biggest thanks for making my night tolerable.

a few months later

“Ruby! You are not, I can’t emphasise this more, do not drop out of University!” My mother trailed behind me. I spun around, tears running down my face. I am mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted! I can’t do this anymore! “I am twenty-one! You can’t boss around me anymore, Mum! I love you and I get where you’re coming from, I know you want the best for me, but at the moment, it’s doing me no good!” I said, my voice strained. “Ruby, we pay £15,0000 every month! You can’t just drop out,” My mother argued. I let out a sigh and said, “Only if you have listened to me, maybe you could’ve not wasted a grand.” I stormed out of the room, car keys in hand and extra clothes.

I take turns in staying at my dorm and at home, besides my parents’ house is minutes away from the Univeristy and my dorm. But right now, I just want to go very far away.

“You’re mental, Ruby,” My friend, Tess, said whilst she shakes her head. I slumped on the couch, with worry in my eyes, “Are you not angry at me? Do you not hate me?” I asked. Tess looks up and immediately denies, “Darling, what makes you say that? Of course not! I want what’s best for you, even if that separates us,” She said, sitting next to me and engulfing me into a hug. “Thank you, Tess.” I murmured as tears pricked into my eyes. “So what are you going to do?” She asked after we pulled away. “I’m thinking of doing apprenticeship,” I murmured. “Yeah? Full-time?” She asked. I shook my head as an answer. “You know you’re going to have to study if you don’t take full-time,” Tess warned. I glanced at her sideways, “I know. But at least it’s like, 30% of the time whilst practical work is like 70%. Besides, I need to study it. I have never considered doing Business Administration before.” Tess nods her head as if I cleared the gloomy clouds out for her.

“Where is it though?” She asked. “Could be in Northampton, but if not, then I’ll take Brighton. It’s my last chance,” I answered, fumbling with my fingers. “You’ll do well, Ruby. Especially if you believe in it.” She reassured.

...

“This way, Ms. Jean.” My guide, Grace, lead me towards an office nearby for my interview. When I finally entered the room, I was shocked to see how spacious it was. It didn’t look like it would be this type of room from the outside, basing on the door alone. Tugging my skirt down as it keeps rising up on my thighs and dusting my shirt as if it would diminish the creases. I breathed out silently, trying to calm my nerves as I proceed to walk towards the table.

The clicking of my heels followed which increased my anxiety even more. Dismissing all the negativeness in my head, I finally reached in front of the interviewer’s desk and sat on the chair. I had time to mentally prepare as I wait for the interviewer to arrive, she seems to be running late today. I didn’t look around when I heard the door open. With good posture, I remained intact on my seat. “I really don’t like what position you put me in, Chelsea. You owe me one.” I heard the person speak.

But when I realised it wasn’t a female, my pulse started to pump, scared that I had entered the wrong room. I spun around to look at the man speaking, and to assure if I’m on the right place.

Only then I registered, that the man standing in front of me, was indeed the man I met a couple of months ago. The impeccable and winsome man that I never thought I would ever encounter again. When his irresistible eyes landed on mine, my heart almost jumped out of my chest and completely faint. However, I managed to stand up and mustered the courage to appropriately greet him. I doubt he remembered me, it was so long ago. “Hello, Sir. I’m just wondering if I’m at the right—,” “Ruby.” He firmly says. I stood on my spot, stunned at what he just said. It took me a while to process before he started speaking again, “Ruby, I— I didn’t expect you,” He paused and searched my face. “Are you here for the Apprenticeship interview?” He continued. I nod, unable to speak, worried that I’ll ramble.

“Well, you’re at the right place. Let’s get started with this shall we?” He said, clearing his throat as he walked towards his desk. As soon as I sat back to the seat, he said, “I’m glad to see you again, Ruby.”