Chapter Four

On Monday afternoon, a couple of days after Anna Jones went for a job interview, Emily returns home with her boyfriend. They bring with them some groceries and essential stuff they will be needing for their out-of-town trip. 

Anna Jones is slouching on the sofa, doing nothing as usual since the day she was fired from her job. 

“You know what, Emily…” Anna shoots as soon as she sees Emily walking past the door. “... I think I should find another job. I haven’t heard anything from that company and I’m starting to assume it’s because I was not qualified for the job.” 

“Can you please calm down?” Emily laughs as she gently puts the grocery on the table. “My  friend told me that he’s gonna call regardless of whether you are hired or not. So, chill out, enjoy your remaining days of being unemployed, and eat some grapes because I bought you some.” 

Anna energetically  jumps out of the couch and walks to the kitchen counter. She serves  herself a bowlful of grapes and heads back to the couch. Nick gets in, lifting a box full of necessities. 

“Hey, girls. Does anyone here know who owns that red car parked outside? It arrived just as I left the garage. 

Emily and Anna stare at each other, wondering who that could be. 

“Don’t tell me it’s that rich-ass billionaire wanting to invite us over to his cocktail party again. Because mind you, people, I'm not going.” Anna releases a heavy breath. 

Meanwhile, Emily rushes outside to see what his boyfriend is talking about. When she gets there, a chauffeur gets out of the red car with a small envelope in his hands. He walks closer to the gate, just as soon as Emily opens it. 

“Is this the address of Ms. Anna Jones?” the chauffeur asks, prompting to hand the small envelope in his hand. 

Emily answers, “Yes, this is it. She’s actually inside. Do you want me to call her?” 

“No need for that, Ma’am. Just give the letter to him so that I can let my boss know she received it.” 

“Alright.” Emily hands the invitation from the man and smiles at him as soon as she gets it. 

“I’ll be back here in three hours to fetch her. I hope she’s ready when I arrive because the boss is strict when it comes to time. He’s got a busy schedule, so every minute is really valuable,” the chauffeur says. 

Back in the house, Emily is tempted to rip the letter open and read the message for herself. However, Anna arrives just as she is about to do so.  “Hey, there you are!” Emily tidies the envelope and hands it over to her friend. “I believe this is for you,” she says, “Open it! It has to be the company’s response to your application!” 

Emily could not contain her excitement. On the other hand, Anna is secretly feeling nervous. “Uhm, I think this one can wait,” she stutters. 

“No, Anna Jones. Open it now so we can both read it! I am so excited for you!”

Anna looks at her with slight disapproval on her face. Her fingers are quivering as they feel the smooth texture of the red envelope in her hands. She takes a final glance at her best friend before she opens the envelope. 

She tears the lid open, and pulls out a small card. It is a black-and-gold-colored card with words painted in white. Both of the girls read the message, and are instantly shocked by what it says. 

“Oh, my God, Anna Jones!” Emily faces Anna, amazed, awe-stricken, drawing an unexplainable face. “I think you are accepted!” 

Anna Jones raises both of her eyebrows. “How could you say that?” Anna looks at the letter for the second time. “All I see here is an invitation to a yacht dinner which I would obviously refuse to go because who am I to be invited for a yacht dinner, right?”

Emily counters, “You don’t get it, Anna.Haven’t you noticed? The color of the paper is the color of the logo of the company you applied for a job. If I’m getting this one right, the reason why you are invited over for a yacht party is because they want to formally inform you of your new job! Isn’t that amazing?” 

“How are you so sure of that? There’s not any signatures in here, not even the company name of SCENT REPUBLIC.” 

Noah Scott joins the conversation. “They don’t have to do that. SCENT REPUBLIC is so prestigious and so popular that just by the color of the logo itself you would already know it's their product.” 

“Oh? Then how come I have not heard of their product before?” Anna asks again, the envelope still in her hand. 

“That’s on you. It’s not my problem anymore,” Noah snorts as he grabs a loaf of bread from the table. 

“You know what, you’re going there to find it out.” Emily snatches the invitation from her best friend, holds her on both shoulders, and pushes her all the way to her room. 

“What are you doing?!” Anna confusedly asks. 

“We are going to find you the most perfect dress you could ever wear for that yacht party. Since you are going to meet up with the boss, we need to make sure you look presentable, classy, and, of course, beautiful,” Emily goes, gesturing some movements in the air. 

She checks the time on her phone. “We still have three more hours to prepare you. So, let’s start moving now because there’s no time to waste.” 

*****

Three hours later and the chauffeur finally arrives in front of the gate of Emily’s unit. The car honks, prompting Anna to hurriedly get out of her room. She’s wearing a white satin dress, embellished with silver beading, and a black belt wrapped around her waist. Before leaving the door, she consults Emily on how she looks. 

“Why are you looking at me like that? Is it that bad?” Anna asks, conscious of how she looked. 

On the other hand, Emily shakes her head, eyes not blinking. “No, Anna. Actually, you look so stunning. Like, oh my God, I’m going to be gay for you.”

Anna smiles, flustered. She doesn’t say any words. 

Noah Scott calls for the girls when he sees the chauffeur waiting outside. 

Emily says her final words before her best friend makes her departure. “Enjoy the dinner, okay? Remember, it’s going to be a once in a lifetime experience, so make the most out of it.” 

“Got it, Emily. Thank you.” Anna holds Emily’s hands, rubbing it gently as if a kind gesture of saying thank you. It lasts for the next five seconds, and after, Anna gets into the car, assisted by the chauffeur who’s now in a different set of uniform.