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1.55% Finding the Lost Star / Chapter 1: The White Collar Strip Show

บท 1: The White Collar Strip Show

Today's the big day.

It's been a year since I moved in with my mother to get away from everything. And today, I have my first job interview. After talking to my best friend, I chose to wear a fitted grey suit with a white button-down and black pumps. I wear my hair down and put on just enough makeup to make my eyes pop. The position I'm applying for is to be a movie star's assistant, and I want them to know I'm taking the position seriously.

I was always taught fifteen minutes earlier is on time, on time is late, and late means you're fired. This especially applies to the entertainment industry. I planned to be there an hour in advance just in case something happens. Luckily there was nothing but traffic, so I have time to get some coffee. It doesn't give me energy, but it just feels right to drink every morning. There's a famous coffee shop across the street from the building where my interview is.

When I walk in, the atmosphere is warm and smells of fresh coffee and pastries. The barista is friendly and talks me into getting a croissant along with my latte. While I'm waiting, I see an attractive man walk in. About 6 feet tall with hair dark as onyx, broad shoulders, and gorgeous big dark brown eyes. He gives the baristas a warm smile, and they start making his drink without him ordering. Must be a regular here. After I grab my latte, I turn to leave and bump into a hard body. Coffee is spilt all over me, and you can see through my shirt!

I don't hear him as he apologizes profusely. Tears fill my eyes as I think of what just happened. I think to myself.

"What am I going to do? I don't have time to go home and change. I can't show up to my interview like this. Think, Astra, think!"

Right as I'm about to give up, I hear a smooth baritone say ...

"Hey it's going to be ok."

I look up at the person who bumped into me, and it's the regular, looking at me with kind eyes.

"Are you ok?"

I look him up and down and realize not a drop of coffee got on him. The best part is he's wearing a white button-down.

"Yes this could work," I think to myself. There's still hope after all. "Give me your shirt," I tell him as I start unbuttoning it.

"Excuse me?" he exclaims.

"I said give me your shirt."

"You can't just take someone's shirt."

"Listen here, I have fifteen minutes until I have to be at the first job interview I've had in over a year, and I can't blow it! I desperately need this job, and I don't have time to go home and change. So please, I'm begging you please give me your shirt."

"Fine," he says in an exasperated voice.

"Really?"

"But at least let me go to the bathroom. I don't want to strip in front of all these people."

I look down and realize half of his body is exposed. We both turn away from each other, our faces becoming redder by the second. After he comes out of the bathroom, he's wearing a jacket but since it's a suit you can still see part of his sinewy body.

"Let me see your hand," I say as I grab a black marker from my purse.

"What more do you want? I already gave you the shirt off my back. Literally."

"I asked for your hand, not your hand in marriage," I say as I take his hand.

After writing down my name and my number, I take the shirt from him.

"Thank you so much! I really appreciate this. Call me, and I'll bring you your shirt back, I promise!" Looking down at his hand, he sees what I've written down.

"Astra Cyrene, huh. You have given me the strangest morning I've ever had."

While he's thinking to himself, his manager walks up to him.

"I have to say, Will, that's got to be a new record for how fast a girl has tried to take your clothes off."

"Oh shut up, Keller," He says as he grabs his coffee.

"Wouldn't it be funny though. If the interview she was going to is to be your assistant?" his manager asked.

"What are the odds of that actually happening? Let's go or we'll be late."

Standing in the bathroom mirror while touching up my makeup one last time, doubts are racing through my head.

"What if they notice something's wrong with my outfit? What if they notice something's wrong with me? What if I'm not good enough for this job?"

I look at myself in the mirror and tell myself.

"Remember what your therapist said. You are beautiful, you are strong, and you are worthy. You've got this". I whisper to myself. Straightening my outfit one last time, I leave the bathroom with my head held high.

Walking across the street, I reach a modern skyscraper that reads Callista Talent Agency. As I look up, I take a deep breath one last time, and say to myself "You've got this! Believe in yourself." When I get to the door, I see a stylishly dressed woman behind me. I open it for her, but suddenly she stops and hands me her coat.

"Be careful when you hang that up. It cost more than a year of your salary. While you're at it go and get me a large quad skinny mocha macchiato, upside down, extra hot, extra drizzle."

I try to tell her I don't work here yet, but it's to no avail she just walks off. Standing there, puzzled, I think to myself, "How odd."

I go to the receptionist and give him a warm smile and hand him the coat.

"Hello. I'm here for an interview for the assistant's position."

"Great! Just so you know, there are a few forms to fill out. You can take a seat and fill them out over there and bring them back to me when you're done! My name's Dillon, let me know if you need anything!"

I thank him and take a seat. As I fill out the forms, I notice there's a non-disclosure agreement for the interview. I bring the forms back and ask Dillon about it.

He looks around and whispers, "One of the stars is going to be present during the interview. He wants to personally pick out his assistant, but don't tell anyone."

I give him the zipped lips sign and go back to the sitting area. I take a moment to check out my surroundings. Everything about the building has a contemporary style from the architecture to the furnishings. Everything is either black, white, or silver. The only exception being some plants that give it a pop of green. I wonder how they keep it so clean?

Looking at the people next to me, they seem so posh. I wonder if I'm qualified or worthy of being here. I take a deep breath and straighten my back as I think to myself "Even if you don't get chosen it's a step in the right direction. You've got this!"

"Astra Briana Cyrene," I hear someone call out.

As I walk past Dillon, he winks at me and whispers, "Good luck."

I give him a wink and grin to myself. I think we could be good friends if given a chance.

"They're just beyond this door. Good luck!" I thank the woman and brace myself to walk in. I put on my most charming smile and walk in the room.

"Welcome to Callista Talent Agency. Thank you for coming today. I'm Keller Ellis, it's nice to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you," I say while giving him a warm smile. I hear the door behind me open.

"Sorry I'm late, I had to change into my spare clothes."

I turn around to greet the person, and the colour drains from my face. It's the hot guy from the coffee shop. Keller barely chokes back a laugh.

"William Wang, allow me to introduce you to Astra Briana Cyrene. She'll be interviewing to be your assistant," a wicked grin develops on William's face. He holds out his hand with my number on it.

"It's a pleasure," he says slowly. Like he's savouring a fine wine.

I take his hand and tell him, "The pleasure is all mine."

"Have a seat and we'll get started."


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StarrSwan StarrSwan

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บท 2: The Interview

We sit across from each other on some comfortable white leather couches. Between us is a clear glass coffee table with jade pothos on it. I'm offered a glass of water, but I don't want to put anyone out, so I decline. Keller is taking some time to read over my paperwork. While he does this, William takes the time to look me over. He smiles at me like he's the cat who ate the canary. I have a feeling this is not going to end well.

"No need to be nervous, we're really nice people," Keller says with a kind smile.

"Of course we are. I would give the shirt off my back to a stranger," William says, looking amused.

I look down with a blush on my face. They start to take turns, asking me questions.

"So tell us about yourself," Keller says, signalling the start of the interview.

"Well, I'm a 23 year old Texas girl who moved to California for a fresh start. I love music, working with animals, and helping others."

"What work or life experiences do you have that would help you in being my assistant?"

"I have done various types of work from working in an office as an assistant to volunteering at a vet office. In both situations I had to be on my toes and prepared for anything."

"You seem really passionate about animals. Why aren't you applying for a job in that field instead of entertainment?"

"I was originally studying animal science in college. However, I had to drop out in my first semester. I hope to eventually go back to study veterinary medicine, but for now I would like to find a steady job and save some money before I consider going back to school."

"Why did you drop out of college?"

"Personal reasons," losing confidence as I say it.

"How do you work under pressure?" William asks, seeming to take over the interview.

"I handle pressure pretty well. I believe situations that have a lot of pressure should be approached with a calm and patient attitude."

"If you were to become my assistant, you would encounter a lot of famous people. How will you act when you meet someone you're a fan of?"

"I believe that at the end of the day we're all human beings. I will treat them as I would any other colleague."

"How many pennies would you have to stack to reach the height of the Empire State building?" William abruptly asks.

"I'm sorry?" I say puzzled by the question.

He crosses his arms and repeats the question, clearly enjoying the moment.

"To be honest I don't know however, I can find out."

"What are you going to do if I need that information at the spur of the moment, and you don't know the answer?"

"I'll look it up."

"How?"

"I'll google it".

"You'll google it?"

"Yes. The internet holds a wealth of information, and thanks to technology it's at the tips of our fingers."

"I see," he says to himself. Then he looks me in the eye and starts to ask me questions in a rapid-fire manner.

"Describe yourself in one word."

"Compassionate."

"What would you do if you won 5 million dollars tomorrow?"

"I would use it to go back to school, donate a large amount, and invest the rest so it can grow."

"According to your resume you have been out of work for over a year. Why is that?"

"I had some personal things I needed to take time to work on in my life."

"When is a door not a door?"

"When it's ajar."

"If you met a genie and he were to grant you three wishes, what would they be and why?"

"I wouldn't make any wishes. When it comes to the djinn every wish comes with a price, and that is not a risk I'm willing to take. If I see a genie, I would walk the other way."

"Let's say you have an important event, and someone spills something all over you and you don't have time to change. What would you do?"

Keller chokes as he takes a sip of water. I try to remain calm, but I can feel myself blushing.

"I would go to the store and buy another outfit," I say rationally.

"Yes, but there's no stores there and you don't have a spare change of clothes with you. What would you do then?"

"I would ask the person who spilled their drink on me to help me out."

"Why? It was an accident that they bumped into you."

"Because it's their fault they weren't paying attention to their surroundings. It's their fault they spilled their drink all over me and ruined my outfit. They caused the problem. The least they can do is help me find a solution," I say trying to cool the flames I feel rising in me. It's not worth it.

"How do you know that he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings?"

"How do you know he wasn't?"

"I think I'd know what my surroundings are at all times," he says, sounding frustrated.

"But Mr. Wang, I thought this was a hypothetical situation." I say with a smile bigger than the Cheshire cats.

"I-I y-you it is!!!!" he stammers as he jumps out of his seat.

"Ok! I think that's all we have for you today," Keller says in a hurried voice.

"But Keller, we forgot to ask Ms. Cyrene the most important question. Why do you want to work here?"

I take a deep breath and consider the question for a moment.

"Callista Talent Agency is known to be one of the most reputable and fairest agencies in the world. They treat their employees as people and not money-making machines. They take care of their own. When I was younger and wanted to be a singer, this was the agency I dreamed would choose me one day. If you hire me to be your assistant, I will be the hardest worker you will have ever hired. I've never assisted anyone in the entertainment industry. But if you do hire me, I will learn as much as I can so I can become the best assistant you've ever had."

"Thank you for your time today, we'll call you back after we've made a decision."

"Thank you for having me, Mr. Ellis,'' I say as I shake his hand.

I turn to William and stretch out my hand.

"Thank you for your time today Mr. Wang. I look forward to hearing from you."

"No, thank you," he says as he shakes my hand.

I turn around and look one last time as the door closes and see William looking out the window with a pensive look on his face. I can feel myself shaking as I realize I've probably just blown the job interview. "Congratulations Astra. You may have won the battle, but you lost the war. I hope it was worth it." As I walk towards the lobby wrapped in my own thoughts, I suddenly hear a commotion. I look over and cannot believe my eyes.


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StarrSwan StarrSwan

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