Page 3 of My Ruthless Neighbor

I may not have a degree to work, but I can do temporary work until I can find something else. I have worked as a receptionist before. Right now, anything would do. Any gig. I am desperate.

I had heard Raleigh saying there was a vacancy here. I didn’t pry for information from him and decided to come here myself.

To try my luck.

I hope to God I don’t cross paths with Raleigh. I know he would’ve arranged something if I had just gone to him directly. But I don’t want that. I don’t need favors. I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship. I will tell him everything later this evening.Ifhe is free, that is. He has been crazy busy with a new project.

I square my shoulders, flick my hair back and take a long breath.You are going to go in there like you fucking own this building, Summer. You’ve got this. Confidence is the key to success.

I stride toward the building. One step before the other, a small smile flirting my lips.

A young doorman dressed in black scurries forward and opens the glass door for me.

“Thank you.” I grin.

A huge smile breaks across his face. When he keeps staring, I shake my head and step inside. See? That guy seemed to have no problem with my bright-colored outfit.

As soon as I look up, I stop mid-step. Taking off my yellow shades, I hook them on my top. I gawk at the surroundings.

The luxurious lobby of the building makes me feel like I am in a five-star hotel rather than an advertising agency.

The curved glass building is designed in such a way that it provides natural light from two sides of the space. I turn to my right and my eyes widen. A whole wall looks like a gigantic TV. I have read about the interactive LED walls that can react to people moving through the hallways but it’s my first time seeing one in person.

The logo of KIM Advertising flashes on the screen. The letters turn into colorful threads when someone passes by the wall. Ohmygod! So many colors!

Before I know it, my feet are carrying me toward the wall. I want to walk by the wall and watch the logo bloom into thousands of colors!

Is it childish? Yeah, it is. But you only live once, right?

My boots click on the marble floor as I sprint in the direction of the huge screens. The front desk people and a few of the employees stare my way but I ignore them. I am not sure if I would ever work here. This might be my only chance to watch this beautiful thing in action up close.

As I near the wall, the entire LED lights up with some female model’s face. Oh, it is an advertisement for some makeup line.

Tentatively, I bring my hand up and wave at the screen. Nothing happens. It is still playing the same advertisement. My brows snap together. I raise my other hand too, hoping the sensors could pick up my actions.

“Come on, show me the colors.”Please. In this intimidating-looking place, the only thing that calmed me a little was the colors displayed here.

Some might say I have an obsession with colors. But I don’t care. I believe if doing something soothes your soul, you should do it and be unapologetic about it. Well… not if it is something illegal!

I make a last-ditch effort by walking side to side to bring back the threads on the interactive wall.

When the same video starts playing again, my shoulders slump. I stand there for a few more seconds then heave a sigh of disappointment.

I swivel on my heels and start walking.

I should probably ask someone for directions. Because I am lost. This place is so huge.

Maybe this was a bad idea. The disappearance of the colorful threads from the interactive wall could be an omen. But I can’t just leave. I have to pay the rent. I also spent the money on gas that I won’t get back. So I might as well try my luck.

Landing a job doesn’t mean instant money but I could try to convince Mrs. Bowers for an extension.

I look over my shoulder at the wall one last time and gasp. Colors! At the sight of them, I turn again. A lady interrupts my view. I crane my neck to the side. One more person walks past me. Were there really these many people around here?

Worried I might miss the opportunity to watch them closely again, I start toward it. Pushing through the group of people dressed in suits, I make my way to my destination, my eyes never leaving the 3D threads.

In my haste, I totally ignore the shadow that falls over me and I regret it instantly as I collide with a hard body. I cry out in surprise when I stumble.

The suit I collided with has an amazing reflex. He tactfully swings with momentum to avoid falling himself. He breaks my fall by dipping me low as if we were dancing.

---