Chapter 16: Chapter 16

~Akeyla’s POV~

It’s been more than a month since I was suspended from work and yet, my manager had not gotten back to me. I even called her to ask her when the suspension was going to be over and if I was still going to get paid for the month but do you know what that mean woman told me? She said they were still deciding and that she would get back to me when they have finished deciding. Finished deciding what? I understood that coming late was against the policy and I had been warned before but couldn’t she be more lenient? She even told me that she asked the CEO and he said I would not be paid until I am called back to work. Did that not mean that I was technically unemployed? Being on suspension without getting paid? How was I going to survive? It would be better if I start looking for job elsewhere. If I get employed elsewhere, my employment at my present company would be terminated but did that even matter? I had already applied to a few companies and I have an interview in some minutes.

I hadn’t been able to see Brenda for some days now. Her manager occupied her with so much work and refused to allow her leave her sight so she was not even at her house. Her manager said that the country was dangerous and if people found out that she was a celebrity, she could be in danger. Well, I couldn’t blame her, she was right.

The sound of my phone ringtone caught my attention and I turned to look at it on the bed. I reached for it and stared at the caller. Speaking of the devil.

“Hey Brenda.” I smiled.

“Keyla! I’m going to die!” She whined loudly from the other end of the phone. Oh, this girl, what has happened now?

“What is it now? What happened?”

“My manager has agreed to let me leave.” She said as she mimicked she was crying.

“Oh, she finally gave you your freedom?”

“Yes.” She prolonged the ‘yes’ while still whining.

“Then that’s great. Isn’t that what you wanted?” I asked wondering why she did not sound happy.

“She said I have to move around with bouncers or a guard.” She increased the sound of her whines.

Oh! Now I understand. The Brenda I know would definitely hate that.

I chuckled, “You should expect that, Brenda. You are a model remember? It doesn’t matter if you base in England, you still have fans here because this is your birthplace. It’s for your safety.”

“Safety or not, I don’t like it. She promised she wasn’t going to monitor me here and now she’s going back on her plans. I’m not the only celebrity in this country and it’s not as if I’m that large. I’m still an upcoming star.”

“Upcoming keh. Just because you don’t get as much offers as other celebrities makes you an upcoming? That’s not true. Would an upcoming celeb model for Careline Beauty Place, the second beauty collection company in England? You should be happy she’s letting you go to places you like. Not all celebrities have that opportunity.”`

She kept quiet for a moment and I knew that meant she agreed with me. “Yeah you are right.” She finally said and I smiled. “Well, I can only manage a guard though, just one.”

“That’s not bad.” I nodded.

“By the way, there is this party you and I are going to in two days time”

Oh great! Brenda and parties! This was why her manager was sending her guards before she would go and cause a scandal.

“Oh not again, I have vowed never to attend a party with you again.” I shook my head in disagreement.

“If you like, vow or even sow seed in the church, you are coming with me to this party, oh sorry…” She paused before she corrected. “It’s a club, not a party.”

“Wait, what? A club?”

“Yes Keyla, a beautiful club filled with men!” She exclaimed with excitement.

“No” I shook my head abruptly. “It will not work. I am not going to a club with you. I don’t want to end up in a lost and found place this time around.”

Brenda chuckled, “oh come on Keyla baby, I will not leave you alone there, alright? So you are coming with me, and that’s final. I have to go now before my manager will seize my phone. She says no phones on set!”

I sighed and smiled, “Alright, bye.”

“Bye pretty girl, love you, mmuah.” And the line went dead.

I shook my head and threw my phone back on the bed before I went back to what I was doing. I continued ruffling through my clothes hoping I would see something appropriate to wear for my interview which would be by 7:00am. It was already 6:20am so I had not more than 40mins to get dressed. I finally saw a blue suit and I took it out. I had worn this same suit for my interview at my present company. It could bring me good luck since I got employed the last time I wore it, right?

Few minutes later, I was done putting on the dress. I took my hand bag which contained my files and put on my shoes before I walked out of my room. I went over to my mom’s room to check on her and I saw that she was still sleeping. I guess I would have to call her later then. I quickly walked out of the room in a rush but was careful so she wouldn’t wake up. As I came outside of our house, I looked down at my wristwatch to check the time. It was now 6: 35 am; I only have 25mins left to get there. I quickly walked over to stop a taxi and luckily for me, I saw one on time. I entered into the taxi and headed straight to the company where the interview was taking place.

**********

~Third Person’s POV~

“Well, Miss Akeyla, your resume is great. Thank you for your application, we will get back to you.” One of the interviewers said with a smile on her face.

Akeyla smiled sadly and looked down at her fingers. She had gone to countless interviews and she knew what it meant when the interviewers said they would get back to you. It simply meant you are not who they want and would not get back to you, so do not bother waiting. She Sighed heavily and swallowed hard before she slowly got up to her feet. The applicant before her did not even do well as she did and they told her that she should wait behind. What could she do anyway? She did not have connections liked the applicant and only had her grades to speak for her, yet these people would willingly employ someone less intelligent than her because of her connections.

She slowly walked out of the interview room and started walking out of the building. As she reached outside the premises of the building, she walked over to stand by the road side. She was not going to stop. She would apply somewhere else until she got an employment.

*****

Meanwhile, Martins was driving past the same building and when he turned to the side to look through the glass of the car, his brows furrowed as he saw Akeyla who stood by the road side. He quickly brought the car to a stop.

“What is she doing here?” He muttered before he popped out his head from the glass of the car.

“Ella!” He called out with the thought that she was his daughter but Akeyla did not even glance at his direction. She was deep in thought, wondering what next she was going to do.

“Ella?” He called out again but still no answer.

He sighed and quickly stepped out of his car. He took a closer look at her to ensure he wasn’t mistaking before he walked over to where she was.

“What are you doing here?!” he asked in a loud voice with a frown on his face and that was only when Akeyla turned to him.

“Good afternoon Sir.” She greeted him. “Were you talking to me Sir?” She asked.

Martins narrowed his eyes in confusion. He did not understand why she was referring to him as ‘sir’

“Are you not supposed to be at the company?”

Akeyla stared at the strange man in confusion. She did not understand what she was talking about.

“I’m sorry sir but I don’t understand what you mean. Do you by any means know me?” She asked thinking he could be someone from her company who wasn’t aware that she had been suspended.

Martins grew more confused. “It’s okay with the games now Ella. If this is your way of hiding from Jayson, then I would say you are a great actress.” He smiled at her and grabbed her hand. “Come on now; let’s get you to the company.”

“Um Sir…” Akeyla quickly dragged her off. Was he mistaking her for someone else? Another person? At first it was that guy who mistook her for Elsa and now it’s Ella? “-I think you are mistaking me for someone else, I’m not Ella.”

Martins stared at her with a puzzled expression and then he burst into laughter. “Stop this joke Ella; you are making me look stupid.” He frowned.

Akeyla sighed, “You are mistaking me for someone else Sir, I don’t know you.” She started walking away but he grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

“Are you doing this because of the marriage?” Martins sighed. “It’s okay; let’s go to the company first. Jayson must be waiting for us already.”

“Sir…” Akeyla sighed again. She had no idea who this Jayson was nor had she seen this man before. How alike did she look with the person to get him confused like this? “My name is Akeyla, not Ella. I’m not the person you are mistaking me for. Now please excuse me sir, I have to go.” She started walking away again but Martins grabbed her wrist again.

She frowned at him. She was now becoming annoyed. It was already a stressful day for her as it is and he was making things more difficult.

“Sir please…” She sighed as she tried to keep calm. “Okay, why don’t you call this person to see if she would answer? That would clear the misunderstanding right?” She suggested.

Martins stared at her and moved his eyes down. The whole thing was confusing to him and it confused him the more when she suggested that.

He sighed and brought her his phone and dialed Ella’s number. She picked up on the second ring.

“Hello dad.”

Martin turned to Akeyla who was staring back at him and his eyes grew wide in shock.

“E… Ella? Where are you?” He asked further.

“Where else? At the same company you wouldn’t stop forcing me to go to. And guess what, the god damn forsaking fake fiancé of mine is not even here yet.”

Martins stared Akeyla in confusion and shock at the same time. If this girl standing in front of him was not his daughter, then who was she and why did she look exactly like his daughter?

Martins swallowed hard, “Alright, I just wanted to check if you are really there.” He said before he hung up.

“It’s clear now, right?” Akeyla said before she looked down at his hand on her wrist. “Can you let go of my hand now, sir?”

Martins’ eyes travelled down to his holding hers and he quickly let of her. “I’m… I’m sorry.” He apologized.

Akeyla smiled, “its fine. We all tend to have our own doppelganger; I guess I look slightly like your daughter. I will take my leave now.” She turned around and started walking away while martins remained there and watched her leave in confusion. She was more than doppelganger; she could be mistaken for his daughter’s twin.

XOXO