Chapter Six
Julianna was enrolled in the nearby Grace college into the undergraduate course majoring in finance and management. Sienna was at home before her MBA classes at the University of Austin started.
Julianna settled down at college. She made friends too. Her dad gave her his old car to drive to and from college. In the family no one mentioned Vincent and she didn't see him too. It was better that way.
After a week, suddenly her dad called her to his study in the evening. Julianna was perplexed. Did she do anything wrong?
She opened the door and went in. "Dad did you call me?" She asked.
"Yes, I was showing Leroy Martin your college certificate and he is impressed with your grades. He wants you to do your internship at his company, Martin Group Inc. It is a huge opportunity Julianna," said her dad.
"Yes dad. When do I join?" She asked her dad.
A small smile lightened up her dad's face,"I know you are having a tough time accepting the wedding. It was Leroy Martin who pushed it. He wanted Sienna for Vincent. I tried my best to make him choose you. But he didn't. I'm sorry, dear," said her father and she smiled through her tears.
"It's ok dad. I will join the company and work hard to make you proud," she said.
Her dad got up and gave her a light hug. "Thank you," he said.
Julianna went back to her room, her voice choked with tears. Her dad called her 'dear' and he actually tried to change Leroy Martin's mind and make him choose her. It was her fate that Vincent's dad chose Sienna. So it wasn't a love marriage? It was an arranged marriage. She swore that she would submerge herself in her work and never look at Vincent. He was her sister's fiancé.
She wiped her tears and sat down to do her homework. Maybe Sienna didn't like Vincent since she wasn't happy at all being engaged to Vincent. He never picked her up from home or university nor came home to meet his fiancé which was odd.
The day she had to join Martin Group Inc., her rickety car broke down. The office was a 30 minute drive from her house. How would she go?
Her dad asked Sienna for her car and she made quite a scene early in the morning. Julianna sat thinking why they never bonded with each other. What had she done?
Sienna's university was a 7 minute drive away yet she threw tantrums. "I can take a cab, dad," said Julianna but her dad was adamant. Ultimately Julianna went upstairs to get ready for college. When she came down, Sienna had left home angrily, leaving her car behind at her dad's insistence. Julianna didn't want to take her car but her dad wanted her to, so she left for college in it.
After college, she freshened up. She changed into a black pencil skirt and a pale beige blouse. She didn't want to look dressed up for her job. No one should think that she was out to impress Vincent. She fixed her hair in a high ponytail and picking up her handbag, left her home. Driving down to the office, she started nervously thinking what was in store for her. She just hoped that she met her department head only. She didn't want to meet Vincent.
She reached the huge glass cladded multi storey building located on an L-shaped site with a short street frontage. The independent office block was connected to the tall main tower in a U-shaped manner. It was the most striking building in the entire city of Austin. She parked her car in the underground parking area and took the elevator to reach the reception area.
The plush, modern decor was balanced with ample plants breaking the monotony. There were three receptionists handling the huge reception area. She approached one of them and mentioned her name.
"Please go to the 20th floor, Miss McCoy. The finance department head, Mr. James Dawson is waiting for you," said the receptionist with a pleasant smile on her face.
"Thanks," said Julianna as she rushed into the elevator and went up to the 20th floor.
The finance department was huge with many employees working in modern sophisticated cubicles. She went up to James Dawson's room and knocked. Hearing his distinct 'come in', she entered his chamber.
"Good afternoon sir, I'm Julianna McCoy. I'm here for my internship," she said.
"Yes, sit down. You will start from today. I've forwarded your papers to the higher authorities. Once they approve, we can sign them. In the meantime, Arthur Nelson, our Accounts Manager will guide you with the work," he said, as the door opened and a man walked inside.
He was around twenty-eight with black hair and jet black eyes. Immaculately dressed in a navy blue suit and a matching tie, he stared at her with a smile. "Arthur, this is Julianna McCoy. She's our new intern. Guide her with the work, please," said Mr Dawson.
"Yes sir. Come this way Miss McCoy," he said, leading her to an empty cubicle.
"This is yours," he said, as he started the computer and explained her work to her.
For the next four hours, Julianna dedicatedly sat at her computer and did what was asked of her. She was very focused, hardworking and dedicated. These were the qualities which made her excel in everything she did.
She had just completed her work when Mr Dawson approached her with a worried expression on his face. "Miss McCoy, there's something that the authorities need to discuss with you. You are being summoned right now. Come, I'll escort you," he said, worried that the pale young girl might get some sort of admonishment on her first day in an office.
Julianna's face fell. What did she do now? She quietly followed Mr Dawson out of the department and into the elevator. They went up to the twenty-third floor and he took her through the empty corridor that led to a huge room.
He pushed open a door and Julianna gasped at the huge grand office room. Tastefully decorated it had a large floor to ceiling window overlooking the entire skyline of the city.
"Thank you Mr Dawson. I need a word with Miss McCoy, alone," the sound of Vincent's voice brought her out of her daze and she looked at the man sitting behind the grand oak table.
"Oh ok, sir. I'll take your leave, then, " he said and left the room, clicking the door shut behind him.
They both looked at each other. Vincent got up from his seat and walked towards her. She stood composed, trying to ignore the effect he had on her. He wasn't her's anymore. She shouldn't show any weakness.
