It was 4am on this cold winters morning in Johannesburg and Sarah was on her way to work.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
She had beautiful black hair, blue-grey eyes and a body that begged to be touched.
'Today will be my day.'
Sarah smoothed down her mini skirt one last time and reached for her red sole stilettos. These were her go-to power shoes. They screamed for attention and yet, they demanded respect.
After a quick cup of coffee Sarah slowly walked out of her apartment and meticulously locked her front door. She had a great fear that someone might break in and she wouldd not be able to handle that.
Sarah looked at her watch, only to realise that it is only 6:25am. She had ample time to reach the offices in Houghton.
'I have to nail this interview. This job will have me playing with the big dogs in no time.'
With this thought running around in her mind, Sarah got into her Datsun Go and started the engine. She slowly backed out of her parking spot and swerved when a big Ford nearly drove over her little car.
' Can't you look where you are going!? ' Sarah screamed out her window into the direction that the Ford left. He didn't even spare her a second glance.
Sarah joined the traffic as she came out of the parking garage below their apartments. She was a hot mess at this point. Angry at herself for being weak. But even worse, she was mad for not being more assertive and demanding.
'A Pushover...' Sarah Said into the silence of the car. ' I will show you domineering and powerful. Just you wait and see.'
Sarah laughed when she said these words aloud and she glanced around to see Priscilla and Reaana looking at her with amusement on their faces.
Priscilla was the flower vendor on the corner next to her apartment block. Reaana was Priscilla' s beautiful daughter.
Sarah and Priscilla get along very well. She has seen 90% of what Sarah has gone through. She is a true friend and the only confidant That Sarah has.
As she drove to the interview she was talking to herself. Motivated to get this job. She worked and studied for 7 long years to become a graphic designer and architect. All she needed now was a foot in the door. When she received the invitation to the interview yesterday she was very excited and happy. So happy that she almost sped into a wall because she was not concentrating.
Nailing this interview and getting a job at JBL Construction would be her dream come true.
'I know this interview is for a junior graphic designer, but I will show them how good I am. I will be designing houses in no time.' Sarah said as she pulled into the huge parking space. This office block was ginormous. It stood 35 floors high and was absolutely gorgeous. The glass facade was intriguing as it held promise of a new future for her.
She quickly re-applied her make-up, fixed her hair and got out of her tiny car. She straightened her skirt and she was ready to go.
'I must not forget my portfolio,' Sarah thought and grabbed it from the boot of her car. With that she was ready to go.
It was exactly 07:15 when she walked through the massive revolving doors into the building that housed JBL Construction's offices.
She was greeted by a friendly security guard. Her name tag read Lucy.
'Good morning ma' am, ' Lucy greeted.' where are you headed today? '
' I am Sarah Johnstone, here for an interview with Mr Derek Roux. '
Lucy smiled softly and told Sarah where to go.
Sarah chose to use the elevator as she needed to go to floor 29. There was no way that she was climbing that many stairs.
When the elevator dinged open on the 29th floor, Sarah got out and stood completely gobsmacked for a second. She was surrounded by the most beautiful mock-ups of houses, buildings and bridges that she had ever seen.
She stood there for what felt like forever.
A loud voice boomed her from her awe.
'Good morning MS Johnstone.. If you are done staring, can we get on with the interview. I don't have all day.'
Sarah looked up, into the unforgiving eyes of Derek Roux. Chief Operating Executive of JBL Construction and she was mortified.