11 - application submission

Amina

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Two weeks had passed and it was finally time to submit my internship application. I had written my cover letter, updated my resume, and gotten the recommendation I needed from Professor Huggins to apply for the program.

Things had been going pretty well with Aaron and me so far. We've been hanging out more often and it felt nice. He was smooth with his words and had a way of making me always feel giggly.

I was excited as I made my way over to the Acme Corporation headquarters. There were many ways to submit the application, through mail, email, or in person. Professor Huggins recommended I do it in person if possible. This way I could ensure my application got in and had a chance of running into important decision makers.

I enter the corporate building in awe. It was so big and filled with people making their way to different destinations. I was dressed to fit the environment, wearing a cute button-up and slacks. I made my way to the front desk with an eager smile.

"Good morning." I said cheerfully as I greeted the woman.

She looks up at me with no expression on her face, "How can I help you?"

"I'm here to turn in an internship application for the business analytics program."

She lets out a sigh before typing into her computer. "Go to the 17th floor and turn it into the front desk there."

"Thank you so much."

She doesn't respond as I turn around and head toward the elevator. I got inside and several people followed after me. We were so close, shoulder to shoulder as we made our way up to the floors.

It was constant on and off until everyone got off at floor 15, finally leaving me alone. Just as the elevator is about to close a hand stops it, causing it to open again.

A tall man enters, wearing a well-cut Armani-tailored suit. He was tall and his presence was demanding, not to mention he was extremely handsome. The man was nowhere near my age, but definitely sugar daddy material. He was most likely over fifty, clearly shown by his gray beard and graying curly hair. His features were strong and his skin was dark.

"Going up right?" His deep voice asks suddenly.

"Yes sir."

He chuckles, "Only employees call me sir, and I don't believe you work here. What's your name?"

"Amina Bassey, sir." I instantly curse myself, "Sorry."

He laughs again, "No need for apologies. You must be here for one of the internship programs."

"Yes, I am."

He turns to me, "I'm Joseph, nice to meet you, Amina. I hope you get the position."

I smile at him, "Thank you! I hope so too Joseph." He chuckles again as the elevator finally arrives on the 17th floor. "We'll this is my stop, thank you again for the well wishes."

"Just be sure to ace your interview." He says with a wink.

I nod eagerly before making my way out of the elevator. I spot the front desk receptionist there and make my way toward her. She seemed happier than the one on the first floor.

"Can I help you?" She asks with a smile as I approach her.

"Yes, I'm turning in an internship application."

"Ah yes! I'll take that from you right now."

"Thank you! Is that all?"

She nods, "Yep I'll take over from here."

I nod before making my way back to the elevator. Well, that felt like a waste of time. I took an Uber across town just to turn in a form. I should've just mailed it in.

As the elevator made its way down, it stopped for several people, dropping them off on different floors before I finally made it to the lobby.

I made my way to the exit before running into a familiar face. "Dominic?" I ask in a surprised tone.

He looks up at me, surprise written on his face as well before masking it with his usual nonchalant expression. "You stalking me now?"

I scoff, "You wish. I was turning in an internship application." I looked him over and noticed how casually he was dressed for such a corporate setting. He looked good though, dressed in his usual t-shirt and Nike jogger sweats, a gold chain hanging from his neck."Why are you here?"

His expression changed again slightly, his jaw suddenly clenched. "Don't do your internship here." With no further comment, he proceeds to walk past me.

"Hey wait!" I follow behind him back into the building. "Why not?" I ask as I grab his arm.

He turns around to face me again, irritation written clear on his face. "Can't you do it somewhere else? Literally anywhere but here."

"Why? Are you going for the internship too? Can't take competition?" I tease.

"Something like that." He mumbles before continuing to walk off. He sure knew how to piss a girl off. I decided to ignore him, he couldn't tell me what to do. Especially with no good reason.

I made my way toward the exit, heading to the front of the building. I sigh as I pull out my phone, selecting an Uber to get me back to my apartment.

I clearly didn't think this through. It was getting closer to rush hour and the price of an Uber at the moment had gone through the roof, as well as the wait time.

As I'm scrolling and downloading various apps to give me options I hear a voice. "Come on I'll give you a ride back."

I look up and Dominic is beside me, not making eye contact. Without waiting for my response he pulls out his keys.

"You coming or what?" He calls behind him when he notices that I haven't followed.

I sigh, not having much of a choice as I follow behind him. "Why are you giving me a ride?" I ask as we walk down the sidewalk to his car.

He doesn't respond as he unlocks the car, not bothering to open the door for me as he gets in himself. I sigh again before opening the passenger side and taking a seat.

"Why were you in there? Were you also turning in an application? You were there for like 10 minutes tops."

He again keeps quiet as he pulls away from the curb and enters the busy street.

"Why aren't you answering any of my questions?" I ask again, making him sigh in annoyance.

"Why are you asking questions?" He retorts back.

"Because I'm confused! You confuse me!"

"What's so confusing? I'm trying to be nice!"

"Why? You said you hate me!"

He groans, "Amina if you want to walk home be my guest." He says unlocking the car door.

I gasped, "Maybe I will!" We were in standstill traffic on the street, making it okay for me to hop out of the car. So I did just that.

I open the door, get out of the car, and into direct traffic. I hear Dominic call my name as I walk toward the sidewalk and begin walking.

"I wasn't serious!" He calls out as I continue to walk. Traffic begins to move giving him the chance to get closer to me. "Get in the car right now."

I scoff, "I do not take orders from you."

"Amina." He warns sternly. Something about his tone of voice lit a flame under me, making me excited. I decided to ignore him and continue walking to see how far I could push him. "Fine." He calls out, rolling up his window in response.

"Fine!" I call back angrily. That was not supposed to be his response. What an asshole! I continue walking down the sidewalk before making it to a bus stop.

I take a seat on the bench next to an older woman. She smiles at me as I take the spot next to her, smiling at her back.

"Do you happen to know where this bus is going?" I ask her.

"This bus will take you down to the corner of Roscoe Boulevard."

I sighed, that was the opposite direction of where I was headed. "Do you know what bus will get me in the direction of North Hills?"

"Probably the 83, but that stop is all the way on the other side of here."

"Thank you for your help." I say before getting up.

"You're not going to walk are you?"

"I'll figure something out."

As I'm walking down the street a car pulls up next to me. The windows roll down revealing Dominic looking rather irritated. "Amina get in the car."

"I thought you said I should walk home."

"What happened to not listening to what I tell you?" He retorts back.

I sigh, tired of fighting.

"I just spent 30 minutes searching this city for you."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why didn't you just go home?" I ask.

He was silent, making me angry. But I decided to drop it.

The car ride was silent but we were still stuck in traffic making it even slower than it needed to be.

"So, you dating that guy still?" He asks suddenly after a while.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. Just making small talk."

"Not that it's any of your business but yes, I am still seeing him."

"Cool." He says nonchalantly.

It was silent again and I decided to reach for the radio to kill the awkwardness. Need to know by Doja Cat begins to play making me smile, but immediately Dominic turns it off.

I frown, "Why'd you do that?"

"I don't like Doja Cat."

I gasped, "How could you not? Her music is so fun."

"I just don't."

"Fine, then what do you like? All I ever hear you listening to is Future and Drake, you're a walking red flag."

He raises a brow, "A red flag?"

"Yes, being a Future fan is a red flag. It makes sense that you're one of them."

"I'm sure your little boyfriend is a Future fan too then. He can't even come to the door to get you, seems like a red flag to me."

"Shut up you don't even know him."

"Do you?" He retorts.

"Yes, I do."

He scoffs, "Right."

"Why am I getting the feeling that you don't like Aaron."

"So his name is Aaron. Red flag."

I roll my eyes, "Your jealousy is showing."

He raises his brow, "Jealous of what? I've already fûcked you."

My eyes widened in shock at what had just come out of his mouth. He looked at me in surprise too as if he didn't mean to say it.

"Amina I-"

I hold up my hand to stop him, "Save it."

The rest of the ride was silent after that. Dominic looked bothered like he wanted to say something and I was pissed. Finally, after another ten minutes, we made it back to the apartment. As soon as he parked the car I pushed the door open and got out immediately. "Amina wait!" He calls out.

I heard him following behind me but didn't care as I continued to walk through our apartment complex. As I make it up the stairs I'm greeted by Aaron in front of my door.

"Hey, I was just gonna surprise you." He says with a smile.

"Amina wait, I'm sorry for what I said." Dominic says as he appears behind me. Aaron's smile drops as his eyes move to Dominic.

"I didn't know you had company."

I shake my head, "He's my neighbor. He gave me a ride that's all."

"Yeah, you must be the honker. I'm Dominic." Dominic says.

"I know who you are." He says before turning his attention back to me. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to get dinner."

"Sure let me just get changed. Why don't you come in?"

"Gladly." He says, giving a brief glance at Dominic as I opened the door.

Before Dominic could even say anything I shut the door. I wasn't going to lie what he said really stung. It made me feel so used and dirty for some reason.

"Why didn't you tell me he was your neighbor?" Aaron asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I quirk my brow, "I didn't think I'd need to?"

"You made out with him at the back-to-school party."

"Okay and? I'm not making out with him now." I say with a chuckle.

"But he's giving you rides home?"

"Did you come here to argue with me? I thought we were going to eat. If we're not I've had a rough day as is and I'm going to bed." I begin making my way to my bedroom and he follows.

"What was he apologizing to you for?"

I hesitated, I couldn't tell him that I'd had sex with him. At least not now, we weren't even official therefore it's not his business. Right?

"He insulted me in the car, that's all. Can we go eat now?" I ask as I pull a jacket out of my closet.

Aaron sighs, "Fine. But this conversation isn't over."

"Yeah, whatever let's go."

-

Yikes, that wasn't nice Dominic...

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- AuggiePooh_