To distract myself at night from thinking about my failed relationship, I go to the net and try digging for information about Elsa Miles and the Miles House. There are more stories about her business ventures than her personal life. Anyways what did I expect. I'm not surprised that there is nothing much about her as I expected surface information about her. I started hearing about this woman when I was still in high school. At that time, she was still young.
It is quite unbelievable seeing all her numerous success at such rate, more so that she's a woman. We've seen different women hitting the ladder of success, but her journey is quite different from the others. She became enormously rich at a high rate. And surprisingly I can't find the people behind her success. The biggest stories about her are those of her announcement of separating with her family. I check through all her business ventures. I wonder why she has taken a lot of effort to penetrate into different sectors. I actually didn't know about some of her businesses.
By mid day, I am done going through most of the articles. They just need to be approved by Teddy. I don't know how many times I have checked at the wall clock since morning. I take the articles to Teddy.
" You should already be going to the Miles House," Teddy says.
" It is where am heading right now. I wouldn't want to appear as bad as time," I reply nonchalantly.
I stand in front of the Miles House and take a deep breath. I have been here before and if I'm not mistaken, three times. But that was as a news personnel and I never took time in observing the large place. All the main headquarters of the many companies under the Miles Group of Companies and some of their business associates is on this glass walled building. The irony of it all is that am here to talk to the owner of all this.
Everyone inside the building is very busy that I wonder if anyone has noticed me enter. They've not seen, or if they have, they really do not care. It's then that I remember that thousands come in and leave this place. I go to the reception and the blonde seated at the desk scrutinizes my face before asking for my initials.
" Carloy James," I say politely," for Miss Miles."
She raises her brows at me when I mention Miss Miles. I cannot quite fathom her expression but I can tell she's not used to hearing her boss's name said like that. She checks her computer and when she looks back at me, her face is more hospitable.
"Carloy James is expected. Just wait a minute.," she says, making a call.
What surprises me is that in a short period I stand there, I see many people moving in and out, none minding about anything but focused on their intention. A guy, almost my age , in a similar corporate suit like the receptionist comes to where am standing. He says something to the lady at the reception that I don't get before requesting me to follow him. He shows me to the elevator and directs me to the big office in the building.
Miss Miles' office is at the top most floor and as I stand inside the elevator I keep wondering what she will tell me on our first meeting. I have never met her before and I can't explain what I feel at the moment. The doors open, exposing me to a large lobby . I check my watch and it is ten minutes past one. The walls here are white and I can tell from the appearance that the furniture is expensive. Anyways could I expect cheap items in one of the most expensive buildings in the country?
I walk to the lady seated behind the wall desk in front of what I now know is Miss Miles' office. It is the only one on this entire floor which is a bit surprising. I guess this beautiful woman is Miles' secretary. She's a joyous one and very hospitable. I am not surprised that she already knows me.
" You must be Mr James, right," she says happily.
" Yes, I am here for...," I pause, uncertain of what to call Elsa Miles . Luckily she seems to understand my situation.
" She's still in a meeting. You'll wait shortly over there," she says, directing me to the lounge. I sit comfortably in the sofa and am glad it is not directly opposite the door of the office.
The secretary, as I decided to call her, asks me if I would care for a snack. I decline her offer, insisting that am sorted. Five minutes later, the doors of The office open and a young man clad in an expensive suit gets out. He's holding a file and tablet in his hands. He gives the file to the woman at the desk and exchange a few words. He then turns his attention to me.
" It's nice meeting you Mr James," the guy says politely.
" It's my pleasure," I reply.
" Lady Miles' meeting is done. I hope you didn't mind the short waiting," he says.
" Of course not," I lie, wondering if anyone would call a twenty minutes wait a short wait.
So Elsa Miles is referred to as Lady here. What a title, but it suits her. He asks if Jane gave me anything to eat and I look at the woman behind the desk. Jane is her name; and now I wonder what this guy's name is. I get a feeling that I would get to know his name before I leave this place. I feel like a spy here. Before I can answer him, the door opens and five men match out and this guy walks them to the elevators.
I observe them to check if I recognize any of them. Am certain they are prominent and I manage to see the Director of the Film Industry. I don't ponder much about what their meeting was as my subconscious reminds that my time for meeting with Elsa Miles has finally reached. I can't tell if am nervous or excited. Jane tells me that it's my turn to enter the office. The door is barely closed and after a short knock, I swing it open.
Elsa Miles is on a phone call when I enter her office. She does not turn to look at me but remains on her call. I guess the call she's making is too important to be disrupted as she's certain that am here or probably she's just unfriendly to show some bit of hospitality. Whatever the reason, I remind myself that am an inferior in front of this woman and I am here to get a job from her, so I should bear with every single attitude of hers.
She's facing the city through the glass wall and she's speaking in a stern voice. Her black hair is neat and falls back in an elegant way. She's putting on a royal blue knee- long dress with a brown jacket, as expected she's in high heels. I can't tell the brand but am certain they are expensive. Why am I observing her? I really lack a reason and I decide to look around the office, she turns around still on phone.
She looks at me shortly, raising her middle left finger as signal that I some time to end her call. I mind in the least and my eyes speculate her office. It is an unusually large office containing a variety of things. On the left is the board room and I count twelve seats on both sides of the long table. The right seems to be her personal resting lounge having a sofa bed, a coffee table, freezer and two single leather seaters. Her office seems to be right in front of me. Just like outside, the walls here are white in color and I can't see a single spark of dust here.
" Do you like the setting?"
I am stopped out of my observation by her question. I turn around and have a direct face to face with the famous iron lady, the woman of all times, the one and only Elsa Miles. She's smiling genuinely at me and with contempt. For a moment, I lose my voice . What should I say to This great woman? She seems to realize my situation and she speaks.
" Carloy James, author and Assistant Chief Editor of the National Publishing House. It is nice to meet you.," she says, offering a handshake which I receive with so much humility and pride.
She just said it was nice meeting me, shouldn't it be the other way round?
" It's my pleasure being in the office of the famous, well known great woman, Elsa Miles," I reply trying to copy her choice of mentioning my titles in a way that so much flatters.