Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,33

Caroline questions.

Kami follows up with, “If Sid is getting some, do you really think he’s going to fire her?”

“I thought Sid was smarter than that,” I reflect.

Caroline shakes her head, “She has this thing about her. The guys all stop thinking with their big head when she’s around.”

“Damn, I wish she would share some of her mojo with me. Why do some people have so much sex appeal and some of us get none?” Kami laments.

Chapter 26 - Juliette

Coming back to the office in September after spending the weekend in Chicago at Savi’s wedding, my head still swims with Indian songs, colors, and smells. Rajive, who is normally very quiet and never speaks to me sees my hands all decorated in henna and politely asks, “Hita, have you been to a Mehendi?”

I hold up my hands with the intricate henna designs that are starting to fade. “Yes, my childhood friend was married this weekend. I was part of her Mehendi.”

With a surprised look he asks, “Was this a traditional marriage?”

With a chuckle I respond, “yes, very traditional.”

I pull out my phone and show him pictures from the Mehendi. All the female family and friends are singing and dancing as the artist decorates Savi’s hands and feet with henna to prepare her for the wedding. Then I show him pictures of the wedding ceremony, pointing out my mom and dad all dressed in traditional clothes.

Shaking his head he says, “I didn’t realize you were a traditional Indian.”

I’m sure my American nature has confused him. Though it does give me reason to pause, I still don’t want an arranged marriage. But after spending the weekend all sucked up into the tradition and ritual of my culture, I wonder what my marriage will eventually be like.

Surprises continue, I get an e-mail from Juliette asking me if they filled the position she applied for three months ago. When her contract at the bank ends at the end of the month she’s planning on moving back. Remembering our conversation in the spring, I wonder if Juliette has finally woken up to Stephan’s irritating qualities. I remembered her telling me she was either headed for marriage or if things didn’t work out, she’d be returning home. I never thought it would happen so fast.

When interviewing here she got a unanimous thumbs up from this group, though she eventually turned down the offer.

Afterwards, Roger asked me, “Who’d she choose instead of us?”

I told him, “Her grad school boyfriend who’s living in London.”

He chuckled then replied, “There wasn’t really a better job offer then.”

After Juliette declined the job we continued to haphazardly interview. Over the summer we gave out a few offer letters, but in this competitive job market the offers were rejected. We got two interns this summer, which helped to fill some of the holes. I know Roger has said a couple times we need to get focused on hiring more people, but then he gets pulled away to work on other tasks and doesn’t bring anyone in.

After going back and forth a few times with Juliette, she doesn’t fill me in on any details on what happened with Stephan. She does confirm that if we update her offer letter she’ll accept it.

Heading into Roger’s office I tell him, “I was contacted by Juliette. I guess she’s had her fair share of London and is headed back here. She asked me if her job is still available.”

Roger leans back in his chair, he gets a small smirk on his face, finally proclaiming, “I guess grad school boyfriend didn’t work out.”

Nodding my head, I’m surprised by that comment. Roger never says anything personal.

“Yeah, let me see what I can do.” He then turns back to his computer, his sign that the conversation is over.

I e-mail Juliette, “Roger’s working on it. I’ll keep you posted.”

Texting the rest of the princesses: Juliette’s heading home. Has anyone heard what went down in London?

I get a number of surprised texts. Only Isabelle has more information: She e-mailed me about signing up for soccer.

I text back: Any details on the breakup?

About five minutes later I get a phone call from Isabelle. It’s surprising since we never call each other. Answering with a friendly, “Hey”, I stand up and head over to the small room near me that has supplies, a printer, and a cold drink dispenser.

Isabelle’s voice echoes strangely, “I was about to send out a text when I got yours. What do you think is going on?”

“Where are you?” I ask