Page 2 of Billionaire Retreat

“So, it’s a resort and camp in one?”

“It’s more of a glamping experience. It’s for well-off individuals. We host a lot of private parties there. That sort of thing.”

I nodded as if I knew what glamping was, but I didn’t.

“Where are you from, young lady?” asked the older woman suddenly.

“Georgia.”

“Atlanta?” she asked hopefully.

“No. I’m from an area called Regions.”

“Never heard of it.”

“Most people haven’t.”

“It must be insignificant.”

Gosh, she was a piece of work! She made that comment in such a way, it was almost as if she were daring me to tell her differently.

I shrugged off her rudeness, “Maybe to some people it’s insignificant, but it’s home to me.”

The guy smiled so I gave him a tentative smile back.

“So, do you have any talents, Miss… I’m sorry—what’s your name again?” asked Richard.

“Nina. Nina Charles.”

“That’s different. We’ve met about 10 Kaitlyn’s today. Kaitlyn with a Y. Kaitlin with an I. Exhausting,” he said with a huge yawn.

“Well, my middle name is Katherine, so it’s close to Kaitlyn. But no, no hidden talents.”

“Why am I not surprised?” mumbled the woman.

The man shot her an annoyed glance.

The woman ignored him and said with a false, stiff smile, “Well, leave your resume and we’ll be in touch.”

I grimaced and the guy looked at me with pity in his eyes. “You don’t have a resume, do you?”

My shoulders sagged in defeat, but then I perked up when I remembered that I did have my portfolio at least.

With a smile, I walked towards him and he reached for it, but the old lady was quick. She beat him to it as she promptly snatched it out of my hands. “I’ll take that.” She didn’t even look at it. She just tossed it on the table, placed her elbows on it and folded her hands together.

“I think we’re done here. Aren’t we, Richard?” she asked coldly.

Richard sighed as he pushed his chair back, clearly frustrated with the old woman, and said, “We’ll be in touch, Ms. Charles.”

“Thank you,” I said softly, turning and heading out the door.

I heard the old woman scream, “Next!” as I made my way down the hall.

“Well, that went well,” I said to myself as I held back tears. That would have been my first official audition, IF I had actually been in the correct line.

I sighed as I searched for my car. Feeling dejected, I wandered around aimlessly, angry with myself for messing up the audition, getting angrier by the second as I realized I had completely forgotten where I left my car. I was such an airhead. Finally, I spotted it across the parking lot and I took a step off the walkway towards it. As I did, a car came barreling towards me and I screamed as the driver stepped on the brakes, but the car didn’t slow down. I continued screaming. My brain told me to get out of the way, but in my terror, my feet were glued in place. And just like that it was over. The car screeched to a halt just an inch from colliding with me.

I placed my hands on my heart and collapsed against a wall. My legs felt like wet noodles and they could barely hold me up. I slid down the wall and placed my head in my hands, trying to breathe.