Everyone seems to hold a bag before continuing the journey through the mall. If there is anything people buy the most, it is consumables, and things just below the latter.
Semi-consumable items. Whether out of necessity or just for the happy hormones, people buy them almost every time they visit the mall. It can even be once a week, or a month, but few can go without buying them at least once in three months, max. Unlike jewelries, where a year can go by with someone not buying it. For the company, it may not matter much, because in the end, they have their target, and even a single deal per customer in that time period is enough. But that means less meat for the sellers who must fight for customers.
So, quantity doesn't cut it, and neither quality, so a middle ground, it is.
I pull Emmie to the brand shop she has been drooling outside of, and not long later, we are sitting before a manager who is looking at us, intrigued. Actually, she is looking at me with a smile that is partly amused, but not in a mocking way. The interest in her smile guarantees so.
The store manager is a woman in her thirties, maybe in the middle of those years. She is dressed soberly, with her uniform a little loose around her curves rivaling Emmie. Or rather, Emmie rivals her, considering the age difference.
Anyway, the manager is good looking, and her make-up is meticulously done, with her lips not too red, only remarkable enough. Her hair is twisted in a bun, and she gives the impression that with nothing in the way, she just needs to lean forward to hook any male customer's attention with the cleavage that can appear at any moment.
She crosses one leg over the other.
"You asked for five minutes, girls. Though we don't hire minors, let me see how you will try to convince me."
I breathe in lightly, and try not to pay attention to the slight entertained look on the smiling eyes across from us.
"Manager Silina, my name is Max, and this is Emmie. We didn't come for a job, but for the experience, to get some extracurricular bonus for when we will try for university. We only ask for an internship, which will not be against the laws of labor, and if there will be a pay, you can pay us through commissions and bonuses, nothing else."
The manager now looks interested, though only mildly. She stops rotating her one, and shifts her legs slightly. Her eyes now shine with a more focused look. But beyond that, nothing. She is still not inclined to hire two minors yet, but I smile confidently. Confidence is something that must never be lacking when working to convince someone.
"Of course we didn't simply come to beg for help, and for time to be wasted on us. We can be assets. While we are young, we are not lacking in any way. If anything, I can say with confidence that we have what it takes in terms of beauty and appearance. And because we work out, train in self-defense and swim, we can guarantee that our ongoing puberty will not suddenly make us lose our shape. And apart from our attractiveness, the most important point is that I know how to sell, and Emmie can and is willing to learn. I won't boast that we can double the turnover of the store by ourselves, but I only ask you to give us one chance. Give us a two hours test today, and depending on our performance, make a decision."
I have to admit that I have not been this motivated when I dragged Emmie along to try in the other stores focusing on jewelries. I have been overly focused on taking a piece of the pie, to the point that the rejection we met with were firmer than walls, even if they remained polite. Mind reading is not mind control after all. And if it had been, I would have used it less readily that what I'm doing now.
I fight to keep my smile from deepening, because I don't want to appear arrogant and egocentric. But from the waves bleeding out of manager Silina's mind, I'm spotting our chance.
Manager Silina's smile shifts into a more genuine one, and she sizes Emmie and I up, more carefully this time.
Not to boast, but I would have fallen in love with myself in my past life. I'm not the dazzling type of surreal beauty, and not even Emmie is, but I have a classic one, with a slim figure, curves that are just right, like a model, and a newfound mature aura that adds steadiness to my temperament. Steadiness, not an undue superiority complex.
And Emmie is like a juvenile personification of seduction, with a figure to make hearts race. If not for her bright personality, her energetic temperament, and the simplicity she lives life with, almost simple-minded, but in a good, not stupid way, she would have been a menace poised to become a slut. She has that capi, but she would not have been a good friend material then.
So, all in all, after looking at us, Manager Silina thoughtfully considers my proposition, and nods.
"You have convinced me. I will give you a chance. Come with me."
I finally allow my smile to appear, and not only because I feel happy. The deal is certainly practically in the bag, but my smile also shows my appreciation for the opportunity. In other words, it is also to show Manager Silina how important the opportunity is for me that I can't control my emotions. It shows that I have been sincere with my words when I convinced her, instead of simply manipulating her and taking her agreement for granted. That shows that she has power over me, control, so she could be confident, ensured of her superiority. Thus, without a word, I have flattered the older woman.
Sigh… I shake my head inside. Interpersonal relationships can really be tiring.
I turn and share a more genuine smile with Emmie, one only she can spot the difference in, in the room, and together, we hurry after Manager Silina.