The Wife of the King's Pay

Chapter 9 Second Selection (Part 2)

In the second stage, Cleantha got a turn to choose clothes first. Together with four other girls, he was led into an open room with vinyl floors.

Inside the room, there was a row of dresses neatly displayed.

"Please take one shirt. Once you make a choice, you cannot replace it with another. Your time is only fifteen minutes" said Ms. Siska giving her instructions.

Cleantha let the other girls advance ahead of her. After all, the dress provided by the committee was quite a lot, so she would not run out of stock.

It was Cleantha's nature to be reluctant to scramble with others. If the situation urges him to fight for something, he will choose to withdraw and become the party that relented.

From a distance, Cleantha saw the girls were busy choosing dresses. They seem to race for the best dress in order to outperform other participants.

Miranda, her roommate, had even gotten a black sequined dress with a low breastplate.

"Miss Cleantha, why not pick a dress? Time is running out" asked Miss Siska to Cleantha's surprise.

"Yes, Mom. I'll be there."

Due to the insistence of Miss Siska, Cleantha came forward.

Although there were many options before her, Cleantha's eyes were instantly fixed on one cream-colored dress. Knee-length dress was made of brucat material with a straight model without hemispheres.

"Clea, are you sure you chose this dress? The model is more suitable for SMU children than adult women" Miranda half-whispered.

Cleantha just smiled at Miranda's opinion. But his stance remains unmoved.

"Miss, your time is over. Now you can go back to the room to save the dress you chose. After that you go to the kitchen."

The girls headed to their rooms.

Inside the room, Cleantha carefully kept the dress she was about to wear in the closet.

"Clea, can you help me cook? I really can't do it," Miranda's plea looked desperate.

"Mira, Miss Siska says we have to cook alone. Can't help anyone else. If caught helped, it will be disqualified."

"Oh yeah, I'll fight on my own. What my cooking will look like, I don't care. If you have to lose it is also not a problem" said Miranda combing hair with her fingers.

...****************...

Ms. Siska walked back and forth watching closely the participants who were still cooking.

He shook his head to see some of the girl was clumsy and confused when it came to handling kitchen work. It is certain that they are a group of spoiled girls who will not be chosen by Zevira Adhiyaksa.

Unlike the one girl who is so deftly processing her cooking. Who else if not Cleantha.

His experience as an ash scoop at home, turned out to be quite useful for this competition. Cleantha had been used to preparing various types of food, although it was not as expensive a menu as the one she had made this time.

"Mom, I'm done" said Cleantha, showing her salmon steak.

Before giving an answer, Ms. Siska's eyes swept over the contents of the plate Cleantha was serving. Unexpectedly the most quiet girl had a talent buried in her.

"Good work, Miss Cleantha," praised Bu Siska in awe.

"Sita, please take Miss Cleantha to the dining room to serve this dish. Then he can have lunch with the other participants."

"Okay, ma'am," the waiter replied obediently.

"Miss Cleantha finished lunch, just go back to the room. Miss has to take a shower and get ready to wear the dress Mrs Zevira gave her. Please wait for your turn to be called."

"Yes, Mom, thank you."

Cleantha did everything Miss Siska said.

He sat quietly on the edge of the bed. Cleantha's blood flow rippled faster, as she waited to meet Zevira Adhiyaksa, her future employer.

"I must have been called last. My cooking is a mess. Once tasted it, Madam Zevira would probably kick me from here," muttered Miranda resignedly.

"Just calm down, Mira. It won't be that bad" said Cleantha, raising her new friend's heart.

The knock on the door made Cleantha and Miranda stand up from her seat.

"Let me open the door, Clea," said Miranda grabbing the door handle.

A servant was already standing in the doorway. He watched Miranda's face while squinting.

"Are you Miss Cleantha?"

"No, Ma'am. I'm Miranda" Miranda replied casually.

"Sorry, I'm looking for Miss Cleantha."

Hearing her name being called, Cleantha rushed to meet the maid.

"Now it is your turn to be called by Lady Zevira. Come with me" said the waiter, looking hasty.

Before coming out of the room, Cleantha said goodbye to Miranda.

"Mira, I'm ahead."

"Good luck, Clea," said Miranda brandishing her thumb to support Cleantha.

...****************...

The ringing sound of the opened door added to the tension on Cleantha's face.

"Please come in, Miss Cleantha. Mrs Zevira was waiting inside" said Ms Siska telling Cleantha to come in.

Cleantha forced herself to step into the room even though her heart was pounding. Moreover, when he saw the figure of a woman who continued to look at him from the wheelchair.

The closer they were, Cleantha was more and more astonished at the beauty of the woman. Instead the woman actually launched a disdainful cynical look.

"This beautiful woman must be Miss Zevira Adhiyaksa..She was as awesome as a queen. Even that wheelchair couldn't reduce its charm."

"Good afternoon, ma'am," said Cleantha.

Zevira did not immediately look at Cleantha's face. Her gaze was more focused on the dress that the girl was wearing.

The corner of his lips shot upwards, as if he wanted to laugh at the young girl standing in front of him.

"Sore. What's your nickname?" zevira asked, tilting her head slightly to the right.

"I, Clea, Madam."

Zevira skimmed through the paper she was holding. It appears that the paper contains a summary of the data and the full description of Cleantha.

"You just graduated college?"

"Yes, Madam."

"You have no lover and no job. Have you ever dated a man before?"

"I've never been in a relationship, ma'am," Cleantha replied bluntly.

Actually, he once liked two men. The first is Arya, her first love in High School. The second is Martin, the smartest guy in economics. But due to her timid nature, Cleantha could only admire them secretly.

Zevira raised her eyebrows upwards.

"In modern times like now, there is also a twenty-three year old girl who has never touched a man. It's a miracle" Zevira said in a mocking tone.

"Do you like to dress up, shop for clothes, bags, or shoes?"

"No, Mistress. I don't like any of that."

"What is your hobby?"

"I love to cook and read books, ma'am."

"Oh, it's worth your salmon steak pretty good. You are also a bookworm."

Zevira pushed her wheelchair closer to Cleantha.

"So you're used to doing housework?"

"Yes, Madam."

"Hmmm, girls from the middle class should be good at doing menial work" Zevira murmured.

"Clea, if I accept you, are you willing to serve me and my daughter, Ivyna?" zevira asked throwing an intimidating look.

"I'm willing, Madam."

Zevira moves her wheelchair around Cleantha's body. Satisfaction is clearly reflected by his facial expression.

"My question is done...Clea. You can come out now" Zevira said pointing to the door.

"Well, ma'am," Cleantha stammered.

Unexpectedly, the interview with Zevira will take place very quickly. Different from Cleantha's original estimate.

Zevira stared at the girl's departure with a triumphant smile.

"Goddess fortuna is on my side. Finally I was able to meet a foolish and innocent girl like Cleantha. So far he is the most suitable wife candidate for the King. My plan will go well because of him,"

inner Zevira pleased.