The Legend!

Aubrianne Ivanov

I caught a reaction from him that threw me off a bit. Did he look proud? I questioned.

Nonetheless, this was so surreal I couldn't believe it, I could have just pinched myself, and then l continued my babbling and laid it all on him.

Who in the world told this man to say, "So, tell me a little about your dreams, your future plans, anything."

I told him everything, from my mom dying to me promising to make her proud after all of the sacrifices she made for me, working two and three jobs to provide for us, having a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, my education, she worked hard to give me a certain comfort.

I vowed not to let her hard labor go in vain.

Also, I am working hard to graduate and be at the top of my game. I told Mr. Thornton my plan after graduation is that I would love to work at a top accounting firm.

And I have one more year left, and during this year, I am determined to seek out internships. Also, I have a few top firms in mind already, and his firm is one of them; it is actually at the top of my list, and I never imagined having a conversation like this with Mr. Thornton.

The Legend of Accounting.

I used the opportunity to mention the few things I knew of his firm, the fact that he is responsible for major acquisitions, doing financials, taxes, and payroll for thousands of companies, and governmental agencies, audits for said companies and agencies, advising hundreds of companies, and so much more.

Mr. Thornton arches an eyebrow with a look that tells me he is highly impressed. He offered a small smile as I continued--getting my internship with your firm will be a dream come true, but I know it's a long shot as I am sure there will be hundreds, maybe even thousands of applications. I explained.

However, "let me be clear," I leaned forward, looking him in the eye earnestly. Hinting that what I am about to say should be taken seriously.

Those eyes, however, made me falter for a second. They looked just like my eyes, and for a second, I thought my eyes were looking back at me. Weird!

I recovered, quickly clearing my mind from the thought of Mr. Thornton's eyes. It's not like I was the only one with that particular shade of brown with grey lining the outer edge.

Clearing my throat, I said, "that will not deter me the least." I wanted Mr. Thornton to comprehend that I would rise to the occasion. Even though they accumulate thousands of applications yearly, I harbored no intentions of giving up or cowering out from actually applying.

Mr. Thornton chuckled and said, "Well, Ms. Ivanov, you have answered all my questions," I arched a brow, and he continued, "And I didn't even get to ask them."

I smiled a bit sheepishly as I knew exactly what he meant. I went on and on and on, talking about anything and everything about me, my goals, my experience, and him, and I did not offer him much room to get a word in.

I was embarrassed, so I am convinced the color rose on my cheeks, but sitting opposite him and conversing with him like that felt so familiar and like it was the most natural thing.

I felt comfortable with him once I started, and I could not stop. And because of that motive, I could easily lay it all out. I am sure of it.

But I did not know what he thought or felt about that.

I looked up at him through my lashes, and as if he sensed my unease, he quickly reassured me that it was perfect and he truly enjoyed every minute of it, so much so that Mr. Thornton told me to send him my request for the internship program. He then gave me his right hand's contact details to do just that.

A gentleman as influential and busy as him, I did not take offense to the fact that he gave me his Right-Hand number because his Right-Hand man number was tantamount to him giving me his number.

Besides, had he offered his number, it might have been equivocal for a strictly business situation.

Then we just talked about business, leading to him telling me about his businesses. Undoubtedly, I had a lot of questions.

I questioned him, and he answered every time. He also commended my commitment to my studies and achieving my goals.

I remember walking out of that room high off of life. I skipped out the door, ran down the hallway, and ran all the way home. I was so pumped, I ran and screamed, and screamed and ran, and that was just the reality that he said to send me the request.

He didn't say you're hired, and that was my behavior, so please imagine on that faithful day when I got the call from Mr. Grey notified me that I had made the cut pending graduation.

I dare you.

*End of Flashback*

Laughing, Michael said, "I will take your word for it, but wow, it seems like you didn't withhold a thing from Mr. Thornton, and I know he appreciates honesty, and you told him as it is, baring everything."

"Really?" I ask with extreme interest, but I am ultimately here to work for the legend.

"Trust me! He values that in someone," was his response.

The thing is, I didn't know how honest I was because I omitted big heaps of my life. For example, I obviously didn't tell him about stripping to help pay my way through college. After promising my mom, I would make her proud.

Information was withheld. So I was not completely honest.

However, they did not know and certainly did not need to be enlightened about that part of my life.

Mr. Thornton probably thought I meant I worked hard at my studies only anyway, which is part of it. It was just the part of being able to BE in a position where having to study was a prospect. I would take it, and I did.

Nor did I speak about the father I did not know. For some reason, I did not want him to pity or think of me as 'the broken girl' who had lost her mother and never knew her father.

Daniel had simply listened and drove silently while I told him about that day. Along our journey, he had made himself comfortable by relieving himself of his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves.

By the time I was finished, we were almost out of the city and approaching more suburbs.

Throughout the story, Daniel's responses are limited. However, I did observe his eyebrows occasionally furrowed as he seemed deep in thought the few times I glanced at him. He looked like he was analyzing everything I said.

With us nearing home, I knew I preferred to eat something, shower, and get some respite at this late hour. Plus, I want to quickly stop to grab something for dinner.

It was already late evening, and the only thing I could do before those three things on my list was to ensure my bed was put together and made up.

I arrived a week earlier to get a good idea of the prospects before I started work and settled into a pleasant and comfortable routine. Tomorrow I will tend to unpack the rest. "Hey, can we make a quick stop to grab some dinner? "I asked.

"Of course, we can. There is a nice little spot, just outside the city, before the Suburbs, not too far up ahead. We can get something."

"Oh, amazing."

"This place is a nice and cozy diner, and everything is delicious. You would enjoy any meal", Daniel gushes.

"Wonderful, I am starving. Also, how long is the drive to where I will be staying again?" I queried.

Glancing at me, he answers, "not far from the diner, about a fifteen to twenty-minute drive again."

"OK, that's great. I wondered how far I would drive to work every day."

"Oh, not too far at all, and I am further away, closer to the mountains."

"Oh nice, any waterfalls?"

"Oh yes, there are a few. I don't mind taking you to visit them all some time and having you visit my home as well. Oh, and wait till you meet my sister. I believe you two will get along pretty well," Daniel reacted.