Chapter 26: Interviews and Big pays.

KIKI.

The doors open to a wall of windows and a view that’s just breathtaking. Dang. I’m looking down on the beautiful park in all its gleaming wonder. The massive Bean glints like this otherworldly oracle, reflecting the entire cityscape back at me. I take a deep breath, relax my shoulders, and walk up to the desk where a receptionist or so sat, giving me weird looks like I didn't belong here.

“I’m here for an interview with one Mr Patrick,” I say. She picks up a walkie-talkie. “Matteo, you have an arrival. Over.” I’m so out of place here. This has to be a vicious joke. My stomach twinges, imagining all the shit I might have to go through here. I should probably leave now.

I was actually turning to head back the way I came when a voice behind me said, “Miss Ajayi! Welcome. I’m thrilled you could make it. Please, come back and talk to me.” He doesn’t sound thrilled. Not exactly, but his voice was warm and calm enough to risk it. I spin around to face him. And I was shocked to see who it was, the same man who had flirted with me and broke my Bracelet.

Of course, they are friends, what was I expecting?

“I’m Matteo Patrick, HR Director for Callisto brand, New York branch.” "Kiki Ajayi.” I shook his hand.

“Right this way.” He motioned for me to follow, and I do, trying not to trip over my own feet. We go behind the security desk to a door He used his badge to open. We walk down a long hall in silence until we finally come to a conference room with tall leather chairs like someone attached rollers to medieval furniture and a long glass table fit for King Arthur, if his knights were a band of corporate cutthroats.

Okay. Breathe. My stomach was in stitches. I know I’m t-minus sixty seconds from getting punked. I know it. The room was dark.

“Lights.” No sooner does Matteo say it did the lights come on. He pointed at the table. “Wherever you’re comfortable.”

“So Giovanni was quite impressed with you and you're here interviewing for an Executive Assistant position, something that you and I both know that you're very under qualified for but what the boss wants, he gets, I guess. I don't know what he sees in you but you need to know he’s hard to work for. This won’t be a cakewalk, and you’ll work for every penny of the generous compensation package we’re offering. He’ll expect you here by six a.m. and I doubt you’ll leave until he does. Gigi is married to this work.”

I don’t doubt it. But I got the odd feeling he was trying to talk me out of the job. Why?

Because you’re being punked. Duh. I was about to shove the chair away from the table and run but my leaking roof, Jojo's life and my huge debt popped into my head. I kept my old heels planted firmly on the ground. “Can you tell me more about this role? What does an Executive Assistant do, exactly?”

“Whatever Giovanni needs. You’ll do his filing, work on contracts, be a point of contact, and fetch his coffee. It won’t be fun, and time off is practically nonexistent.” I squeeze my eyes shut and blink them open, trying to believe what I’m about to say.

“Look, Matteo, you seem like a nice man, asides from being a jerk that day which I think is a simple misunderstanding so I’m going to ask you to be straight with me."

“You need to understand his assistants don’t really last long,” he continued. “They never have, and after they quit, they usually need therapy. Don’t get all starry-eyed over the compensation package and starting salary and bite off more than you can chew. This would be a hard job for someone with a lot more direct experience talk more of someone like you who has neither qualifications nor experience.” I swallow air and push a strand of hair out of my face. “What is the compensation?”

Before He could answer, the door whips open. And there he stood.

He strolled in like he owned the room, and I despised him because he made me feel weak. He looked around him, and our eyes meet for a moment. I blushed, and was infuriated. His lips curled into a smile - I was sure he was mocking me and then he broke away look at Matteo.

“Does Miss Ajayi have any objections with the position?” He snapped.

I opened my mouth like I was going to speak, but he didn't let me get a word out. “Is she a swindler, an escort, or a murderer?”

Matteo ran a hand through his hair, wrinkling his nose. “If she is, she’s doing it in style.”

“Exactly. Tell her to sign the contract, then, so she can get to work and we can finish this nonsense. I need her today,” He growled.

Why were they talking about me like I was not there, for some reason, it pissed me off. “You...you do realize I’m still here, right? You don’t have to talk about me in third person, you know.”

Amusement was written over Giovanni's face as he looked like he was trying to chase back a grin.

"Miss Ajayi, I want you to get something straight if you want to work here,” He started, locking eyes with me. “I’m the boss. You work under me. You won’t be using that spear of a tongue unless I want it put to work. Got it?”

Before I could answer, my face red and still in shock, he folded his arms on the table and lean into my very personal space. “Now do you want this job or not?”

I felt very pissed at how he spoke to me so before I could stop myself, I pushed my chair back, and soon, I was on my feet. “You know, on second thought, I don’t think I need to debase myself by working—” I started to say only to be interrupted by the arrogant man again.

"Think fast before you walk.” He laughed, “Not many people get this kind of job with a freaking GED and one-hundred-thousand-dollar salaries don’t show up every day, especially for a waitress and social associate who have absolutely no experience.”

My face felt even more red even though I was black and my jaw pinches, I took a deep breath, as it felt like my soul left my body. “Wait, what? Did you...did you say One hundred thousand dollars? Per year?"