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1496 Words
Nicole originally believed that the ill-tempered CEO’s office was the grandest and most spacious in the entire skyscraper. But the moment she stepped into the office of the person who had summoned her, she realized just how wrong she was. The rude CEO’s space now felt underwhelming in comparison—what once seemed luxurious now appeared basic.
Amazed, Nicole took in the entire room. The white color scheme made it feel pristine, almost sterile in its elegance. It was outfitted with everything—an espresso bar, a lounge set, a flatscreen TV, and all kinds of high-end amenities. It was practically an upscale loft—bigger than her snobby Aunt Margaret’s overpriced condo in Manhattan.
She didn’t see the person she was meant to meet right away. There was a side room that she assumed was the private office of whoever ran this luxurious part of the company.
The older man who had escorted her paused in the living area, prompting Nicole to stop as well. She followed his lead, still unsure of what was going on—was this all some elaborate test, or was she just completely in the dark?
“Please, have a seat, Miss Lorenzo,” the man said politely.
Nicole sat down immediately, thankful that someone had finally invited her to sit for what she hoped would be a legitimate job interview. This man already seemed far more courteous than that obnoxious CEO. The memory of him still irritated her, but she forced herself to stay calm. At least this time, she felt like she was in good hands.
As she sat, quietly lost in her thoughts, footsteps echoed from behind. Turning around, Nicole’s eyes widened in disbelief as she recognized the man approaching. She immediately stood out of respect.
“Good morning, Mr. Louis Montefalco. How are you today?” she greeted with a polite tone.
The older man gave her a warm smile. “I’m very well, dear. And you? Please, sit down.”
Nicole waited until both men were seated before sitting down again.
“I’m doing well, sir. Thank you for asking,” she replied graciously.
She still couldn’t believe she was face-to-face with the owner of the company—the very man who had quietly supported her education and helped her graduate.
“Before we dive into job details, let me first congratulate you on graduating summa c*m laude. You’ve brought immense pride to our scholarship program,” Mr. Montefalco said with an affectionate smile.
Nicole blushed slightly as both men gave her a small, respectful nod.
“T-thank you, sir. I wouldn’t have made it without your support,” she said sincerely.
It was true—without the “Learn Now, Pay Later” scholarship program she was fortunate enough to be chosen for, she might’ve ended up cleaning hotel rooms or stuck waitressing at her Aunt Margaret’s struggling diner in Queens. She was too smart—and, frankly, too pretty—to be stuck in a greasy apron taking orders from her cranky aunt and her three hell-raising cousins.
“It was our honor to help you, dear. And it’s clear that support wasn’t misplaced. You’ve brought pride to the program, our firm, and the university we fund,” Mr. Montefalco said formally.
Nicole didn’t respond with words, only a soft, grateful smile. Anything she might’ve said felt too small to express how thankful she truly was.
“I also want to personally thank you for accepting my invitation to this interview. And… I apologize for my son Alexander’s behavior earlier,” he added.
Nicole’s eyes widened again.
Son?
“That arrogant, insufferable CEO Alexander is your son?!” she blurted out.
Both older men looked equally taken aback by her reaction. Realizing what she had just said, Nicole quickly tried to recover.
“I-I’m so sorry, sir. That just slipped out. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain,” she said, cringing.
The men exchanged amused looks and nodded in understanding.
“Yes, we know. My son can be a handful, and he’s in desperate need of an executive assistant. That’s why you’re here. You’d be working directly with him—”
Nicole’s face fell.
Assistant? To that egotistical man?
“Wait, Mr. Montefalco. I thought I was here to apply for a position as an aeronautical engineer? That’s what I studied. I’m not complaining—I just want to clarify…” she said carefully.
She wasn’t about to sound ungrateful. She would’ve accepted any stable position, even as a receptionist, as long as it meant getting out of her aunt’s nagging reach. Aunt Margaret and her spawn were already breathing down her neck about finding a job.
But an executive assistant?
It might not be so bad… if her boss weren’t him.
Nicole glanced again at Mr. Montefalco, who observed her silently. After a beat, she couldn’t hold back anymore and blurted out her thoughts.
"With all due respect, sir… I need to say something. I know I might regret it if I don’t.”
Nicole’s tone was serious—like she was interrupting a wedding when the priest says, ‘Speak now or forever hold your peace.’ She briefly wondered if the metaphor was too dramatic, but went with it anyway.
She frowned when she heard the two men quietly chuckle. She was being sincere, but maybe they didn’t take her seriously.
"I understand, dear. Please, speak freely."
Mr. Montefalco replied, clearly trying not to laugh again.
With permission granted, Nicole didn’t hold back.
“That’s the thing, sir. I honestly don’t mind not getting an engineering job here. I’d even be fine being an EA… just not for your son—who, by the way, acts like he was raised by wolves. He’s arrogant, rude, and his attitude is appalling. We’d never get along. I’m sorry, but I just—”
“The salary will be twice that of an entry-level engineer.”
Nicole froze when the older man beside Mr. Montefalco cut in.
Wait, what?
Did she just hear that right? Being Alexander’s EA would pay more than an entry-level engineering job? Why?
Her brows pulled together in confusion. Mr. Montefalco sighed before elaborating.
“My son needs someone like you—someone sharp, capable, and not easily intimidated. I know this role isn’t what you studied for, which is why I’m offering double the standard starting salary for an aeronautical engineer—around $160,000 annually.”
Nicole hesitated. That kind of money would change everything. All she had to do was survive the demon CEO. She’d be debt-free and loaded in no time.
“So, what’s your decision?” Mr. Montefalco asked.
Nicole smiled and extended her hand.
“I’ll take the job, sir. But… can I make one small request?”
She winced, feeling like she was pushing her luck. Asking for more after being offered a six-figure salary felt a little shameless—but then again, EA wasn’t the position she’d been aiming for.
“Of course. What is it?”
Nicole grinned.
“Can I physically knock your son out if he gets too annoying?”
She asked it seriously. Both men burst out laughing.
Nicole blinked. What was so funny? She was being honest. With a guy like Alexander, violence might become a survival tactic.
“Do what you have to, dear. You start tomorrow. 8 AM sharp,” Mr. Montefalco said with a smile, handing her a company badge.
Nicole took it, blinking in surprise when she saw it was already printed.
The Montefalcos had clearly planned everything out in advance.
Most companies took at least a week to issue a badge, but at least now she had tangible proof to show her aunt—that she had landed a legit job, not just babysitting gigs or low-paying tutoring stints.
Nicole smiled as she looked down at the sleek company ID.
‘Natalia Nicolette Lorenzo – Executive Assistant – Montefalco Spinfluence Aerospace Corp.’
She read the name, position, and company out loud, still trying to process it all.
“See you tomorrow, Miss Lorenzo!” Mr. Montefalco said warmly.
“Yes, sir! Thank you so much,” Nicole replied, shaking his hand. She nodded at the older gentleman beside him, now realizing he was Mr. Montefalco’s brother. That explained the resemblance.
As she waited for the elevator, she exhaled deeply.
Once she reached the lobby, she spotted the security guard from earlier and approached with a big grin.
“Morning again, sir!”
The guard recognized her and asked how the interview went.
Nicole beamed. “Looks like you’ll be seeing me here every day!”
She was hopeful that things were finally turning around.
She may not have landed her dream job as an aeronautical engineer—yet—but she was getting there.
Nicole smiled to herself as she waited for her Uber to take her home, holding onto a dream.
One day, she would be called Engineer Nicole Lorenzo.
- Writer
