CHAPTER TWO
1330 Words
~Rachel~
I froze in the spot as our eyes met.
“Mr. Arrogant?” I clasped my hands to my mouth, realizing I’d just said that out loud.
He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his hazel-green eyes. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Mr. Arrogant? Could be worse, I guess”
A smirk played on his face as he motioned me to take a seat and I moved slowly.
I wanted to sink into the floor. The man who was now sitting behind the desk—Edward Benowitz, the CEO of Globawitz Enterprises—was none other than the same arrogant jerk from the airport.
I could feel my face heating up, from embarrassment.
“I—uh—I didn’t mean—”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Relax. I don't care about your unprofessionalism.”
Great, he still had his jerkface attitude. How the heck was I supposed to impress this same person who’d nearly ruined my morning with his rudeness. Fantastic.
I cleared my throat.
“I apologize for the... slip-up. It’s just that you... uh... you were a little rude earlier.”
He leaned back in his chair, clearly not bothered by my comment.
“I’m not known for sugar-coating things, Miss Hornet. But if you’re here for an interview, we can focus on that instead of rehashing our previous encounter.”
I nodded, trying to force my mind to focus on the task at hand. Get it together, Rachel. This is a professional setting.
“Of course. I’m here to talk about the position you’re hiring for,”
He eyed me closely, still leaning back in his chair. “And what makes you think you’re qualified for it?”
“I’ve worked in various beneficial roles, developed various skill sets. I think you'd find them useful. I’ve already prepared a portfolio of my work, which I can present.”
“You’ve got your resume, but I don’t care about that. What matters is whether you can keep up with me. And judging by your incompetent display, I doubt you can.”
My mouth ran dry. “I agree that was an inconvenient outbursts but your attitude wasn't exactly a a very good one either. “
He furrowed his brow. “Oh really? Should I also consider this as stalking considering you found me again in less than 24 hours, Miss Hornet?”
“I am not stalking you, excuse you!”
I wanted to stop talking but my tongue just wouldn't clamp up.
I didn’t let his words intimidate me. I’d been through worse—dealing with arrogant men from the retirement home who came to visit thinking they owned the word just because they were wealthy–It was something I was very used to and knew how to handle.
He hummed, then placed a finger to his jaw.“Is this how you plan on securing this position, Miss Hornet?”
I swallowed hard then cleared my throat.” I apologize for speaking bluntly. But I'm confident I can contribute to this firm and I'm here to prove it.”
His gaze lingered on me for a moment, his lips curling into a tight smile.
“Prove it then. Let’s see if you can impress me.”
I took a deep breath and laid out the first part of my strategy. I knew I had to leave him impressed, even if I was already irritated with him.
As I spoke, I could feel his eyes never leaving me, but there was something that made me wonder if he was more interested in testing me than hearing my ideas.
When I finished, he looked impressed and I smiled.
“You think you’re the best for this job, huh?”
“I know I am,” I replied confidently.
He chuckled. “Well, I don't.”
My face fell. “Excuse me?”
He nodded, then leaned back again, clasping his hands together. “You heard me. This is good and all but I don't think I like your fit that much.
“My fit? As in what I am wearing?”
He leaned forward again.”What my employees put on is very important. It gives a good impression and from what I see you don't check it.“
I had to glance down at my dressing to see what I'd done wrongly. A simple blue blouse, white button-down shirt, and a blazer—wasn't that good enough for a job interview? I didn’t overdo the makeup or accessories because I thought subtlety would be better.
“Is this some kind of joke?” I blurted. “You’re really going to judge me based on my clothes?”
Edward’s gaze never wavered. “It’s not just the clothes, Miss Hornet. It’s the impression they give. If you can’t bother to make an effort with something as simple as your wardrobe, then how can I trust you to make an effort in your work?”
“So you’re telling me that my entire professional worth comes down to how I dress? Are you seriously saying that?”
He leaned back in his chair, his smirk now replaced by a cool, detached look. “Yes. You can have all the skills and experience in the world, but if you can’t show that you understand the basics of professional presentation, then you’ll fall short here.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. I wasn’t going to let him get under my skin. I had too much riding on this to let a superficial comment derail me.
“I’ll take that into consideration,” I forced out.
I stood up, my hands trembling slightly as I grabbed my portfolio and adjusted my blazer. I was trying so hard to keep my composure, but all I wanted to do was walk out of the room and forget this whole encounter and this man all at once because I really couldn't wrap my head around his reason.
“Hold on,” He stopped me in my tracks as I was about turning the knob. “You’re not going anywhere just yet.”
I turned back to face him, confused. “What do you mean?”
He stood up from behind his desk with his gaze never leaving me.
“I think you’ve got potential. You’re sharp, and despite the obvious lack of preparation, you know what you’re talking about.”
I nearly rolled my eyes. “And that changes things, how?”
“Instead of offering you a role as a... regular recruit, how about I offer you something more interesting?” His lips curled into that signature smirk.
“What are you talking about?”
He stepped closer.
“How would you like to work directly under me? I’m offering you the position as my personal assistant.”
My mouth went dry. “Personal assistant?” I repeated, trying to digest what he was saying. “You want me to work for you directly, as your assistant?”
“Yes. You'll do what I say, follow me behind me whenever I order and dress how I want.”
My mouth hung open. It sounded more like slavery than a divine position.
“You can walk away if you want. But you’d be a fool too. So tell me?”
My thoughts were all over the place. It was a bold offer. Was I ready to be that close to someone like him?
I hesitated for a moment longer before finally speaking. “And if I say yes?”
“Then you’d start tomorrow, Miss Hornet.”
“I'll think about it.”
“Make a decision now. There are twenty more people waiting outside that'd jump on the offer without a second thought. “
He wasn't wrong.
“Fine. I'll take it.”
“Good. I’ll have my secretary send over the details. You start first thing tomorrow.”
- Writer
