Chapter Five
1365 Words
Catherine got home that day and borrowed Mrs. Higgs's laptop to apply for the interview. She went on the page and figured out the company's policy.
They didn't take people with criminal records.
She went on regardless.
She got to the part where she was to include her name. Catherine paused for a minute.
If she puts her actual name, it could be easily traced.
Catherine decided to do something else that would make them consider interviewing her at least.
The news came in and Catherine was in the chair, Mrs. Higgs came to join her there.
“Watching the news?,” she said from the back door.
“You're back, welcome home” “I thought I could borrow your laptop, I'm sorry I didn't ask for permission.”
“It's ok, next time inform me, many things don't need to be messed up on it,”
“Yes, ma'am”
“Turn the volume up,” Mrs. Higgs said.
The news on the TV was showing the call for persons in one of the biggest companies in NYC.
“That was the job I applied for”
“You did?, You pass the online screening?”
“Yes I did,”
“How?No offense, but do they accept persons with criminal records?”
“I took care of that already”
“Well, make haste and go to bed, it's late.”
“Yes ma”.
She turned off the laptop, told Mrs. Higgs goodnight and went up to her room to sleep.
She woke up most active the next morning
She got dressed and looked really elegant.
Made her way to the office and was early. Unluckily for her, people already gathered at the receptionist.
Her phone beeped and she got a text from a private number, threatening to take her back to prison. Catherine chose to deal with the text later, she had to deal with this one now.
She sat there for a while and was hearing whispers of how rude, ruthless and arrogant he was, it gave her shivers but she wanted to see for herself.
“Genevieve Aubrey,” Sophie called out.
“Here, I am here” Catherine stood up while her palm was raised.
That was Catherine's big getaway, to change her name and set a path for the new life she hoped for.
“You are going in next” The blonde lady said sweetly and smiled at Catherine.
“Affirmative”
Catherine walked up to Sophie. Daniel's assistant and the receptionist for today's interview.
“Hi, I'm sorry for intruding”.
“No, of course not. You aren't intruding, ask away” Sophie is so sweet and nice.
“What am I to expect there?”
“I honestly do not know how Mr. Daniel feels today, but I know you've heard about him being ruthless, what people don't know is his soft spot.”
Sophia starts whispering, “I'd only give you a tip Genevieve, don't act or feel intimidated. He gets irritated by that,”
“How do you know all these,” Catherine asked.
“I've been with Mr. Daniel for over ten years now, I can proudly say I'm like his favorite staff”
“Oh, Oh”
“Take my advice and stand a very high chance of getting the job, I can't wait work with you.” That was Sophie's way of wishing Catherine good luck in getting the job.
“You're next, go, go” someone called out from the back of the room.
Catherine entered the office hurriedly and in a bid to make a very good first impression, her books and documents fell to the ground.
“How clumsy can you be?”
The voice came from the seat close to the window, the person was facing the window and Catherine found it a bit hard to see who it was, she focused on picking up her documents.
“Why is everybody being a source of disappointment to me today?Can't there be one sane person?”
“I'm so sorry sir,” Catherine stood up straight and adjusted her outfit.
The chair turned and the books in Catherine's hand fell to the ground again.
“I'm sorry, but are you naturally dunce and can't hold ordinary papers?” Daniel asked rudely.
Catherine knew he hadn't seen her, considering the fact that he kept on ranting. She wished the floor opened and swallowed her that instant.
Different plans started kicking into her head on escape routes to leave the office before he notices.
She knew that nothing could be done and so she stood up slowly.
She watched how the look on his face went from irritation to shock and then back to composure.
“You” was the only word that escaped his mouth.
“Yes, me” Catherine was grinning so hard her cheeks hurt.
“Why are you here?Didn't the house lady give you a cheque?” Daniel quipped.
“I'm not her to get money from you”
“I don't need your services, people of your kind shouldn't be found in a well grounded establishment like this one”
The countenance on Catherine's face changed immediately.
“You think I'm here for you?, For the record I didn't even know you worked here, I honestly don't know who you are and I'm here for the job interview for a Personal Assistant. If you asked me, if I knew you had a connection with this place I'd gladly refuse to be a part of the job seekers here.” Catherine retorted.
“First off I don't work here, I own here, secondly what could be in your CV that'd possibly impress me” he dragged the documents she was holding and handled them like they were invaluable.
“Be careful with those,”
“I'll pay for damages done, besides is there anything worth saving in these”, he said rudely and held it up like a piece of garbage.
Catherine remembered what Sophie said.
“I guess what they say is true,” Catherine said quietly.
“What?” The calmness of her voice seemed to have an effect on his own.
“You are arrogant and dismissive.” “Everybody warned me out there,” “You really are arrogant, it's a bad trait but I won't blame you for the way you act, you have this much responsibility, not everyone can handle such, but you are doing so and that should be commended, if you have never felt appreciated.”
Daniel stared at Catherine, or Genevieve as he knew her and listened to her with rapt attention.
He knew at that moment that she was going to be his Personal Assistant.
He needed someone who could stand up to him even when he's being rude, and make firm decisions without being intimidated by his presence.
The only person that has managed to do that was Sophie and that was why he found it hard to let her go.
Whenever she made an attempt to leave the company, he would always double her salary.
Only she understood his rudeness and why he was being that way.
And now there was Catherine, who barely knew who he was but with the idea she got from people about what he is, managed to put his rage under control.
As true as it sounded he didn't let her see the effect she had on him.
“You sound like you're tough, that's cute, but let this be clear to you, we are not friends, we will never be friends, I am your boss and you work for me, that's the relationship we both share now, overfamiliarity will be eradicated and whatever happened in the past between us, never happened!” Daniel spit everything out at once.
Catherine was not triggered.
“Does that mean I got the job?”
“Leave my office,” Daniel dismissed her.
Catherine was dancing within herself, her sly moves paid off, thanks to Sophie too, she's now on a path to a new life.
“I can't wait to tell Mrs. Higgs”.
- Writer
