Oops! My Disguise Worked Too Well!

Meeting The Boss

Alexis

—

Well this was just great, I thought that for at least the first couple of months I could get settled and prove my worth, but no, I get to meet the boss the first day. This was going to put a spotlight on me that I really didn’t need. Plus a target on my back for all the other interns and employees.

I cleared my throat and straightened my suit a little. Just act like everything is normal. They have no idea who I am.

“Don’t look so stressed out,” Ryan said to me. “Jackson isn’t as bad as everyone makes him out to be. As long as you do your job and you don’t slack off. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, I guess it is just nerve wrecking meeting someone that I admire so much,” I said to him.

“Maybe keep that to yourself,” Ryan said looking me over. “He’s not really into that kind of thing. He keeps things strictly business, no fans. No friends, no relationships outside of strictly business. But hey, you’re lucky that I am the one who’s going to be overseeing you.”

“Thank you,” I replied. I did not feel lucky having him around. He meddles too much.

We didn’t have to long for Mr. Thorn to arrive. When he entered he had five other people surrounding him. I could tell one was a secretary, one was probably his assistant, who knows who the other three were. Judging from how expensive their suits were, I am going to guess they held a higher position than most.

“Jackson! I’m so glad that you had time to come meet the interns for yourself. Especially Alex here, not only does he have an impressive resume, but he’s also the only one working in this department,” Ryan said as he walked up to Jackson. “I might have to relocate down here for the time being. At least until he’s comfortable and knows the ropes.”

Jackson just looked at him with a blank face. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or if that was just his normal face. Either way, he was someone that I was going to want to stay far away from.

“And you must by Alex Carter,” Jackson said as he looked at me. I’m not quite sure what I did to offend him but the scowl on his face said he hated my very existence.

“Umm, yeah, I mean yes, I am Alex Carter,” I said averting my eyes.

“I read your file. I was surprised that a Carter would be interested in tech and programming. Isn’t your family business in fashion?” He said to me in a cold voice.

“I’m not that into fashion, my cousin loves it and helps pick out my clothes for me. I’m more the strange one in the family. Well, not strange, but just different. Like career wise,” I felt like an i***t stumbling over my words. I just wasn’t ready for the big boss to be questioning me, my first day on the job.

Ryan came over to my side and flung an arm around my shoulder again. I felt myself flinch. Seriously I wasn’t sure what this guy’s problem was with all the touching. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a lot of complaints in HR.

I looked up and Mr. Thorn was staring at me squirming, trying to get free of Ryan. I froze, are men more comfortable being touchy?

“Ryan picked you out of all the applicants that we received. You are the only intern that was selected to our tech department. If it ends up being beyond your scope and ability, better to let us know sooner rather than later. I would hate to spend time and resources on someone who is lacking.” Mr. Thorn said to me.

I could feel my anger rising. He doesn’t know me or what I am capable of. As a matter of fact, even my social standing could rival his own.. but of course right now I’m not me. I swallowed my pride and tried to hid the anger I was feeling towards him.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity to prove myself. I’m sure I won’t let you down,” I told him, trying to keep my voice cheerful.

“Jackson, don’t ruin things with my new intern, he is the most normal looking nerd I have ever seen. Much more interesting than most of the tech guys who apply. Besides, I have decided that I am going to take him under my wing,” Ryan said as he ruffled my hair.

“You can just think of me as your work uncle,” said Ryan smiling at me.

“Oh, that would be wonderful,” I said trying to sound enthusiastic. Why don’t they just have me under surveillance the whole time I’m here.

“Just make sure you keep an eye on him,” Mr. Thorn said. “If he can’t perform, you can have him as an assistant.”

“Mr. Thorn, I’m sure that I won’t let you down. I have been programming for as long as I can remember,” I said to him.

“Which couldn’t have been very long ago, What are you fifteen?” He said with cold disdain.

Mr. Thorn’s phone started to ring and he picked it up. He didn’t even bother saying bye or anything, he just turned around and got back on the elevator with his entourage of people following him.

“Well kid, you met the boss now,” Ryan said to me. “You probably won’t see him again for many months, and if you do run into him around the building, he won’t even remember who you are. So try not to be too stressed out.”

He looked at me for a moment, “You know, you really do look around fifteen.”

I could feel my face heat up. I’m getting less respect as a man than I did as a woman. I was not expecting this.

“I am not a kid, thank you very much,” I said.

“Aww, you’re so cute when you pout.” He said to me.

He pinched my cheek and then pulled back his hand. He looked at me strangely.

“So not to sound weird or anything, but you have a soft cheek. Do you even grow any facial hair?” He asked me.

“I just like to shave really close every morning.” I said to him.

—

Jackson

—

I was paranoid about other companies sending spies for are biggest projects. So I decided to check out the new tech intern myself. Honestly the little buy was very young and scrawny looking.

I’m going to be having some cameras installed as well, but at least Ryan was going to be hanging around him.. it will make at harder to steal anything if he has eyes on him all the time.

Still there was something off about him and I always trusted my instincts.. We will find out more about the scrawny kid,

“Cathy,” I called my secretary.

“Yes, Sir?” She came into my office with her notepad and pen ready.

“I want you to find out more about Alex Carter. I don’t remember the Carter family having a young male family member,” I told her.

“Anything specific you are wanting me to look into?” She asked me.

“I’m not sure, find out everything you can and have the file ready in the next couple of days.” I told her.

“Yes, Sir,” she answered and then left the room.

It was the end of the day and it was time to head out. Usually I would stay late, but it has been a long few days and I decided to work from home tomorrow anyways.

As I was getting on the elevator I noticed that Alex was in there too. He was very small, even for a teen boy. There was something about him that I just found annoying.

As I entered the elevator I stared at him for a couple of seconds, I could see his face turn slightly red and then he averted his eyes.

When we made it to the lobby floor I walked out first and he followed me.

“Are you following me?” I turned to ask him.

“No Sir, I was just headed out as well,” he said refusing to make eye contact with me still.

The more he avoided eye contact the more I felt he was hiding something.