Mars

The interview

Although Jenna relayed none of this. She simply stood.

"Thank you for your time. We will have an answer for you within the week." With a handshake the nonsense woman left.

Gloria called as soon as Alenia stepped foot outside the building. 'How does she always seem to know?'

"How was it babe? I bet they loved you! You're probably going to become like the assistant CEO while looking for your little revenge fuck."

Alenia wasn't so sure any of that was going to happen.

"I don't know Glory. The interviewer didn't even smile at me."

"So? It's a business babe. Makes sense they'd have someone with ice in their veins conducting the interviews. Can't have somebody who gets all gushy and hires anyone if that place is as intense as you made it sound."

"I guess. But that doesn't mean..."

"Girl your a genius when it comes to that stuff top of your class at Wharton, honors, deans list. Need I go on?"

As Alenia was about to argue her phone vibrated. A new email. She had been invited back for a second interview.

Alenia's heart leaped in her chest as she read the email. A second interview? This was a promising sign. She quickly responded, accepting the invitation and agreeing to the scheduled time of two days from now. As she hung up with Gloria, Alenia couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her. She had been so nervous going into the first interview, but now that she had made it to the second round, she felt like she had a real shot at getting the job.

Over the next two days, Alenia prepared for her second interview by scouring industry publications and researching any potential questions that might come up. She also spent some time reflecting on why exactly she wanted this job and what it could do for her career. But most importantly, she thought about how it could help her find Dex Marston.

The day of the second interview arrived and Alenia once again dressed to impress. This time, she wore a black blazer paired with a red skirt that hugged her curves in all the right ways. Her hair was styled in a sleek bun and she accessorized with a pair of diamond earrings and matching necklace.

As soon as Alenia entered the conference room for her second interview, she knew that something was different. Instead of Jenna Smith, there were now three people sitting across from her: a man and two women. The man was older and looked like he held some sort of executive position within the company. One of the women appeared to be an HR representative while the other was impeccably dressed in a designer suit that screamed "high-end lawyer." The second woman was dressed very plainly but her eyes contained the venom of a cut throat business woman.

Alenia took a deep breath and introduced herself before taking a seat.

"I am Carmela Jacobsen. The head of hiring here at DRM. Beside me are my colleagues Tim Burton from finance, and Ashlee Martinez Interdepartmental relations. It is important that you fit seamlessly into our company not just the position. If we like what we see today and think you will make a good fit, Mr. Crawford will want to speak with you himself prior to your hire. We have hired dozens of assistants for him and none have been up to the task. Any questions?" The lawyer like woman asked flipping her chocolate brown bangs out of her eyes.

The interview began. The questions this time were more personal. Family responsibilities. Relationships.Five year plan. How quickly she is able to prepare for a last minute event. They even asked if she had any pets. After what seemed like two hours of them asking her every detail about her personal life, which Alenia had answered as truthfully as she could without mentioning her recent break up or anything to do with what lead her to finally having the guts to apply here, the questions stopped.

The Burnette held a small tight smile on her thin lips.

"I think you may be what we're looking for. Please excuse us."

With that all three of her interviewer stepped into the hall. About ten minutes later when Aleina was beginning to wonder if she was to leave A tall dark haired man in a perfectly tailored stone colored suit and expensive looking sunglasses stepped in. She wasn't sure why but she felt as though she should stand so she did so. A small smirk formed on the man's lips flashing his perfectly white teeth for just a moment. He extended his hand which she shook.

"Rhys Crawford. Pleasure to meet you Miss Anderson. Now do you mind telling me why someone with your credentials applied as an assistant."

The man stated as they sat. Alenia hadn't prepared for that question noone else had bothered to ask.

"Because well... DRM is my dream place to work and if you want something you need to start from the bottom. Although I get the feeling this specific assistant job is more than just keeping a calander and secretary work."

He smiled again.

"But the application didn't say that. You applied to it believing you may be just a lowly secretary, when you have higher qualifications than many of our department heads. The willingness to work your way up even after all the work you've done intrigues me."

He removed the sunglasses and Alenia had to hold her breath to keep from gasping. That was not anyone named Rhys Crawford. She had stared at those honey colored eyes for days. His features were older and more mature, but the man before her was the same man who's photo was currently in her breifcase, Dex Marston. She had found Mars.

"You're hired." He said with another grin. "Mrs. Jacobsen will show you around and get you underway." With that the man she'd been searching for exited the room.

She was to be his assistant.