Office Matters

Accepted

It was a little after 5pm and Leon, Nash and JJ were all at Leon’s place.

“Leon man, there’s nothing to eat in here,” Nash complained, closing the fridge.

“Bro, you know my mum’s been away for like three days. We ran out of her cooked meals on like the first day. And I think we all know what happened the last time my dad and I tried to cook,” Leon finished off, handing him a list of fast-food places that delivered. JJ immediately walked into the kitchen. “I still don’t know what you and your dad were trying to prove by eating that food,” JJ said, looking down at his phone.

“His dad said, ‘real men eat anything’ remember?” Nash said stifling a laugh. “It was both depressing and funny seeing both y’all in the hospital.”

“Gosh! Those were the worst three days of my life. I remember my mum came and had us moved into the same hospital room so she could give us a piece of her mind every visiting hour at the same time,” Leon said, looking horrified by the memory. “We don’t cook anymore since that incident.”

Nash ordered them pizza and drinks.

They went to chill in Leon’s Game Room while they waited.

“So, we need to agree on who we’re going to hire tonight,” Leon said, just as Nash was reaching for the PS4 controller. “Come on man, it’s game night,” Nash started sulking.

“The more time you spend sulking, the less time I’ll have to whoop your a*s at FIFA. So, please shut up and let’s get to it,” Leon responded, looking annoyed.

Nash put the controller down and came to sit next to JJ who was holding a list of names of people they had interviewed. Leon came and sat on the other side of JJ. The three looked at the list, then simultaneously let out a sigh.

“Well I know we’re definitely not hiring Karen,” Leon said

“Or Amanda,” Nash and JJ said at the same time, then chuckled.

“Even though she was sexy as hell,” Nash continued. “Who’s Karen though?”

“Is she the one who said we were in the top five?” JJ asked with an amused smile.

“Yep.”

Nash shrugged. “Imagine the things she could lie about if she got the job. Nope. Definitely not.”

Leon cleared his throat.

“Uh-oh,’ Nash said looking to the other side, “here we go.”

“I was thinking we hire the last girl we interviewed. Alex, I think,” Leon eventually let out.

“Leon, man, I know appearance doesn’t matter much to you and I respect that. But we are not hiring Miss Over-sized t-shirts to be our secretary. Dude, if she wore that to an interview, where first impressions are everything, imagine what she will wear to work. No no no!” Nash was frustrated.

“Why her?” JJ asked, equally frustrated.

“Listen guys, I know her dressing was a bit off for an interview. But Nash, technically you and her are in the same w******p group. I think Alex is really our girl guys. This isn’t a joke anymore. We’re really doing this. We’re starting a company and we need everyone to be hands on. She’s smart, her chemistry is good, and you can just tell she’s creative and she could be a fast learner. To top it all off, she’s honest. Come on guys. You were all there, you heard her portfolio. You know I’m right. We can,” Leon paused for a while, then continued under his breath, “work on her dressing with time.”

“Okay. Fine,” JJ surrendered.

“No, no JJ don’t do this to me man.”

“Let’s just give her a shot. She probably won’t be able to handle it anyway.”

Leon was smiling now. “Alright then, that’s settled. Ready to get your a*s whooped?” he asked, slyly smiling at Nash.

Alex got home a few minutes after 6 but her mum had left already. Must’ve left early. She closed all the windows and curtains and locked all doors. When she felt secure enough, she plopped onto the couch with all remotes and switched on the TV. After she couldn’t decide what to watch, she decided to binge-watch Rizzoli and Isles. Somewhere between a serial killer and a terrorist she fell asleep.

The following morning, Ms Woods walked into their living room to a familiar scene.

“Lexie,” Ms Woods shook Alex lightly to wake her up.

“Hmm,” Alex responded in her sleep.

“You fell asleep on the couch again.”

Alex half-opened her eyes. “What time is it?”

“It’s way after 8 missy,” she said getting up from the couch to open the curtains. “If you’re being like this just after looking for a job, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when you actually start to work.”

Alex was sitting up now and stretching.

“So how did it go yesterday? Any luck?”

“Kira got a job at Cece’s. Unfortunately for me…”

“Were they only looking for one person?”

“Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Remember Terry? From junior high?”

“The one who claimed you robbed her of her whole life because you were good at something she wasn’t? I can’t even remember what it was you did to provoke her, but I remember how much she didn’t like you.”

“Yes, her. I got into the drama club and she didn’t and then the guy she liked told people he liked me, and she automatically concluded I did all that on purpose. Like I control other people’s view on natural talent like mine or how people feel about me,” Alex was sounding irritated now.

“Get to the point honey.”

“Right. Well, her mum is the Cece of Cece’s Trends so there goes that,” Alex said waving her hands into the air in defeat.

“Aww, I’m sorry love. You’ll get a job somewhere soon.”

“That’s not even the worst part.” Ms Wood made an “Uh-oh” face. “Then I bumped into a job interview and decided to go for it.”

Ms Wood gave Alex a once over. “Dressed like that?”

“What’s wrong with-. You know what, that’s besides the point. Then I totally embarrassed myself at first and I don’t think I managed to salvage the interview in the end so there goes that as well,” Alex said. “I guess on Monday I just have to continue with the job hunt. Think you could ask Maria if she needs an assistant or a PA for a year for me?”

“Because I want to go to work with you every day,” Ms Wood said sarcastically.

“C’mon ma. Help a girl chase that paper.” As Alex was saying this her phone started ringing. It wasn’t one of her contacts. “Who calls a new number at 8 in the morning?”

Alex: Hello?

Leon: Is this Miss Wood?

Alex: Uuh, yes.

Leon: This is Leon Harrison, from Harrison and Partners. You got the job.

Alex: I’m sorry, what?

Leon: You got the job Miss Wood. And we would like you to start on Monday if that’s fine by you.

Alex: That’s definitely fine by me.

Leon: Because we’re trying to keep our employees at a minimal, you must double as Receptionist and Secretary. Think you can handle it?

Alex: That won’t be a problem sir.

Leon: Alright. Our offices are located right opposite the South Entrance of the mall. You know that unoccupied building in the Office Park opposite the mall?

Alex: Yes. The one they just finished constructing?

Leon: Exactly. And Miss Wood, it’s no coincidence I’m calling on a Saturday. We work half day Saturdays. Will that be a problem?

Alex: Not at all. I can work Saturdays. Is there a specific dress code though? Do I have to dress formally?

Leon: We don’t care much what you wear. Just look presentable.

Alex: Thank you very much sir. I won’t disappoint you.

Leon: Alright Miss Wood. I’m hanging up now.

Leon hung up and Alex had her wide eyes open.

“Tell me. Tell me!” her mum said, excitedly.

“Those were the guys from the interview I was telling you about. You’re looking at the Receptionist and Secretary of Harrison and Partners.”

Both mother and child got up and started jumping up and down, doing their victory dances.