Tom and Betty

Chapter 2 Moving On and Meeting the Boss

Betty landed in LA with just two suitcases and some courage for her final interview with one of her applications. Skyscrapers, busy streets, the honking of cars overwhelmed her to the core. Taking full strides up to the apartment complex where an old man peeps through the curtains over the big window.

“You’re Elizabeth?”

She came nodding, struggling with her on the rocky paved road.

“Come here, let me help you with that.”

Stairs have never been her favorite thing. But she likes high ground, like the room she got. Too bad, the elevator broke so that they have to use the stairs for a couple of days while it’s under maintenance.

“The rent is on the 23rd of every month. The electricity and water bills are separate from the rental fees. Gas for the heater, because it can get chilly at night, trust me, in months like this. And oh, maintenance fee. 150 bucks per month. For the elevator and repairs.” The old man finishes as they both stepped inside the apartment. It was light, cozy, and spacious for a studio type.

“It’s okay. I can take it from here. Thank you so much for your help.”

Handing her the keys and an envelope for the contract, he immediately waved goodbye and shut the door behind him.

Tomorrow is Betty’s final interview with one of the famous companies in downtown LA. Happiness washed over her as she took the view and spotted a coffee shop nearby. Grabbing her keys, wallet, and phone, she slowly took the stairs back out of the apartment. People clad in business suits and corporate attires slowly covered the streets and she couldn’t stop imagining herself wearing the same. A smile crept on her lips as the cold breeze with the smell of freshly brewed coffee, baked bread, and a faint scent of asphalt. She is happy that she somehow forgot Patrick, even just for a moment.

The bell rang as she pushed the door open to one of the coffee shops lined up on the street. And it was jampacked with people. She fell into the line while she scanned the shiny glass display rack of cakes. She ended up ordering a blueberry cake and a black Americano. The black liquid shone under the expensive light when someone knocked her over while walking to one of the booths to sit.

“Oh, crap. #@*” flowery curse words flew out from the man’s mouth in a navy blue jacket. He held the phone and wallet in his left hand while the other hand pinched the shirt that was smoking with a coffee stain.

Her breathing hitched as she locked eyes with the angriest man alive. His lips curled back to his teeth and were all ready to pounce back.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Here, let me help you.” Sincere apology laced in her tone as she bravely held the man on his wrist and dragged him slowly to the booth.

“Look where you are going!” he snapped and glared at her. Anytime soon, she could explode by how hard he is staring at her.

“I am so sorry. I don’t know how I could make up for this.” She is not meeting his eyes, unlike how the people are looking at them. She could hear the labored breathing of the man, probably restraining his anger. But she guessed everything was still okay when he let her wipe his shirt with a tissue. A huge sigh escaped from the man's lips, shaking his head in annoyance.

“You know what, just... leave it alone. I have a meeting in a few minutes, and I am already late.”

The man is towering over her. His cologne is slowly mixing with the aroma of the coffee on his chest. She has the urge to laugh but decides not to.

“I still want to pay you for that. Please take this card with you, sir. You may call me if you want that shirt to be dry cleaned or anything.…”

She blabbered, handing out her calling card. It took a while for the man to accept it, but he picked the brown card anyway.

“Okay.” He answered with the offer, but hey, it’s favorable for him anyway.

The sound of the approaching bus interrupted me from my train of thoughts. As much as I hate the place, I have no choice but to head back to the town for my recent interview invitation as an office staff member for one of the largest companies in the city. It took me a dose of confidence to hit the apply button, knowing the company always apps on the front page of business magazines. I pressed my back on the chair and closed my eyes, silently praying I would not come across Ricky. So, basically, he is also working in the city, and the big chance of not getting across from him is slowly slimming as the bus slowly cuts the distance between us. The city is so big, you could get lost if you do not know how to ask and read, but who knows? Life can be a b*tch sometimes.

The building now towered over me. With the utmost confidence and luck, I padded my way to the reception area. You can only spot one person. The receptionist, of course. She is so beautiful with her long blonde in a bun. So wholesome, and she smiled the moment I stepped into the building.

“Good morning. I have a job interview with Mr. Tom Dawson?”

“Okay, one moment, please.”

The woman raises her eyebrows, not breaking a sight, while her fingers fumble at the telephone beside her. She mumbled something over the phone, impossibly too low for me to hear a word, and now her smile went from ear to ear as she guided me to one of the largest rooms.

“He will be here any moment. Please sit and wait for a while.” A mischievous glint was playing in her eyes as she eyed me with hawk-like eyes.

Okay, she is so effin’ weird.

I just stood at the center of the room encircling the spacious area while I waited and waited for nearly an hour now. The door opened, and I jumped in surprise when a man coughed and threw, yeah threw his binder over the table forcefully.

“Wait a minute. This man looks familiar.”

“Please, have a seat.” His voice was stern and authoritative. I counted my way back to the chair adjacent to him. We remained silent for a good two minutes, and I already started to feel antsy. My eyes wandered from the paper he was holding to the documents in his hands. Until I felt a pair of eyes drilling on my head, and I snapped out of my daze to look at him. He stared at me with cold eyes, and a small breath escaped from his mouth as he placed the paper. I assume it is my resume on the table.

“Now I can tell how it took you one year to get a job. When someone is sitting in front of you, you should pay attention, especially if your future is at stake. “

I mumble a silent apology as he scans my resume one more time.

“No experience, no professional training, and worst of all, no hobbies? Really? You are living your life well, I can tell.” He said sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest. I never expected I could come across such an arrogant man yet a powerful-looking man. My now full battery of confidence is now at the bottom as my anger rises to my temple. As much as I would like to bark comments on his remarks, I bit my cheek and mustered up a shy smile, making him squint his eyes in my direction.

“Why do you like to work in my company?”

My company? What the heck? Is he the owner of this company? What in the world am I applying? A manager? I am only applying for a rank-and-file position! Is it necessary for the owner to interview me?

“Pardon?” I asked absentmindedly. I regained my composure and defended myself from utter humiliation.

“Are y-you the owner of this company, sir? But I am only applying for an associate position.” I blabbered as I tried to explain myself.

“Am I not allowed to get to know the applicant? It is in the mission of the company to be transparent to its employees. So, I would like to get to know the applicants. Do we have a problem with that, Ms. Hernandez?”

“No, not at all, sir.” I smiled, amazed, and shocked by how this owner had spent a lot of time interviewing employees.

“I know that look, Ms. Hernandez. I am a busy person. I somehow choose the applicants I like to interview.”

“Okay, back to my question. Why do you want to work for my company?”

“I’ve wanted to work in one of the finest financial companies here in LA. I am an economics major, I want to expand my portfolio, and it would be an honor to start my career here.”

“How can you be certain that this is a good idea for your career?” his question sounds so unbelievable. Like he is trying to sway me from pushing this.

“I did some research, sir, and I have to say this is the only company that has outstanding ranks among all financial institutions.”

He is staring at me like he is disappointed with how this interview is going. Or is he reading my actions if I am sugarcoating my words or what?

The interview lasted for an hour, and I couldn’t wrap my head around how things escalated. From signing the contract and him-the owner himself congratulated me. I walked out of the building with a smile on my face. It’s as if a huge weight has lifted off my shoulder, and I can declare, I did it! I know it’s too early to congratulate myself for doing well, but being accepted on a job offer is such an achievement for me. I can’t wait to tell this to my foster parents, who have been very supportive of me.

I rented an apartment that cost almost half of my salary. Life here in the city means being luxurious, especially when you will be working in an executive company that probably handles all of the financial institutions in the whole country. I tried to find a cheaper apartment, but if it means I must travel two to three hours from work, it’s a no-go for me. Not practical at all. Apartments near business centers cost a literal fortune.

The balcony is what caught my attention. Overlooking at city lights, busy streets, sunrise, and sunsets. Things might have been so different if Ricky had just taken care of our relationship. I would probably stay in my foster Mom’s place, build my own coffee shop business, and start a family with him. But he, being the asshole, didn’t see my worth and instead took me for granted.

Meanwhile, in the office, I am now being guided by the receptionist named Elizabeth for deployment. We are now walking side by side, passing through large double doors, numerous office stops, and multipurpose halls.

“We will be going to the Chairman’s office first. He would like to talk to you before we proceed to your station.”

“Any idea why?”

“I also don’t know the reason. You will find it yourself.” She smiled at me as we stood face to face by a large oak door.

“Wait. Is it mandatory here in your company for newbies to talk to him?” I asked warily of the situation.

“To be honest, no. I was going to ask you. Okay, that’s it. Stop asking the question. I sometimes can’t control myself from talking. Go on, just knock and get in.”

There she strutted her way back to the reception, leaving me alone standing outside the door.

“Okay, this is it.”

I opened the door and saw a man in a navy-blue suit and eyeglasses. He looked so professional, and young too. Young business moguls aren’t a big deal here in the city. These are the results of the grand-grand inheritance of assets and businesses. He looks so innocent from his view here, more than he acted yesterday.

“Excuse me, sir…” It feels so weird calling him a sir when he is just about my age. I mean he looks so young.

“Uhm yes, have a seat.”

I made my way to the plush sofa at the center of his room and waited for him patiently. As usual, it took five minutes for him to stand up and I was starting to think he had forgotten I was in the room.

“I reviewed your resume, and I came up with a brilliant idea.”

He came over and sat adjacent to where I was sitting. He stared at me like he was waiting for me to react, but I was also staring at him, waiting for him to continue this brilliant idea he was referring to.

I don’t know how to respond when I get nervous.

“Okay, so you are not that much of a talker, aren’t you? I will offer you something good. Forget about the associate position.”

My attention is now all to his proposition. Is he going to offer me a managerial position? Hell, impossible. I don’t have experience yet. Is he going to offer me to another branch? Not bad, away from my now ex-best/boyfriend. But I was brought back to my senses once again by how his words came out of his mouth.

“I need a personal secretary. If you accept my proposal, you will be working only five times a week, I will double your salary and you will get a lot of benefits.”

Too good to be true. Why would he want me to be his secretary? It doesn’t match my degree and I am a bit wary that personal secretaries stand by their bosses all the time. And I don’t want that. It’s effin’ awkward, to begin with. Just being in the room with him makes me uncomfortable. What more is my whole career beside him?

“No.”

“I mean—I am contented with the associate position, sir. Not to sound rude, but it doesn’t match my degree, sir.” I added in defense, silently praying he would consider my request.

“That’s not a problem at all. You will still be handling finances. To be honest, I need someone who knows how to handle money. I have this crazy habit of overspending, you know. And I need someone who can control that for me.” His smile went bigger and nastier as he stared at me waiting for my response.

“Come on, Ms. Hernandez. I am about to give you a free apartment, a service vehicle, and allowances for this position. But I have one more condition.”

“What condition, sir?”

“Accept the offer first. Then I will tell you the conditions.”

Sneaky.

“Sir, as much as I would like to accept your offer, I have already signed the contract. I think it would be unprofessional for us to breach it, I think we already know that.”

“Would it be more unprofessional to decline the offer from the head of the company?”

And that left me speechless.

“Uhh—I...”

“I have your contract, Ms. Hernandez. I can submit it to HR whenever I like. And as of now, I don’t have the mood to endorse you to your department.”

Smiling like a villain, he is staring at me, taunting me to snap. I am really on the edge of barking snarky remarks, but this might be my future boss, whether I accept the offer or not. So, with the utmost control of anger, I clutched the hem of my skirt, smiling at him like a normal person. But I am fuming with anger. This is abusing his power.

What the hell is happening? This is not what I was expecting. Is this for real?

“So, what do you think?” He asked, slumping on his chair, putting his fist on his chin, and studying me under his lashes.

Who am I to say ‘no’ to a job? I have waited for a year to have a job like this.

“Okay, fine. I will accept your offer, sir.” I answered with disappointment and anger laced in my tone.

“Okay, so as promised... the condition is, you will help me process my annulment with my wife.”

What. The. f**k? That came out of nowhere. Like a bomb dropped on the ocean.

This left me speechless for the second time today. So much was going on for three hours. I wonder if I can get out of this building alive by the end of the day.

My mouth hung open as I tried to process what he said. With no second thought, I scratched my head and scoffed, can’t believe what I heard.

“Uhmm... okay. That came unexpectedly.” I half smiled and scratched my head once again.

“I don’t have to tell you the whole story. Just help me let her sign the papers.”

What could go wrong with working in this successful company? Weird receptionist, ass owner, and an unbelievable extracurricular activity.

“So, I guess I have no choice then.” I was about to back out, but I can already see myself going back to square one. I don’t want to waste more days trying to get a job. I can start from here and do something sensible for myself.

“Okay. Let me congratulate you for joining my team, then.” He leaned on his chair arrogantly staring back at me.

I really can’t hide my curiosity and feel sad for him. I mean look at him. The owner of one of the big companies here in town. Lavishing lifestyle and tons of money. But his marriage isn’t perfect.

His face suddenly morphed into disgust and he snorted like an angry bull.

“Oh, here we go, again. Stop giving me that look. I have seen that face my whole life. I never wanted to get married, Ms. Hernandez. For your information. Don’t feel sad, because I am way more excited to get out of this f*cking marriage.” Feeding me more information about his broken marriage.

“It’s j-just…”

I don’t want to hear it.” He snapped, silencing me completely.

And then we both fell into a long stretch of silence until we were both interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Mr. Dawson? Your lunch meeting will now start shortly. You are expected in the Multi-Purpose Hall with the investors.” A man in his forties chimed in, making my new boss nod and waving his hand to dismiss him.

“Come with me to the meeting. I will introduce you to them.”

We walked side by side and proceeded to the elevator up to the 16th floor. I still feel awkward and disappointed by how he described his marriage. His words echoed in my ears, and I realized I’d rather live or stay single than live a married life with a man like him.

We got off the lift and I could already hear people talking and laughing. Men in navy-blue suits are lounging in the dining hall. The place looks so luxurious and elegant with a towering glass wall overlooking the city underneath. Odd, it’s like I am seeing the kings of financial institutions sitting on their throne with their soldiers and knights underneath them. I stood in awe, and it was Mr. Dawson, who put a hand on my back, ushered me to go forward.

“Gentlemen, thank you for gracing me with your presence today. I would like to introduce my new secretary, Ms. Betty Hernandez.”

I only smiled and they all nodded in agreement and invited us to come and join them. Mr. Dawson left me in the middle of the sea of businessmen. Food was served right away with a glass of champagne. I was excited when a waiter started to pour in my glass, but Mr. Dawson stopped him. He pointed to another bottle of drink. Much to my dismay, he is referring to giving me sparkling water instead of champagne. I snorted in annoyance, taking a small sip of my sparkling water and mouthed ‘thank you'. His only response was a blank face and he shook his head. He is so freaking unbelievable.

Mr. Dawson approached a lone old businessman sipping water silently. He looks important to my boss, I could tell. But what surprised me was when Mr. Dawson kissed the ring on his finger, and the latter patted his head. They are smiling from ear to ear. I cannot hear their conversation, but it looks like they are enjoying each other. While here, I am now being questioned by the other businessmen once again.