Perfect For The Job (His Personal Assistant)

Chapter 3

I think Paul was looking out for me from above and this was a sign. I didn’t have to steal anymore, and I actually had a chance to better my life. Paul was always cheesy and a hopeless romantic that when I chose the name Ghost, he wanted to be Hunter. I used to tell him it was creepy that he wanted to be called that, but he used to say it was because he would chase after me and find me eventually. It was creepy but I loved why he picked his alias. I was lost in thought as blinked again back in the office.

“I don’t understand,” I responded, “I never had the interview,” I looked at him.

This was way too easy and in my 23 years, I have come to the realization that nothing in life came easy. I looked at the man across from me for the first time and not in a seductive way and I saw there was more to him than he led on. I could not figure it out yet, but there was something off about him.

“What’s there to understand. The job is yours.” He looked at me, leaning on his chair.

“Mr. Stone. I do want the job, but I didn’t make the interview.”

“Miss Sailor. I know and quite frankly, this is my company so I can do whatever I want. I want you, Emily,” he had a sinister look when he responded, "Besides HR already vouched for you all i wanted was to see for myself if you are hireable."

“But- “ He raised his hand before I could say more.

“You may go,” he dismissed me, I looked at him, but he was already looking down on his screen. “Tell Suzie to come in on your way out.”

I nodded but he never looked up as I grabbed my file and purse and walked to the door. I was still confused because, one moment he had been kind to help me clean up, and the next he had dismissed me like I was a soldier.

“Suzie,” I called, she looked up at me.

“Congratulations Miss Sailor,” her tone was sarcastic, “Welcome to the team,” she gritted her teeth as she looked up to me. I had no idea what her deal was, but I knew she was good at being fake. She had smiled and spoken kindly, but it was all fake.

“He asked for you,” I responded, brushing her off with a fake smile of my own.

“For the record, he is my boss, not you,” she pointed at me, “Next time you decide to be clumsy make sure to clean up after yourself.”

“I’m sorry,” I looked at her.

“Your cheap blouse was sent to the dry cleaner,” she responded, turning her back, walking to his office.

I walked out of the building a little shocked because I thought I had lost my chance and he hired me without an interview. As soon as I got in the car I looked up at the tall building once more before I fist-bumped into the air and patting myself on the shoulder.

I decided to take a few stops before I went home. Paul and I used to do a lot of outdoor activities which included going to the river and hiking. We were high school sweethearts and we had dated for 2 years before he was killed. He was my true love and after him, I have never taken a chance to date. My heart is not ready to let him go, and I feel as though I am betraying him when I think of another man. There is never a time frame for grief, and I know my heart is not there yet. I have hooked up with a few guys before, but to me, it was never serious. I really want to move on and be happy, but I have chosen to not think that far.

My last stop was at the river on the bench where Paul and I had carved our initials with a knife. I had hot flashes of Paul’s hands on my body burning into me as I closed my eyes. He always knew what I needed, and we were never ashamed to be affectionate in public. He was really the only guy for me and honestly, no one has ever made me feel the way he made me feel as, a person and sexually.

“Hey, Paul,” I exhaled, this is something I do whenever I sit on this bench. I stare at the beautiful scenery surrounding me and speak to Paul. A few passers-by have always given me strange looks and some along the years have stopped to check if I was fine. Some even went as far as ask if I was from any mental institution a few years back because I was a wreck.

“Today has been a good day. It started rough but I got the job at Stone Tech. I know, I know nothing about the tech world, but that won’t be my focus. You are now looking at the new personal assistant to Jeffery Stone.” I let out a triumphant laugh, “I won’t bore you with many details, but I wanted to let you know that I will make you proud. I will work hard, and I also want to say I’m sorry for what I’m about to do tonight. I made you a promise after you died that I would stop and I wanted you to take care of me one last time before I start my job on Monday,” I looked at the river.

I sat on the bench for quite some time with my thoughts. The riverside has always been peaceful and a nice place to share all my emotions. I have grieved, laughed, changed, and made all my decisions on this very spot. This was my safe place and it has never disappointed me when I came here. I got up feeling energized and happy to tackle the next phase before I become the best f*****g PA Stone Tech has ever seen.

“Goodbye my love,” I spoke, walking to my car.

It took me about 20 minutes to drive back home and I was exhausted, but I had to share the good news. I was expecting Chris to be waiting for me, but he was nowhere to be found so I went to check on my grandpa and tell him about my day.

“Sunflower, you are back?” He spoke the moment I got into his bedroom.

“How was your day. Did Chris behave?” I spoke, walking to the bed before giving him a hug.

“You know Chris, he is always grumpy. Enough about him, how did it go?” He grabbed my hand.

“I got the job,” I confessed, with a huge smile bouncing on the bed.

“I knew you would get it. You are so clever and I’m proud of you.”

“This is good for us,” I said, looking at him, “You know this means we can finally live somewhere nice in the next 6 months,” my eyes were glowing with hope.

“Let’s not get hasty sunflower,” he patted the top of my hand as he spoke.

“Grandpa,” my face fell.

“Em, I know you are young, and you have a whole life ahead of you, but let's celebrate your job first before we make any decisions”

“I won’t argue with that,” I kissed his cheek, “How about tomorrow I make you your favorite pie?” I smiled, nodding at him.

“That would be great,” he smiled, as he kissed my cheek.

I didn’t want to push him with all the plans I had of us moving because it was going to take a lot of convincing and bribing with his favorite meals. I don’t blame him because this was the home he bought after he got back from the army when he married grandma. My father grew up in this place and so did Chris and me and it was going to be hard for me too.

“Did Chris leave you alone?” I looked at him.

“No, he was moody and I chased him away. He is my least favorite grandkid” he looked at me smiling.

“I heard that,” Chris spoke hovering at the door.

“I saw you that’s why I said it. You remind me of my younger self that’s why you not my favorite,” he winked at me.

“Grandpa. We spoke about this you love us the same,” I moved from him pretending to be outraged.

“Maybe if he learned how to cook like my sweet Carol, I would like him,” he added.

“Em can cook, but we know grandma was the best pie maker,” he stuck out his tongue at me.

“Fine you are both my favorite now get out of here I need to watch the news,” he spoke, adjusting his pillow before reaching for the remote.

“I will bring your dinner soon,” I spoke, walking out with Chris.

“Where the hell have you been?” Chris whispered.

“You know where,” I rolled my eyes, walking down to heat the pasta I bought for supper.

“Don’t walk away from me,” he sounded angry, “You shouldn’t have made that deal with Todd.”

“Do you have a stash of cash hidden somewhere to pay him back?” I looked at him.

“No,” he looked away, “Things have changed Emily” he walked closer. The only time Chris ever calls me by my full name is when he is serious

“I know,” I smiled at him, “This is only once off and you have to promise me, Christopher, after this you are going to get your s**t together,” I added, he knew I was serious too.

“How was your day?” He handed me a plate, “Did you get it?” He asked, turning his back to get the glasses.

“Yeah, I did” I responded, getting giddy and smiling, “I start Monday.”

“Mom and dad would be so proud as am I.” He gave me a hug.

Chris is the most intelligent person who could make something of his life, but he is stubborn and has a mind of his own. He dropped out of school because he was tired of being looked down on because we were not rich. Grandpa had a friend from the army who got us enrolled in a better school, but he could not swallow his pride and get a decent education.

“It’s not too late for you to do something, you know?”                                                               

“I’ll take that up for him,” he pulled away from the hug avoiding the topic as the microwave stopped. “Get ready, we leave soon,” he responded, walking up with a plate.