A Job Offer
1641 Words
Ravenelle
"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice deep and resonant. He was giving me a look of disgust, but at the same time he was offering me a hand to help me off the floor.
Memories from the night before were too scary to let me accept his hand. What if he wanted to kill me too?
I had my doubts though, not only because there were people around, but also because there was no murderous glint in his eyes.
Why was he disgusted? Did I reek of sweat?
"Oh, I'm fine." I told him quickly and got off the floor without accepting his help. "I'm sorry. I was in a hurry and wasn't paying attention."
"Why are you here?" He asked me.
"I just had to use the bathroom. I'll be out of here as soon as I do."
"This is not a place for people like you." He said, his voice was low.
What did he mean by that? People like me? It's not like he knew who I was.
I got annoyed.
"Yeah. Just let me use the bathroom and I'll leave." I said and pushed past him, not giving him another chance to stop me.
I got into the ladies' room and exhaled. What was that? Was there something in the air lately? First it was those guys, and now this one. He looked so responsible and from the quality of his outfit, he had to have a good position in the company. But that didn't give him the right to tell me where I could or couldn't be.
I mean, what if I was an employee? Even if he worked there, it's not possible that he would know every single person that was employed there.
It was more annoying to think about it, so rather, I hurried to used the bathroom, relieving myself.
When I was done and washed my hands, I stepped out of the ladies' room, surprised to see Mister Foxy eyes still standing in that same position I left him.
He was looking at me, his expression was the same.
"You've handled your business, now leave." He said to me.
It was embarrassing to be treated that way, especially since it seemed like everyone else paused whatever they were doing and their attentions were focused on us.
I kept my eyes down.
"Okay."
I had just taken two steps when the elevator dinged and open. Another important-looking man stepped out with about five other men dressed up like bodyguards.
I couldn't explain why I didn't keep walking, but seeing that man, surrounded by bodyguards, I was compelled to halt. He looked a lot like foxy eyes, not just because their eyes were identical, but nearly all their features. Except that foxy eyes looked much younger.
Were they related?
"Keep moving." Foxy eyes commanded.
I had already forgotten myself.
I turned to leave, but another voice spoke up. It was equally deep, but there was no hint of anger or disgust.
"Who are you?"
I turned back around to be sure it was me he was talking to.
"Me?"
Older foxy eyes nodded once.
"No one. I was just passing through."
"Yes, I can see that. But who are you?" He asked again.
"Dad, I already have it under control." Younger foxy eyes said to the older one. So I was right, they were related. A father and a son.
"Your name, child?" The father asked, ignoring his son.
"Um, Ravenelle. Ravenelle Nicken." I stuttered.
"Do you have a minute? Come with me." He said and I got a feeling that it wasn't a request.
I nodded and followed him back into elevator with the bodyguards surrounding us. Before the elevator doors closed, I saw an almost worried expression on the son's face.
What was he worried about? He didn't want me following his dad?
Hold up! Ravenelle, you fool!
I was nearly killed by two strangers not even up to twenty-four hours ago, and now I just got into an elevator with six men?! If they wanted me dead? I had no way of protecting myself.
But then again, it was a matter of 'if'. They were all silent and not one person looked in my direction until we got to the top floor.
The elevator doors opened to a different lobby, much like the first but with even more expensive looking decor and there was only one person there, she looked like the receptionist or the secretary. She got up when we entered and she didn't sit until I followed the father into his office, through the door held open by one of his bodyguards. Though they didn't follow us in.
The office was impressive, to say the least. It had that classic CEO vibe, with fancy furniture and big windows letting in all that natural light. As I looked around, I couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated by the sheer luxury of it all. The desk in the center was like something out of a movie, but despite the grandeur, there was a welcoming vibe in the room. It was a bit surreal being there.
"Have a sit, miss Nicken." He said, gesturing to one of the armchairs in the corner, in front of a couch and with a low coffee table between them.
I obeyed and sat on the armchair, though I felt a little nervous.
How exactly did I even land myself in that situation?
"Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself yet." He said, sitting on the couch so that he was facing me. "I am Alaric Grayson, founder and CEO of Mooncrest."
Mooncrest? Oh, that was the company's name.
"Um... Nice to meet you, Mr. Grayson."
"Call me Alaric, I have a lot of sons that Mr. Grayson doesn't seem like my name anymore."
"Oh, okay."
"I can call you Ravenelle, right?"
I nodded, still not sure why I was there. It was just so strange that the founder himself wanted to talk to me. Maybe I was overthinking it. I had to seize that opportunity.
"Good." He said. "What brings you here today?"
"I'm looking for a job. A part-time job cause I'm a college student."
"What is your major?" He asked.
"Linguistics."
"Really nice." He commented. "What about your family?"
Why did he need to know that? Even if it was an interview, I doubt that was part of normal interview questions.
I studied him, he seemed interested, no shady look was behind his eyes.
"My parents live in a different state." I lied. "I've lived with my grandmother since I was little, but she passed away a few weeks ago."
He nodded, adjusting in his seat.
"So, you're alone right now?"
Weird question.
"Yeah, kinda. I have friends though."
That was another lie since Emma was my only friend. My only friend since childhood.
"I have a job offer for you."
What? He did?
"Okay...?" I drawled, trying to hide my excitement.
"This is my last day here as CEO. I'm retiring. My son, the one you met in the lobby. Alec. He's taking over as my heir."
I didn't get where he was going with that.
"You want me to work for Alec?"
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Trust me, you don't want to work for him. I'm telling you that I don't need you in the office, but I'm in need of an assistant, at home. Retirement doesn't mean I'm letting go of the reins completely. I would only need you to call my attention to my pending tasks from time to time. In exchange, you get a fair monetary compensation, a place to stay with all your basic needs provided, and I won't distract your college activities."
Whoa! That was a great deal. But I didn't get why I needed to stay in his house.
"Mr. Alaric..."
"Just Alaric." He said, interrupting me.
"Alaric, your offer is amazing, but is it necessary that I stay at your house?"
He nodded.
"It is a tradition that all our close employees live with us. Don't you think it will be a hassle if you have to come from your house all the time?"
Well, he had a point.
"I came up with a figure in my head, so let me know if this works for you."
What figure was he talking about?
"You only have to work for about twenty hours per month. And each hour, you make five hundred dollars. Is that okay with you?"
Was he for real?! Twenty hours a month? That's was less than I was expecting and for five hundred dollars an hour?! That was criminal! Was that what he called fair?! Of course it was okay with me.
I tried my best to hide my excitement, though.
"Yes, I'm fine with that."
He grinned.
"Great!" He tucked his hand into his suit jacket and got out a card, and gave it to me.
"That's my home address. You don't have to bring anything except yourself. I'll be expecting you to have dinner with me tonight."
Oh my God! It was happening so fast and I was loving every bit of it.
I took the card from him, said my thanks and left.
I was so happy that I skipped all the way to the elevator. Even when I got to the first floor, I skipped out of the building. I was on cloud nine until I got home.
Emma was still there and even she couldn't believe my news. There wasn't any time to chitchat since it was already evening and Alaric said he was expecting me to be there for dinner.
Emma helped me pack up my clothes and school books. I freshened up and got dressed for dinner, so I wouldn't waste any more time, and then I took a cab to Alaric's house.
- Writer
