The Test
877 Words
Elena stood outside the Romano estate, staring up at the massive iron gates that loomed before her. She exhaled slowly, adjusting the strap of her purse.
Alright, Elena. Showtime.
The guards at the entrance watched her warily, but she didn’t let it faze her. She’d spent years perfecting the art of looking like she belonged somewhere she had no business being. With a confident walk, she approached the intercom and pressed the button.
A crackle, then a voice. "Name?"
"Elena Costa. I have a meeting with Nico Romano."
There was a brief pause, then a buzz as the gates slowly swung open.
She made her way up the driveway, meticulously trimmed hedges and fountains that screamed money on both sides. The Romano estate was less of a house and more of a fortress, a testament to the family’s power. But Elena wasn't intimidated.
She’d come too far to turn back now.
Nico was waiting for her in his office when she arrived. He was behind his desk, fingers drumming idly against the polished wood. A hulking man she knew to be Marco DeLuca stood nearby, arms crossed, his ever-present scowl in place.
Elena took in the room, the towering bookshelves, the expensive whiskey collection, the faint scent of leather, and something distinctly him.
"You showed up," Nico said, tilting his head slightly.
"Was I not supposed to?" Elena quipped.
His lips twitched as if he were suppressing a smirk. "Most people wouldn’t, considering last night’s chaos."
"I guess I’m not most people."
Marco let out a low chuckle. "She’s got nerve, I’ll give her that."
Nico leaned back in his chair, studying her. "You want to work for me. Why?"
Elena shrugged. "Because I’m good at what I do. And I think you could use someone like me."
"Bold statement. But anyone can say they’re good. I need proof."
Elena arched an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you want me to prove myself?"
Nico exchanged a glance with Marco before pushing a black folder across the desk. "Inside is a list of numbers, contacts, and encrypted files. Your job is to find the flaw. One mistake in these records. You have one hour."
Elena resisted the urge to smirk. A numbers game? Too easy.
She pulled the folder toward her, flipping it open. The neat columns of figures and names stared back at her, but she immediately saw the problem.
"Fifty-seven minutes left," Nico mused, watching her carefully.
Elena tapped a finger against the page. "This." She slid the paper toward him. "These offshore accounts, this one has a decimal point in the wrong place. Someone’s siphoning money."
Nico’s expression didn’t change, but Marco let out a low whistle. "Damn. That was fast."
Elena leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "It wasn’t exactly subtle."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Nico nodded approvingly. "Impressive."
But Elena knew he wasn’t done yet. "This was one test"
Elena’s brow arched. "What else do you have in mind?"
Without warning, Nico tossed a small knife at her. It flipped through the air, blade glinting, and instinct took over. Elena caught it by the handle without hesitation.
Marco let out a low laugh. "Oh, I like her."
Nico’s eyes narrowed slightly and gleamed with something unreadable. "Not bad. But let’s see if you can handle real pressure."
He turned to Marco, who nodded and walked to the door, opening it. A man was ushered in, a burly, rough-looking guy with a bruised eye and a busted lip. He looked like he’d been on the wrong end of a bad deal.
Nico gestured to Elena. "Convince him to talk."
Elena’s fingers curled around the knife as she sized up the man. So that’s how this is going to be.
She moved forward, placing the blade on the desk between them. "You look like a man who’s made some bad choices," she said coolly. "Here’s your chance to make a smart one."
The man glared at her but said nothing.
Elena sighed dramatically and picked up the knife again, running her thumb along the blunt edge. "I could hurt you, but let’s be honest, you’ve probably heard worse. So let’s do this the fun way."
She leaned in. "You see, I know people. And I know exactly who you owe money to. It’s not just the Romanos, is it? No, you’re in deep with the DeLucas too. They’re not nearly as forgiving." She was just guessing now, but what else could worsen this man's situation if not owed money?
The man’s jaw tightened.
Elena smirked. "So, you have two options. You cooperate, and maybe you walk out of here in one piece. Or you stay quiet, and I make a quick phone call to some very impatient DeLuca enforcers who would love to see you."
Silence stretched for a beat. Then, grudgingly, the man spoke. "Alright. What do you want to know?"
Nico watched the exchange with mild interest, then glanced at Marco. "She’s good."
Marco grinned. "Told you."
Elena sat back, triumphant. "So? Do I get the job now?"
Nico exhaled, then slid another paper toward her. "Congratulations, Miss Costa. You’re my new personal assistant."
She took the contract with a triumphant grin. Step one: complete. She was in.
- Writer
