In the Boss’s Arm

CHAPTER3

I glanced at my wristwatch. I have just five minutes left to wait for the supposed lady I’m going to interview before I leave for a meeting. Who comes to an interview late, anyway? It only means one thing: that person doesn’t need the job. Well, I’ll make it easier for her once she gets here.

Two minutes left, and right on cue, there's a ding informing me someone is in front of my office. Not caring to look at the camera, I press the remote, and the door swings open. I narrow my gaze to the door and am greeted by a marvelous sight: a lady in red.

My initial scowl at her lateness deepened when I noticed the bright red dress she was wearing. A color I detest so much. My eyes travel up, taking in her confident stance, the way the dress hugs her curves, and the bold red lipstick that accentuates her striking features. For an inexplicable reason, my irritation begins to waver and is replaced with surprise, followed by an involuntary spark of admiration. The corner of my mouth lifts slightly.

What is going on with me?

She is still standing there like she wasn’t there for the interview. I cleared my throat, attempting to maintain my stern demeanor and look away.

“If you’re not going to come in, I’ll shut the door,” I said flatly.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” I heard her say, followed by the click of heels on the floor.

I press the remote and the door shuts. I open my mouth to speak, but the smell of jasmine mixed with lavender fills my nose, shutting me up. I can’t remember wearing feminine perfume, and even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be this one. The lady in red approaches my desk, and the smell grows stronger. It’s her fragrance! I don’t like the perfume she wears; it reminds me of something bad.

My jaw clenches, and I dip my gaze at her. Who the hell is she to barge into my office and cause me so much distraction?

“Good morning, Sir,” her soft voice intrudes into my thoughts.

I retraced my eyes to my laptop. “Why are you late?” I retarded sternly.

Silence. And then I wait and wait and…

“I was stuck in traffic,” she finally speaks up.

“Were you not aware you had an interview with me this morning?” I asked, my tone abrasive.

“Not really. I only got a call this morning and—”

“If you needed a job, then you would be ready no matter what,” I said, still not sparing her a glance.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” I sensed her voice was unsteady.

“Why should I hire you? You don't seem like someone who will be punctual”, I leered.

“I promise I won’t ever be late for work if you hire me,” she replied almost immediately.

I am forced to glance up at her. The look in her eyes is confident, yet I can sense her nervousness. “How honest are you?”

“Excuse me?” Her eyes flickered in surprise at my question.

“I’m sure you heard me. I’m not going to repeat myself,” I said.

“I’m 85% honest,” she answers.

My brows knit in confusion. “85%? Why 85%? What about the remaining 15%?”

“I’d be lying if I said I’m 100% honest. If I’m working with you, there will be times when you’re around but might not want to see some people, and for that reason, I’ll have to lie that you are not around. In this scenario, I’ve lied, and that means my honesty has dropped. Other situations in the company might require me to lie, and if I say I’m 100% honest, I won’t want to tell lies,” she explains.

“In other words, you’re saying that the 15% dishonesty is going to be for the advantage of the company?”

“Yes, Sir,” she answered.

I hate to admit that she is a brilliant lady. I would have hired her for this reason, but she has offended me with two things: her dress and her fragrance.

“Why did you choose red as the color of the day? Don’t you have something else to wear for the interview? Is this how you’ll be dressing if you’re hired?” I asked contemptuously.

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in surprise.

I can’t let her go this way; no one is allowed to act offensively to me and get away with it. Ah, I don’t even know her name, and I spoke with her for more than five minutes.

“What’s your name?” I inquired.

“Kate… Kate Garrett,” she answered.

“I don’t care about your surname,” I said harshly.

I noticed a scowl on her face. Was she just offended that I said that? If only she knew what was coming her way, she wouldn’t even frown over a surname.

“You’re hired,” I concluded.

Her head whips towards me dangerously, and I am afraid it’ll hurt her neck.

“Like—I got—the job?” Kate stammers.

“I think that’s what the word ‘hire’ means,” I responded dryly.

“Oh my goodness!” she exclaims, her hands covering her mouth.

Isn’t she being overly dramatic? I rose from my seat, getting ready to leave for the board meeting. Oh poor lady, how rude of me. I didn’t even offer her a seat during the interview. It’s not my fault; she has been a distraction ever since she walked into this office.

“Thank you so much, Sir. I promise I won’t disappoint you. I’ll work so hard,” Kate blabs.

I leave my desk and approach her standing position. My eyes took in the sight of her. We both lock gazes and her excitement slowly fades. Standing so close to her causes a churn in my stomach. I find myself leaning in just to sniff her fragrance. The same smell that I’ve hated over the years becomes intoxicating to me in seconds.

What are you doing, Leon? I scold myself mentally.

I took a step back. “You had better get ready. You’ll be working hard,” I said, stepping back and giving her a stern look.