Flying the Dominant Billionaire

The Interview

Present Day September 2014

Kelly

She sat in the lavish waiting area for her interview. It had been two years of an amazing time at the NYPD Aviation Unit, flying the choppers for the coppers.

But life had become redundant and with her latest altercation with her boss who turned out to be the misogynist of the highest order. She had to call it quits.

Going against her own principles of dating her boss, she had still ended up getting pulled into this affair and now, when she wanted to end the relationship, things became murkier.

Especially with the last incident where she almost lost her sister. She wasn’t going to continue working in such an environment. It was totally against what she believed in and she sure as hell did not become a pilot to be subdued and be a pushover.

So, despite the issues with her leased apartment, she had put in her papers. Luckily for her, within a couple of weeks, she had read about this opportunity to work as a pilot for Lombardi Inc. More popularly known as Papa Lombardis Pizzas.

She adjusted her shirt, which was a tad too tight.

Her friend Barbara had talked her into wearing this over- the- top, sexy secretary type attire. She was super uncomfortable in her black pencil skirt that ended just above her knees and the white shirt that could hardly contain her boobs.

She had to keep her upper buttons open to be able to breathe. Thankfully, although, her black short jacket made her feel slight comfort, she was still apprehensive about walking on those black pencil heels that Barbara had coaxed her into wearing.

“You will need to look professional and confident. It’s all about the first impression.” Barbara’s words rang in her head as she glanced at the executive assistant of William Lombardi Three, sitting at the desk typing something into the suave iMac.

Maybe Barbara was right. This office was so different from what Kelly was used to.

For starters, it was as quiet as a church, save for the sounds of the secretary's frantic fingers typing into the keyboard of the Mac. Their NYPD office used to be loud and bustling with activity.

Second, the woman at the Mac, Janice was dressed in a sophisticated lemon green blouse with a plunging neckline and a black pencil skirt somewhat similar to what Kelly wore.

Miss Janice had welcomed her, offered her a coffee and gotten busy with her own work. The rectangular glasses perched on her nose made her look like a secretary right out of a magazine. Kelly was ready to bet that the woman wore stuff that would would be worth her entire month's salary. Should I ask her about the work culture here? Will it be held against me?

Her eyes moved around the office waiting area, taking in the grandeur of the 36th floor lounge of the Lombardi Plaza. The building was located at Lexington Avenue and boasted of an impressive 37 floors. She could bet her ass that the 37th floor had a penthouse with the most expansive view of the area around them. Maybe she could even see the Chrysler Building!

Her eyes landed on the painting in the right corner where a Scottish castle stood on a rocky hill, with the bluest sky in the background. She needed to catch up with David. It had been so long!

Since she started dating her NYPD boss, Alex, she had kind of lost touch with David. The Scottish castle reminded her of her friend who had stayed with her through different phases of her life.

It would be interesting to see his reaction to her break up. She smirked at the thought and Miss Janice asked her to enter William Lombardi Three’s office.

She got up and adjusted her skirt. A little uncomfortable and a tad bit apprehensive, she walked slowly towards the door. She knocked and entered.

The room was grand just like everything that she had seen on this floor. There was another office at the other end. Must have a terrific view with his corner placement.

William Lombardi Three sat behind a huge office desk on his high back office chair, peering into his own Mac. He must have been in his seventies but looked fit and hot. What a silver fox! Kelly thought, looking at the grey hair on the handsome face and adjusted her coat, hoping that she was dressed right.

She cleared her throat to let her presence be known and William nodded. He glanced at her from the screen and asked her to sit down.

Once she had taken her seat he tapped a button on his keyboard, turning the screen off and looked at her giving her his full attention. Or was he observing her before too?

"Kelly! Lovely name. I am honoured to meet the most beautiful woman on this planet. Hope you liked the Lombardis' office." His voice boomed.

Kelly blushed at his words. She wasn't used to such blatant flirting in such an easygoing manner. The man was almost her grandpa's age. "Thank you, sir. The grandeur here is impressive," she replied neither lying nor flattering.

He chuckled, confusing her, but she kept a straight face. He suddenly shifted into a serious tone. "I have just one question for you. In case of a helicopter malfunction, where you have the choice to save either the passenger or the chopper, what would you choose."

"That's simple sir." She smiled. "I would choose the passenger."

"What if the passenger is not one of the Lombardis and the net worth of the passenger is lesser than the chopper?" William Lombardi Three looked at her clearly scrutinising her response. She wasn't intimidated. She knew what she would do.

"I would still choose to save the passenger." She insisted.

"Easy to say when you haven't spent 1.8 Million Dollars from your own pocket!" William Lombardi Three's caustic remark made her sit straight and take a deep breath.

Lately, she had been meeting such chauvinists that it wasn't a surprise for her to come across another man blinded by money and net worth.

"Easy to think of that 1.8 Million when you are not the passenger." She gave a sweet smile driving her point home.

She saw his eyes gleam. Was that anger? Bad luck. He came across a woman who would not fall in line with what he had to say. She had learnt the hard way. To be taken seriously in a man's world, she had to be dead sure of what her thoughts were. She could not come across as airy- fairy.

"Well, in that case, miss Kelly, you may go. We will get back to you. That you for your time." William Lombardi Three dismissed her with a smile.

But she had a sinking feeling. Maybe this wasn't the answer that he was seeking.

Well then, he would have to employ someone else.

"Thank you, sir." She got up.

"Bill" She couldn't believe her ears. Well, she knew the common nickname for people named William, but she couldn't imagine the top boss of Lombardi Inc., asking her to address him by his nickname.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Please call me Bill. Sir makes me sound old." He responded peering into her eyes.

She shrugged. Who was she to argue? "Thank you, Bill. It was nice to meet you."

He nodded, and she turned around and left.

***