Chapter 1 I Need Money

Lacey's POV:

My palms are sweaty, and my chest is heaving. I’m at a job interview in one of the biggest entertainment companies in Los Angeles, Markle Diamond Productions. The job position? Assistant to the big boss. Secretary something. I’m thirty-four and because of some family problems, meaning I had to take care of my only living parent, my dad, I’ve been away from the working field for the last four years. No, he’s not well and the money I own in my bank accounts are approaching the red line.

My dad is battling leukemia and the treatment is astronomical. When we first found out about his condition, it was already in advanced stages. His new surgery is due in six months and I need to work out the amount for it; a breakthrough treatment that is supposed to cure him, that costs around 150k dollars.

I don’t know what to believe anymore, but I love him more than myself and I’ll do anything that stands in my powers to hit opportunities and try them out for him to have a chance on life. Cure? At least for him to live longer and not suffer that much. I’m fine with that. He thinks the same. Yet, he’s at peace with either outcome. He has pleaded me several times to stop sacrificing myself for him as he doesn’t want to ruin my life. He has lived his, he says. I can’t do that.

So, if I get this job, I’ll be able to contract a loan or something to start paying the surgery and treatment. And the hell I won’t nail it. No one has more drive than I have for my dad to acquire this position. Besides the upcoming surgery and treatment, I also have overdue treatment and hospital fees of around 80k dollars. Yeah, life is good….

No, my dad is not at home any longer. I’ve enrolled him in a hospital stay as his condition requires that for the stage he has. It’s a private hospital focused on such cases and you can imagine how expensive all this is. On the other side, him being under hospital care, I can better find a job and tend to it while regularly visiting him there. Like daily.

The candidates are coming out from their interviews with pale or green faces. All women, with outstanding beauty and body, fit to the entertainment industry. I’m not that fit. No, I’m not ugly, but I’m a curvy girl. I can’t compete with these girls in terms of physical appearance. They are like walking down from a magazine or a movie.

Last one coming out…. “I can’t believe him!” She puffs and sends me a weird look as I’m last in line for the interview. “Well, if I didn’t get the job, you certainly won’t, fatty. Hmph!” And she walks out her heels making angry sounds on the floor to the elevator.

Fatty? I’m not fat. Ha-ha! But yes, I’m not skinny like the model you are. Anyways. I’m here for secretary position, not to appear in a movie. I should probably look for more job interviews though…. She might be right.

I release a sigh and intend to fish out my phone from my purse, but the woman calling in the interviewees has just called my name. Oh boy…. Here we go. Whatever happens, happens.

“Miss Lacey Holtrey? You may come in. Mr. Markle is expecting you.” She’s showcasing a devilish grin at me. Yeah, she’s a devastating beauty herself, wearing a black office dress and high black heels. I’m doomed….

“Yes, thank you.” I stand up with my heart in my throat after I give her a genuine smile. Man! All other candidates came out under five minutes. I guess I’ll break that record. Ha-ha!

I fetch my purse and walk in my dignified way. I used to be someone in the business world four years ago. I’m now at the bottom of the jungle though…. But I don’t regret it. I did it for my loved one. My dad is my everything. Whatever else can be rebuilt.

She shows me the way to the CEO’s office. The entire building is that of billionaires, and the corridor and office is nothing less. Imagine the widest and all equipped with the top notch and you have the clear picture of what is like.

“I won’t approve that movie, Kevin. Because it will be a flop.” The CEO is with his back at us, standing behind his black leather chair, looking outside the window, with his left hand in his pocket. He’s a God-like built male, wearing a dark grey suit tailored to his muscular body, and possessing an Alpha voice. Well, he looks like a real Alpha in his all.

He’s the typical CEO we get to read about in Billionaire Romance books. Ha-ha! And he seems young, too. Wonder why those babes came out like that. They should have fit your style and appearance. The last one was right. I don’t fit in here. Not that I have a low self-esteem, but I’m a normal person. Anyways. We’ll see. I’m confident in my person and I do have all that it takes for this job. My CV is with high credentials for a CEO but for a secretary job. I don’t have time to pursue higher job positions….

The blonde babe next to me is waiting for him to finish his phone call and introduce me. I’m looking around in his office. I was once an important person, too. Not at this level, but it was a significant one…. Yeah…. I’m not sweaty anymore and my heartbeats decrease to normal rates. I’m getting back in the game of who I used to be. A smile corners my mouth staring at the floor.

“Alright. Send me the other project to have a look over it. Budget is never a problem, Kevin. I need blockbusters, not flops. I can budget even one billion per movie if it’s a gem. Fine, we’ll meet in my club tonight with the guys. Yeah. Bye.” And he ends the call, turning around at us, scanning me from head to toes and back.

I’m in a black suit pants embracing my figure, a cream blouse tucked in my pants, black leather stilettos, and my chestnut wavy hair, which is over my shoulders in length, is in a ponytail. I’m dressed like a businesswoman to tell you in short.

And he’s like an Adonis at face, with big green eyes, perfect porcelain skin, and that messy dark blond hair tops his neat and sexy appearance. Well, tailored for those romance books. I might start writing as a job as I found a real character in real life to get inspiration from. Not me as female lead as I’m not the type to enter in such a relationship, but I can use the blondie at my right. Ha-ha! Anyways.