Chapter 5 Making Hay

I remember my first interview at Twenty One, it had been for an internship at a local advertising firm and I had been anxious and worried about what to expect and how it would be. I had gotten there and then my worries all flew away, when I had seen the works of every other person I had been confident in myself.

"Go on Miss Donovan" the interviewer had urged when I had gotten to the front of the room and was getting last-minute jitters. I had looked at my creation and from a place I didn't even know the words had just flown. I got the position.

The second time was more competitive, the company had referred me to 'Gerald Co' and since the reference had been sincere and all of my achievements had been listed and sent to them, I was sized up as a worthy worker.

The doubt had been from me, because when I had seen the works of every other person I had felt inferior and then I knew it was a place that defined our knowledge.

I dressed up for the meeting with Matthew Finn and I wondered why this seemed like a major life event. I was already a worker, this was probably some reevaluation of staff. But it was not just that, it was also when I made my first move.

I dubbed in a fragrance I had bought on my last trip to France, something called Rosè. A cliche name, but I had to agree the fragrance was lovely. I applied it on sensitive parts of my skin and added a little touch of makeup. The plan was to make an impression.

I drove to work and parked in my reserved space, sighting Jeffery's car next to mine. We had fought for that parking spot for months before finally, he had given in and let me have it. I had heard he was also to meet with Mr Finn today.

I climbed up the stairs, wanting to burn off a little energy. I had missed the gym since the breakup.

I made a turn and arrived at my cubicle entrance. One thing I liked about my workspace was that it was secluded, set apart from all other workspaces, and was quite efficient for me, it allowed me the solitude I enjoyed and craved.

"Holy heavens!" I gasped as I walked into my office, right there by the window was the boss. His back was to the door and he was in a tailored suit. I easily recognized him from all of the photos I had come across on the web.

He turned and leaned on the frame, holding me to a spot with his smoky glare, I wanted to melt. But as quickly as I gathered myself together, he should be the one having this reaction.

"Good morning, Miss Donovan. I believe I startled you" he said and walked towards me, I remained fixated on the spot as I watched him come closer. He was standing in front of me now and I didn't know how to act or what to say. Believe me, I am usually a confident person.

"Yes, you did," I said and broke the stare, taking my briefcase over to my desk and placing it down.

"Good morning Mr Finn," I said finally and turned to face him.

"I was expecting you already on the seat, I have somewhere to be and would prefer to have the meeting over with," he said, his eyes not leaving mine. At that moment I couldn't think of him as anything other than another man, the thought of him being my ex-boyfriend's father was not in my head which was unhealthy because I should have it in mind.

"I am sorry I wasted your time but I am quite early. We resume at nine" I responded, some of my earlier confidence returning to its natural habitat, my mind.

"Then I guess we need to work on that. May we commence?" He didn't wait for me to respond, he just went out of the room and I followed close behind. He liked people chasing after him.

"I must warn you, I'd be keeping my opinions to myself as Miss Lesley has warned me to be docile and agreeable," I said hoping to get his attention. He stopped in his tracks and then continued.

"I'm a democrat, have you ever heard of freedom of speech?" He said simply and continued walking.

He opened the blinds in his office and watched him squint, was he allergic to light? I've heard people are allergic to air, this could be a possible thing. I laughed at my silly thought and it caught his attention because he turned his squinting eyes on me. I returned the gesture with one of my kiss-me smiles, as Nicholas used to call it.

"So..... Miss Donovan, how long have you been working here?" he asked as he sat down not bothering to beat around the bush, well that was one quality he shared in common with Nicholas.

"For over three years now sir. I was referred here after my internship and I decided to stay ever since" I responded

"So you were loyal to Gerald Dean." He stated, looking directly at me.

"I was loyal to the authority," I said, understanding his games.

"Can I see your CV?" He asked, stretching out his hands and I placed the file on it, his gaze met mine and his eyes smouldered. I smiled warmly, beseeching all my desirable qualities out.

His eye scanned through it and he returned the file to me.

"Impressive. I have two positions opened and I've granted one to Mr Jeffery, you are promoted to creative director" he said coolly, his gaze finding mine again. I let out a wide, sincere smile, a promotion had been on my radar for years and I was finally getting it. I forgot all my other reasons and couldn't stop the blush from seeping in.

"I appreciate the recognition Mr Finn and I would not disappoint the company," I said sheepishly. He nodded his head and I let out a giggle I couldn't hold in the excitement, and he waved me off. I stood up to leave and before I could reach to open the door he called out.

"Miss Donovan!" I turned to look at him. "Can I buy you a drink?"