Chapter 3 C-3

LUCIANA POV

My phone which I'd forgotten at home rings just as I step into our apartment. I had just dropped off Rodrigo at school and stopped by the grocery store down the street on my way home to get a few things we were running low on. I couldn't afford other more pricey things because I was really strapped for cash.

"God, I really need a fucking job," I mutter with a sigh as I make my way to my still ringing device lying on the small dining table, after taking off my shoes at the door.

It was Madison calling.

"Where have you been, woman? I've been calling all year," Her lyrical voice says exasperatedly, with her Irish accent becoming more pronounced as it usually does whenever she's feeling strong emotions.

I chuckle slightly at her exaggeration and respond apologetically, "I'm so sorry, Maddy. I just had to drop Rodrigo off at school. And I might have forgotten to take my phone with me," the last part, I say in a smaller guilt filled tone.

"Ugh," she lets out in a playfully annoyed manner. "You know how you've been looking for a more stable job since, well, you came to Dublin..."

"...More like way before I even came here," I cut in as I made my way to the cream-coloured sofa sitting beside the small balcony in our living room which came with the apartment. I stand at the balcony, overlooking the almost empty street, my body resting against the rusted railing as I stare at the street, my eyes not really focusing on anything.

"Well, it's true. Anyway, There was an opening for the Financial Secretary position to Eamon MacCarthy, our Sales Manager. And I told him about you. And guess what? He agreed to give you an interview today".

My arms almost slipped off the railing and I started to panic, "Wait, you mean today. Like today, today?"

"Umm, yeah. What other day is there, honey? Get your ass over here quickly and try to be here in two hours tops, woman. I really want you to get this job, you know. I'll be rooting for you. The boss just stepped in and everyone's trying to act more coordinated and all so I gotta go. Bye, love you. Call me when you finish the interview," she immediately ends the call in a rush after that before I can respond.

My breathing becomes heavier as I literally begin to panic, but I also feel elated and full of anticipation and anxiety. I need to get dressed quickly and get a cab since my car is sitting in the mechanic's and has been for the past few days.

I make a dash for the bedroom, my mind going through a million thoughts, with the most prominent being what exactly I would wear to the interview.

°°°

I stepped into the air-conditioned larger-than-life building which was the headquarters of Maverick Corporation sitting right in the middle of the busiest part of town. I couldn't even imagine the amount of rent they paid each year to keep this place. I cringe at my dumb thoughts. A multi billion dollar company like this would most probably not need to pay rent, since they most likely own this place.

I walk towards the reception, my low heeled platforms making a dull sound as they meet the clear tiled floor of the building which was gleaming white like everything else in here; the walls and furniture I could see on the ground floor included. Of the two female receptionists, the beautiful blonde one closest to me gives me a professional smile, her sky blue eyes looking at me warmly, as she inquires politely, "Good morning, miss. Are you here to see someone?"

I feel my olive toned complexion turning red in a blush which was quite rare for me. I clear my throat and respond in what I hope is a calm voice, "Yes. I have an interview with the Sales Manager for the position of Financial Secretary"

"Ah, yes," her blue eyes widened in realization and something I presume looks akin to pity. She quickly schools her features back into her professional mask and smiles again before I have time to decipher her earlier expression.

"Have a seat while I ring Mr. MacCarthy and inform him of your arrival, miss?"

"Alejandro. Luciana Alejandro," I respond and watch her nod before I turn and walk up to one of the seats reserved for visitors at the reception.

"Would you like a cup of tea or a drink while you wait, Miss?" The other receptionist, a baby-faced brunette with large brown eyes which reminded me of Rodrigo's, inquiries.

"No, thank you," I answered while sitting down in the seats which were also white in color. This place looks so large, formal, and daunting. I run my sweaty palms over my charcoal black slacks while I anxiously watch the blonde secretary making the call to who I presume is the Sales Manager.

After about ten seconds of waiting which, to me, felt like the longest ten seconds of my entire life, she places down the telephone and turns to me with a smile.

"You may go up for your interview, Miss Alejandro. The eighth floor. Third door to your left. You can't miss it. Good luck" .

I thank her quietly before walking towards the empty lift. After pressing the button for the floor I was directed to, I sigh heavily and lean against the wall of contraption, my heart beating really fast due to the anxiety I felt right now. I still remembered the look of pity which flashed through the receptionist's eyes when I mentioned my interview with the Sales Manager. I wait for the device to get to the eighth floor, silently praying that I get this job.

I follow her instructions when I get to the eighth floor and soon face large wooden double doors which I knock on twice before hearing a faint "Come in".

I open one of the doors and walk in slowly, praying to whatever god can hear me, not to trip over the carpet and have a whole Anastasia Steele moment which would quite literally kill me if that were to happen right now. Behind the only large wooden desk in the office sits a dark haired man who looks to be in his mid thirties. His stern dark blue encased in glasses look even sterner as they take me in before he turns away from me and points a palm towards a seat on the opposite side of the table facing his.

"Hello, I'm Luciana Alejandro," I say while sitting in the comfortable leather office seat. "Thank you for agreeing to interview me".

He looks at me blankly, his face masking any emotions he may have, making me unable to tell what he thinks of me.

"Your friend didn't give me much of a choice, Miss Alejandro," his smooth and deep voice which sounds slightly American comes out with a brow raised while he continues to study me.

"I'm sorry about that," I say sheepishly and I look down at my trousers before raising my eyes back up to meet him.

"I've gone through your files. They were given to me by your friend. And I saw that you've done a few jobs in sales, but nothing this large-scale. Moreover, you've been out of a stable job for a few years now. I need a Financial Secretary though, a stable one. Not a Sales Assistant or Sales Rep. But, from your reports I've seen, you seem able to do the job. Tell me, what made you do only part-time jobs for such a long time?"

I try to straighten my back a bit as I respond, "I was dealing with a few things, a really bad breakup and then the sudden death of my father. I just felt overwhelmed and all. I have been trying to get a job though, a full-time one. But no company has accepted me".

He squints at me, his dark blue eyes intimidating me as he does that. I try not to flinch or break eye contact. I really hope I wasn't failing at the not flinching part though.

"As my financial secretary, you will work five days a week with a monthly pay and allowances. There's also health insurance attached to the job. Also, should you work overtime, you will be paid for the work. And do not forget, Miss Alejandro, besides the CEO, you will report to me and only to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir. Wait, so I got the job?" I ask, barely controlling my shaky voice, my brain slowly trying to process all of this.

"Yes, you do. You're qualified for it, just like many others who came before you. But you also seem like you need it. And people who need things, more often than not, end up working harder at them than those who don't. And you will work hard, won't you, Miss Alejandro?" He asks, gaze boring into mine, his voice making his statement seem more oppressive.

"Gracias! Oh thank you so much, Mr. MacCarthy," I switched back to English having mistakenly used Spanish like I usually do when I'm excited. I really could hug him right now from happiness, forgetting his intimidating nature and all.

He looks at me with the same blank unimpressed look on his face and l settle down. Definitely no hugging. He would probably exterminate me or call the feds if I pulled that kind of stunt. I do wonder how he managed to become the sales manager with a blank face like that though.

"You'll begin tomorrow, Alejandro. Your office is the one directly opposite mine. Make sure to come early so I'll brief you on your duties in this department. You may be excused". At that, he turns away from me, signaling the end of the conversation, and focuses on the documents lying in front of him.

"Alright. Thank you". I step out of his office as quietly as I came in and make a quick phone call to Madison. She doesn't pick up, but texts me in response after a few minutes as I step into the elevator, telling me to meet her at the cafe opposite the company's building.

As I step out of the elevator and walk past the reception, the blonde receptionist gives me a warm relieved smile and a quiet goodbye, while the brunette one is busy speaking to someone on the telephone. I respond with an equally warm smile and make my way out of the building, crossing the street towards the Cafe.

A nice woodsy scent greets me as I walk into the shop and my eyes take notice of the decor which was mostly wood. I immediately spot Madison's blazing red hair. She sits at a table not too close to the door of the cafe waving at me, her beautiful azure eyes smiling at me. I wave back at her and walk towards the table. .

"How's my beautiful bestie doing? Did you get the job?" She asks excitedly, her eyes staring at me in anticipation. "I ordered a pumpkin spice latte for you, by the way," she adds, pointing towards the steaming cup of coffee sitting on the table opposite her, as I settle into the seat facing hers.

"Well, I got the job," I say with a shit eating grin plastered across my face, locking eyes with her sky blues.

She lets out something that sounds like a barely suppressed squeal and holds my hand while blasting me with questions, "How did the interview go? Did MacCarthy come on too strong? I've heard he does that and even makes some people applying for the post cry when leaving his office. Tell me everything".

"Cry?" I blink surprised, "I mean, I was trying hard not to squirm under his gaze. That dude was really intimidating and so hard to read. But, he certainly wasn't making me cry. "Anyway," I continued, answering her questions, "The interview was actually quite brief. Plus he said he had gone through my documents already, so yeah. And he didn't come in too strong," I take a sip of my latte and continue after the pause, "I mean, he asked the most basic questions any interviewer would. He didn't even ask me many questions. The only thing was his blank face throughout the interview and his seemingly no nonsense persona. Other than that, Maddy, he was alright".

Madison nods her head, her eyes widened in surprise. "The horror stories I've heard about that man," she shudders while speaking. "They say after the CEO, he's the next person you should fear most in the office. But, I don't believe all that bull crap. He's really not like our gentle handsome boss at all. I mean the difference is literally there in his face that looks as though it's been struck with facial paralysis. Although he's not that bad looking, the boss's looks are more my taste than his.

"I'm really happy you got the job though, Luci. The position for Financial Secretary has been open for a while now since the last one was fired by MacCarthy after trying to seduce him in the office. What a tramp". She snorts at that last part and takes a long sip from her cup of coffee.

I nod with a smile, trying to digest all the information I'd just gotten, "Thanks Maddy".