Never Mine To Begin With

Violet, are you even listening to me?" The voice of Connor, my boyfriend interrupted my train of thoughts. I blinked repeatedly and faced him with a fake smile plastered on my face. Connor bored me out most times as he liked to talk so much about himself. Most times he was often occupied with it that he never noticed when I zoned out of the conversation. Seems like today was an exception.

"I'm sorry my dear. You were saying?" I mustered the most saccharine smile I could manage that I hoped screamed 'I am crazy about my boyfriend.'

Instead of my smile to elicit a smile from him, his face twisted in anger and lips upturned in disgust.

"Don't tell me you were thinking about your paintings again?" He asked.

I gulped and kept quiet because I was, in fact, thinking about my paintings. Seriously, who knew that the type of green to paint a valley could be so confusing. I was leaning towardi, but I could hear my creative side telling me it was better.

"When will you grow up Violet and get a real job?" He spat bitterly at me.

I recoiled, visibly in shock. I knew he always joked and called my paintings my 'hippie' lifestyle and also jokingly tells me to get a job, but he has never brandishly told me that me painting was not a real job. I felt like someone just smacked me on the face- hard.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say? Painting is a real job and my passion too. I have to love what I am doing to be able to call it a job." I fired back.

"And this is the reason I said you need to grow up. I am a hedge fund manager. What part of me screams I love my job? But I get up every waking day and go in to get the damn job done! Not because I love it, but because passion doesn't pay the bills! Act your age Violet Sanderson. We are no longer college students anymore. We are twenty-four year olds who need to plan our lives." He said, his voice going up some decibels higher causing some patrons seated at the bar to turn their heads in our direction.

I should have been ashamed at the attention we were garnering, but instead, I chuckled blithely, so much that a tear rolled down my eyes.

"I don't see what's funny in what I just said." He frowned.

"Someone that will hear you speak would think that you hustled your way to the top. They wouldn't know that the hedge fund business is your family's business. You did nothing special to deserve it. You were simply born into the right family. The rest of us who didn't get that had to hustle our way around. I worked numerous odd jobs to keep myself afloat for this dream you call 'immature' and 'childish'. So sorry if for once in my life, I just want to work on myself and my dreams. You know what? This is not working at all. We are better off without each other. Don't know why it took me so long to see that." I took off the promise ring he gave me after college when he promised me that he will make me happy for the rest of my life. As the cynic I was I took it with little expectations and I am glad I did.

His brows furrowed in confusion, "You are breaking up with me because of something so trivial?"

"That exactly is why I am breaking up with you. Because you think this is something so trivial." I replied him.

He sat still for some minutes possibly shocked at the turn this conversation has taken. I can't blame him though, because I shocked myself too by ending the relationship so easily. One wouldn't even believe we had been together for five years now. Connor wasn't always this bad. Yes, there were the occasional backhanded mockery everytime I came back from my part-time jobs in college. Statements like 'Wait, you work at the Dominos close to college? Can you wear a mask because I don't want people to know my girlfriend works there. It would be insulting and the circle I roll with would make fun of me.' 'Do you really have to do grocery shopping on off-sale days? I can afford it you know.' I tossed those statements to he grew up with money, so he doesn't understand money problems. For this reason I never took a dime from him because he saw giving money to anyone as charity and I didn't want to be a charity case he bragged about picking up from the gutters.

I wasn't dating him for marriage because my family has a down-on-luck syndrome when it came to love. I was dating him for companionship because I wanted someone to talk to when it got hard or when I felt down. As the years went by, he became more conceited and self-centered. It made the relationship suffocating and exhausting. It was at this point I knew I was done. I was tired of walking on eggshells and feeling suffocated like I can't breathe everytime I was around him.

He stood up sharply and the stool he was seated on clattered on the floor. I sat there unfazed as I took a sip of my mocktail.

"I would love to see you survive without me when you don't have a real job." He declared hotly.

"Seeing as I never collected a dime for you in our five years relationship, I should say I would do just fine." I replied.

"You would beg me to come back to you and by then it would have been too late because..." He was saying when I snorted.

"I won't. Please, go already. You are dragging this longer than necessary."

He stared at me for a full minute before stalking out angrily.

I turned back to the bar and kept sipping my margarita like what just happened didn't just happen.

"Thank you for saving my poor ears from hearing anything more about hedge fund. Some people just don't know when to shut it." A deep voice that sounded like a rumble said from beside me.

I turned my head sharply and stared at the amber eyes of a guy with his full, black, curly hair. He was in a shirt and trousers. Three of his buttons were undone and his sleeves were rolled to his forearms. His jawline was sharp and his nose was so pointed. The perfect face that had me almost saying 'Is that you Adonis?

"Rude much." I replied back.

"Not even as rude as you were. The way you decimated him made me glad that I don't know you personally." He chuckled lowly under his breath as he took a sip of his Malt Whiskey.

I shrugged my shoulder, "He had it coming though. How dare him call my love for painting childish? Thinking about it now just makes my blood boil. I don't..." I stopped talking at this point because I realized that I was talking to a stranger and everyone knows one of the first rule is 'Don't over share, it's burdensome.'

"So, any chance for love again? Or you have sworn off a Happily ever after?" He asked, not pointing out that I stopped midway. Guess he was not so nosy after all.

"Oh, love is nice but I already know it's not for me. So, he didn't ruin me for other men if that's what you are asking. I already accepted that people like me don't get to find love anyways."

"Something we agree on. Cheers to that." He raised the glass and I raised mine, then we clinked our glasses together.

"So, what is a young guy like you sitting here doing when you should be outside breaking hearts?" I teased the stranger wondering what inspired this my new found confidence to talk to a stranger so unabashedly.

"My personal assistant quit. She said I was too harsh in my criticisms and I told her that an office was not a kindergarten where one's hand needed to be held." He said it so easily like he was someone who never took back statements he makes.

"Harsh." I chuckled.

"Well, I didn't earn the name 'Blunt-talking asshole' to soften my words for people. I told her what to expect before I gave her the job. Why then did she retract on her stance and say I should have said it nicer? People are the problem, not me. You can't say you welcome criticism and get mad when you get it." He said with an underlying tone that suggested there was more to it.

Not knowing what to reply to that, we just sat in silence, taking our drinks in silence. In a record time, he downed two cups of whiskey and stood up. His suit jacket was hung behind his chair. He took it and placed it in the crook of his left arm.

"Was nice having a companion and witnessing the most bizarre breakup ever. This is the most I have been entertained in a while." He said and started walking away.

"Wait, I didn't get your name." I hollered at his retreating frame.

He turned back, did a mock salute, and said, "Ask me if our paths crossed again."

"And why can't you tell me now?" I asked, puzzled at his reply.

"Because where is the fun in that? I love a good game." With that, he left the bar.

I felt a fuzzy feeling that I hadn't felt in a really long time. So long that I had even forgotten what it felt like.

And what was this pull to place my lips on his?

Who was this guy and why did his aura captivate me so much?

"You know you don't have to work, right ? Also, If it's because of what Connor, that dumb ass, told you about growing up and finding a job, you know you don't have to listen to that knucklehead?" Annie, my roommate and best mate since diaper days urged me. She's always been a constant in my life since our childhood. She was the one who held my hands as I cried my eyes out after losing my mom at age thirteen to Cancer. My Dad already died three years after my birth, so losing my mom branded me with the tag known as 'an orphan.'

"I never liked that know-it-all anyway." Raine chipped in. She was plucking the hairs overgrown around her brows. As a makeup artist and a skin care consultant, she was particular about everything being perfect. Annie and I met her at one Creative workshop and we've been joined at the hips since then. Raine moved in here with us because she was saving for her own Make-up Studio and she needed to cut down her expenses, and rent was the first and major expense. She was the perfect balance to our dual friendship. Now, we were the trio who jokingly refer to ourselves as the 'Three Musketeers.'

"Guys, this is not because of Connor. Forgive me if this is rude, but right now, he is a blip in my past." I adjusted the collar of my white chiffon top and tugged at my skirt a bit down because I was worried that I'll look sultry, even though that was not my intent.

"But, a personal secretary might not..." Annie was saying when I indicated a stop hand sign.

"You guys should stop being negative and focus on the fact that I am going for a job interview today. I need you guys to wish me luck instead of bothering about insignificant things." I urged them. The truth was that as much as I tried to act brave, I was a bit intimidated about applying at Falcon's enterprise today. That's why I needed friends to assure me that I am not batshit crazy.

"Alright girl, sorry about the whole thing. You just shocked us by saying you are going for an interview this morning that you applied for yesterday." Annie said.

"Good luck V! I know that job is already as good as yours and you'll knock 'em all dead." Rainie said in a cheerleader fashion that had me breaking into a smile immediately. I could feel the pent up nerves ebb away slowly.

"Yes, you got this! Remember, you don't need the job. Rather, the job needs you and if they fail to see that, then it's their fault that someone as amazing as you didn't get the job." Annie hyped me up in such a way that I soon had red staining my cheeks.

"You guys definitely know how to make a girl special. Anyway, I'll be going right now. Don't want to get there late and show any form of unseriousness." With that said, I picked up my black handbag off the bed and bid them to goodbye.

When I got dropped off at the main office building, I took a deep breath and stared at the mesmerizing, yet intimidating building. I suddenly had the urge to get back inside the taxi and ask him to drive me back home. But because I wasn't a quitter, I stood rooted in the spot, and decided to see this all the way through.

"Hello, I am Candidate 444 applying for the position of Personal Assistant today." I said in a cheerily voice to the receptionist at the front desk. She looked up from the laptop, a landline phone off the hook and her lips twisted in what I interpreted as pity.

"Just get into that elevator at the far end of this hallway. Press 24 and it'll take you to the twenty-fourth floor where the interview is taking place." She said with a smile on her face. When I first saw her, she looked like she was going to be mean. I know it's me stereotyping a certain type of people, but whenever I see receptionist around the age twenty-five to twenty-eight as receptionist in big corporations, I actually assume that they are bitchy and most times I am always right on that front. Thank goodness this lady seemed like one of the few exceptions. I looked at her name tag and it read 'Lillian.' I ensured I had her name memorized in case I actually got a job here, I needed to know at least one person that seemed like a friendly face in order to survive.

"Thank you so much." I said.

"Goodluck! You'll certainly need it for that interview." She whispered to me and slid in a toffee from the complimentary sweet basket on her table.

I grinned and hurried to the elevator. I got in with two people and struggled not to tap my feet in anxiety. Didn't want them looking at me like I was a maniac.

When I got to the twenty-fourth floor, I was directed by that floor receptionist to the waiting area. As I sat down there, more people kept trooping in. The more I heard them practice, the more I became less confident. I overhead one lady say she went to language school just for this job. I realized how some people had been preparing for this opportunity all their lives and then there is me, that just applied on a whim yesterday. What was I even thinking? I was definitely not cut out for this job.

With that conviction, I stood up and made an attempt to leave when the office door opened and a lady came out and said, "Candidate 444, we'll have you now."

My eyes almost bugged out of the sockets. Should I answer or should I pretend I wasn't here even though I had a big Candidate 444 tagged on my chest that I was given by the floor's receptionist?

"Hey, aren't you the one?" My neighbor touched me lightly.Yes, way to state the obvious. I thought, eyeing her wearily.

"Are you coming in for the interview?" The lady asked, her gaze now directed at me. I could feel ten pairs of eyes on me, possibly thinking who was this weirdo?

I bobbed my head in reply, not trusting my speech.

When I got into the large office where three panel members were seated at the front with a single chair facing their's.

The two ladies were faced forward, while the guy, I could it was a guy from the physique of the other person, his swivel chair was backing me.

"Please, have a seat." The lady who walked me into the room directed me as she pointed at the seat.

I sat down and looked straight ahead.

When he finally turned his swivel chair, all the words in my mouth died a natural death.

Was the Universe trying to play a trick on me?

"Ermmmm... Hello." I stuttered my way through the sentence. This was so unlike me, I am usually the type of person that has the most to say, and to think that seeing the 'bar guy', yes, we are going to call him that seeing as I don't know his name is making me lost for words is rubbing me in some kind of way I don't find funny. My mom, of blessed memory, always said I talked 'a thousand per minute.'

"And she speaks. That is a start." The guy stated and went back to looking at my C.V. My confusion bubbles into a new emotion- anger. Who is he to pretend like he doesn't know me? Well, two can play this game. I am going to ace this interview so well, that they will have no choice to employ me and I plan to make him miserable enough for him to learn some manners, then I will quit.

"Sorry about that. I had a bit of a moment of confusion. Saw something shocking minutes ago, but I am good and ready to ace this interview." I mustered my 'air hostess' smile that I have been told elicits a smile from other people. The two interviewers smiled at me and nodded their head. The one amongst them I have come to know as Lydiv, smiled like she was indeed relieved I wasn't a mute. Who knows what the ogre of a boss would do to her if that was the case?

"Quite a rocky start for an interview you want to ace, if I must say." The guy chipped in, causing the smiles on the other interviewers faces to fall. They suddenly began looking at the papers at their front like it was the most interesting thing in the room.

I suddenly became more irritated, who does he think he is to talk to me like that? Is he Bill Gates? So, because he is possibly a Director, what gives him the right to talk to people like fleas? Forget about the job, I need to put him in his place.

"Ever heard the phrase, don't put the cart before the horse? I would think you'll know that since you seem like such an intellect." I replied snarkily to him, a saccharine smile fixed in place and my left eyebrow raised in challenge.

The guy gaped at me, and the other interviewers exchanged glances at each other, possibly shocked I spoke to him like that. Maybe he was used to having his way, he needs me in his life for a reality check.

"Well, Miss," He took a glance at the C.V and back at me again, "Violet Sanderson, let's get back the interview. Why do you think that you will be a good fit as a P.A for the company's CEO?"

"Well, for one, I am a very determined and goal-oriented person. Whenever I put my mind to things, I get it done. Also, I am a quick learner and also someone who is open to changes. I am quite vocal about things, and I feel like these are the qualities a good P. A should have."

"Yeah, I think we got the vocal part." The guy murmured under his breath, but to my hearing.

"I personally think that a lot of people think they want a docile person, but it gets boring when the person who follows you practically everywhere is just an empty barrel on legs. Do you think that the CEO of the company will want someone who cannot be a sounding board when he wants to make some hasty decisions on trips, I think not." I replied.

"You really do say everything on your mind, don't you?" The guy asked.

I shrugged, "Life's too short, keep it real always."

The guy looked at me for a full one minute, then he looked like he was trying to place my face, before the look disappeared. He turned to the other lady, "Róse, do you have anything you need to ask her before we dismiss her?"

Rose looked at her paper before looking up at me, "So, I can see here that you studied at a prestigious Art University. Tell me why you are not pursuing something related to your dream?"

I took a deep breath in and flashed a smile. I knew this question was part of the questions they might possibly ask, but I didn't know that I was going to feel a type of way, maybe sadness, it's just all confusing.

"So, on the contrary I am doing something with my art, you just haven't heard of me yet. While passion is good, sometimes it requires taking a step back, while waiting for some things to take their course. So, right now that's what I am doing. Trying to channel the pent up energy left from bothering about Art all these years, to another thing." I gave the answer closest to the truth. No need telling a bunch of interviewers I might never see again my life history.

"Seems fair, I definitely get what you mean." Róse said.

"So, one thing I love is your confidence and I can see in your C.V you also took a couple of courses in different fields which proves for a fact that you are as versatile as you say you are. You will be hearing from us before the end of the week." Lydiv inputted.

Genuinely, I wanted to ace this interview at the beginning until bossy blabber mouth, a maybe director, bar guy, got on my nerves. Now, I honestly had zero expectations regarding getting a positive feedback because all the attitude I showed; being overly confident, being somewhat rude to their maybe director, these things all made me seem like I was not going to be a good team player. I was sure Lydiv was just saying these things to be polite. The moment I'm out of this door, they'll be possibly shredding my C.V and I won't blame Lydiv and Róse, but, I sure will blame that cocky bar guy. He got me worked up in ways I haven't had someone crawl under my skin before.

"Ryan, I think that's all. If there is nothing else, can I call in the next interviewee?" Lydiv asked.

The bar guy whom I have come to now know Ryan, which by the name is a fitting name for a corky jerk paused his lips in thought, before he spoke, "Miss Violet Sanderson, it's been a pleasure and definitely an out of the box interview. Like Lydiv said, we'll get back to you before the end of the week. Have a pleasant day."

I stood up, directed my smile at the other two ladies, and started walking out of the room. Under my breath I mouthed, "And you have an unpleasant day."

"And Violet Sanderson?" Ryan called out my name when I got to the door and was about turning the door knob. Lydiv was right behind me, possibly to go call in the next candidate. I smoothened my expression and turned back to him, I noticed she too stopped in her tracks possibly wondering what he wanted to tell me after saying we were done with the interview.

"Yes?"

"I can still hear you." He mouthed and pointed at the little microphone on his ear, and the mouthpiece dangling on my blouse that I was given by Lydiv immediately I walked into the room for the interview. Only him still had a microphone in his ear and I just said something so obvious that he knew I was talking about it.

A smirk crept up his face as I felt myself becoming red all over.

I hurried out of the room completely mortified.

I was beyond screwed.

*****************

"I hate him. I hate him. I hate him." I said for the umpteenth time to my roommates since I came back from the interview. I remembered the smirk on his face and just feel like if I could wrangle his neck right now. He made me feel tiny by smirking and if I could have wiped that smirk off his cocky face, best believe me I would have.

"Violet, I am not a party pooper neither am I on the stop-the-hate-on-the-man train. But, it will be nice if we can know who you hate asides Connor, so we can all hate him together. Ain't I right, Annie?" Rainie turned to Annie who was in the Kitchen trying out a new recipe she learnt at culinary school so we could have it as dinner. She looked so serious as she folded the dumplings and I smiled, forgetting my anger at Ryan because I was just so proud of how close she has come to achieving her goals.

There was silence until she finished folding the last dumpling and plopped all of them into the point of boiling hot water, before she dusted her flour hands on her apron.

"I'm with Rainie on this. Let's know who you hate, so we can get on the internet, print pictures of him and throw darts on them. That way you can feel better."

Alright, so, remember the night I broke up with that douchebag Connor. You know I came back raving about some guy that I met at the bar that refused to tell me his name?" I asked.

"Yeah, we remember." Annie said.

"The one you called a hottie in five different languages?" Rainie asked, lifting her brows playfully earning a snicker from me.

"Yeah, that one. Anyway, turns out he works at Falcon Enterprises and he was part of the interviewers that interviewed me today."

"So this is love." Rainie sing song as she grabbed a clean spatula and started gyrating her hips around the living room.

I snorted, "Yeah, as if. Turns out he is a major A-hole and also corky. I wouldn't touch his nasty ass with a ten-foot pole. He was just so direct in his speech in a way that irked me. It was like he was a different person from the person I met at the bar, like that was his alter ego. Also, it annoyed me that despite him being a major pain, he was still so fine to look at! That is what I hate admitting." I groaned whilst banding my head lightly on the kitchen counter.

Rainie grabbed her laptop from her room and came back to the living room. Putting it on the center table, she sat on the rug and flexed her fingers while her system was booting

"Tell me his name now and I am going to help you find him."

"Ryan. That's all I know." I replied her.

She grinned and started typing, "That's more than enough dearie."

We all have that one friend that we think missed their calling to work in the CIA or FBI because of how good they are at finding someone. Raine was that person in our friendship group.

After minutes of searching, she turned the laptop in my direction, "Is he the one?"

Indeed, yes, he was the one. The arrogant human was wearing an Armani suit and had his hand on his jaw lightly. He looked so good, not like I was willingly going to admit that right now.

"Yes, he is." I replied.

She took the laptop back, concern evident on her face. After which she turned to me and said, "My dear, this is the CEO of Falcon Enterprises."

"What? That isn't possible. The CEO is Marcus Falcon, last I checked yesterday." I almost choked on my spit at her revelation. There was definitely no way what Rainie was saying is true.

"Yeah, that was yesterday. As of this morning, it was announced that his Son who has been away from the spotlight and under interim leadership training is now the new CEO of Falcon Enterprises. His name is Ryan Falcon."

Suddenly all the dots connected in my head. No wonder the receptionist wished me luck. No wonder the interviewers were treading on thin ice with him. A lot of insiders must have known he was the new CEO before the news broke out and knew what he is like. This right now is like my life is a bad soap opera and I am the lead character who dies halfway to the end of the movie. I remembered how I said he should have a miserable day and he heard it. Everything is indeed over and there is no point crying over split milk.

I chuckled for a long time with my friends looking at me like I had gone bonkers.

"Guys, let's go clubbing tonight. I need a stiff drink because one thing is of certain. There is no way on this green earth that I am getting that job."

After telling someone that was going to be my boss to have an unpleasant day, he must be bonkers to give me a job as his P.A.

**********************

My phone rang at a distance. I opened my eyes slowly, trying to get them adjusted to the harsh lightning in the living room. After clubbing last night, and taking a couple of shots too. The three of us stumbled back home and collapsed on the pull out couch. As I opened my eyes halfway, I noticed my friends sprawled in different positions on the couch.

I used my hands to feel on the couch for my phone and my fingers finally touched the cold object.

"Hello." I said immediately I picked up in my coarse voice for shouting over the music.

"I believe I am speaking with Violet Sanderson. I just called to tell you that you got the job as the P.A to the CEO of Falcon Enterprises and you are to begin effective from Monday." The cheerily voice said like that was the best thing she had to say today.

My brain booted for a minute before I finally understood what she just told me.

The first thing that popped out of my mouth was, "I'm sorry, but why would I get the job?"

"I hate him. I hate him. I hate him." I said for the umpteenth time to my roommates since I came back from the interview. I remembered the smirk on his face and just feel like if I could wrangle his neck right now. He made me feel tiny by smirking and if I could have wiped that smirk off his cocky face, best believe me I would have.

"Violet, I am not a party pooper neither am I on the stop-the-hate-on-the-man train. But, it will be nice if we can know who you hate asides Connor, so we can all hate him together. Ain't I right, Annie?" Rainie turned to Annie who was in the Kitchen trying out a new recipe she learnt at culinary school so we could have it as dinner. She looked so serious as she folded the dumplings and I smiled, forgetting my anger at Ryan because I was just so proud of how close she has come to achieving her goals.

There was silence until she finished folding the last dumpling and plopped all of them into the point of boiling hot water, before she dusted her flour hands on her apron.

"I'm with Rainie on this. Let's know who you hate, so we can get on the internet, print pictures of him and throw darts on them. That way you can feel better."

"Remember the night I broke up with that douchebag Connor. You know I came back raving about some guy that I met at the bar that refused to tell me his name?" I asked.

"Yeah, we remember." Annie said.

"The one you called a hottie in five different languages?" Rainie asked, lifting her brows playfully earning a snicker from me.

"Yeah, that one. Anyway, turns out he works at Falcon Enterprises and he was part of the interviewers that interviewed me today."

"So this is love." Rainie sing song as she grabbed a clean spatula and started gyrating her hips around the living room.

I snorted, "Yeah, as if. Turns out he is a major A-hole and also corky. I wouldn't touch his nasty ass with a ten-foot pole. He was just so direct in his speech in a way that irked me. It was like he was a different person from the person I met at the bar, like that was his alter ego. Also, it annoyed me that despite him being a major pain, he was still so fine to look at! That is what I hate admitting." I groaned whilst banding my head lightly on the kitchen counter.

Rainie grabbed her laptop from her room and came back to the living room. Putting it on the center table, she sat on the rug and flexed her fingers while her system was booting

"Tell me his name now and I am going to help you find him."

"Ryan. That's all I know." I replied her.

She grinned and started typing, "That's more than enough dearie."

We all have that one friend that we think missed their calling to work in the CIA or FBI because of how good they are at finding someone. Raine was that person in our friendship group.

After minutes of searching, she turned the laptop in my direction, "Is he the one?"

Indeed, yes, he was the one. The arrogant human was wearing an Armani suit and had his hand on his jaw lightly. He looked so good, not like I was willingly going to admit that right now.

"Yes, he is." I replied.

She took the laptop back, concern evident on her face. After which she turned to me and said, "My dear, this is the CEO of Falcon Enterprises."

"What? That isn't possible. The CEO is Marcus Falcon, last I checked yesterday." I almost choked on my spit at her revelation. There was definitely no way what Rainie was saying is true.

"Yeah, that was yesterday. As of this morning, it was announced that his Son who has been away from the spotlight and under interim leadership training is now the new CEO of Falcon Enterprises. His name is Ryan Falcon."

Suddenly all the dots connected in my head. No wonder the receptionist wished me luck. No wonder the interviewers were treading on thin ice with him. A lot of insiders must have known he was the new CEO before the news broke out and knew what he is like. This right now is like my life is a bad soap opera and I am the lead character who dies halfway to the end of the movie. I remembered how I said he should have a miserable day and he heard it. Everything is indeed over and there is no point crying over split milk.

I chuckled for a long time with my friends looking at me like I had gone bonkers.

"Guys, let's go clubbing tonight. I need a stiff drink because one thing is of certain. There is no way on this green earth that I am getting that job."

After telling someone that was going to be my boss to have an unpleasant day, he must be bonkers to give me a job as his P.A.

**********************

My phone rang at a distance. I opened my eyes slowly, trying to get them adjusted to the harsh lightning in the living room. After clubbing last night, and taking a couple of shots too. The three of us stumbled back home and collapsed on the pull out couch. As I opened my eyes halfway, I noticed my friends sprawled in different positions on the couch.

I used my hands to feel on the couch for my phone and my fingers finally touched the cold object.

"Hello." I said immediately I picked up in my coarse voice for shouting over the music.

"I believe I am speaking with Violet Sanderson. I just called to tell you that you got the job as the P.A to the CEO of Falcon Enterprises and you are to begin effective from Monday." The cheerily voice said like that was the best thing she had to say today.

My brain booted for a minute before I finally understood what she just told me.

The first thing that popped out of my mouth was, "I'm sorry, but why would I get the job?"

"I'm confused. Do you want the job or not? Most people are usually elated about getting this type of call." The voice sounded like she was confused about me acting like this and from the questions she asked me, this was possibly the first time someone is acting this way. Well, that clearly makes the both of us dear. I definitely thought I bombed the interview, especially when I told him to have an unfortunate day, which he heard by the way, incase you don't get how absurd this is. So, imagine my surprise when he ended up giving the go ahead for me to be hired. If she was me, she too would be confused.

"You don't understand," I started because she really didn't, "I bombed the interview. Like it's like when a model falls face flat on an international walkway that is supposed to take her career to the next level with the judges watching. And the next day, when she thinks her career is over, she messed up, she gets a call that she won. That's exactly what happened to me."

"Well, it doesn't matter now does it because the CEO specifically asked for you. So, if you are still interested interested in the job so I can know my next line of action. Although, my advice to you is to take the job. This is the number one Enterprise in New York, in America and the world. You have won in life if you get an employment here even if work for a month here. Your life becomes easier after this even when you want to move on to something else. So, I think you should say yes to this." She advised me. This oddly reminded me of a TV show where people took their family members wedding dress shopping and then the shop attendants and the family members ask the lady 'Would you say yes to the dress?' and like ten or fifteen pairs of eyes are on her as everyone waits with bated breath on what she'll say. I just realized how much pressure comes with being put on the spot. I wished my friends were awake, but since the are knocked out from our busy night yesterday, I knew I had to make this decision on my own.

"Okay, I accept the job." I said some seconds after mulling it over. I mean how bad could it be working for a boss that is a bit of a douchebag? I have worked with a sleazeball before and it ended with me hitting him in the nuts when he tried to grope me. If Ryan turned out to be insufferable, enough that I can't tolerate him, I'll just quit. It should be that easy.

"Nice! Believe me when I tell you that you just made the best decision of your life." The lady declared triumphantly. She was definitely more excited than I was, made me wonder how much they paid her to be so excited about working at Falcon Enterprises.

"So, your name tag would be ready over the weekend. You'll be getting the All Entry Express card as the P.A to the CEO so that you can have access to all floors in the building. Then, an employee handbook that tells you all the benefits you are entitled to," She was saying when I interrupted her.

"Wait, what benefits am I entitled to asides my Salary?"

"Well, the company provides health insurance for all their workers plus a stipend as travel bonus for a year. This was implemented two years ago when the current CEO came on the company's board of directors. As a Human Resource Director, he ensured that everyone was looked after. He might be a lot of things, but one thing is for certain, he works hard to ensure all employee are treated right." I could hear the smile in her voice. This was definitely a 'Ryan' fangirl and I definitely don't want to be in her bad graces for saying something bad about Ryan. So, the person I saw yesterday that was snarky towards me somehow has the heart of the people. If the world isn't ending, I don't why else this is happening.

"Wow! That's nice." I genuinely exclaimed because even if the CEO was not the nicest person, this was actually the most thoughtful thing I have heard in a long time. Yes, I can admit that much. I knew most big corporations were never people oriented and they treated their employees like dirt under their shoes. As a mere P.A having a health insurance is amazing because healthcare here in the U.S is bizarre. I don't know how one would pull through if the person didn't have one.

"These are one of the numerous reasons why working at Falcon Enterprises is amazing! Anyway, I wouldn't want to bore you by overselling the company or acting like a fangirl. Pick up your name tag and other essentials at the main lobby receptionist desk on Monday. I wish you good luck on your journey at Falcon Enterprises. Have a lovely day."

"You too," I said. With that she hung up the phone.

I walked to my room and collapsed on the bed. I stared at my ceiling for a solid five minutes and decided to go back to bed. Maybe, it'll turn out that I just had a nightmare and I'll then go back to the reality. I was possibly in an alternative universe just like how Peter in Spiderman: The Spider verse went through different alternative universes to defeat Thanos.

I slept for another three hours and woke up to a message on my phone.

Welcome to Falcon Enterprises. The Head of IT would be coming over to the office by 9:00a.m to set up your Employee dashboard. If that would not work, please call the office on Line 9 to save him the trip and tell us when would work for you. Welcome once again Miss Violet Sanderson.

I was now convinced, this was not a bad dream that I could wake up from or an alternate universe.

This was really happening.

I accepted to work at Falcon Enterprises with RYAN FREAKING FALCON!

I indeed must have gone crazy.

******************

"Good morning." I greeted the main lobby receptionist Lillian immediately I got to the office that Monday. It feels weird to tell anyone that I now worked here. Still feels like a dream.

"Hello! I knew you were going to get the job the moment I saw you. You had the most audacious look amongst all applicants. Welcome to Falcon Enterprises." She greeted me in a cheery tone that I considered marching up to the Finance department in order to find out how much they paid everyone in this company that made them act like the world is rainbows and sunshine.

"Thank you so much. I was told I am going to get my employees box here?"

"Yes, please," She bent down and got it from under the counter and handed it over to me, "It contains every essential thing you will need. Do take your time to peruse the box and if you are confused at any point and think it's something I can help you with, my table is always here and I am always willing to lend a listening ear," She glanced at her watch and gasped audibly, "Oh please, hurry upstairs. The CEO has a thing about punctuality and he hates it when people are tardy, even if it's by one minute."

With that, I hurried to the elevator. With the number of stops of people getting off the elevator at different floors, I got to the main floor five minutes late.

The receptionist of that floor gave me a 'you are so screwed' look as I hurried to Ryan's door. I placed the employees box I got at the receptionist desk by the door and I took a deep breath and knocked on the mahogany door.

"Come in." A gruff voice called from inside.

I turned the knob of the door and pushed the heavy door. When I got in, I pushed the heavy door shut.

"Good morning Sir." I greeted.

"There is nothing good about the morning. You are three minutes late." He said in a low tone that told me he was indeed pissed.

Just my luck! Pissing someone off that just might hate my guts.

"Sorry about that Sir. It won't happen again." I simply said. Something about Ryan told me that he was one of those bosses that doesn't care why you were late. They just want you not to be late.

He scribbled something on a post-it note and beckoned me to come closer.

"Here. Go to this coffee house. Ask for Freddie and tell him to give you my usual coffee order. You should be back in thirty minutes time."

I looked at the coffee house and realized why it wasn't so far away, it was one of those problematic areas that were harder to navigate because of the bus system was messed up. As a carless New Yorker, I was in for some sweating this morning.

I zipped out of the office and downstairs. When I passed her, she gave me a quizzing look and I couldn't stop to explain. I'll tell her later.

After waiting for the bus, which didn't come by the way, I decided to run there.

Have you ever ran in stilettos? My advice is don't try it at all. I almost toppled a couple of times, but I made it to the coffee house in ten minutes. Usain Bolt needs to watch his back.

"I'm looking for Freddie." I said immediately I got in, breathing heavily. My white chiffon top clung to my body and my skirt had ridden up. I probably looked like a hot mess, but I didn't care.

"You might want to take a breather." The Barista advised me. On a regular day, I would have admired how hot he was, but today wasn't that day when I had a Boss who was breathing down my neck and might chew my head off if I didn't get back in time.

"Thanks for the care, but I have no time for that. Do you know Freddie?" I asked again.

"You are speaking to him." He replied with a smile on his lips.

"Oh, thank goodness. So, Ryan said you should give his usual coffee order." I said.

"Ryan? As in Ryan Falcon?" He quizzed.

"Yeah, that very one. I am the new P.A and I just started working there today."

"Oh, he already told me you were coming to get his coffee today, although I didn't think it would be today since he already got his coffee himself this morning." He said the last bit under his breath that I almost missed it.

After some minutes, he handed me the cup and I thanked him before zipping out again.

Unable to get a bus again, I ran as fast as my stilettos and the hot coffee let me.

I got to the office with five minutes to spare.

When I got to the main floor, I breathed a sigh of relief when I checked my wristwatch and saw I still had four minutes to spare.

"Mr. Ryan said to tell you to join him in the underground parking lot. You both are going for a meeting at one of the branches."

"And the coffee?" I gestured at the coffee in my hand that I practically sprinted for because I knew there was no way someone like him would have coffee in a moving car.

"Oh, he said you can have it. Do hurry though, he went downstairs about five minutes ago and I think you know by now how much he hates tardiness." With that said, she went back to typing.

I looked at the coffee and my now sweaty top and I felt anger bubbling in my chest.

I was now convinced that the scriptwriters of The Devil wears Prada got it all wrong. The Devil wears Armani and the Devil is my boss.

How could he make me get coffee he had no plans to drink to punish me for coming just three minutes late?

I might get blood on my hands soon and it definitely won't be mine.