The Disguise of the Devil

Chapter 1

Eloise gulped as she stares at the high building in front of her. Her heart was beating fast and her breath was coming shortly as if she had just run a marathon. Her mind was telling her to turn back and leave but she had no choice. She needed a job, badly. She was fired from her last job and soon enough, she would be kicked out of the apartment she was staying at. This is the last interview and by far, the most nerve-wracking.

The Cress Enterprises was owned by the coldest and toughest, as the people say, Leon Austin Cress. No one knows what he looks like or how old he was but rumors spread about his cruelty to his employees, especially his assistants. And unfortunately, that was the exact position that she would be applying for. It was the same position everybody wants but was scared to apply for. Why? Simple, because even though the work was tough, the pay and privileges that come with it are prestigious. It was not like any other companies.

But even so, Eloise would never try out for a job just because of that... well, if only she wasn't desperate for it.

She took a very deep breath to calm herself down and took a step forward to the big doors of the company. She smiled at the receptionist by the door.

"Hi, what can I do for you?" The girl sweetly asked her.

So it was no rumor that the employees here are friendly and easy to approach.

"Hi, my name is Eloise Lilian Gregory. I'm supposed to have an interview for the assistant job," She replied with a kind smile.

The girl typed on the computer in front of her and said, "Ah, yes. It's on the fifth floor, please use elevator 1 and this card," She said and handed her a red card. "Good luck."

She smiled at the girl and thanked her.

She took a deep breath again and went to the elevator the girl was talking about. She used the card given to her to enter the elevator. When she got in, she pressed the fifth button and waited. When she arrived, she stepped out of the elevator and looked around cluelessly.

"Hi, are you Eloise Lilian Gregory?" The girl from the reception area said.

"Yes, that's me."

"Please come with me," She said and led the way.

They walked for about two minutes until they arrived at an office that's as big as her whole apartment. It has a big HR painted on the door and she immediately felt nervous.

"Here you are. Good luck." The girl warmly said and then left her.

Eloise took a deep breath for the last time and knocked on the door. When she heard someone say 'come in' she pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside the office.

"Hi, you must be Eloise Lilian Gregory," A lady that looks about 50 told her.

"Yes, that's me."

"Sit here so we can start the interview," She said as she points to the chair in front of her table.

"Thank you," Eloise said then took the seat.

Halfway to the interview, a call interrupted them and she was asked to go to the top floor. She stood up without a question and immediately went up.

In her head, she was a wreck. She was having too many thoughts and everything about her was definitely nervous. She concluded that the person on the top floor was the CEO himself and this is not how Eloise pictured their first meeting.

When she stepped out of the elevator, there was only one door and there was nothing else except for a pantry. She knocked on the huge door in front of her and it automatically opened for her.

She stepped inside the big office and saw the CEO sitting on his chair.

"Good afternoon, sir," Eloise said, nervousness coating her voice.

"Good afternoon, please take a seat, Ms. Gregory." He coldly said without a hint of a smile.

Wow. The employees are the complete opposite of this guy. Definitely not approachable.

Eloise carefully took a seat in front of him and met him in the eyes. She felt an unfamiliar feeling flowed inside her. It was like his gaze gave off electricity and her body received it willingly.

"I have only one question for you and your answer will determine whether you get in or not in this company," He said, his gaze not leaving hers. "If I were different from the others, would you accept me and welcome me in your life?"

Eloise was somewhat flustered by the question because it was not what she was expecting. She was expecting 'why do you want to work in this company?' or 'what makes you qualified for this job?'

"Yes, I will. Everybody is different and that's what makes people interesting. Someone once told me that perfect is boring and being unique makes more sense. Also, taking up this job also means welcoming you to my life and making you a very important part of it." She answered smoothly.

Well, simplicity is beauty, right?

"What if I tell you that I'm not a human?"

Is that a trick question?

"Then I would not judge. I would still accept you no matter what you are," She sincerely said.

"Good. You're hired. You start now, make me coffee," He coldly said.

Eloise immediately got up and went towards the door.

"I'm sorry, sir. What kind of coffee would you want me to make?" Eloise asked when she stopped in front of the door.

"The instruction is in the pantry," He said and Eloise nodded.

She went out with a big smile on her face and warm happiness visible in her eyes. She went to the pantry and started making the coffee.

She felt a familiar feeling while making the coffee, it was as if she had done it before in this same way. It was like a déjà vu and she can't help but feel sad. She couldn't understand herself, it was a new feeling, not like what she felt before. Why?

She shook her head and focused on making the coffee. Maybe it was just her imagination playing with her. When she was done, she smelled it to see if it was good and when she confirmed it was, she smiled and brought it with her. She knocked on the door once again before going right in.

When she looked up, she gasped and dropped the coffee on the floor. Leon heard the cup break which made him turn around and see a frightened Eloise kneeling on the floor.

"Not this again, Eloise," He muttered.