The Wall She Built

Chapter 1: The interview

I stride confidently through the doors of the Jerry Whitmore office building. 25 and already Vice President to Jerry Whitmore himself. This is the life isn't it? Smiling majestically, I pluck the cup of coffee that my secretary offers me and clap my hands together to get everyone's attention.

" Alright, people, listen up!" I cry, gathering everyone around. " We have a big day ahead of us! I'm leaving for an interview in about an hour and I need all of guys to work hard since Mr. Whitmore is not at work today. That will be all. Please carry on." 

" Well, you're particularly perky this morning." My secretary , Leah Morrison , piped up, scurrying over." Could it, perhaps, have anything to do with a ...man?"  I gave her a vicious look. 

" Sorry! I know! No boys." She backed off.

" Right, well, I need to go get ready for the interview." I say. She nods and hurries off. I take a sip of the coffee Leah had handed me and made a face. I hated Gingerbread Latte. As my secretary for a month she should know by know I always have Cinnamon Mocha. Tossing the coffee into the trash,I head to my office and slam the door behind me.

10 file reports and 34 phone calls later I am barreling out the door, hailing a cab and on the way to the interview. People greet me as I walk briskly in. A man stops in front of me and extends a hand. I take it.

" Hi, I'm Mr. Randall, I'll be interviewing you. " He smiles at me admiringly. I smile back at him...less admiringly. 

The camera starts shooting and we sit down in our armchairs in front of the eager audience. No doubt they want to know about my dating life. Sure enough the first question is:

" I think, we've all been dying to know how you've managed to evade the charm of males." Mr. Randall said laughing comically. " Tell us how do you do it? I mean surely you get attention from men a lot?"

I raise my chin confidently. " Simple," I say. " the wall. The wall gives me structure and order so I can focus on the things that really matter. My work. I love doing it and its whats supports me. The wall is the reason I became Vice President. Of course its an imaginary wall but nevertheless it serves its purpose very satisfyingly."

" Well, people, there you have it!" He boomes in an overly cheerful voice. " Julia Hoovers secret is out!" I grin playfully and shoot a flirtatious smile at him. He gapes at me and I love it. Its exuberating that you can flash a smile or bat an eyelash and they're down on they're knees. My mother told me never let the man get control, he'll use it and you'll get hurt. That was the day she found my dads car and his secretary's car parked together outside of a motel. 

The interview went reasonably smoothly after that and when it was over I went back stage to freshen up before leaving. I was surprised when I stole a glance to my watch. I behind schedule! Hurrying quickly and not looking where I was going I walked to the door to call a cab to take me back to the office.

Suddenly, crash, spill,shatter. My new pink blouse and white buisness pants are splattered with hot, scalding coffee. I stare at myself in shock before glaring up at the clumsy fool. But it WAS sort of my fault so I opened to my mouth to make a hasty apology. To my surprise it was a man. WHOA, attractive too. Like really attractive, which is pretty big coming from me. I reminded myself of the wall.

I smiled stiffly but he glowered at me, his eyes furious and hateful. I saw that his suit was stained too, but much less than mine. Opening my mouth ONCE MORE I began to talk, he cut me off.

" Oh my goodness, are you serious??" He yells at me. " PLEASE LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!  You have eyes don't you?? WELL USE THEM!! You just destroyed my suit AND made me late for a meeting! How unbelievably stupid and BLIND can you BE??" 

I looked at him incredulously. How DARE this man think its ALL my fault?? OMG I CANT BELIEVE I THOUGHT HE WAS HOT. All men are the same. 

" Excuse me? YOUR suit?? What about MINE?? You're the one with the scalding cup of coffee! Thats just basic common sense. You have a brain right?? THEN USE IT!" I enjoyed using his comeback against him. 

" Its woman like you that makes a mans day a living hell. Why am I even wasting my time on you?? You're not worth it!" He turns to walk away, without saying sorry or even bothering to pick up his coffee mug. I determindely grab his sleeve and turn him around.

" Do you know who I am, what I'm capable of doing to you?" I hissed viciously at him. " I coud ruin you so much that you will NEVER be able to find a job anywhere on this FREAKIN world.You have  no idea who you're dealing with or how far I will go so I suggest that you better BACK OFF!"  

He stares at me a bit stunned. I guess he's not used to woman talking to him like that. Yeah, well I'm not most woman. I'm Julia Hoover and I talk to whomever I want, however I want. Satified with having the last word I spin on my heel and stalk out the door with my head held high.

Back at the office, I rush to the bathroom to change. Julia Hoover ALWAYS is prepared and brings a spare change of clothes. I took out the turqouise, silk blouse and slipped over my head and then changed into the gray pencil skirt that comes up to my waist. Tucking my shirt into my skirt I walk out of the bathroom and see Mr. Whitmoore motioning me to go into his office. He must've arrived when I was at the interview.

" Yes, sire?" I asked. " How can I help you?" Trust me I'm ony this polite with Mr. Whitmoore and very few people.

" Julia," Mr. Whitmoore started gravely, " Tomorrow, we will be collaborating with a new client. He is of the UTMOST importance and we NEED to make sure we get him on our good side and rooting for OUR company. Believe me when I say this is a matter of Life and Death. This will put your abilities as a buissness woman and a social comprimiser to the test as I've heard this man is quite...difficult."

Great, I thought. Let's at least hope that he's not as unpleasant as the awful man who spilled coffee on me. Smiling brightly I piped; " I'm your girl, Mr. Whitmore! You can count on me!" He nodded at me and I left the room.

When I got home I was still pondering about this new mysterious " client". Would he be a real challenge? Normall, I'm up for a challenge but men can be so unpredictable and my job is clearly on the line. Jerry Whitmoore is getting old and when he retires I want to make sure he hands the compan over to me. His trusty vice president. I guess no matter how tough or obnoxious this guys is gonna be I'm going to have to bear with him.

Then since I'm always organised I made a list of things I would do to persuade him to campaign for our company before setting the alarm clock to 7:45, climbing into bed and falling fast asleep.