Conflict of Interest

3: Ready for Round Two

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @MorganGiglioBooks OR JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER (LINK IN BIO) FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND UPDATES!

***

I followed Ms. West to the seating area in the far corner and sat on the couch opposite her. The fabric was like silk, my fingertips running along the material. She stared over at me curiously, her eyes scanning me as though still searching for a secret code.

"So, Ms. Bardot, are you ready to begin the interview?" She questioned as she craned her neck ever so slightly to one side

"Yes I am Ms. West." I stated with as much confidence as I could manage

She nodded and broke eye contact as she looked out the window "Do you see that park a couple of blocks over?"

I looked out the window and spotted Discovery park where I often went to study and get some fresh air.

"Yes, discovery park you mean right?" I responded looking over at her curious as to where she was headed with this

"How many people would you guess there are at that park right now?"

"Maybe a hundred or so."

"And of those people how many do you think are looking at this tower right now?"

"Probably not many considering that most people go there to escape the city."

"Can you explain what you mean." She questioned, the curiosity in her eyes returning

I shrugged "Well for me at least, I usually go there to get away from school and just the city in general because it can get so overwhelming at times. I'm from a small town with lots of open space and nature so it's been a big adjustment for me. I might be wrong but I can't imagine that even the natives don't need to escape sometimes, even if it's an escape within the city."

"So if you were to do the marketing for discovery park, give me some ideas you would have for that."

I could feel my heart just about beating out my chest as my brain seemingly shut down in an instant.

"Uh," I mumbled lamely "I uh, I guess a campaign that highlighted the park being an escape from the city without ever leaving it. Maybe a series of events centered around nature and community to tie that campaign in with what the park generally tries to promote."

"Such as?"

"A fishing derby for families or maybe a marathon run, oh actually a scavenger hunt would be really cool!"

She smiled over at me for a mere second before speaking "Alright now let's switch gears and pretend we're having this conversation from the opposite point of view. Say we're in the park and I'm interviewing you to do the marketing for discovery park and I ask you how to market West Towers, what ideas would you present in that situation?"

Oh fuck, don't overthink it Harper just stay calm and work in reverse order.

The West Company has an extreme focus on community as well just like discovery park, and also prides itself on being a great place to work and for being the most original and forward thinking company in the industry. The West Company handles pretty much all of the real estate in the North West and makes large contributions to charities, has its own charity for underprivileged youth and even gives away five houses for struggling families each year.

I could feel her gaze on me and her eyes bore into mine once I made eye contact with her "I think the biggest thing to focus on when doing marketing for The West Company would be to focus on all of its contributions to the community and the way that it treats its employees. It's already number one in its field across the entire North West, what we need is to broaden our horizons outward. I would say we should focus our business marketing on outside areas and focus on community based marketing locally." I paused for a minute noticing a strange look in her eyes "I mean I might've not worded that up to say, the most professional standards, but I do stand by what I said."

Her eyes went wide and the a smirk crossed her lips for such a short amount of time I couldn't even be sure I didn't imagine it.

"I like the confidence," she started off before pausing for a moment causing my heart to constrict "but I like your creativity, clear knowledge of the company, and overall strategy far more."

"Thank you." I replied feeling heat rising to my cheeks

She pulled out her phone looking at something quickly before turning back to me "Can you start tomorrow?"

My heart was beating so fast I swear it must have been loud enough for her hear. I nodded and smiled looked down, watching as she typed something into her phone.

"Alright, I already have a copy of your schedule on hand from your e-mail and Allie will give you your new internship schedule on your way out. This internship will be twenty hours a week, paid at a rate of $15 an hour, the day and times will be the same every week and I may require you to attend a few special events but nothing crazy." She explained before standing and looking down as she extended her hand out to me "It's my pleasure to welcome you aboard Ms. Bardot, I have high hopes for you here at The West Company."

I stood, my knees feeling weak as I shook her hand "Thank you so much Ms. West I am so extremely grateful for this opportunity and I won't let you down."

"I know." She replied with a wink as she released my hand and my heart fluttered "Now follow me, I'll walk you out."

I followed closely behind her and tried my best to keep my eyes up and not on her...

"You know your way from here correct?" She questions as the elevator doors opened

I nodded "Yes I do, thank you so much again."

"My pleasure." She nodded "I'll see you tomorrow Ms. Bardot."

I smiled stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for the third floor "I'll see you then Ms. West."

"Oh and Ms. Bardot?" She questioned

"Yes?" I replied just as the elevator dinged and the doors started to shut

"Please try to refrain from staring at my ass from now on, it's really not professional." She stated with a smirk I barely caught before the doors sealed her off from my view

It felt as though my stomach were now doing flips and my heart was in the indie 500. When the doors opened I quickly made my way down the hall and to my surprise the freckle faced girl from earlier had disappeared leaving only the other blonde haired receptionist.

I went over and she looked up, a weird expression crossing her face before she reached over and grabbed a single sheet of paper that she handed to me.

"Have a good day Ms. Bardot." She nodded, her crystal blue eyes seemingly holding a mystery that I had yet to uncover

I nodded giving her a half hearted smile "You as well."

***

(A/N) Please don't forget to like, comment, and follow! It really does help and I appreciate you all so much! ❤️