Just Breathe Mi Amore

Ch. 6

      Nerves start to pulse through me. I shake it off and walk inside. Business people are rushing all around. There's a line for the two elevators across the room. I feel so out of place, so small compared to these professionals.
I see a desk with a guy and girl typing away. Maybe I should go talk to them about hiring positions. I walk up to the desk. I go to speak, but I am cut off by a girl sobbing. The lady at the desks looks up at her concerned.
     "Alex, what is wrong?" The desk lady says to the sobbing girl.
     "Salvatore," the girl barely makes out through her sobs, "Salvatore just fired me. He called me and said I need to be gone before he gets here." The girl places her head in her hands. Poor girl.
     "What," the desk lady gasps in response, "What did you do?" The girl just sobs harder and barely stutters out a, "nothing". I feel like I am in the middle of a soap opera. My head just keeps going back and forth between the two ladies.
     Eventually, the girl leaves and I can talk to the woman at the desk. It's like she didn't even notice I was there the entire time.
"Oh, hello Miss. I am Kelly, what can I do for you?" Kelly asks. I've never done this before. I rub my hands down my jeans to wipe some sweat off.
"Hi, yeah, I was wondering if there was any entry level positions open. Maybe secretary or even a janitor position?" I ask politely trying to sound as professional as possible. She looks me up and down before typing on her computer.
"Hmm," Kelly pauses, "Well, we have three positions you can try to apply for and do an interview today. There's two secretary positions open. One for the CEO, one for the second floor. Then a janitor position for the fourth floor." Kelly looks up at me. I purse my lips. I should just apply for all and see what happens.
"I'll apply for all of them please," I inform her. She types away on her screen, before asking for my name and basic information. I start to get really nervous. I could get an interview. I could potentially land a job. My mind is struggling to wrap its head around everything.
"Okay Ms. Brooks, I'll give you a call if you get an interview for today," Kelly tells me.
"Is it okay if I just wait over there," I point to a waiting area, "My phone is dead." Kelly just nods in response. I thank her and walk away. I see a charging station in the corner of the waiting area and charge my phone. I take a seat by the station to keep an eye on it.
I look like a hot mess, but maybe I can win them over with my personality. If this doesn't work, I am probably just gonna have to look into the food industry. Which I would prefer not to work in food, but money is money.
An hour passes by and Kelly calls out my name. I grab my phone off the charger and put it in my pocket. I drape my coat over my arm and walk up to the desk.
"So, it looks like you got an interview. You're just gonna use the elevators. Take it up to floor 60. Make a right and then a left. The office number is 001. Good luck," I go to ask her for what position, but she's already on the phone helping someone else.
Okay. I got this. I turn on my heal and walk to the elevators. It opens immediately and I press the button. I'm literally bouncing on my feet. I am so nervous. I don't want to embarrass myself.
The elevator dings and opens. I step onto the floor and am taken back. The back wall is completely glass. Giving a gorgeous view of the city. I'd love to see this view again when it's dark and all the city lights are on display.
Kelly said a right then a left. I walk down the hallway and make a left. I see the numbers 001 next to the door at the very end of the hall. As I get closer to the end of the hallway, in the center of the wooden door is a brass plate with the engravings, CEO. I was really hoping for the janitor position. I actually stand a chance with that one. Not a CEOs secretary.
I knock on the door and take a sharp breath in. I hear a muffled come in. My hands shake as I reach for the door knob. I twist it and push on the door. A man in a business suit is standing, looking out the window. His hands shoved into his pockets.
"Hello Ms. Paisley," an Italian voice I recognize greets me. The man turns around and I see it's Dante. No. Not him. He can't be my boss. I clear my throat.
"Hello Dante," I try to not act surprised. I set my coat over a chair and walk further into the room. His eyes flicker to his shirt before his hand motions to a seat in front of his desk. I thank him and sit down.
"So, the position you've been accepted for is my secretary. Are you going to be accepting this position today?" Dante asks. I nod my head.
"Words, Ms. Paisley. I need you to use your words," Dante husky voice states.
"Yes, Sir. I will be accepting the position. Thank you," I respond softly. There's this weird tension between Dante and I. I don't know how to describe it.
"What I have on file is that you're 18 and have no previous employment," Dante reads off his papers. I nod my head.
"We need a previous address and emergency contact before we can continue with the hiring process," Dante informs me.
"I can't give you my previous address and I have no one for an emergency contact." I state bluntly. Dante cocks his head to the side as if I have intrigued him.
"And why can't I have your previous address, Ms. Paisley?" I just shrug my shoulders. I don't need to give him my sap story, but I don't want my to be connected to my father.
"Paisley, use your words," Dante says in a hard tone. This makes me stiffen. I don't want to make him mad. Angry men have never treated me nicely.
"My father. I just don't want to have any connection to him," I tell Dante with no emotion in my tone. He nods in response.
"We will just use my address and I'll be your emergency contact. Sound good?" Dante asks me, but I have a feeling he wouldn't take no as an answer. Dante writes on the papers and sets them on his desk. I just nod my head and look down at my lap.
"Some basic ground rules. You'll refer to me as Mr. Salvatore. I need you here strictly at 8 am every morning Monday through Friday. I'll inform you personally if I need you on weekends. Every morning when you arrive I expect you to have my coffee with you. It shouldn't be too difficult for I only drink my coffee black. That's the basics for right now," Dante informs me. I just nod and look up to meet his gaze.
His grey eyes hold no emotion. Just a hard glare as usual. The way his eyes feel on me sends sparks through me. His glare is too intimidating. I bite down on my bottom lip. His gaze hardens even more. He walks around the desk and I break the eye contact. He leans up against the front of his desk. Only a few inches away from me.
"You'll start tomorrow. Unless you ask otherwise, you'll receive a pay card. Every two weeks, your pay will be loaded onto that card. Any questions?" Dante says, his eyes still focused on my lips. I shake my head no.
"Then you're free to leave, Ms. Paisley," Dante says. I stand up and Dante's arm immediately circles around my waist pulling me into him. I suck in a deep breath. He brings his head down to my ear.
"I suggest you listen to me when I say to stop doing something. I'm trying to control myself with you Paisley. I am trying to respect you, but the next time you disobey me and bite your lip, I might not be able to contain myself," Dante whispers into my ear, "You should go get yourself some professional clothing."
I just nod my head and look anywhere but him. I don't recognize the feeling Dante is giving me. Butterflies are swirling in my stomach and I feel a pulse in between my legs. My legs feel like jello just from the sound of his voice.
"Words Ms. Paisley," Dante warns.
"I'll get on that Mr. Salvatore. Thank you," I quickly say and rush out of his office. Once the door shuts behind me, I feel like I can breathe. It was so suffocating being so close to him.
Dante said I needed professional clothing. I've never been good with fashion, so this might be hard. I haven't touched the money I took from my Father. Once I am in the elevator, I reach for the wad of cash in my bra. I count it and I have two hundred dollars to spare. That should buy me two outfits, I hope. Now I just have to find a store.