Heels of Steel [1]

Chapter 3

I got there faster than I'd expected. I got out of my car and looked at the insane building across the street. It was in the central business district and boy was it busy. People were walking in and out the building like it was the mall. Right at the top of the building was and huge sleek looking sign that read Pearsing Innovations.

I took another swig of my Powerade, still working on the impossible task of rehydrating my body. Mia had stayed past 11AM with me just so we could have a filling brunch together. Lots of carbs and fruit and some greasy meats and I was feeling a lot better by the time I needed to head back to my place to get another shower.

I crossed the street. I walked into the foyer and it was amazing. Very modern set with sleek floors and a waiting area, people in suits walking around. Here, I thought I had overdressed for job hunting. My high-waisted black slacks and cream ruffled button up shirt were just right for this place. Although I do suspect that my Nike dunks were a tiny bit out of place and I would've benefitted from a simple pump.

I walked over to front desk where a not-so-bubbly blonde was typing away at her computer while talking into her headset. I stood at the desk patiently until she finished her phone call. She looked up at me with a forced smile.

"Good morning. How can I help you?" she asked politely. You could tell she wasn't the sweetest person you'd meet.

"Hi, I'm here for a job interview." I said politely. Her smile faded and her face became emotionless.

"Would be great if you could tell me a job interview for what position..." she said plainly. I raised my eyebrows, surprised. She rolled her eyes. "What are you applying for?" she asked sharply.

"Personal assistant." I replied.

"P.A." she rolled her eyes again. "Glorified secretary." she mumbled. I was very confused...wasn't she the building's secretary? I looked at her sourly. "Human resources in on the thirteenth floor." she said looking back at her computer screen.

"Thank you." I muttered sourly.

"Whatever. Worst case scenario is you get the job." she added bitterly. I turned to look at her.

"Worst case scenario is I get your crappy job." I said smugly before going to the elevator. I heard her scoff just before I stepped into the fancy elevator.

I pressed the button for the third floor and stepped back. For an elevator, it was really fancy, it had trimming and details, even a mirror in the back. I don't know who gets dressed in an elevator and needs a mirror but it was there. The doors were about to close when a hand pushed them back. I held back a squeak when a man walked in.

Connor Pearson. CEO of Pearsing Innovations. How did I know him? He was in magazines a lot of times. Billionaire at 28 and one of the world's hottest bachelors. Until he started dating heiress Priscilla Eastwood. He was the hot taken guy that everyone wanted to be single.

The pregnant woman that followed him in though... I didn't know who she was. Connor pressed the button for the 30th floor. As the elevator closed they both stood to the side, leaving space between us as she scrolled through something on her tablet.

"It's at 9am -" the woman started. Her voice was quite husky which really contradicted her dainty appearance.

"I get back in late." Connor cut her off.

She looked up, he towered over her but her blue eyes glared at him.

"If you'd have let me finish you would've known that I moved it to 11am because you get in late the night before." She said pointedly. Connor smiled sheepishly, looking down at her.

"I'm sorry for interrupting you."

"Mhm." The woman look back down. "There's a lot of tension over at Fitzpatrick so if I think we should give them some space before you bring up the rate change with the board. His PA told me that there's been tensions since March."

"And this is why you are the best. That's excellent information to have, thank you."

I hadn't even noticed that the elevator had stopped on the thirteenth floor until Connor and the woman both slowly turned to look at me. I was mesmerized by their interaction that I completely zoned out.

"Are you going to HR?" Connor spoke and looked directly at me. I snapped back to life and nodded. "You can get off here..." he trailed off.

"Hmm?" I was hearing him but not completely processing it. And then it hit me the longer they stared at me looking a little bewildered. "Oh! Yes! Right!" I scrambled out of the elevator as quickly as I could. They both stared at me as the elevator doors closed and I did the most awkward little bow.

Connor raised a curious eyebrow and the doors shut.

"Why did I bow?" I muttered to myself. The biggest sigh came from my chest as I found frustration welling up in my bones at how I botched a meeting with a respectable industry leader. I needed to find my composure. I was here for a job interview. And I needed to ace it.

If all went well I would be to another executive what the pregnant woman was to Connor. From that short interaction I could tell she was a skilled assistant and I needed to be thinking of her as an industry senior as I went into this PA job interview.

The thirteenth floor was not as busy as the foyer but there were still phones ringing and people rushing around. I made my way to the front desk where a strawberry-blonde was sitting and typing.

"Hi." I said. She didn't reply. "Hi." I repeated. She just kept typing. "Excuse me!" I said much harsher.

"Thank you, ma'am." she turned to me and I noticed that she was wearing a headset and that she'd just ended a call. "Put the claws away, honey, I was on the phone." she said with a southern accent.

"Oh, sorry. I just thought-"

"That every receptionist was a bitch?" she asked. I resisted the urge to answer that. "That's just Carla. She's miserable in the foyer." she laughed. I laughed too. "My name is Shelby." she said politely.

"Hey, Shels." someone said walking past.

"Or Shels...whichever suits you." she said to me with a smile.

"Hi, Shelby. I'm Mckenzie, I'm here about a job to be a PA." I said.

"For Mrs Walker." she added.

"Yes." I said simply. And then it registered what she had said to me. "No, what? Walker as in Melanie Walker?"

"Personal Assistant for Mrs Walker..." she trailed off as my eye widened. "I did tell you over the phone that the position was under an executive, right?"

"Yeah, but not that executive." I retorted, wide-eyed. Shelby smiled. Her pale skin had the sweetest scatter of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

Melanie Walker was a design legend. The campaigns she spearheaded made multiple small businesses into household names. Her marketing strategies and eye for design pushed companies to make their first billions in profits.

"Don't worry, doll, Mrs Walker is harmless. She's really lovely."

"She's design royalty!" I had to stop myself from being too loud.

"McKenzie, if this job is too daunting and you're no longer interested after finding out that the position is under Mrs Walker then we don't have to do the interview. I would hate to make you do something you don't want to do." Shelby stood up and I was surprised at how she was only slightly shorter than me.

"That's not it, I -" I couldn't give up this opportunity. " I can do it. I'm an excellent candidate and I was just shocked to find out that I would be working under such a respected person in the design industry and at this company."

Shelby smiled knowingly. "That's my girl." She said sweetly. "This way." I followed.

A/N Hello, pancakes! We're getting back into a rhythm. Let's goooooooo!