The Marvelous Revenge Of Delia Jones

Chapter 1 - The Interview

"So, Ms. Jones, you are an experienced secretary?" Mr. Fentocceski asks.

I shift in my seat, crossing my legs. "Yes, I've worked as a secretary for many private contractors over the years," I say, trying to sound confident.

I've worked hard to get where I am, and I need this job. Ever since the incident, I haven't been doing well. I'm tired of living in a crappy apartment in the bad part of town.

Before I got married I was a good secretary who worked for the rich and got paid well, and now I barely had enough money to pay rent and buy food. I can't remember the last time I had an actual meal that didn't include something frozen.

With my husband gone, and my life close to ruin again, I need this job.

Mr. Fentocceski looks back down at my resume, his watch catching the glint of the sunlight that streamed in from the giant window behind him.

The whole room is dancing with sunlight. It seems as if he wants to burn away his sins.

He doesn't seem like the type of man who'd enjoy nature very much, and yet his house sits in the middle of the forest. Usually, wealthy people like him live in fancy apartments or on a big plot of land with only a handful of trees to make the place look nice.

"This is impressive Ms. Jones," Mr. Fentocceski's voice jolts me out of my thoughts. "I don't think I've hired anyone this experienced before," he sits my resume back on top of his desk.

"Thank you, sir."

He holds up his hand, his face solemn, "Please, call me Francesco. If you are going to be part of the family, then I can't have you calling me 'sir'," A smile spreads across his face.

I replay his words in my head again. "Does that mean I am hired?"

He sits back in his chair, "Of course, welcome to the family," he smirks.

I smile, "Thank you, Francesco."

"No need."

"When do I start?"

He rises from his seat, his body covering me from the glaring sunlight. His shadow stretches out big and long. It seems like it could swallow me instead of protecting me from the sunlight.

I feel a chill run up my spine.

"First," he says walking over to me. "We need to get you settled."

I look up at him. His eyes held a threatening glare in them but his mouth held a welcoming smile.

How many times had he used this look on other people to intimate them? How many women did he look at like this?

"Well, that is not a problem," I say with a smile, hoping to melt his hard gaze. "I don't own a lot. If you give me an hour or two I can go to my apartment and grab my things and come back."

He grabs my shoulder lightly. His hand is warm. I thought it would be ice cold like his softening glare.

"Don't worry about that, you give me the address and your keys, and I will send someone to go get your things."

"That sounds good."

"Good. Now," he holds out his hand for me to take, "let me show you your room." He leads me out of his office and into the main hall where two giant staircases meet.

The stairs are made of dark wood that is polished to perfection. You can see the reflection of the crystal chandler that hangs above the steps. The stairs have a slight curve as they reach the second floor, giving the whole thing grace and class.