THE BILLIONAIRE'S MERMAID

Chapter Five: An Interview Like No Other

Psyche Zypheria was in a foul mood. The seemingly endless parade of candidates for her new secretary position was draining her patience. She had seen it all—wannabe assistants desperate to impress her with false bravado, nervous wrecks stumbling over their words, and overconfident applicants who thought they could coast by on their looks. None of them measured up to her exacting standards.

Now, it was the last applicant's turn. Psyche sighed, already predicting another waste of her time.

The door creaked open, and in strolled the final candidate. She didn't bother introducing herself, just sat down with an air of arrogance that immediately set Psyche's teeth on edge. Psyche barely looked up from her desk, eyes narrowing as she scanned the resume.

"So," Psyche said, her voice cold and clipped, "what makes you think you're qualified to work here?"

Belle, the last applicant, shrugged, crossing her legs as she made herself comfortable in the plush chair.

 "Honestly, it's just a secretary position. How hard can it be?"

Psyche's pen froze mid-note. She looked up slowly, her eyes like ice.

"Excuse me?"

Belle tilted her head, nonchalant.

 "You heard me. It's a secretary job. You need someone to file papers, answer the phone, maybe send a few emails. I'm pretty sure I can handle that."

Psyche clenched her jaw. "Who does this girl think she is?"

 Most candidates groveled for this position, and here was this arrogant woman acting like it was beneath her.

"You seem awfully confident for someone with no work experience," Psyche said, her voice now a low simmer of irritation.

Belle rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by Psyche's sharp tone.

 "Didn't you read my resume? I'm a fresh graduate. No experience, obviously."

Psyche's knuckles whitened as she gripped her pen. "And you thought *that* attitude would help you get hired?"

Belle shrugged again, an insolent smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. 

"I don't see why not. You've interviewed so many people today, and yet, here I am—the last one. Must mean something, right?"

Psyche fought the urge to throw something at her. This woman was infuriating! But there was something about Belle's attitude that intrigued her. Psyche wasn't used to being challenged, and this one was practically daring her.

Belle shifted in her seat, noticing Psyche's steely gaze lingering on her for longer than expected. 

"What is this woman's deal?" She wondered. "Why does she care so much about some dumb secretary job?"

"You have no idea what you're walking into, do you?" Psyche leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing in on Belle, scrutinizing every word.

Belle smirked. "Oh, trust me, I'm not worried."

That was the last straw. Psyche had never met someone so casually dismissive of her authority. This woman didn't care who she was, and it both irritated and intrigued her at the same time."Well then, you're hired," Psyche said abruptly, her voice cutting through the air like a knife.