The Personal Assistant

One: Joanna

I smoothed out the last wrinkle on my red pencil skirt and sighed. I looked up at the sign above the door, Vasilevsky Enterprise, and took a deep breath in.

"You can do this. You got this girl!" I said to myself as I pushed open the gold and glass doors. I walked with confidence straight to the receptionist and introduced myself.
"Hello, my name is Joanna Marcello. I have an interview with Mr. Vasilevsky at 9."
The paper thin, platinum blonde looked up at me with eyes full of disgust and disbelief.
"Oh, you're Miss Marcello?" She asked. I nodded politely. She sighed and searched something up on her mac.

"Oh, it looks like he's not in right now, but his associate Sergei Lavrov is noted here to interview you instead." Her dry voice scratched my ears. She looked back up to me expectantly. "I guess that's fine. Where should I wait for him?" I asked. She sighed again and instructed me where to go. I followed her direction and found myself in a lavish waiting room, with yet another blonde, paper thin receptionist. I sat myself on one of the leather chairs and pulled my tablet from my bag, and began typing. I was working on a romance novel. My dream job was to be an author. Growing up I had adored books, and with my dad as a university English professor, he always encouraged writing. My current work was centred around a young woman who had moved to Manhattan to pursue a broadway career, who finds herself falling for her show's director, who is married.

I had finished chapter 10 and started on 11, when the receptionist called my name. I packed up my things, slung my purse over my shoulder and walked over to her desk.
"Yes?" I answered. "Mr. Lavrov is ready for you." She stated and pointed to the black doors behind her. I thanked her and walked towards the doors. I pushed open the door and my self face to face with a Goliath of a human. He had short, tousled, blond hair, baby blue eyes, and was built like a bridge. I could lie, he intimidated me.

"Ciao, Miss Marcello." He greeted me in a thick Eastern European accent. I stepped into the office, allowing the doors to shut behind me. He walked over to me to shake hands. "Hello, sir." I said quietly. He dropped my hand and chuckled. "Please, call me Sergei, I detest formalities." He flashed perfect teeth at me and moved to sit down at his desk. "Alright, Sergei," I tested his name as I sat down across from him, "I'm Joanna."
He smiled again. "Lovely name. Please, humour me and excuse my ignorance, but how does a caramel woman like yourself end up with an Italian last name? I don't not see a ring..." I smiled at him before I replied. "Married I am not. My father was born in Milan, and my mother Jamaica."

"Beautiful. Now, my dear, I was told to interview you by my dear friend. What position are you applying for?" He asked. I reached into my bag and pulled out my resume. I slid it across the glossy wood table to him. I sat up straighter and mentally relaxed, "I'm applying to be Mr. Vasilevsky's personal assistant. You are an associate of his, right?"

"Perfect. Not exactly, we are extremely good friends. Brothers, even." He said as he read my resume. "So Joanna, what skills do you possess that will benefit Mr. Vasilevsky?" He asked. I cleared my throat and began, "I'm very responsible, I have great communication skills, I am very tech savvy, and a social media wiz. I also have a great memory." I crossed my legs and folded my hands in my lap.

"Good. Those are qualities that my friend appreciates. It says here that you worked at a law firm as an assistant as well. How was your time there?"

"It was great, until the lawyer who I worked for was fired and there were no other positions available for me and I was laid off. Lawyers are very busy folks, so I learned how to organize appointments and manage schedules, personal and business."

Sergei nodded and said, "Sorry to hear that. Yes, lawyers can be very busy. I also see that you attended Ryerson and double majored in English and Art History, and you have your masters in Literatures of Modernity. May I inquire why you are applying to work here instead of something that would suit your education?"

I sighed and explained, "It's more to do with personal matters, but I'll keep it simple. I was in need of a job, a friend had reccommended me to the law firm, and being a PA just turned out to be something I'm good at."

"Ah, I see. What are your hobbies and interests?"

"I do like to read, I like going to the theatre, travelling, though I don't do it often now. I paint, acrylic and spray paint, I also love photography and fashion. My true dream job is to become a best-selling author."

Sergei smiled. He looked impressed. "Wow. Well I think that you may get along with Andriy. He likes the finer things in life." I blushed and thanked him. "I hope so, I mean if I do get the job. But I assume that I will have to wait for that verdict." Sergei chuckled, his baby blues shining bright. "Assumption made wrong. My relationship with Andriy is incredibly strong and full of trust. He told me that if I thought you'd make a good fit here, that I should hire you on the spot."

My jaw dropped and I clasped my hand over my mouth. I was in shock. I was expecting to be let down easily. Not get the job automatically. "Really?" I asked. Sergei smiled and nodded. He stood up and fixed his jacket. I followed suit and he reached out for my hand. Holding it in one, and cupping it with the other he said, "Yes. Welcome, Joanna, to Vasilevsky Enterprise."

"Thank you very much Sergei. I truly appreciate it." I gushed. He smiled at me and said, "No problem. Now let's go speak to the receptionist about your office, pay and start date."

******

I pulled up to my parents driveway after the interview. I got out of my red Corolla and walked up to the door. I unlocked the door and walked in. I was greeted by two of the 6 foster girls play fighting.

"Hey, girls." I interuppted them, laughing. The instantly stopped their fight and looked at me. "Hi Joanna!" Maria, the oldest of the six said. "How've you been?" Zaida, the second oldest asked. I smiled and walked towards the girls giving them hugs. "I've been good. I just got hired as a PA at Vasilevsky Enterprise." I answered.

"Ew, I could never be a PA. I don't know how you do it." Zaida said in disgust.
"Trust me its not my ideal job, but it pays the bills. When I was your age I only wanted to work in one industry. But you need to be open minded, because at the end of the day, your job provides you with money." I told them as set my purse on the stairs.
"That's true. Still, a girl can dream, right?" Zaida laughed.
"Of course, dreams are what keeps us motivated. Anyways, where's Jordan?" I Asked.
"He's in the backyard helping your mom and dad paint new chairs." Maria replied.
"Thanks girls. Don't play too rough." I said.

I walked towards the backyard of the house. I found my parents and Jordan painting vanity chairs and stools. I pulled the glass door open and stepped outside into the September air.

"Hey guys." I greeted them. Jordan looked up at the sound of my voice. He smiled, dropped his paint brush and ran over to me. "Hi Momma!" He exclaimed. I bent down and picked up my six year old son. "Hey baby. How are you?" I asked kissing his cheek. I put him back down and he held my hand. "Good! Nonna and Nonno let me paint the chairs for the craft sale!" He exclaimed. I smiled and looked over at my parents. "That's great! I bet you did an amazing job, baby."

My dad walked over to us and sat down on the swinging bench. "Oh he did. He did a really good job. Speaking of jobs, how was the interview?" He asked. I sat down beside him, and watched as my son ran back over to help my mother tidy up. I sighed and looked over at my dad. "The interview went good. The guy wasn't there so I met with an associate of his, I guess. But anyways, I got hired on the spot." I said. My dad grinned and hugged me. "Oh love, I'm so proud of you! These Russians made a good choice." He said grinning.

My mother had finished cleaning up and walked over to us. She high fives me and congratulated me. "That's amazing. When do you start?" She asked, taking a seat in a rocking chair across from us. "When the CEO gets back, which I think is Monday. Apparently he goes on a lot of business trips. I just hope I'm not required to join him." I let out a yawn and stretched out my arms before resting my head on my father's shoulder.

"Jordan, how about you go get your stuff together and wash up for dinner. Nonno and I need to talk to Momma." My mom called out to my son, who was swinging on the hammock. Jordan jumped down and ran towards us. "Okay Nonna!" He exclaimed. I smiled as he waved us off and ran inside. I looked over at my mother expectantly.