Secrets

April

Have you ever had an epiphany early in the morning or late at night? long before the sun rises or soon before the rooster crows? Something where you sit up, in a cold sweat and realize that you want more in life? Because I have.

I realized before the crack of dawn that I wanted more.

That's how I ended up here, sitting in front of a very burly, very scary, and very rich man.  I had seen their request for an intern in their offices, they being the Udell family.  The Udell's are known not only for the fact the women in their family lines are absolutely gorgeous, but the fact that they are one of the best business families in New York City.

"Miss Pierce, it says here that you have worked in the architecture and interior design fields, is that true?" Mr. Udell asks, looking up at me from over his ́́́́́reading glasses.  I nod, shifting in the soft leather seat.

"Yes sir, I majored in architecture and minored in interior design.  I went to a community college when I was in high school and I graduated with my Associates degree in architecture," I maintain eye contact with him the whole time, trying to keep an open or kind air about myself. "I went to The University of Michiagn and I currently have a bachelor's degree in interior design and a masters in architecture," He nods and sets my resume down, folding his hands across the crisp white papers.

"And you're expecting a job right out of college I assume?" he asks, leaning back in his large office chair.  I shake my head and smile at one of the large pane windows looking over the New York skyline.

"No sir, I'm expecting to get an internship right out of college." Mr. Udell smiles, a gruff laugh emitting from his throat. He stands up and extends a hand to me.

"Can you do nine-thirty sharp on Monday?"

"Of course I can Sir," I answer, shaking his hand.  "Thank you Sir," My wit had never gotten me anything but fired, so to say the least I was astonished.

I won't say I left the building and started jumping and freaking out, but I won't say I didn't, either.

Three days later.

Monday couldn't come quick enough. I was awake an hour before I needed to be getting ready to leave. The walk from Noho to Soho felt like it flew although it only took me twenty minutes.  I had no clue of what this job would bring me, I didn't know who I'd meet or if I'd even like who I meet. 

I sat on a cold metal bench outside the firm until nine-thirty when a young woman approached the spotless glass doors, her hands crowded with boxes of pastries and coffee holders. She was holding her key ring in her teeth, pulling her perfectly colored dark red lips away from the metal ring.

I stand up and take the boxes and the coffee from her, earning myself a grateful sigh. "You're the new interior girl right?" She asks,unlocking the doors.

"I am, I'm-"

"April, Right? I'm Laura,"  She had an accent, Italian maybe? I couldn't tell but she smiled and held the door for me and took the coffee once we were inside.

We put everything on her desk and she handed me a bagel, smiling.

"what do you do?" I ask

"I'm the main secretary, when people call the building, nor any person in particular, the calls come to me and I transfer the caller to who they need to speak to. I also handle full company meetings and conferences." She took a deep breath after she finished her spiel. 

"That's impressive Laura, really it is," I murmur, shaking my head at her. 

We giggle for a good thirty minutes until someone bursts through the doors with such an intensity that I thought he might break them. He storms past us to the elevator, leaving as soon as he came.