Don't Mix Pleasure with Business

1. Interviews

Alexander Marino

10:34 am

I sat there and sighed as another women sat in front of my desk telling me why she is qualified for this job. She was very boring. She kept saying 'uhm' and 'like'. That was a significant mark down right there. You have to be articulate and be able to present yourself in a confident way. I tried very hard not to cut her off but I couldn't take it anymore.

"Alright." I said and nodded my head. "Thank you uhm ..." I looked down at my clipboard to find her name. "Ms. Collins." She smiled and walked out of my office. My father and I sighed at the same time. I chuckled and he smiled.

"These interviews are horrible. We will never find someone to replace Maria. She was the best person for this job." He said and stood from the couch in my office and sat in the chair in front of my desk.

"Can I not be the one to do these?" I asked. My father shook his head.

"Considering the fact that this person will be working for you, that can't happen." My father shrugged his shoulders. My father, the founder of Marino's fashion company. I am the head of the fashion design department. My father is trying, very hard, to hand the company down to me. Even though I told him I like my place where I am now, he'd rather I be at the top just like he is. I was cut off from my thoughts when I saw the next person walk in. My father and I stood up and greeted her.

She had long black hair, caramel skin and bright brown eyes that hid behind her black rimmed glasses. She smiled and her dimples showed. She had a wonderful body and I tried not to stare. "Hello Ms ..."

"Lewis, Megan Lewis." She finished my sentence. She shook my fathers hand and then she shook my hand.

"Well as you know, I am Giovanni Marino and this is my son Alexander." My father started for the hundredth time today.

"So what qualifies you to be my sons assistant?" My father asked. I just watched the demeanor of the women sitting in front of me. She seemed very confident. I liked that. The interview was going very well until my father mentioned a specific question. "What other companies have you worked at?" My father asked.

"Well, I have worked at Baxter as an ..." I stopped her right there.

"Thank you Ms. Lewis, that will be all." Baxter was our competing company. I didn't want anyone from there to work for me.

"Excuse me?" She asked appalled at my interruption. I leaned back in my chair.

"Alex!" My father yelled. "I'm sorry Ms. Lewis, can you give my son and I a minute?" He asked. She stared at me and then raised from her seat. She walked out the door confidently. "Alex, I know very well that you don't like the Baxter company but she may be the closest thing to Maria." My father explained.

"Baxter is a terrible company. They are full of liars and insufficient workers." I almost screamed. My father sighed.

"She may not be like that. She is more than qualified for this position and you are just going to have to work with her. I'm not going to argue with you about this. This company is more important than your feelings."

I see where I stand in this situation. He went to the door and called the women back in. I made sure to make eye contact with her. I clenched my jaw so she could see I was not pleased with this decision. "Ms. Lewis, we think ..." my father started and I scoffed. "We think you are perfect for this position. You will start next Monday at 8 am." She smiled really big and stood to her feet.

"Thank you so much Mr. Marino! You will not regret this." She shook his hand.

She looked at me with a small smile on her face. I kept my hardened look. "Thank you too Mr. Marino, for giving me this opportunity." Her smile didn't come off her face. I didn't even stand up. I just nodded my head. I don't like her and I can't trust her. I will just make her quit. All I have to do is be myself.