Chapter 11: Jessica

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Its been a week since I kissed Ben and not much has changed. We have been more comfortable, but neither of us wanted to push it and make things awkward. I have Nala playing in the living room with Ben while I get ready for my interview. After slipping on my shoes, I grab my bag and head down stairs to check on my girl.

Walking into the living I see Ben and Nala laying on their stomach, while Ben read her a story. "Hey, Rachael should be here soon. Are you sure your going to be okay watching her" I ask. A couple days ago Rachael came over and helped me fill out at least twenty online job applications. I spaced having to get child care for Nala if I get a job. This is my first interview today as a secretary. Originally I was applying to restaurants and retail, but when Rachael saw the secretary position with no experience necessary and saying that they would train, she pushed me to apply. 'It wouldn't hurt to try' she told me. Now here I am with an interview with the company.

"Yeah, of course. We will be okay. Isn't that night miss Nala" he says then begins tickling her. Her giggles fill the room. I couldn't help, but laugh at the pair. I hear a car honking, "That must be her. Thanks Ben. I'll see you soon Nala" I wave at them both. Ben shouts a 'good luck'. 

Making it into the car I sit in the back with Rachael. Once I am seat belted in, the driver leaves the driveway. "Excited" Rachael asks. "More like nervous" I tell her. She laughs, "Don't worry, you will do great!" I nod, "hopefully."

After a twenty five minute drive we pull to a large building with all windows. "This is it. Remember your interview is with Kevin Lakes. Have your resume?" I nod, "yup." I open the car door and get out. Before I close the door Rachael yells, "Call me when your done!" I wave as the car drives off. 

Walking into the building I walk up to the front desk. "How may I help you" a older woman with bleached hair asks. "I have an interview with Kevin Lakes." She types on her computer, "Name?" "Um, Jessica Benson" I answer. She raised her eyebrow but then goes back to typing on the computer. "Okay. Take this visitor pass, go to floor 4 and the secretary there will be expecting you" she tells me and hands me a clip on badge. "Thank you" I tell her as I clip the visitor badge on my coat. Walking to the elevator I push the fourth floor.

Once I make it onto the fourth floor, I go straight to the secretary's desk. "You must be Miss Benson. Laura called" the young blonde told me. "Yes" I say in confirmation. "Let me call and see if he is ready" she says while picking up the phone. Once she finished the phone call she stands up, "Follow me." 

"By the way my name is Caroline" she says as she leads me down a long hallway. She stops in front of large doors and knocks. I hear a deep voice, "come in." She opens the door, "Sir. I have Jessica Benson here for you" she says. "Thank you" he says. With no other words spoken she pushes me the rest of the way in and then closes the door, leaving me alone with the strange man. 

The man still had not looked up from his papers on his desk. So I took that moment to actuallty look at him. He had dark brown hair that looked like he had been running his hands through his hair frequently. He looked good, but defiently not as good as Ben.

"Are you going to sit" he says rhetorically. I feel my cheeks redden as I take a seat in the chair in front of his desk. After another moment of silence he looks up from his papers and leans back in his chair. He looks surprised for some reason, but quickly goes to an emotion free face. 

"Miss Benson, resume" he asks. I pull the folder out and pull out the paper and hand it to him. He quickly looks it over.  "You have no job experience. Why is that" he asks as he places my resume on his desk. "I umm" I wasn't sure I was suppose to share or even wanted to share the reason. He raises an eyebrow waiting for an actual response. "As it says I was in Russia" I tell him hoping he wouldn't push it. "Ahh yes. Your a new citizen" he says running his hand though his hair. I smile happy that he didn't ask anything further of my past. "Okay. My current secretary is retiring and would train you. If you don't meet the needs of the position you will be let go, but since I need someone now, Ill give you a chance. Any questions?"

"Actually I had a few sir." He nods and gestures for me to ask. "In the job position ad it never specified hour requirements?" 

"You will work Monday through Friday. Once you meet requirements I will allow you to work from home. Work is typically 8 am to 4 pm. You have an hour lunch. Pay is eighteen bucks an hour. Twenty two once you are fully trained. Also you will be required to move into my condo's building" he answers.  This job sounds great,but wait--condo? "Sir? Condo?" 

He nods, "Yes. You would live in a condo on a floor beneath mine. I occasionally have meetings on the weekend and require you to be near by. Or days I work at home."

"Sir is that a condition of the job" I ask nervously. 

"Miss Benson, its a requirement" he answers. "Sir, what if I don't live alone?" He leans forward in his chair, "It says you are unmarried, so are you saying you live with a boyfriend?" I shake my head no. "Parent?" I shake my head no again. "Care to enlighten me" he says with a irritated tone. "A child, sir" I say barely above a whisper. I catch his eyes looking me over. 

"That makes no difference. It is a two bedroom apartment with plenty of room. Also you wont have to pay rent or garbage. You just cover electricity and water. Now any other questions" he says as he stands up. 

"Actually one more" I tell him. He looks at me surprised I have more questions. "Insurance. My daughter needs decent insurance for her medical" I say softly as I glance past him to the window. "Done. Insurance will cover you and your child. It is a top notch insurance policy. Now are you taking the job" he asks as he walks around the desk to me. 

He ends up leaning on the desk right in front of me. "Can you give me time" I ask. "I will give you until five o'clock tonight." He grabs a card off the desk. "Call me secretary with your answer" he states. I nod, "Thank you."

He walks me to the door and lets me out. Once I step out of the door way he closes it. Kevin Lakes. The man sure was a mystery.

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PICTURE UP TOP IS OF JESSICA'S INTERVIEW OUTFIT

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