I Hate You, Mr. Boss-Man [18+]

041

Two Weeks Later

"What if I screw it up?"

"Look at me, sweetheart," Jesse instructs, tucking his index finger under my chin-guiding my gaze towards him, away from the glass doors of his building.

There we stood in the car, my nerves getting the best of me as I fiddle with my thumbs. Today was the first day of being C.O.O, and dread had started to fill my stomach. It'd taken a couple of weeks to gather all the paperwork, and set me up in the extra room across Jesse. It was ready to go, and I was afraid of not knowing how to handle my new position.

"You're not going to screw anything up," He promises, smiling softly while he tries to smooth out my frown with his thumb. "Do you remember what I said to you the first day I hired you?"

My knee bounced in anticipation, my eyes flickering between the women and men that surrounded me in the waiting room. I was an underqualified, twenty-year-old college student with no experience in the business. I knew the people that surrounded me were way more experienced than I but, I desperately needed a job.

I take in everyone's attire, blazers, and button-ups taking up the majority of their outfits. I glance down at my choice of clothing, suddenly feeling underdressed with my jeans and sage green cardigan. I cross my legs, inching my body closer to the exit-away from everyone else. Thank god the flyer in the student hall was there when I needed to see it. My college fund was running low, the tips and paychecks from working at the ice-cream shop in my teens, it was almost gone. Hardly enough to pay for my first tuition but, I made it work. This was my third interview of the day, already trying to juggle my other two jobs at the cafe and sales associate at a boutique.

"Miss Stratford?"

My eyes immediately find a woman, clad in grey-hair slicked back into a neat bun and pointy heels to match. I rise to my feet, gripping onto my application, her head jerking towards the other hall to follow her. I glance at the other patrons, noticing their watchful yet envious stare that I got called first. It wasn't like I had the job, right? I turn back to face the woman back. Her heels softly tapped against the carpet, leading me down a long corridor. "I'm sure you're aware of the position being offered, yes?" She chimes, not even looking at me-her head straight.

I swallow hard, nodding in response. "Yes," I murmur, ignoring my heart slamming against my ribcage, the sinking feeling in the pit of my tummy. The professional, serious environment made me want to hide away in a hole. I was way too immature to be working here, yet here I was, guided into the boss's office.

The woman stops suddenly, meeting my eyes while she knocks on the right side of the double doors before pulling down the handle to open the door, peeking her head in. "You're next applicant, Mr. Thomas." Silence fell from the other end but, she still stepped out, looking back at me. "You can go in, he's ready for you."

I nod once again, watching her step aside to let me through. "Good luck!" She chimes, making me dread the interview even more. I hated when people said that, it only made the situation worse. I mumble thanks, brushing past her to enter the office. The door shuts behind me, my head snapping towards it to take in the grain of the polished wood.

"You must be...Katherine Stratford."

I stilled, a chill running down my spine at the sound-how deep and smooth it was. I slowly turn my head, taking in the man several feet away from me.

"Y...Yes," I manage to say, lifting my chin to straighten up my posture. I take a few steps towards the chairs, his features becoming clearer. He was gorgeous, imagery of pure attraction. I was almost star-struck, his eyes bewitching me into a trance-my body almost floating to the two chairs he gestured to. I take a seat, drawing in my bottom lip as he followed suit.

"Says here, you're twenty and a college student, correct?"

He couldn't have been more than twenty-five, seemed a bit too young to be in charge of a building this large, especially with hundreds of employees filling up each floor. He stares me down, eyes so blue-steel, if you will.

I felt my stomach in knots, the nerves turning into so much more as this man continued to look at me. He was beautiful and I couldn't remember the last time I found another man attractive after Jacob. His lips were so full, pink, and soft. Trimmed stubble surrounding his chin, cheeks, jaw, and above his lips. His hair was dark, slicked back with a single curl falling over his forehead.

"Miss Stratford?" He calls out, snapping me out of my daze.

"Hmm?"

"I asked if the information on your application is correct, you are a college student, yes?"

I nod hastily, gripping onto my bag that I had placed onto my lap. "Yes, NYU. I'm actually a sophomore now. I'm twenty, and I saw your flyer a few weeks prior plastered on the bulletin board in the student hall and I gave it a shot. So, here I am."

His lips pull into a light smile, leaning back in his chair- hands folding over his large oak desk. "Do you have any experience in finance, ambiguity, or conduct cost?"

His question sounded like a different language to me. I couldn't even begin to explain what the hell the conduct cost was. There was no way I was getting this job. "I..."

"Miss Stratford, why should I hire you? Instead of the fifteen qualified applicants out in my waiting room?" He was upfront, blunt-clearly exhausted and I'm sure it had to do with the interviews he had throughout the day.

"You...you own this building?" I ask, glancing around at the large-scaled room I was in. I felt so out of place and right now would be a good time to just let the interview go and try my luck at a Bodega.

"As of eight years ago, yes. I took over for my father." He answers cooly, almost cocky-unashamed of the power he held. It was easy to respect that. But, my will was wearing thin. Why should he hire me? That was the 25,000 dollar question.

"Why should you hire me?" I repeat, chewing on the inside of my mouth. "I'm going to save you the trouble of hearing that I'm young, I'm a fast learner, and all that. I work two jobs right now, I barely make enough to pay for my tuition and dorm room. You should hire those applicants out there," I say, pointing to the exit. "They're probably overqualified, older, and know what the hell they're doing." I sigh, kicking myself for practically giving him my life story. "I'm sure hearing a sob story isn't what you're looking for."

A soft chuckle makes my head lift, rounded eyes meeting his. "I apologize," Mr. Thomas snickers, his eyes glinting with humor. "I didn't mean to laugh at you, I just..." He takes a breath, sobering up the laughter. "I can't tell you how refreshing it is to interview an applicant who's not shoving their degree or credentials down my throat. It's...nice," He finishes, flashing me a light smile as he goes to stand, re-doing the buttons on his blazer. "This job isn't going to be easy, and I can't promise discretion but, the pay is good and it will be enough to help you pay for college and then some."

I quickly rise, my expression hopeful and somewhat confused. "Mr. Thomas...?"

"I like your honesty and that's more I can say for most people in this line of work. You have potential and I think you'd be a great addition to my company."

My lips parted, pulse-quickening at his words. "I uh, I don't understand."

"There's promise in your honesty, Miss Stratford," Mr. Thomas replies, brows furrowing softly-his height towering over me, even from across his desk. "I'd like you for this job and along the way, if it ever comes up, you'd make an excellent leader."

"You were so nice when we first met," I mumble, smiling softly as I stare at his lips. "You got way too comfortable with me."

Jesse chokes out a laugh, shaking his head at my quip. "I'm always nice...at first. It takes some time to get used to. But, I'm glad I hired you."

"I'm glad you did, too." And I press my lips to his.