"How you doin'?" Josh leans against the kitchen counter beside me with a smirk on his face. I roll my eyes for the nth time in the last 30 minutes. "Could you Be anymore annoying?" I sighed as I washed the empty popcorn bowl. Josh knew what I was thinking, as soon as he was going to speak I interrupted, "They're not gonna call. I'm sure someone else got the call" I slouched in defeat, letting my mind run wild with new ideas for jobs.
I ran that interview through the mud, Sylas asked me who he was and I managed to gape at him like a fish out of water. He cut me off when I mentioned his father he looked pained. I managed to bring up his dead father, knowing he passed just three months ago. So, of course I wont be getting the job, maybe escorts make good money. Oh great! Selling myself i'll make a great career out of that.
Josh squeezed my shoulder, "Hey now, you're just overthinking it, you never know maybe they'll call tomorrow". I sighed looking at the clock on the stove it read 9:30, I thought about my chances of getting the job. Tomorrow was gonna be the first day, of course im not getting called for it. Sylas didn't even let me talk, maybe he didn't want me to. He probably interviewed the right person before me, just spared me the time to "interview me".
Maybe he didn't picture me to be a good secretary. Some people just get a vibe right? Maybe I didn't answer correctly, he looked like he lost his patience... I think. Oh! Maybe he thou- "You're doing it again Liv, just take a deep breathe and relax go on to bed i'll lock the door on my way out". I looked up at Josh and smiled slightly, "Alright be safe on your way home" I got up, walking up to him, I hugged him and he rubbed my back in a soothing way. "Goodnight kid, I love you" he whispered into my hair as he placed a kiss. "Don't call me a kid, i'm older than you, and I love you too" I scolded playfully. Walking to my room I changed into my pajamas which only consisted of one of Josh's old BMTH t-shirts and a pair of pajama shorts. Hearing the front door close and lock, I drifted off to sleep, a pair of dark chocolate eyes invading my last thoughts.
———
I woke up to a phone ringing I patted my nightstand in search of the nuisance. Once in my hand I answered very much annoyed "Josh you better have a good reason for waking me up this early". I sat up looking at the caller ID when I got no response, my face paled "You start at 8. Don't be late." As soon as I heard his voice I looked at the time causing me to jump up into action. I quickly showered, and got ready. What in the world caused him to go for me as his secretary? I could have sworn I ruined my chance.
I put on a small butterfly necklace my father bought me, I took a minute to look at it, he gifted it to me on my 14th birthday. I truly considered it Lucky, and I'm gonna need all the luck I can get today. Putting on some heels, I grabbed my purse and phone, and rushed out of my apartment making sure to lock up behind me.
I called for a taxi, once inside the cab I sighed "In a hurry Miss?" The driver turned to look at me as I fixed my slightly curled hair, I smiled apologetically as I nod "Aquila Co. on Michigan and Delaware please" I looked at my phone, 10 minutes left. "Don't worry i'll get you there as fast as possible" pulling off the curb, he managed to speed through traffic just in time for me to get there with a few minutes to spare.
Paying him a little extra for the kind gesture, because honestly, catching that type of taxi driver is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I rushed into the building, security cleared me on time to catch the elevator doors open.
I looked at the numbers on top of the elevator doors as my heart couldn't help but race. I looked at my tan leather watch, two minutes left. The doors dinged before opening I stepped out and made my way to his office. Knocking softly I waited patiently, I heard movement behind the door.
I anxiously looked around, avoided eye contact with the door, hoping he wouldn't be upset with my tardiness, soon I heard the door open and those mesmerizing eyes met mine. "Just on time, good". His eyes traveled down my body with slight smirk he moved to the side gesturing my welcome. What a difference from yesterday, was that a smirk? Did he smirk? Stepping into his office I became inquisitive, Why didn't he call yesterday? Why did I get called in so soon? Shouldn't have I gotten called and told ahead of time? Why so sudden? Why me? Why didn't Ms.Roberts call me like he said she would?
I turned around to ask him only to be startled by his sudden halt the proximity between us made me step back a few steps, he turned and watched me carefully his eyes narrowed slightly "Mr.Aquila? I have a few questions." He stayed quiet nodding, walking to his desk he sat in front of it. He gestured for me to sit down, I walked up to the leather lounge chair taking a seat. I looked down to my hands which rested on my lap, "Why didn't Mrs. Roberts call me?" I looked up at him as his eyes locked with mine "Well, she's on vacation it's her 50th anniversary, I took it upon myself to personally interview you and let you know if you got the job." I nodded slowly finding it sweet of him to do that for his secretary.
"Okay well, why didn't I get a heads up yesterday, I was afraid of being late this morning", he smiled...as fleeting as it was, it's a smile nonetheless. "Good, I don't tolerate tardiness, and Olivia?" I looked up at him, his eyes piercing "Don't question my actions." My lips parted, I was baffled. This guy is something else, I nodded my head closing my mouth as my eyebrows furrowed "Sorry Sir won't happen again". The way he looked at me, it had my heart racing, and I believe he knew that.
How his eyes seemed to be tracing the curves of my lips, I felt them twitch at the attention. Mr. Aquila had a way to make my body react in ways it never has. "Olivia" the way his husky voice called my name, the thrilling chills ran down my spine, my fingers twitching at the feeling. "Yes sir?" I looked up to find him briefly close his eyes tilting his head to the side. He opened his eyes adjusting his tie down his abdomen as he cleared his throat "It will be a pleasure having you here, to celebrate so called victory, I made arrangements for breakfast. We leave in 5." He cleared his throat eyes glancing at his watch, I stared at him shocked unable to move.
He did what now?
"Olivia that's your cue to start moving." He strictly said, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, his biceps straining the Armani navy blue suit he had on. I nodded frantically as I hurried to stand and gather my belongings. Its 9 in the morning its my first day, my first 30 minutes! is he insane? Before I could question him, I turned to the elevators feeling his presence behind me, once the button was pressed the doors dinged and we got inside.
Halfway through the descend, Mr.Aquila presses a button and the elevator jerks to a stop the lights turning red. I yelped at the suddenness and grabbed on to the railing, I looked at the man beside me he looked calm as he finished a text on his phone, once finished he turned to me and his eyes darkened.
Either this man is crazy...or he's ax-crazy, oh my god, this man is gonna kill me..there was never a 50th anniversary..he killed Mrs. Roberts!!. I whimpered as he got closer to me, as my back hit the wall on the far end of the elevator I silently sent my unheard I love you's to my parents and to my brother.
"Olivia when we arrive to this restaurant there will be press. I need you to stay calm and to drown them out. Do not listen to a single thing they say, Do you understand me?" I started at him heart thumping out of my chest. "Why would I worry about the press?"
His eyes roamed my face, he slowly brought his attention back to my eyes. "Olivia. Do you, understand?" He repeated, I slowly nodded my head "Words little one, speak to me" his eyes narrowing down on me. "Yes sir, I understand" My voice sounding meek, that seemed to please him because just as he drew in a breath he pulled away. The red lights making him look, so sinful.
"Good girl." He smiled as he adjusted his cuff link.
"And Olivia? One, Don't ever question my actions. Two, Don't make me repeat myself." Once said he pressed another button, the elevator continued its descent. As my breath remained shaky and core tingling, I wondered if I was right for the job. God help me.
