Her New Boss

3

He led her to the underground parking lot and the row of what seemed to be brand new cars. She had never seen cars that were that shiny without being at a dealership before. "So, tell me about yourself." He broke the silence as he finally reached what seemed to be his car. He unlocked the doors and opened hers for her. She got in and had less than thirty seconds to think.

"What do you want to know?" she asked, knowing that he knew her personal file already. That was his job to know things about people to give the brass leverage when it was needed.

"Anything." He replied as he backed out of the parking spot. "I know anything that is in the file, but I don't care about that. I want to know you. I can't get into that with the file."

"I get that." She said with a laugh as she thought about what she could tell him. "I was raised like everyone else. I had to hurry up and grow up because my mom was sick. Though it was something that did kill her, in the end, it was a long time coming. Dad is still around and missing all of his kids."

"How many are there?" He asked.

"Five." She said with a smile, thinking of her sisters and brothers.

"Are you all close?" he asked.

"Not like we used to be. They all have families and everything now. I mean, they have live in the suburbs type lives, whereas I live in a crappy apartment on the lower east side because the rent is cheap, but I have to deal with perverts and thieves." She said with her nose wrinkled.

"Not the first time?" he asked as he motioned to her outfit.

"It was never this bad before. I knew a piece here, or there was missing, but I didn't realize someone has nearly my entire wardrobe until this morning as I was trying to get ready. It is frustrating." She said with a huff.

"Why don't you think about moving?" he asked.

"Well, some of us have to wait and save for that to happen." She said as she looked at him.

"I understand that. I don't think I made much about myself clear. I may be his son, but I have had none of the benefits of being such. He did get me a tutor to help me get into college, and he did pay for that, but that was only because my mother begged him to help out. I think he would do anything for her if she complained too much. The others got the best of everything and handed their jobs on a platter because they have his name." Mikal said as he pulled into the mall.

"Umm." She said as she looked around.

"What?" he asked.

"This is where the nicer stores are. I was planning on getting a few things at a store that doesn't cost an arm and leg for a tee shirt." She said.

"Petra, I know that. I wasn't planning on teasing you. I know how life works and the simple fact things come before clothes. But you see, I have a vested interest in how you look now as well. I am on the higher-ups, meaning my half brothers radar now. I need you to completely look the part of the professional. One of us has too. This is my treat." Mikal said as he looked at her sitting in the seat. "No, this is not a bribe of any sort either. What we do from now on is really up to you. Though I can hope that you will see things my way and let us have some fun that is beside your job, which is completely safe either way."

"So you plan on buying my clothes, so one of us looks the part?" She asked.

"Petra, my brothers will figure it out. The part of who I am. They know he has another son by his mistress. I don't think they know I am already at the company, though. We will have to watch them as well. However, I do need you to look like the professional you are. I certainly won't cave on certain things." Mikal said as he got out of the car and then walked around and opened the door before she could.