by J. S. Cooper
He held up his hand with a credit card in it. “You left this with the bartender. I assume that you do want your credit card back, Miss Marcia Lucas? Or did you just want the bartender to keep it? He said you’d closed your tab.”
“Oh.” My cheeks got hot. “Thanks.” I held my hand out. “You didn’t have to bring the card over. I would’ve realized I didn’t have it and gone back to the bar,” I lied. There’s no way I would’ve remembered that I left my card at the bar until I’d gotten home.
“Well, you’re very welcome, Miss Lucas,” he smiled. “I mean, being an executive at a company like Winchester Enterprises, I’m sure you must have an extremely high credit line, so I didn’t want anyone to have access to your credit card and spend all your money.”
“All my money?” Was this man making fun of me?
“Well, you must have a credit line of at least $50,000, right?”
“Well…” I bit my lower lip. My credit line was $1500, but I didn’t want him to know that. “I have a credit line of $60,000 actually. What’s yours?”
“Oh, it’s definitely not $60,000,” he said, a smug look on his face. “Well, it was nice seeing you yet again.”
“Yeah, I would say likewise, but I don’t like to lie.” I smiled at him.
“Touché.” He nodded politely, smiled at Susie, and then walked away.
“Oh my gosh, Marcia, why were you such a bitch to him?”
“He’s a smug, arrogant asshole. He knows I don’t have a credit line of $50,000. Let’s be real. Who has a credit line of $50,000?”
“Uh, maybe someone that’s, say, president at Winchester Enterprises,” she giggled. “Didn’t you say that they make, like, six figures?”
“Yeah. High six figures as well. Some of them even make seven figures. Why do you think I applied for the job?”
“Oh my God.” She giggled. “And you really expected to get it?”
“I mean, what’s that saying? You don’t win any races you don’t bet on.”
“I’ve never heard that saying before,” she said. “But anyway, I’m proud that you got a job, even if it’s only as a temp.”
“Thanks, girl.” I lifted up my glass and took a huge sip. “And you never know, maybe one day I will be a president at the company. Maybe.”
“Yeah, girl. Maybe one day, pigs will fly.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, I’m just saying you have absolutely no background to become a president of Winchester Enterprises. And I’ve read articles about the CEO, and let’s just say—”
“Which CEO? My best friend Finn?” I interrupted her, and we both laughed.
“Yeah. Finn Winchester. And let’s just say he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. You’d be out on your ear before you could even blink.”
“Yeah, well, isn’t he out in the country climbing some mountain or something?”
“Oh, is he?”
“Yeah, I think he is in the Himalayas or wherever Mount Everest is.”
“How do you know?”
“Because they had an article and a photo of him, one of the only photos that’s ever been printed, and he had a thick-ass beard. He looked like a mountain man.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Like some sort of yeti,” I giggled. “At least I know I won’t be falling in love with my boss.”
“Aw, shucks. And here I thought you’d get an in with the boss and get me a job as president, too.”
“Oh, Susie, you’re too much!”
“I take after you,” she said, and we both laughed.
I sat back and took another sip of my drink before slowly looking back towards the bar. The man was staring at me again, and I wondered what he was thinking.
I wouldn’t have admitted it to Susie, but a part of me wanted to go up to him and just kiss him. And part of me wanted to go up to him and drag him into the bathroom. He was hot, and there was something about his smugness that turned me on. But that was my problem. I was always attracted to the bad boys, and I needed to stop. I needed a good man in my life now, and I knew that man at the bar was certainly not a good one. He’d be good for one night, but I wasn’t looking for one night anymore.
Four
“Good morning and welcome to Winchester Enterprises.” A friendly woman with hazel eyes and shoulder-length black hair greeted me. She was wearing a silk top and a diamond necklace that made her look far too sophisticated to be a receptionist.
“Good morning…” I paused and looked at her nametag. “…Shantal, I’m here for my first day.”
“Ooh, yes?” She leaned forward and smiled at me. “What’s the position?”
“Head of…” I stopped and giggled. “I’m just a temp.”
“I’m a temp, too. You’ll love it here.” She looked around. “I’ve been here for about three months, and it’s a really nice environment.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” I was surprised to hear she was a temp. She seemed so comfortable and at ease.
“Mr. Winchester is all sorts of fine,” she continued, lowering her voice. “Not that I would tell him that, of course.”
“Of course.” I was surprised at how friendly and open she was seeing as this was my first day. I also wondered about her taste. In the photo I’d seen, Finn Winchester had looked as fine as a battered can of paint.
“You can sit over there.” She pointed to some chairs in the corner of the lobby. “All the new hires are to wait there until Gloria from HR grabs you.” She made a face. “Don’t let Gloria get to you, by the way. She thinks she works at the White House and that Mr. Winchester is the president or something.”
I smiled. “She takes the job seriously then?”
“You can say that again.” Shantal laughed and then her expression changed quickly. “Good morning, Gloria, I was just telling…” She raised an eyebrow as she stared at me.
“Marcia… Marcia Lucas.”
“I was just telling Marcia here all about how amazing it is to work at—”
“I see.” The older lady frowned at me. She looked down at her clipboard and checked something off with the pen in her hand. “Marcia Lucas, you’re here from ABC Temps.” She looked me over and frowned some more. “We have you down in an assistant role.”
“Sounds good to me.” I gave her my most winning smile. Gloria appeared to be in her late sixties and was wearing a flowery top and navy-blue slacks; the outfit didn’t scream professional or seem to go with her demeanor. Her hair was in a tight bun, and her light blue eyes were framed by thick heavy glasses.
“Wait here.” She marched over to the chairs and spoke to the other women sitting and waiting. I swallowed as I looked over at Shantal, who was smiling at me.
“Don’t mind her. She’s not that bad. She reminds me of the women in my church back home. She’s holier than thou in the office, but she’s not so bad after work.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “On Friday, the church ladies are up to all sorts. And then come Sunday, you would think they were related to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.”
I laughed at her little story. Shantal seemed like a hoot, and I was already thinking that we would become work besties—if I could keep the job. “Where are you from?”
“Atlanta,” she replied. “Moved to the city about two years ago to make it as a singer. It hasn’t worked out yet.”
“I’m from Florida.” I smiled back. “And I know what you mean. I thought I’d be making indie documentary films by now, but here I am.”
“I knew I liked you, Marcia. Have a great first day.” She beamed at me and then her phone rang and she picked it up. “Good morning, thank you for calling Winchester Enterprises, how may I direct your call?”
I looked over in time to see Gloria heading toward the back with seven women behind her, all of whom looked as nervous as I felt. I tried to make eye contact with a couple of them, but they all looked away quickly. I glanced back at Shantal, who gave me a thumbs up. I waved then hurried to catch up
with the other women.
“Now ladies, I don’t have to tell you that we require everyone to be professional,” Gloria said as she scribbled something on her pad. “And punctual. There are five ladies who are late, and they will no longer be starting today. Follow me.” She turned around and walked down a narrow hallway towards some doors that said Employees Only.
“Normally you will require a badge to gain access.” Gloria stopped next to the doors and surveyed us all. “Those of you who are still employed at Winchester Enterprises by the end of the day will go to security and have badges made.”
“Excuse me,” I said, clearing my throat and sticking my hand up the way I did in elementary school.
“Yes?” Gloria raised an eyebrow and pressed her lips together. I found it hard to believe that she was any friendlier outside of work hours.
“I have a friend to recommend, and I was…” My voice trailed off as Gloria’s expression became downright frosty. I’d have to tell Susie I tried, but it seemed unlikely I could get her a job as well. She’d have to apply via the temp agency as well.
“Winchester Enterprises is a privately run corporation,” Gloria continued. “It was started in 1902 by Colton Winchester, the great-grandfather of our current CEO.” She paused. “Can anyone name him?”
Of course, I knew his name, but I wasn’t about to put my hand up again. A blond bombshell next to me spoke up.
“His name is Finneus Augustus Winchester, but he goes by Finn.” She looked very self-assured. Maybe my Google skills weren’t as on point as I’d thought, but then I remembered I’d read the one newspaper article with him hiking Mt. Everest and then gotten bored and watched Emily in Paris on Netflix. Next time, I’d be more diligent about my research… Not that I even cared what some old-ass CEO looked like. It wasn’t like I’d have to be in his presence at all.
“That is correct,” Gloria said looking approvingly at the blonde. “You’re Lilian. Is that correct?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the blonde next to me said with a smile, “I’m hoping to join the accounting team eventually.”
“Well, we shall see,” Gloria said. “Now we’re going to go through. Keep your hands to yourself, your eyes to yourself. We’re going to be in training today and there will be several different departments talking to you.”
“Um, I have a question,” I put my hand up.
“Yes, Ms. Lucas?” Gloria looked disapproving. I had a bad feeling that she didn’t like me, which was unnerving because this was only my first day.
“Um, when I was told I was going to be an assistant, I wasn’t exactly sure who I was going to be an assistant to, and I was wondering if I would get that information?”
“Once you go through the individual training modules, then we shall determine who you’re best fit for.”
“Okay. Do I get a choice…?” I chewed on my lower lip. Maybe I was pushing it a little bit too much.
“No, you don’t get to choose.”
“I’m hoping to be Mr. Winchester’s private PA,” a short Asian girl said, and a bunch of the girls laughed.
“Me too,” said the blonde next to me.
I looked at them both. “Why? Is he a really good boss or something?”
“Or something,” the blonde looked at me like I was crazy.
“None of you,” Gloria interrupted us with a cold stare, “will be working directly for Mr. Winchester. You are all temps, and you are all on a ninety-day probation. If you do work that we find to be highly acceptable, then we will think about hiring you full-time. If you don’t, you will not last the ninety days. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” we all said quickly.
“Wow. I didn’t realize we were working at the White House,” I whispered to the blonde, and she grinned at me.
“You would think so, right, with that bitch.”
“Excuse me?” Gloria turned back, pinning her gaze on me. I froze. “What did you just say?”
“Who, me?” I squeaked.
“Yes, you. What did you just say?”
“Um, I just said this makes me think this is what it must be like to work at the White House,” I stuttered. Oh my God. Susie would absolutely kill me if I lost my job on the first day.
Gloria continued staring at me for a few seconds and then her phone rang.
“Saved by the bell,” the blonde whispered as Gloria answered it.
“Hello, Mr. Winchester!” Gloria was almost beaming into the phone. I guess even she wasn’t immune to the big boss. “I’m with the new hires now. Yes, sir, we’re about to go into the training room. Yes, sir, we have eight girls today. Um, I did tell the temp agency that we were looking for men as well. Yes, sir, I will let them know. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.” She paused, “Why, thank you, sir. Um, well, we do have several.” She paused again, “Okay, sir. We’ll test for that. Thank you, sir.” She hung up, “That was Mr. Winchester.” She was almost beaming with pride as she looked at us, “As it happens, he will be needing another assistant to join his team. So one of you will be lucky enough to work in his offices.”
“Oh, my gosh!” squealed a redhead, “Really? No way. Not in Mr. Finn Winchester’s offices. Oh my gosh!”
“I wouldn’t mind working in his bed.” The blonde next to me murmured, and I looked over her as she shrugged, “I mean, we’re making what? $25 an hour to do work? I wouldn’t mind making $2,500 an hour to be his girlfriend.”
“Yeah, right. He’s going to pay you to be his girlfriend.” I paused and looked at her. “Like, are you serious? Does he actually pay people?”
“You’re gullible, aren’t you?” She laughed. “He doesn’t need to pay people.”
“Why? On account of he’s so rich?”
“On account of he’s so rich and—” she paused as Gloria cleared her throat.
“Enough, ladies. We need to go to the training now. Whoever passes the tests with the highest score will be the new assistant for Mr. Winchester. However, you will still be on probation, and—”
“La-di-da-di-da,” the blonde whispered again, giggling.
You’re going to get us in trouble,” I whispered.
“Yeah, well, who cares?”
“Do not say it again,” I said.
“Okay,” she grinned, “Also, thanks.”
“Oh, why?”
“For not ratting me out. That was cool of you.”
“Oh, you’re welcome.”
“No, that was really cool. You could have lost your job, and—”
“I mean, if I’d thought I was going to lose my job, I would’ve ratted you out.” I grinned.
“Fair enough.” She laughed, “I’m Lilian, by the way.”
“Lilian, nice to meet you.”
“You too. And, well, may the best woman win.” She grinned.
We made our way into a large, brightly lit boardroom. I looked around. The table was long and wide, and there were chairs all around it. I grabbed a chair and sat down. There was a folder with a pen on top of it. I looked around the table and counted fifteen folders.
“As you can see, fifteen people were meant to start today.” Gloria walked to the front of the room. “Only eight of you have made it this far, so count yourselves lucky. If all eight of you get your name tags today, well then, I guess I haven’t done my job.”
“What?” Did she want new hires or not?
“I’m here to weed out the best of the applicants, and if you falter in any way, you’ll be gone.”
“Way to motivate us on the first day,” I mumbled.
Gloria fixed her eyes on me. “Excuse me, Ms. Lucas?”
“I said we’re all new here. We all came for a job, but you’re almost making us not want the job.”
“If you don’t want the job, you can walk out the door right now.”
“Um, I do want the job, but…”
“But?”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and a handsome man with blond hair walked in. “Hey, Gloria.” He grinned a
t her and looked around the room. He lifted his hand up and gave a wave, “Hey, everyone, I’m Sebastian. Nice to meet you all.”
“Hi,” we all chorused.
I studied Sebastian. He was very handsome, but not so handsome as to be an asshole. He had a boyish look with smooth skin and big blue eyes. He was wearing a navy-blue suit with a white shirt and red tie. He looked every inch the businessman.
“My name is Sebastian, and I’m the head of product management. I will actually be working with two of you directly, so I look forward to seeing who is part of my team. Do any of you have experience with product management or marketing?” He looked around the room, and a few of the girls raised their hands.
I wanted to put my hand up as well, but I was scared that he’d asked me a question I couldn’t answer, that I’d look like a fool. However, he definitely looked like the sort of guy that I would want to work for.
“Okay, well, I’ll be back a little bit later. I just wanted to come and say hi before the day started, and Gloria, be kind. We do need all of these employees.”
“I’m just doing my job, sir.”
“I know,” he grinned, “but we are in need of personnel, so let’s not get rid of too many people on the first day.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“You’re welcome, ladies.” He winked at us before he waved and left the room again.
I smiled as he walked out. I was really hoping that I could get a position with him. I had a feeling he’d be one of the nicer bosses to work for. Unlike the other girls, I had no interest in working for the CEO. By all accounts, he was old and grumpy and mean. Plus, if you were working for the CEO, you’d always have lots of work, and I liked my downtime. I liked to surf the internet and sometimes read books on my Kindle, and I knew that wouldn’t fly if I was working for the big boss himself.
Five
“Hey, Susie. Are you there? I’m on my lunch break.”
“How’s it going?”
“Honestly?”
“Of course, girl, honestly.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be at this job.”
“What? What do you mean? You barely started.”
