“If you were wondering, this is one of our new salespersons, Mark. He’s helping out for his dad.”
“His dad?”
“Oh right, you wouldn’t know. Mark is the owner’s son. Anyway, let’s get down to business. Simone mentioned you need a job,” Avery said with a bright smile. He was handsome with pecan brown skin, brown eyes, and a black fade with waves, but I was getting paranoid about how he was looking at me. It was like he was trying to picture me naked.
I sat up straighter in the chair, hoping the attention would be taken off of me. I looked at the other two people in the room and answered “Yes, I am. I lost my management consultant job six months ago.”
“That’s really terrible; I’m sorry to hear that,” the woman said in a sympathetic tone.
I looked at her, suddenly realizing it was the office manager, Rosario.
“Oh, I guess I didn’t introduce everyone else, did I?” Avery said. “This is Dominic, the assistant manager, and Rosario, the office manager. If you decide to come on board, she will be your boss.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Vanessa. Simone speaks very highly of you,” Rosario continued. She was pretty with her black hair styled into a pixie cut. I noticed that her cocoa brown skin was a little flustered as she offered her hand for a handshake.
“Thank you,” I replied, shaking her hand.
“I know this probably not the job you had in mind, but I can guarantee that you'll receive 40 hours a week at $11 an hour. You’ll have access to the restaurant here as well as unlimited car washes,” Avery informed me with a bright smile.
“And you receive bonuses for selling our store’s products, including our membership card,” Dominic added. I had to admit, he was really handsome, but his demeanor made him sexy. His brown skin was a shade lighter than mine, and his brown eyes were gorgeous. He sounded Dominican, judging from his accent.
“We have a lot of cashiers here that honestly need some type of guidance. I can’t be here all day since I have other things to tend to, so it would be good to have someone here who's older that can take some of the girls under her wing and guide them; not just here at our Harrison location, but at our other locations as well,” Rosario said with a smirk. I just looked at her, already seeing that she couldn’t be trusted.
“I’m sure Vanessa isn't that old, are you?” Avery asked.
“I’m 28.”
“Wow, I thought you were 21 or 22. Honestly, you look good,” Avery complimented and smiled.
I looked at him, completely creeped out by his behavior. I glanced at Dominic, who was looking everywhere but in my direction. Rosario had a disappointed expression as she started writing something on her clipboard.
“Anyway,” Avery continued, “the job is yours if you want it. You can start as soon as tomorrow. And we'd have to give you a shirt to wear.”
“Is it those bright yellow shirts everyone is wearing?”
“Of course. What did you think?” Rosario asked.
I took a deep breath. It’s not like I had any other job offers rolling in. I know one thing for sure, I'd have to watch Avery, because he had the word “pervert” written all over his face.
“Will Simone be training me?” I asked.
“Actually no. Since you two are friends, I thought it would be better if someone else trained you. We want to start your experience here on a good foot, so another cashier will be in tomorrow.” Rosario explained.
“I’m sure.” I smirked.
“So, what’s your answer?” Avery asked.
“It’s a yes.”
“Great! We’ll get you started on the paperwork so you can begin immediately. Welcome to Suds Boutique, Vanessa,” Avery said, shaking my hand.
I smiled, wondering what the hell I just got myself into.
***
After Avery, Dominic, and Rosario gave me the ground rules about the position, I filled out a couple of forms, then Dominic handed me that awful yellow shirt to wear tomorrow. I turned my nose up, and Rosario rolled her eyes. I tried not to do the same since she was my boss. I got up and went outside to the cashier booth where Simone was talking to another customer. She looked at me and started screaming.
“Yes! I’m going to be working with my bestie!”
“I wouldn't get excited too quickly. I think Rosario will probably put us on different shifts,” I pointed out and put the shirt on the counter.
“Oh well, it doesn't matter. We’ll be working together soon, so I’m not going to worry. But how do you like the management so far?”
“Besides Avery looking like a pervert and Rosario clearly having an attitude problem, I guess it’s okay. Dominic seems cool.”
“And a big flirt,” Simone added. “I'm sure he's banged every female employee and possibly some customers since he’s been here. His wife has come up here multiple times to snatch a heifer. I’m surprised that man still has a job.”
I looked over and saw him talking to one of the female workers. He was about to whisper in her ear when he looked over at me. He quickly walked away from her and went outside.
“See. That’s our new employee; his new conquest. That man will never change,” she explained.
“I see. Anyway, I have to get going. I have some things I need to do before tomorrow.”
“Cool. I’ll call you later to give you the rundown on how this place operates. You’re going to need it.”
I nodded slightly and almost collided into Mark when I turned around.
“Sorry. I guess I should have been paying attention,” I apologized.
“Oh no, it’s my fault.”
He noticed the shirt I was holding and smiled. “So you’re going to be working here soon?”
“Yeah. I start tomorrow, actually.”
“Great. I guess I’ll be able to see that pretty smile again.”
I blushed, and Mark looked down at his shoes. I glanced at Simone, who quickly pretended that she was straightening up a display of car fresheners.
“We’ve been looking at each other for some time now but never introduced ourselves. I’m Mark Fernandez. I’m pretty sure management told you I’m the owner’s son.”
“They may have mentioned it. I’m Vanessa Hartwell.”
“Beautiful name for an even beautiful woman.”
I blushed again as Mark took a deep breath. “So, are you going to be working outside or as a cashier?”
“Cashier. In fact, Simone was the one who told me that there was a position available.”
“I definitely have to thank Simone then. He turned to her, “Thank you, Simone!”
“No prob, Mark. Now, why are you in here?”
He looked from me to Simone and laughed. “Oh yeah, huh? I need to find the customer of a Honda Accord. They forgot to leave their keys in the car.”
“I’ll be sure to make the announcement.”
“Okay, thanks.”
He turned to me and smiled. “I guess I’ll be seeing you later.”
“Yeah. Bye, Mark.”
He started to walk away but turned around and looked at me again. I looked at Simone who started laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
“You ogling Mark. Trust me, he may be fine and all, but he’s not your type.”
“And why is that?”
She shook her head. “Even though he’s the owner’s son, he’s a salesperson who only makes $9 an hour.”
“I don't care about that.”
“Please, after dating Hamilton, you really think you would go for him? And not only that, I’m sure management told you the number one rule about working at Suds.”
“What’s that?”
“Dating any co-worker is strictly forbidden. There have been too many incidents where relationships went south, leading to police reports, lawsuits, what have you. The owner, Enrique, got tired of it and decided that if any co-workers become romantically involved, they will no longer be employed with the company.”
“Wow.”
�
�So even if you want to bang him, which I’m sure you do, it’s strictly forbidden.”
“I met him 20 minutes ago.”
“That hasn’t stopped some people. Besides, you’ve never dated outside of your race, so there’s no point in starting now.”
“That’s not true. I dated Peter.”
“Peter was just using you for a front since he’s gay, so that doesn’t count. Honestly, I can’t see you with him anyway.”
“Why, because he’s Puerto Rican?”
“No, because I know you. It wouldn't work.”
I looked at the door, wondering what Simone’s problem was. But it didn't matter; because of the rule, Mark was off limits.
“Wait a minute, why is Dominic doing what he’s doing then?”
“Because he has found ways to do it without getting caught. Well, not by Enrique, anyway. But please, don’t get involved with Mark. I’m sure he has baggage like everyone else. And he probably has more of it since he’s Enrique’s son.”
I nodded and told Simone bye before heading out the door. I went to my car and looked towards the lanes and saw Mark talking to Missy. He looked over and waved, and I waved back before getting into my car. I already knew it was going to be hard to work here. Extremely hard.
Vanessa
After the little encounter at Suds, I had to go back home to relax. I didn't know how I was going to prepare for my first day of work and seeing Mark again, but I’d have to find a way. Honestly, Simone was right; it wouldn’t work between the two of us. Besides, I needed to be thinking about my financial situation instead of some guy.
Even though I had a job now, I still had to think about my current situation, and that was my rent. Since I had to pay on my other bills, I was two months behind, and I didn't see a way of catching up. I tried asking my dad for the money, but of course, he turned me down. My dad and I haven’t had the best relationship recently, especially with everything that happened with Hamilton. He accused me of being with Hamilton, knowing he was married. I was blindsided like everyone else and even ended the relationship after I found out. He was the one who kept coming back. But my dad didn't see it that way.
I walked up to my condo and saw a letter taped to the door. I snatched the note off without even looking at it. I knew it was another reminder that my rent was past due. I tried to open the door, but the key wouldn’t turn.
"What the...?” I whispered as I tried to open the door again.
“Vanessa?”
I looked over and see my neighbor, Peaches, looking at me. She’s a stripper who does a little extra for some of her clients. I’m sure she had to in order to afford her place. Our complex was located near downtown, so they weren't cheap.
“Hey, Peaches.”
“I just wanted to let you know that the manager was around your apartment earlier. I think she had maintenance change the locks.”
“Wait, what?!”
“I know you had lost your job; if you needed help, I would have hooked you up with a job. With those hips, you could have easily made rent in one night.”
I nodded my head and sighed. “Thanks, Peaches, but I’m cool.”
“Evidently, you’re not if you can’t get into your place,” she retorted. She nodded slightly before going into hers.
I rolled my eyes and went back to my car. I opened up the letter that had been on the door and realized it was an eviction notice. They changed the locks so I couldn't enter.
I sighed, wondering what else could possibly go wrong. At least my car note was current, but what good was it if I wouldn’t be able to pay that later on? This was all becoming too much, and even the job at Suds wouldn’t be able to fix it.
I pulled out my phone and called Simone. I was hoping she wasn't at her other job. For now, I need a place to stay.
***
After getting in touch with Simone, she immediately came to the apartment so we could talk to the people in the office. I was fuming at what management had done, so I couldn’t talk. Simone was my spokesperson, informing them that they had to give at least a 24-hour notice for the tenant to get their stuff out of their apartment. Technically, they could do whatever they wanted since they were management, but they were probably so tired of Simone talking, they just agreed to let me get my stuff out of the apartment. I was slapped with another eviction notice and told that I'd have to go to court in a month to explain to the judge why I couldn’t pay my rent. Regardless, I would soon have an eviction on my credit report. Before I lost my job, I had perfect credit, so this wasn’t a good look for me.
Once maintenance let me back into my place, I quickly filled my suitcases and trash bags with clothes, shoes, and other items to put in my car.
While I was in the bedroom, I heard loud pounding at the door. I was about to go to it when Simone rushed in front of me to answer it. She opened it to reveal Mark holding a couple of boxes. He was out of his Suds uniform, wearing a pale blue t-shirt and black shorts. It also looked like he'd just gotten a hair cut; his long hair from earlier that day was now closely cropped to his head. I gazed at him, and he gave a bright smile.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised.
“Simone called me. I hope that’s okay.”
I didn’t know what to say as Simone walked over and said, “Yes, it is. Now, start packing; she has to be out in three hours.”
“I also called Julio, David, and Michael to help with the furniture. Do you have an idea where you want everything to go?” he asked me.
“It can go to my place,” Simone answered. “She can use some of it in her room.”
I looked at Simone; she sighed and said, “Might as well. You can’t afford storage, so we’ll find somewhere to put everything.”
I nodded as Mark came inside. He looked at me then started taking some DVDs off of my bookcase.
“So, we meet again,” he said, breaking the silence.
“Yes, we do. This isn’t exactly how I would have liked us to meet again, though.”
“So you were evicted. It happens to everyone.”
I scoffed. “I’m sure it never happened to you.”
He looked at me like he wondered what I meant by that. “What is that supposed to mean?”
I stopped packing and looked at him. “Come on, you’re the son of a millionaire who owns four successful car washes. I’m sure you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth.”
He grinned. “Is that what you think of me? That I’m some spoiled brat who gets what he wants. That is far from the truth. Hell, I wouldn’t be working as a salesperson if it was true.”
"Why are you, by the way?”
“My dad and I haven’t had the best relationship. He's kind of always seen me as a screw-up. While his other two kids became successful with their start-ups, I was the oldest child who never knew what he wanted out of life.”
I watched him as he ran a hand through his hair. Then, I quickly looked at my box, realizing I could relate to his issues with his dad.
“I’m sorry about what you’re going through,” I said.
He looked at me with his infamous smile. “It’s not a big deal. I've accepted it.”
“So, why are you helping him if your relationship is so strained?”
He shrugged. “Because he’s my dad. We may have our issues, but we’re still family. That’s what we do.”
He chuckled lightly. “Wow, we just met today, and I’m already telling you about my daddy issues.”
“You know, they say that sometimes, it’s best to talk to strangers about your issues.”
“That’s true. I hope one day, you’ll be able to talk to me like I've talked with you.”
I was staring at him, mesmerized by his eyes, when we heard Simone clear her throat.
“Come on, you two,” She said. “Less talking, more packing.”
We looked at her and shook our heads.
“When did she start giving you orders in your own apartment?” Mark asked.
“Apparen
tly, now. But she’s always been like that. And she's right. They only gave me three hours to move everything out, so we'd better get a move on it.”
“Whatever you say, boss lady,” Mark teased with a wink.
I watched him walk off and took a quick peek of his butt. I felt someone hit my shoulder, so I turned around and saw Simone standing behind me.
Into You Page 3
