Chapter 4 - Four

The sound a solid attachment of a shoe makes can sometimes be very powerful. Often times the deciding factor in lives. For someone getting queried at work, after a long wait, this sound increases fear of being dismissed, to another awaiting the doctors diagnosis and most importantly the sound of a lady's heel can either be greatly appreciated by a man or insanely irritating.

In this case, to the man sitting atop his throne like the king he is in the industry, whose space has been invaded by the woman who is currently cat walking towards his desk whilst giving him looks that he assumes are meant to turn him on, he is fervently pissed.

I heard the sound of someone coming into my office after I had left strict instructions to my secretary not to let anyone in. How difficult is it for people to follow simple instructions. I do not tolerate insubordination in my company.

The first thing I see when I look up is a pair of legs in a very tight and I bet uncomfortable skirt. My eyes trail up to a similarly tight top, "how is this fellow breathing?" she must have thought that my silence and the way in which I have been analyzing her was progress so she strikes a pose.

Hmm, might as well play with my meal.

I lean back on my chair and drag my eyes to see the individual that wishes to incur my wrath, up to the face of my secretary of two years.

"What nonsense is she playing at! she knows I do not condone such an attitude except by my female acquaintances that have been given an invitation by me"

I get up from my chair and walk towards her, I can see that this excites her because she comes forward while unbuttoning her top, to reveal more flesh. Am I supposed to be aroused by this skank? I don't think so.

When I reach her, I look down because even on heels she was still brief in comparison to me. I rake my eyes over her.

"hmm Ms. Blakely?" I say while leaning into her, almost touching.

"huh?" she pants. Disgusting.

"you are fired" turning my back on her I begin walking back to my seat with purpose. This irritant has just wasted precious amounts of my time.

"what?" she exclaimed probably in shock that all her devises did not work.

"get your belongings and leave this premises in the next fifteen minutes or you'll be thrown out by security. The clock is ticking." she must have seen the look in my eyes because she scurries out of the office almost falling on her face due to those heels.

After she leaves I sit back and drag my hands through my hair. Fuck! I don't need this right now, not with so much work as regarding the closure of a very important deal. I have gone through more secretaries than most business men I know. And when miss Blakely stayed for a year, I thought she would last. Apparently I was wrong.

"well I can't dwell on that right now. I got work to do." so I roll my chair back to the desk and dial my Vice president's office. We will have to share secretaries again. I also contact the HR department. I need a secretary. Maybe I'll just stick to a male this time around.

*****

"Okay Arjana, you don't look too bad" couldn't help but praise myself. I had been worried about what to wear especially as I couldn't afford much due to a shortage in my allowance. then I remembered there was something I could wear, thanks to Project defense. It was an office gown with a jacket which complimented my body and gave off a formidable look.

If this is what I'm going to look like everyday to work then I love it. Because I look like one who has her life planned out, knows what she wants and will get it. Not bad at all.

The building in front of me was one thing and one thing alone, intimidating. Some companies co own building and accommodation spaces but not Zarlton Corp.

This company is owned by Kyros Iason Vasilis. He started the company from scratch, then along the line, when the company was doing well he started buying out other businesses about to crash and built them up. So this company has so many branches and arms, talk about Real estate, Advertisement, shipping and some others.

Getting a job here was the dream of every business oriented individual, as it will not only help you grow, with much experience but will boost your career to the front line. Even an interview was a struggle to acquire. Although I knew of this company i did not send an application as I thought it would be fruitless and a waste of time. Yet, here I am.

I walk pass security after signing in, to the reception desk, where a young adult male was seated with his focus on the computer screen he was typing at. I smiled, this will be me soon.

"excuse me" I called to him still maintaining my smile

"welcome ma'am. How may I help you?" he replies returning my smile, hmm so polite.

"I'm here for the Intern job, please"

"what's your name?"

"Arjana. Arjana Martins."

"here's an ID you may require it to get to the 40th floor. That's where the HR department is located. Good luck" he says still smiling

"thank you" I walk to a group of elevators and swipe my card. Time to boss up.

When I got to HR I recognized some of my colleagues seated already. And few others. You could see different emotions on our faces. They must have arrived really early because when I check my wristwatch it's 7:30am and our interview starts at 8:00am. I have 30mins to talk my mind into a relaxed and confident state. I start my mantra "this job is mine."

One after the other we were called in, till it got to my turn

"Miss Martins" the interviewer calls. I stand up, adjust my gown and step into the room. There were two persons in the room seated behind a desk. Maintaining my smile I greet them. Was asked to seat and they started asking questions.

"your CV says that apart from being top of your class for Business administration and Strategic studies, you were also a Teachers Assistant. Plus a degree in Managerial studies."

"yes, that's right." I maintain eye contact with them while speaking

"how did you do it. I'm sure a young adult like you will also have a lot of social life. How did you handle the stress of juggling this three?

"I have always been interested in everything about business, how to start, where to pitch it, what one requires to control and also improve a business. Being a TA helped keep my grade from ever dropping in case of my social life like you said. At the end of my social activities I know I have a responsibility which had to be fulfilled. In other words, being a TA kept me in check. As for Managerial studies, it was an advise I took in after watching a short clip while studying. It said that having a degree in Managerial studies gives your career an added edge, not just during interviews but you understand what it means to manage almost anything business oriented. This I found to be true when I started the course. This three things where beneficial to my growth, I enjoyed doing them. And because of this, the stress wasn't a problem."

After speaking they look at each other, and leaned in to whisper. Hopefully good things. Because I really tried to sell myself well. Of course I omitted that I had and still have no social life because after school comes slave duties.

I was brought out of my thoughts by one of them. "Usually we would ask the candidate to go and we'll get back to them but we have to make an exception sometime." one of them said

And the other continued "Young lady you have impressed us and we'll like to talk about terms for the job."

I was overcome by joy but right now I keep calm, there will be time for celebration later so I school my features right and listen to them.

After so much discussion. They get up and shake hands with me

"welcome aboard"

"thank you" I replied the interviewer. My face is definitely going to hurt from smiling too much.

"There is something we must discuss immediately though. Although you will be working understand a staff we need you to handle the secretarial duties of the boss."

Wait, what?

she continued speaking "he is a very busy man but unfortunately doesn't know how to retain secretaries."

She must have seen the look on my face because she suddenly reassures me of my job

"you won't have to deal with him directly per se but through Emails. This should have been done by the VP's assistant but everyone is quite busy at the moment."

"we trust that you can handle this?"

"yes I can" wow

"of course you'll be paid accordingly" now this made me smile harder

"also we would like you to keep a low profile about this."

"I understand." Working for the boss I will be handling a lot of files that need to be protected so I can't bring attention to my self since I'm not his direct secretary.

"Now that it is all settled, let's get down to business" I agree. As much as I like hearing what they are saying I am eager to start work.

They give me directions to my new office. I leave the room, there are still some others to be interviewed. I make sure my facial expression is neutral and head to my new office. I like the sound of that.

On getting there I'm shown around, given a desk to work, in an office adjourning my director. Also I'm given an email I will be using to communicate and handle everything with the boss.

I get down to work starting by going through his schedule. I see that some of them could not possibly work out the way it was set, so I rearrange the time frame. I also receive some calls as all the boss's office calls are now directed to my desk. Then I started proof reading some documents after which I filed them back to him.

At the end of the day I was truthfully stressed out. I made sure I wasn't needed and then left the office by 5:30pm. Some people had already left the office by that time because it was kind of empty.