Percy POV
I was mentally cursing myself as I walked towards the boss. She was sitting behind her desk in a big, pushy leather chair. She aired confidence and power, and her gaze was enough to make anyone turn to stone.
"Hello, Ms. Chase," I acknowledged while extending my hand.
"Let's cut the bull shit, Mr. Jackson. Please have a seat," she replied hardly. She gestured towards the chairs before opening a folder.
I sat uncomfortably while waiting for her to proceed. This could not get any worse. Now, I understood all the warnings I got about the boss. She didn't seem very nice. She radiated cold energy at the moment.
Her office was plain and organized.
There were no pictures on the gray walls besides a few certificates. Despite her young age, she was very accomplished. Of course, she was the COO of Olympus Architectures.
The wall behind her was made of extravagant glass, and it gave a pleasant view of the surroundings. Nothing else stood out in her office.
I would expect the office to be catered to Annabeth Chase. However, this office did not indicate her personality.
Unless this is her personality.
"Are you done scoping my office, Mr. Jackson?" the boss asked boldly.
"Um, I was just waiting for the interview to begin," I answered. I didn't know what else to say or how to defend myself. Her gray eyes were too intimidating.
She crossed her leg and set the folder down. It was my job application.
"Do I look like a middle-aged white man?"
I sighed. "Not at all. I'm so sorry about what I said earlier. I wasn't aware that my boss was a very young and pretty-"
I faltered off and cursed myself some more. What is wrong with me?
"Mr. Jackson, you are not of my usual applicants. Let's get one thing clear: you came extremely unprepared. You don't even know about me or my company," Ms. Chase vocalized.
"I'm a fast learner. I can get my hands dirty."
"You're not going to be gardening, Mr. Jackson. This isn't about getting your hands dirty." Her steely gaze fixed me into my seat. This is not going well.
"It's an expression," I replied softly.
"What was that?" she snapped.
"Nothing. I am interested in this job, Ms. Chase. I hope that we can have a fair interview and put the conversation downstairs behind us."
"The interaction downstairs is a part of the interview. You can learn a lot about a person in a casual setting before the interview."
"Um, what did you learn about me?" I asked nervously.
Annabeth Chase stood up and walked around her desk. She leaned against the side of her desk and looked down at me. My gaze traveled her long legs and curvy waist before fixating on her face.
"I learned that you're smarter than you look. You know about the world and the people who live in it, but you're uneducated. You don't care about academics," she paused. "Also, you're bold, a little too much so."
"I didn't mean anything by my comments towards you. They were compliments more than anything," I affirmed.
She leaned forward slightly; her piercing gaze froze me.
"Flattery won't do any good. Why are you interested in this job?" she asked sternly.
"Um, I'm going to be completely honest. I don't know much about business or architecture, but I need the money."
"So, you're only doing this money?" she replied harshly.
"I also wouldn't mind you as my boss," I blurted out. Her gaze narrowed into a glare. "I didn't mean it like that. I know that you have a reputation, but I don't mind. I'm open to facing new challenges."
Annabeth Chase walked back to her seat and sat down.
"What is my reputation?"
"Oh, um. Well, no one likes you. I mean, everyone knows that you're a tough boss to have. Your employees are scared of you. I noticed that none of them stepped within a ten-foot radius of you downstairs."
For once, she didn't say anything to me. It gave me the chance to swallow the lump in my throat. I was sweating profusely under my suit. Never have I had such an awful interview. Usually, I was very good at talking to people.
But, there was something about Annabeth Chase that made me unfocused. I couldn't shake my nerves.
It didn't help that she's very harsh and upfront.
"You were recommended by a close friend of mine," Annabeth said. "Why should I give you the job rather than kick you into the street?"
"As I said, I need the money. I am a fast learner. I'm willing to learn about the company and work as your secretary."
"What do you think of me?" Ms. Chase asked seriously. I simply stared at her. I wasn't sure what she was expecting from this question. "We'll be spending a lot of time together if you were to get this job. Be honest. What was your first impression of me?"
"From downstairs or the interview?"
"Both."
"From downstairs, I was pretty bold about what I thought. I ventured that you were a fellow applicant, and I thought that I had no chance against you. You're beautiful, intelligent, and prepared," I paused.
"You were everything that I wasn't besides the beauty part. I think I beat you on that avenue," I ended sarcastically.
For a moment (just one moment), I thought that her lips twitched upwards. I had almost made her smile, but it disappeared before it could turn into a smile.
"From the interview, I realized that you're everything that I thought before. You're intelligent beyond scope but also very intimidating. I'm lucky I'm wearing a suit right now or you'd see that my shirt is soaked from nervous sweat."
Once again, I almost made her smile.
A deep part of me wanted to see her smile. I wondered how Annabeth looks when she's smiling and not glaring.
"You're harsh too. I'll have to get used to that," I finished.
A long silence followed. Ms. Chase set aside my application folder and narrowed her eyes on my face. I felt like someone whose about to receive some harsh judgment. I wasn't ready for it.
While I was nervous about the job, I wanted it.
It wasn't just about the money (necessarily); it was also about her. She piqued my interest since I knew nothing about her. Her eyes told of a vast, unknown story. I wanted to know her and interact with her.
Finally, Annabeth's gaze flashed with a resolution. "Mr. Jackson, the interview is finished. You'll receive a phone call from the company tomorrow with my decision."
"Wait, that's it?" I asked anxiously.
"Yes, you may leave my office now."
I shakily got out of my seat. My shirt was sticking to me, considering that I was sweating bullets. I couldn't believe that I'm done. I didn't feel good at all.
I had opened the door when Annabeth Chase spoke up again.
"In the meantime, I suggest that you read up on my company. You'll need to know this information for your first day of work."
I whirled around to see that she was already doing something else. Annabeth's gaze was fixed on her laptop as she typed away. I couldn't stop myself from smiling. This couldn't be real. I thought that she hated me.
But, she didn't. I got the job.
***
"Congratulations, Percy. This is amazing news. Celebratory tequila?" Grover asked.
"When have I ever said no to a drink?" I laughed as my friend handed me a bottle. Besides my family, Grover was the first person that I told.
My first day would be on Thursday. I received the official phone call from Olympus Architecture today. Tomorrow, I'll work on my financial details and the HR process. Overall, it was a good day.
Grover and I enjoyed a drink together.
"So, is this job going to be difficult?" Grover asked.
"I don't know much about the job details. However, I can tell you that my boss is going to be difficult. She's very mean."
Grover laughed cruelly. "You sound like someone in elementary school."
"She's a bully, G-man. The whole company is scared of her. You won't believe the number of warnings I received about her being a strict boss."
"Maybe, that's how she keeps people in line. You said that she's young?"
"Yeah. She's our age," I replied while taking a sip of tequila. The sweet liquid washed down my throat as I took a shot.
"Impressive that she's running a company," Grover commented.
After that, the conversation about my job died. Instead, I wanted to know about Grover's plans of proposing. He's been planning it for so long. In my opinion, he should just lock that down with a romantic gesture.
I believe that the present is the most important. What you do now is contingent on the past and the future. As such, the present is what mattered.
Besides, when you put things aside for the future, they can disappear.
You never know what the future holds. That's why I'm working so hard to get a job now and help Tyson in the present. The future is uncertain, but the present paves it. If I work hard now, I can possibly prevent a horrible future.
"I don't know what to do about it. I need to buy a ring," Grover commented.
"Well, you have money saved up for a ring. Plus, you've been talking about proposing for the past two years. I think that it's time, G-man."
"It is time, but I'm just scared. Not of my future with Juniper, but of losing her because of it."
"You're not losing her by getting married," I expressed softly. "Marriage is going to solidify you guys. Trust me, I've been watching you guys forever. This is happening."
I understood why Grover was nervous. Marriage is a big deal, and it was natural to be afraid. Furthermore, love and fear go hand-in-hand. If you love someone, then you should fear losing them.
If you don't have that kind of fear, are you really in love?
At the same time, the fear shouldn't immobilize. It shouldn't stop you from engaging in love and moving forward. Wow, I sound like a philosopher. Jeez.
I patted Grover's shoulder while he nodded.
"Will you help pick out a ring?" Grover asked. "I have a few ideas, but I'm pretty clueless about jewelry. You have plenty of experience with girls."
I chuckled. It was true. I do have great experiences with girls. Of course, I haven't met the right one yet, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the female population.
"OF COURSE, I'LL HELP," I exclaimed excitedly.