CHAPTER IV- That Can't Be Legal

The receptionist scratched his head in confusion. “What interview would that be for, Ma’am?”

“For an assistant,” I said, feeling dumb. I cleared my throat, determined not to lose my straight composure.

“Right on the dot,” the guy noted, impressed. “Please, have a seat. I’ll inform the HR.”

VINCE’S POV (3rd person)

A limousine rolled to the huge glass building. The logo of the Longoria brand was recognizable enough that a small crowd had gathered to get a glimpse of the son of "The" Lucius Longoria. Those working in the corporate industry had already caught wind of the new acquisition deal. What was unexpected was that the heir took over himself. 

Women (and some of the men) braced themselves to see the gentle and handsome Vincentio Longoria, finally in the flesh, but they were all taken aback by the unusual ferociousness in his green eyes as he glared at them. They scampered away and went back to work. 

Still, heads turned and whispers followed him as he and his bodyguards strode towards the set of elevators. Vincentio was just about to get in when a long stream of jet-black hair caught his eyes. He made his secretary hold the elevator doors as he moved closer to the familiar figure sitting in the lobby.

His heart was beating fast, expecting somebody else, but then his shoulders sagged in disappointment. It was just the girl from the boutique. He scoffed and was about to head back when his head swiveled back to the figure in realization.

'It's that haughty girl from that small boutique! What the hell is she doing here?'

She didn't see him. He could see she's anxious underneath the confident exterior she's trying to project. His lips turned upward in a sneer.

Oh, to put her right in her place and to see the look of humiliation on her face. That would make it even for the hassle he has to go through that day.

~~~

“I should fire her myself. That would teach her a lesson,” Vincentio said over his steepled fingers.

If she just accepted his money, he wouldn't still be here, stuck in a soulless corporation. 

“Now, now, Vince, don’t be rash. Think,” Fabian, his childhood friend, chided. He decided to visit him unannounced. Vincentio bet it was to make fun of him being quartered in such a boring city where nothing interesting ever happened. 

He wasn't wrong.

“What else is there to think? If anything, that woman should try thinking instead of burying her head in flowers and sh*t.”

“You’re letting your emotions get the best of you. Aren’t you a businessman?”

Vincentio glared at him. “Start talking with that tone again and I’m putting your head through the wall.”

Fabian grinned, highly amused at this current Vincent. He plopped down pompously on the couch. “I’m proposing a plan to you. With your permission, Mister CEO.”

Vincentio gestured for him to go on.

“Seduce the girl.”

He clicked his tongue in disappointment. They're already in their early thirties and Fabian is still thinking with the mindset of a horny teenager.

“I have no time to play petty games, Fabian. And I’m engaged,” he added like an afterthought.

“So? It’s not like you will make it public. It’s tried and tested that money and intimidation don’t work on the girl. So, you appeal to a woman’s weakness.”

“And what would that be?”

Fabian leaned back in his seat with exaggeration like he's about to preach some wisdom.

“Sympathy. Women love broken men so they could get credit for fixing them. It makes them feel significant and feel like they accomplished something in their lives," he chortled cocksure,

"You’re a young handsome bachelor so you’re already halfway there. All you need to do is build a rapport with her. Show her that you’re not just like any other billionaires. I estimate that in three months, you’ll get her sympathizing with your cause. Get her in a room and you go, I just need your property so I can prove to my ass of a father that I’m the best in the world."

He copied the serious expression on Vincentio's face, his voice low.

"And she’ll go like," Fabian cleared his throat, doing a poor imitation of a feminine voice, “Oh poor you, here take my land. You can also take something from me if you’re interested, Mister Longoria-”

Vince already blocked his friend's voice out of his mind and considered it. He made it sound like it’s that simple. One look at that woman, Vince could tell that she’s smart. If he were to go along with this ridiculous plan, he has to be more discreet than a newbie poker player with bad cards.

“Why is she so adamant on keeping that shit shop anyway?” he wondered aloud, cutting off Fabian’s little crude roleplay.

Fabian shrugged, already bored with the topic. “Who cares? You just need to make her give it up. And if that still didn’t work, time to bring out the big guns.” 

His expression darkened. Fabian was usually a happy-go-lucky guy so when he got serious, Vincentio could not help but shudder on the inside. It also had a lot to do with the Casila Industries, his mother's business empire, being the major developer of weapons and ammunitions.

Fabian finished the glass of scotch in one go. “Nothing personal, just business.”

~~~

LUCY'S POV 

“I think we’re all set. I heard everything I need to know.”

Juliet, the HR manager, smiled at me as she closed my resume. It was my first time being interviewed by a big company but I’m taking that smile as a good sign. I looked at her expectantly, ready to hear the sweet words of approval.

The annoying sound of the telephone ringing interrupted us. She gave me an apologetic smile.

“A moment.”

I sat there squirming as she answered the stupid call. 

“But I just finished interviewing her,” she said in mid-conversation, taking a worried glance at me.

“Okay, ma’am. In that case, I guess I can’t do anything about it.”

At that, Juliet ended the call. She held her hands together as she stared at me apprehensively.

“I don’t know how to say this.”

“Oh God, don’t make this the third time I will get rejected today,” I blurted out, not able to handle the suspense much longer.

“Well, the position became unavailable just now. But, fortunately, another one opened up. Follow me.” 

“Oh.” I blinked, following her immediately to the elevator. 

“Is your company downsizing or all of your employees just resigning?” I asked jokingly.

She chuckled. “Nothing like that, the company just got acquired by a huge corporation so the management is undergoing a new structure. More positions have come up, you saw how many have applied this morning.”

“Lucky us.”

The elevator doors suddenly opened. I just noticed that we reached the top floor. 

“Count yourself the luckiest. Good luck there Lucy.”

She gently pushed me outside as I stood there frozen. The last thing I saw of her was her winking at me before the elevator doors closed with finality.

~~~

I would have remained there standing on the marble flooring, feeling insignificant as I became surrounded with tall glass windows and expensive lighting, if not for the assistant or whatever the lady was who led me inside the double doors of a wide office. 

'What am I doing here?'

The confidence I had earlier was nowhere to be found. I felt so out of my comfort zone amid all these luxuries. I took a tentative step further into the room and paused when I became aware of the presence of an imposing man sitting on the executive's chair.

My heart thumped loudly in my ears.

“Uhm, good morning sir.”

I couldn’t see his features well as his back was to the light, projecting a shadow around him. 

I moved closer to the center of the room and that’s when Vincentio Longoria’s amused green eyes greeted me.

My jaw slackened, the tingling feeling in my nerves replaced by this simmering heat of annoyance. “What are you doing here?”

His eyebrows arched. 

“I own the company. The question you should be asking is, why are you here? If I remember correctly, you told me and I quote, ‘not all of us are slaves to your greedy corporate ways. I’d rather die than work my ass off for a genius like you.'”

“I never said you were a genius,” I sneered.  

“So you do remember! I ask again, what are you doing here, Miss Silvera?”

His jovial tone grated on my nerves. 

I glared at him. “I’m leaving, that’s what I’m doing. Good day!”

I turned my back on him, determined to have the last word this time.

“Wait,” he called out calmly but I was no longer interested in what he has to say. 

My hand was already reaching for the doorknob when I heard a clatter behind me.

“You’re hired!”

Vincentio had stood up, looking slightly frantic.

'What is he playing at?'

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m not applying.”

“Even for fifty thousand dollars?”

That caught my attention. His hawk-like eyes caught on that and instantly flashed.

“For what position?”

“My assistant. By the way, I’m talking monthly here.”

He took his seat again, leaning back as he watched the gears in my head turn.

“An assistant with fifty thousand dollars as monthly compensation? That can’t be legal,” I said skeptically.

“Anything that goes through me can be made legal,” he assured, his voice full of arrogance. When I hesitated, he spoke again, “Why are you so against money?” his tight jaw betrayed a hint of impatience.

“It’s not the money but the intention behind it.”

“Look, I’m no longer interested in buying your property. I have a lot of prospects to review. So yes, I am helping you. Given that you’re desperate enough to apply for a company, I’m guessing you’ve heard of your parent’s debt. You can have the money now, after we made your application official, of course.” 

“You’re giving me half a hundred thousand just so I can be your assistant?" I eyed him dubiously. "By personal you mean-”

“Professionally of course. Preparing my coffee, managing my schedule, the works. Nothing that is way over your qualifications and nothing salacious. You can read the contract.”

He got up from his seat and sat on the edge of his desk so he’s eye-level with me.

He held out his hand. “What do you say, Miss Silvera?” 

I studied his face, looking for telltale signs of deceit. But it was like looking for a stain in a white blank sheet of paper. This close to him, I could smell his rich woodsy scent. If he weren’t such an ass I would have appreciated being this close to his nicely sculpted face. 

I cleared my head. I couldn’t afford to be distracted. I still didn’t trust him but having fifty-thousand on hand was a good starting point.

I shook his hand, sealing a decision that would change my life forever.

Vincentio’s eyes glinted with triumph. My gut screamed at me, warning me that I’ve just sold my soul to the devil. 

“Good. Now that’s settled, let’s go.” 

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. “Where?”

He was putting on his suit jacket as I hurried along with his strides.

He made a tsk-ing sound.

“Less questions, more moving, C’mon. I don’t have all day.”