CHAPTER 7

Melio's POV 

I woke up a bit earlier today, frankly speaking I lost any ounce of sleep in me after my meeting with Shaun, at this point I really wished I did not pick up Christian's call, maybe I wouldn't be that jumpy on Saturday. Now here I am thinking of ways to please my obviously angry bird for a boss. Well going to work late today won't make the situation any lighter, so I decided to get her myself ready for work and whatever comes my way, Mackenzie will be interning with her Dad's Law firm right here.  

We both got ready before 7:15, had our breakfast and got ready to leave. Well thanks to Mackenzie's Dad, she got a car, would have gotten mine, but I was still learning back at Dublin and will need to submit transfer papers before any further training. She dropped me off, as she drove off for her own internship. Here it was , the almighty Vance Conglomerate. The company that nested half of The country's business ranking from the refinery down to the local farmers market. I think Vance's super power is in harnessing people and identifying real potential sectors to grow. I wore a grey above the knee length satin gown that had a deep opening between my neck line to some inches before my arm showing off my cleavage. I had my hair in a body wave style. The gown had an A-line flair which didn't stick to my body like glue but showed my curves while giving me room to feel free. I did wear a Jimmy Choo sliver shoe covered in silver stones This was a gift from my sister on my eighteenth birthday. Used a greyish-silver bag. 

I walked into the building with all the strength I could gather, heavy steps. Honestly I have never felt this stressed about anything, even my first internship didn't get this much intentionality from me. It seems this man naturally knows how to keep people on the edge. I met the smiling face of the receptionist, she looked very beautiful and sweet. 

"Hello and welcome to Vance Conglomerate I am Desire name, how may I be of assistance?"

"Hello Desire, my name is Melio Blanchard one of the interns here." Her name suits her very well cause she had this sparkling beautiful black eyes that looked dreamy and captivating..

"Ok, your name is logged in, here's your key card which also serves as your ID card, welcome and do have a lovely stay here at V.C". As we were wrapping up our pleasantries, a very beautiful lady in her late thirties, came into us. Desire and I echoed 

"Good morning ma'am

"Good morning Lovett". 

"Good morning and welcome to Vance Conglomerate,

Good morning Desire, do well to direct all interns to the waiting sections." 

"Ok Lovett." Well if this is their way of greeting, and how they behave, I am off for a good start..

"You heard her, do come with me please". With that said I followed her closely, she worked elegantly well and had her balance intact, maybe years of wearing those heels had made her a pro in them. I didn't even stand for five minutes and my toes wanted to curl.

I went to first and hoped to see him first before anyone had arrived. Soon after there was this dense feeling around everyone suddenly stopped their little chattering and kept their eyes focused on their work. I asked the other intern Ruth who was seated beside me. She said the CEO just arrived. 

Lovett whom I now know as the HR called in everyone expect me, this got me very unsettled. Each meeting with him lsted for about 15 minutes and everyone came out not vexed but ok, I gathered that too much excitement wasn't allowed here. In about an hour twenty minutes, the whole room was empty, well expect for me who was there still waiting to be called I actually fell asleep waiting. Was this some kind of punishment or what? Why make me wait here for an extra three hours. At this point I was angry if he wants to be petty, can he do that at his own spare time? Well after about a minute of my whining, is P.A Mark came to call me in.

I walked in to his office, I must say, his wealth speaks for him, he had this building all to himself, and it was lavish, a cushion led at the conner, still holding the city'w view in sight, also there was this beautiful painting that rested against the blue painted walls. Next to it was a flower pot neatly kept to show lilies, if I had not known this man any better I would say we share the same likeness to things I donno why lilies makes everything look good. In between the walls there was a door seems to be his private resting room. At the other end of the wall hung the name of his Empire crested in Gold I am sure it is made of pure gold, I mean look at him he wears Italian designer tuxedo and smells like Bottega Veneta. Ralph Lauren must be on his speed dial.

There he was seated at the center of it all. Behind his desk was the entire city still beneath his feet, I have a comclusibe though that he likes to feel superior. His large desk could cover my entire body and his befitting sit made him look intimidating or May be it was his sitting position. I felt timid, he had his aura that enveloped anyone. Not too long he gave an instruction with his head still glued to his screen, this man is daylight rude.

"Sit, Mark get the car ready we should wrap this up in the next 5 minutes, tell Taylor to be on stand by". Seriously he better attends to me. Why bring me here only to work out on me. I stayed quiet and let him indulge himself in whatever amusment he gathered from his behavior towards me.

"Seems you like the silence, so unlike the lady who wanted to smother me for running into her at the christening". Still not looking up, the only reason I am still calm his because I was at fault the other day, well not entirely but partially at fault.

"I want to apologize for that, I was a bit off and moody too." I added, something in my tone just felt off, like though I was being sassy.

"Well Miss Blanchard, why do you want to intern here?" Seriously throwing my apology out the window like though it didn't matter.

"Well I would like to work with you". I said in a time trying to scream why else would I be here enduring your childish tantrums? I think that finally made him look up.

"Do you mind explaining that tone of yours?" He asked with a face stern that screamed I would punish you if you keep misbehaving. Well at this point I had to let this bad behavior title match go. Cause, like it or not my internship will get a low grade if I displease this man. 

"I will want to work here, in order to gain half your experience in the business world". I said now, with more Humility in my tone. He should be happy now he won and I really hate being petty or rude. 

I accepted the defect for the second time in my life as I moved my eyes from his strong stare and the next second he let out a very calm yet domineering command, I swear I felt my spin go cold. I suddenly felt hot and thirsty.

"Eyes on me, now!" As though under a spell I immediately looked at him, I felt compelled. 

"What's wrong with you?" He asked sounding a bit concerned.

"Nothing, really. I would be lying if I said I do not know why you've decided to punish me." I said honestly, cause I did know for a fact that that day's event won't go unpunished.i accepted it like though it was my faith the internship was for just 1 year, and then I will be out of here for good. 

"Now why would I want to punish you?" I looked at him shocked, is this man really messing with me or am I hallucinating?

"W...w..ell, for starters, you made me wait 3 hours, I came in for the past 8 minutes you haven't looked at me and now you had to start a conversation by reference a past situation that was clearly your fault. Why would you behave this way if not to punish me". I said sounding frustrated and honestly tired of the back and forth. Well it seems all my worries were not registered. Then I heard Shaun say.

"Well do you want my eye on you Miss Blanchard?" That, I wasn't expecting this question, I mean I want his attention on me as long as this conversation would last for.

"Yes, I mean no, but for the sake of this formality, yes". 

"Well, now my eyes are on you, speak!". 

"I would love to work with you cause I want the experience of your team". I do know one of Shaun's greatest strong point, people. So I capitalize on that.

"Then you will be my Secretary". How and where do I start from? Being in close proximity with Shaun will either drive me crazy or eventually end me.

"But I am an intern?" 

"Well if you didn't do your background check, Vance Conglomerate only hires 7 interns, and frankly I really do not want you around here, but you've proven useful, so I might as well give you the Front row seat to experiencing what a real cooperate life feels like, take it or leave it." He said in a matter of fact tone, I knew he did this on purpose, first because I could not leave now, as it will take extra weeks to apply for an internship elsewhere.