4

“He'll show up eventually," he said, starting to step back. "See you later, Hermione."

"Goodbye."

I watched him leave; he had acted strangely. I turned, opening the office door, surprised to see that it was large. There were several desks with printers and computers beside them, along with blank sheets of paper. Several girls were doing their tasks. They noticed me.

"Hi, are you new? Are you on trial too?"

I furrowed my brow. I thought I was the only one on trial, and I didn't like that at all.

"Um... Yeah, are you?" I asked. The girl was my height, with brown hair and a tan complexion.

"Same as everyone," she replied, turning to the others. The girls gave me a quick look, smiling.

Are all of them still on trial?

"What job are you doing the trial for?" I questioned, frowning.

The girl tensed a bit. "For the same as you, I suppose," she replied hesitantly. "Come on, this will be your place."

She showed me a desk by the window, offering a great view of the city, just like Spencer's. I liked it.

"But... I need to know when you started your trials. Did you come last week? Yesterday? The day before?" I needed to know if they were my competition. And I remember quite well that Spencer had said the other girls failed their trial.

So?

The girl scratched her head while the others tensed up a bit. What's going on here?

"I've been here for a month," she replied. "I didn't want to leave after that, so they just pay me day by day."

"Same for us," added another redhead.

I pondered it; they didn't seem very convinced. Nevertheless, all I did was nod and sit at my place.

"I'm Brenda, by the way," the brunette introduced herself.

"Hermione."

She smiled at me before returning to her place. Just then, the door opened, revealing the blonde harpy with papers in hand, heading towards me.

"Here, Mr. Pawlan says you should make three copies of each, put them in different folders, and take them to his office."

And she left.

I made a grimace of displeasure, but I hurried to grab the papers.

"Spencer... I mean, did Mr. Pawlan say to take them to his office?" the redhead asked me.

"Yes?" I responded, implying it was obvious.

The girls glanced at each other.

"None of the other girls on trial ever takes the papers to his office. He usually sends them through his secretary," Brenda informed me.

"We don't even see him all day," murmured the redhead.

"Do you do more things?" the blonde girl from the corner asked me.

"Yesterday, he called me to help with something and said I should always tidy up his office before he arrived."

They exchanged the same odd glance between them.

"All that he asks you to do is the secretary's job. I don't understand why he asks you to do it. It would be logical for him to do the same with us."

"We just print papers all day," another girl chimed in.

Were they accusing me? However, I didn't respond to them; I just focused on making copies of the papers, finding the folders, and organizing them. Once everything was ready, I headed for the exit, feeling the stares of the others on me. I walked through the corridors until I reached Spencer's secretary.

"I've brought his papers."

"Mr. Pawlan is in a meeting right now, so come back later," she spat. I opened my mouth to give her a piece of my mind to be more polite, but I decided against it. Then her cellphone rang. I turned to return to the office.

"Yes, sir?" she answered. "Yes, but... No, okay." She hung up. "Hey, you."

I turned to her, confused.

"The boss says you can go in," she muttered under her breath.

"Wasn't he in a meeting?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Not anymore."

I ignored her and hurried into his office. He was sitting on the sofa facing the huge screen. His gaze met mine.

"I brought your papers."

"Sit down," he patted the spot next to him.

Next to him? So close? Oh no, control, Hermione. Just try not to touch him. I clumsily walked over and sat next to him.

I glanced at him sideways, feeling his gaze on me.

I feel like I'm trembling.

"Are you adjusting?" His voice made me look at him; his blue eyes are so... mesmerizing.

"I'm trying," I replied in a small voice.

"Spen told me you needed an entrepreneur for a university project."

I widened my eyes in astonishment. Spen talked to him?

"What? Oh, no. I told him, he didn't have to tell you..." I stopped abruptly. "...Tell him," I corrected myself.

Silence.

"Don't you want to do the job, Hermione?" he inquired, looking at me.

"Yes."

"Then?"

Plus, I hadn't even brought my questions; maybe if I call Lucy, she can do me that favor.

"I've left it at home, and I don't want to waste your time."

"I don't mind," he replied. "You can call someone to bring it, and you can come find me, alright?"

"Really?" My voice sounded surprised.

He nodded.

"Thank you, Spencer... I mean, Mr. Pawlan."

"Leave the folders... and you may go," he reached out his hand. I handed them to him, which was a grave mistake because my fingers brushed his. At that moment, I lifted my gaze, meeting his.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I felt a tingling in my stomach. A darn tingling! I withdrew my hand immediately and stood up.

"I'll be back later," I gave him a quick look before rushing out of his office as fast as possible.

I need air.

My skin is trembling; God, what's wrong with me? My skin is trembling! I straightened up quickly when I noticed that blonde girl looking at me strangely. I took a deep breath and made myself walk away from her.

Away from Spencer.