Chapter 3

Jake scratched the back of his head, pensive in his small apartment while a powerful woman took a private tour of the living room. "Care for some...water, juice?" He was so nervous he could barely feel his tongue. An asteroid could fall out of the sky and he wouldn't be this affected.

He stood stiff when Iris veered. "I do not sip from every cup out there."

"Are you here to sue me for what happened? Cause I swear it was an accident. I wouldn't dream of causing harm to anyone and..."

"Why have you not answered our calls or shown up at the company?"

"You...your calls?" Jake was lost.

"Your application letter painted you out as one who was dying to work with us, yet here you are disrespecting my leniency," Iris did not blink.

"Pardon me but I had no idea Amery had been trying to reach me. My roommate was hoarding the mail for days, I just found out. May I ask what this is about?"

"A girl. About this height with purple hair. Says you defended her against a bully in an ally."

Jake tilted his head, thinking back on whether her words held meaning. When it zinged, his eyes grew a little wide. Did Iris Amery look into that incident to build a stronger case against him? "It happened on the day of the accident. I was just being a good citizen," he appealed to whatever conscience was buried behind that stone-cold face.

"Then there is nothing to discuss," Iris struts past him, towards the exit. Jake quickly runs over to get the door when she swings him a look. "Tomorrow, at exactly eight-thirty, I expect you to be at my office. Do not be late. You might not get lucky twice," her voice was thick on instructions.

Jake was as quiet as an owl as the vision of her disappeared down the hall. He would have said thank you but was chewing his mind figuring out what she had against him. "The mail!" Jake slapped his forehead and rushed back in. That ought to give him answers.

**

The following morning, Jake walked into the Mother House with jelly knees. He doubted his eyes, checking his watch every twenty seconds even though he was many minutes early. A couple of interns from the marketing department crashed into him on their way up. Jake was clueless when they mentioned their boss frequently bothering human resources to find him. His replies were substituted with empty smiles and nods.

Jake's mind was a mess when he reached the top floor. His palms grew sweaty after crossing the security checkpoint, where he was searched and escorted to the President's secretary. 'Gemma,' Jake read the name tag on the woman's breast pocket.

"She is ready for you," said the secretary.

It was a long walk to the office now that he thought of it. Jake constantly wiped his palm against his coat and the walls. He needed to work on his shallow breathing but there was no time for that. There was also no need to knock on a glass door when he was seen the second he got there.

He walked in, holding onto his nervous heart and his briefcase. If what he read in yesterday's mail was true, and that Amery wanted him back as an intern then all was well. And the universe had not given up on him.

The diamond queen was behind her desk, putting her name on a document she approved of. She stood as Jake drew nigh, posing in front of the table. The skirt of her crisp black suit pinched a few inches above her knees as she sat.

Jake was mindful of staring too hard at her bold matte lips. Paired with the derby hat resting on her head, he wondered if someone had died. He stuck his chest out when Iris checked her wrist.

"Let's make this brief. How bad do you want to be here?" She said.

"What...Mhm!" Jaske's throat clasped on him. "Sorry... This company and what it stands for motivate me. Amery is a home that does not despise small beginnings and for someone like me who's had close to nothing all his life, it's a beacon of hope and a tester of will."

"Hmm, whatever," Iris pitched her head up. Speeches like these were an easy bore. "How would you like to be a permanent staff in one of our branches, Jake?"

"Hah...That would be a dream come true," Jake's feet took an inch forward, revitalized for their purpose.

"Hmm," Iris nodded. "Very well. If you can prove your competence to me as an intern, you will have a place with us in the marketing department. Screw up and you're done here."

"..." Jake lost his tongue again due to shock.

Iris reaches behind for a notepad and scribbles down some words, "Gemma will see to it that your name is put on pending. In the meantime, I will find you an apartment closer, for convenience."

"An apartment? But I already have one," Jake did not get the whole idea.

"I am not stepping into that filth a second time. It's either I give you a place or you find a better one to lodge," it was an order. "My men will take you to a doctor to get some tests done. I will send for you when they're ready."

"Madam, I already provided the necessary medical reports. I am fit to work."

"Any idiot can fake a hospital report. If you have a problem with my demands, then perhaps you're not willing to work with me," Iris looked at him with darted eyes.

Jake's mouth was open but not a single beep came out till he closed it. Iris lowered her head to finish the notes. "They will pick you up tomorrow, at nine. I expect nothing but maximum cooperation, Jake Name."

"Ye...Yes, Madam," Jake spoke timidly.

"Good, give this to the secretary on your way out," Iris handed over the note. "That will be all for now. Return to your workstation at Marketing," she added.

Jake let out a deep gust when the elevator doors shut."What just happened?" He rubbed his face anxiously. He could swear he caught a glimpse of a tiny smirk on the President's face. Although he felt like a floating feather, his mind was pressed at Iris' peculiar demands.

Offering him a job? For what, spilling a beverage on her?