Chapter 1

Felicity's POV

" Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James chapter one verses two to three," announced by a Catholic faith defender in a busy street in New York.

To tell you guys, New York has become extremely crowded, filled with people at all times of day and night and it's kind of making me a little bit stressed. I'm not still used to being a New Yorker who finds it enjoyable to walk through a crowded street.

"A New York City street is not like a street anywhere else in America. It is more frenetic, more teeming, more daunting, more commercial, more electric, more lawless, more infested, more sticky, more musical, more neon,'' said Emily Badger in one of her articles and I kind of agree with it.

Clearly, because I am walking at a faster pace in this busy street because I'm in a hurry and then there are just so many strange insistent men who'll press my hand for fliers.

Well, I'm not used to it because in Italy, at San Giovanni Rotondo, where my hometown is, there's no such thing as this.

In addition to the stores and boutiques, they are located on Fifth Avenue, which is the most famous street and the main artery of New York also known as the " Millionaire's Row". The Flatiron Building, The New York Public Library, Central Park, etc. are also in it, including of course the Empire State Building. That's the building where I'm going.

" And Jesus I'm almost late! Can this get any better for me?"

I am walking fastly not minding the people who I almost bump into, and not minding the pain in my heel and the ache on the bottom of my foot, and it hurts because of the high black heels I'm wearing.

" Thank God! I'm finally here! " I said excitedly as I am in front of the Empire State building.

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, and when I heard from my former classmate in college that their CEO is hiring a new secretary, so I immediately decided to apply.

Of course! I'm grabbing this opportunity for my benefit and all.

" Hello Good morning! I am Miss Centola and I have an appointment today with Mr. Becket. " I said smiling at the lady at the reception desk.

" Oh! Good morning, Miss Centola. Welcome to the company! Your appointment with Mr. Becket is on the 50th floor. And as you reached the exact floor a lady will guide and assist you for your interview," the lady then replied to me.

" Thank you!" I said genuinely thanking her for the help and for being an accommodating host.

I am now entering the elevator together with other employees. I noticed how friendly they are towards each other, and it's making me more excited thinking of the friends I'll gain when starting my work here.

I'm the last to get out of the elevator and truth as to what the receptionist had told me. The exact moment I reach the 50th floor, a fine lady in her pencil skirt, white blouse, and black heels approaches me with a big smile.

" Good morning, Miss Centola! Your interview will start 3 minutes from now. You may take your seat in the waiting area as you wait for your time," I just nod and smiled at her, internalizing her instruction for me so I wouldn't be in trouble.

I am walking confidently to the waiting area when the lady called for me.

" By the way, Miss Centola! I'm Tessa you can call me Tess. Good luck with your interview!" she said a little bit louder because of the distance between us.

I turn to her and smile. Seems like Tessa will be my first friend here.

" Oh yeah! Thank you, Tessa, and my name is Felicity you can call me Felici or just anything you want to call me." I wave my hands at her and I can see how she smiles at me like she's pleased to meet me.

" Good luck again and nice to meet you, Fely!"

My eyes widen because of the shock. No one ever calls me Fely and she's the first one to call me by that nickname.

Fely is quite unique and I like it.

I can hear her chuckling, clearly, because of the expression, I am showing her.

" Yes same here. My pleasure to meet you too, Tessa! " I answered back.

" I gotta go," I said pointing at the door for Mr. Becket as I noticed that my three minutes is over.

But I'm glad I was able to have a great conversation with Tessa, which I think is one or two years older than me.

I'm fixing my ponytail hair as I glided my way to the office. I am wearing pressed slacks with a button-down shirt and my black high heels. This is the only formal attire I could think of for females to wear in their job interviews.

I knock first before entering the office.

I am amazed by the interior design of this office, with a theme that is all black, a piece of minimalist furniture, a dim light, and a comfy couch just near the entrance. I also like the ambiance it's soothing.

I can imagine myself sleeping in this perfect place during my break time.

Shit! I'm having a daydream and smiling from ear to ear like an idiot in front of the CEO who's now staring intently at me.

What the hell was that Felicity Centola?

"Michelle?" he asked in a confusing tone.

" No sir! You must've been mistaken. I mean I'm Felicity... Miss Felicity Centola and I'm here for the interview." I immediately respond to him.

I can see the disappointment in his eyes after saying it.

I immediately sit on the chair in front of his table. He stands up so I can clearly see him from where I am right now.

His look is intimidating by the way. His face is dark and serious but one thing is for sure. This Mr. Becket in front of me is one of the Greek Gods!

With his thick brows, brown eyes with long and curly eyelashes, pointed nose, more defined jaw, and his thin kissable lips that are always in a grim line.

If you think that I'm exaggerating?! Then think again!

Because I'm pretty sure this man in front of me is beyond handsome and I hope his attitude will complement his physical appearance.

" Did I tell you to sit?" he asked in a serious tone but the mockery didn't escape in it.

Holy shit! I immediately stand up and feel nervous as hell.

What a bad impression for you Felicity! God damn it!

" Sorry, sir..." I bowed my head and never look at him.

I can hear him sighing before talking again.

" I didn't know that you have that kind of attitude. You don't know the proper etiquette for applying huh? Anyway, you may take your seat, " he commanded me.

What the fuck just happened! Did he just judge me for not having a proper etiquette? It's just one mistake and it just slipped my mind.

I badly want to argue with him but I don't have time for these bullshits so I sit right away and roll my eyes at the frustration I'm feeling.

" So... Care to introduce yourself, Miss Centola?" He said as he sits in his chair and place his two hands on the table.

Sitting cooly huh!

He raises his eyebrows when he notices my stares at him and still not opening my mouth for introducing myself.

He's handsome but he's a big asshole!

Shoot! I'm here to apply and not to torture this guy in my mind.

I cleared my throat before finally talking. Gone is the feeling of nervousness now because of what just happened a while ago.

I don't care if I'll be hired or what. I just want to get over with this.

" Good morning, sir! I'm Felicity Centola, 28 years old, and I just.. "

I stop talking when I see him raising his hand. I am giving him a confused look as he makes eye contact with me.

He's smirking and I hate it!

" Sir, can you be more professional? Cause you know what you're the one who is acting weird right now" I fired at him.

There I said it. I just don't want to see him not taking this seriously.

" You're really a newbie to this, Miss." He said while playing with his ballpen.

I admit I am because when I'm in Italy I never applied for a job. After all, I'm content helping my mother in her coffee store.

And as a newbie like me, I'm disappointed to know that applying for a job would be like this.

" You must give your resume to me before introducing yourself because how would I know that all you're talking about was written or not in your resume? Did it ever cross your mind, Miss Centola?"

It's embarrassing! And I've never felt embarrassed as this before. It may be childish but it makes me wanna cry for his harsh comment on me.

" Anyway please continue and give me your resume," he requested.

I handed him the resume. No! Not just my resume but my whole folder and I don't care if he'll be mad at me again.

A small frown creased her forehead and his attention is all on my resume as I start introducing myself again.

" Okay my Company will just call you for the result," he said after the tedious interview.

" Thank you!" I said trying to act cool, calm, and not upset by anything.

I get my things and never looked at him... again.

I exhale audibly in a long deep breath, as in weariness and relief. And I storm out of his office and slammed the door.

That Damon McCartny Becket is a damn big asshole!