Chapter 3

THE DEVIL WEARS ARMANI

“I'm confused. Do you want the job or not? Most people are usually elated about getting this type of call.” The voice sounded like she was confused about me acting like this and from the questions she asked me, this was possibly the first time someone is acting this way. Well, that clearly makes the both of us dear. I definitely thought I bombed the interview, especially when I told him to have an unfortunate day, which he heard by the way, incase you don't get how absurd this is. So, imagine my surprise when he ended up giving the go ahead for me to be hired. If she was me, she too would be confused.

“You don't understand,” I started because she really didn't, “I bombed the interview. Like it's like when a model falls face flat on an international walkway that is supposed to take her career to the next level with the judges watching. And the next day, when she thinks her career is over, she messed up, she gets a call that she won. That's exactly what happened to me.”

“Well, it doesn't matter now does it because the CEO specifically asked for you. So, if you are still interested interested in the job so I can know my next line of action. Although, my advice to you is to take the job. This is the number one Enterprise in New York, in America and the world. You have won in life if you get an employment here even if work for a month here. Your life becomes easier after this even when you want to move on to something else. So, I think you should say yes to this.” She advised me. This oddly reminded me of a TV show where people took their family members wedding dress shopping and then the shop attendants and the family members ask the lady ‘Would you say yes to the dress?' and like ten or fifteen pairs of eyes are on her as everyone waits with bated breath on what she'll say. I just realized how much pressure comes with being put on the spot. I wished my friends were awake, but since the are knocked out from our busy night yesterday, I knew I had to make this decision on my own.

“Okay, I accept the job.” I said some seconds after mulling it over. I mean how bad could it be working for a boss that is a bit of a douchebag? I have worked with a sleazeball before and it ended with me hitting him in the nuts when he tried to grope me. If Ryan turned out to be insufferable, enough that I can't tolerate him, I'll just quit. It should be that easy.

“Nice! Believe me when I tell you that you just made the best decision of your life.” The lady declared triumphantly. She was definitely more excited than I was, made me wonder how much they paid her to be so excited about working at Falcon Enterprises.

“So, your name tag would be ready over the weekend. You'll be getting the All Entry Express card as the P.A to the CEO so that you can have access to all floors in the building. Then, an employee handbook that tells you all the benefits you are entitled to,” She was saying when I interrupted her.

“Wait, what benefits am I entitled to asides my Salary?”

“Well, the company provides health insurance for all their workers plus a stipend as travel bonus for a year. This was implemented two years ago when the current CEO came on the company's board of directors. As a Human Resource Director, he ensured that everyone was looked after. He might be a lot of things, but one thing is for certain, he works hard to ensure all employee are treated right.” I could hear the smile in her voice. This was definitely a ‘Ryan’ fangirl and I definitely don't want to be in her bad graces for saying something bad about Ryan. So, the person I saw yesterday that was snarky towards me somehow has the heart of the people. If the world isn't ending, I don't why else this is happening.

“Wow! That's nice.” I genuinely exclaimed because even if the CEO was not the nicest person, this was actually the most thoughtful thing I have heard in a long time. Yes, I can admit that much. I knew most big corporations were never people oriented and they treated their employees like dirt under their shoes. As a mere P.A having a health insurance is amazing because healthcare here in the U.S is bizarre. I don't know how one would pull through if the person didn't have one.

“These are one of the numerous reasons why working at Falcon Enterprises is amazing! Anyway, I wouldn't want to bore you by overselling the company or acting like a fangirl. Pick up your name tag and other essentials at the main lobby receptionist desk on Monday. I wish you good luck on your journey at Falcon Enterprises. Have a lovely day.” 

“You too,” I said. With that she hung up the phone.

I walked to my room and collapsed on the bed. I stared at my ceiling for a solid five minutes and decided to go back to bed. Maybe, it'll turn out that I just had a nightmare and I'll then go back to the reality. I was possibly in an alternative universe just like how Peter in Spiderman: The Spider verse went through different alternative universes to defeat Thanos.

I slept for another three hours and woke up to a message on my phone.

Welcome to Falcon Enterprises. The Head of IT would be coming over to the office by 9:00a.m to set up your Employee dashboard. If that would not work, please call the office on Line 9 to save him the trip and tell us when would work for you. Welcome once again Miss Violet Sanderson.

I was now convinced, this was not a bad dream that I could wake up from or an alternate universe.

This was really happening.

I accepted to work at Falcon Enterprises with RYAN FREAKING FALCON!

I indeed must have gone crazy.

******************

“I got the job.” I dropped it that evening during dinner like a bomb to my friends as I finally told them of the news that kept me uneasy and anxious all afternoon. I couldn't tell them earlier today because they finally woke up with raging headache by the way which I offered them the Advil I got from the trip to the Pharmacy. Everyone went to their room to recuperate from our wild night and this was when everyone finally got together after feeling like themselves. 

“What job? Forgive me if I am processing this slowly, but the volume of alcohol I took yesterday sort of fried my brain. I swear, this time I am serious, I am never taking alcohol again.” Rainie said, making the same promise she makes everytime we go clubbing and she consumes more alcohol than she can handle. If not for the fact that my mind was still reeling over the job offer this morning, I would have laughed.

“The job I went for the interview yesterday. The one I thought I wasn't going to get and was the reason for going clubbing. That job is what I got.” I explained it slowly to them so it sinks in how absurd I found the whole thing.

“Wait... What? Why?” Annie asked, looking up from her plate of omlets. 

“Beats me because I asked the same question.” I shrugged.

“So, did you accept the job?” Rainie asked.

“Yes, for some odd reason, I found myself saying yes.”

“Oh my goodness! This is the start of the greatest Romcom. The Boss whom you hate his guts, you work as his P.A, then you end up discovering he is not so bad after all, you fall in love, marry, have babies and a happily ever after.” Rainie said, looking at a distance with a smile playing on her lips.

“Skin care consultant? I think you missed your calling. You should be writing fairy tales that are far from reality.” I said sarcastically. 

She snorted, “Watch 'The Hating Game’ and get back to me after that. Honestly, this is always the start of every Enemies to Lovers troupe. When you fall in love with him, believe me when I say I am going to use the ‘Told you so’ line everyday so much that you'll get sick of it.” She singsong, picking up her plates and going to the kitchen to wash it up.

“Just be careful and don't let your anger get the best of you. If you ever get tired, just quit the job. No job is a worthy exchange for your peace and sanity. You need not prove anything to anyone, not in this job anyway.” Annie said as she also went to the Kitchen, leaving me with my thoughts as company.

I don't know if I was stupid to have taken this job.

What if I unconsciously took this job to prove to Ryan that I was up for whatever dodgy challenge he set up for me when he offered me this job?

****************

“Good morning.” I greeted the main lobby receptionist Lillian immediately I got to the office that Monday. It feels weird to tell anyone that I now worked here. Still feels like a dream.

“Hello! I knew you were going to get the job the moment I saw you. You had the most audacious look amongst all applicants. Welcome to Falcon Enterprises.” She greeted me in a cheery tone that I considered marching up to the Finance department in order to find out how much they paid everyone in this company that made them act like the world is rainbows and sunshine.

“Thank you so much. I was told I am going to get my employees box here?”

“Yes, please,” She bent down and got it from under the counter and handed it over to me, “It contains every essential thing you will need. Do take your time to peruse the box and if you are confused at any point and think it's something I can help you with, my table is always here and I am always willing to lend a listening ear,” She glanced at her watch and gasped audibly, “Oh please, hurry upstairs. The CEO has a thing about punctuality and he hates it when people are tardy, even if it's by one minute.”

With that, I hurried to the elevator. With the number of stops of people getting off the elevator at different floors, I got to the main floor five minutes late.

The receptionist of that floor gave me a ‘you are so screwed’ look as I hurried to Ryan's door. I placed the employees box I got at the receptionist desk by the door and I took a deep breath and knocked on the mahogany door.

“Come in.” A gruff voice called from inside.

I turned the knob of the door and pushed the heavy door. When I got in, I pushed the heavy door shut.

“Good morning Sir.” I greeted.

“There is nothing good about the morning. You are three minutes late.” He said in a low tone that told me he was indeed pissed.

Just my luck! Pissing someone off that just might hate my guts.

“Sorry about that Sir. It won't happen again.” I simply said. Something about Ryan told me that he was one of those bosses that doesn't care why you were late. They just want you not to be late.

He scribbled something on a post-it note and beckoned me to come closer. 

“Here. Go to this coffee house. Ask for Freddie and tell him to give you my usual coffee order. You should be back in thirty minutes time.” 

I looked at the coffee house and realized why it wasn't so far away, it was one of those problematic areas that were harder to navigate because of the bus system was messed up. As a carless New Yorker, I was in for some sweating this morning.

I zipped out of the office and downstairs. When I passed her, she gave me a quizzing look and I couldn't stop to explain. I'll tell her later.

After waiting for the bus, which didn't come by the way, I decided to run there. 

Have you ever ran in stilettos? My advice is don't try it at all. I almost toppled a couple of times, but I made it to the coffee house in ten minutes. Usain Bolt needs to watch his back.

“I'm looking for Freddie." I said immediately I got in, breathing heavily. My white chiffon top clung to my body and my skirt had ridden up. I probably looked like a hot mess, but I didn't care.

“You might want to take a breather.” The Barista advised me. On a regular day, I would have admired how hot he was, but today wasn't that day when I had a Boss who was breathing down my neck and might chew my head off if I didn't get back in time.

“Thanks for the care, but I have no time for that. Do you know Freddie?” I asked again.

“You are speaking to him.” He replied with a smile on his lips.

“Oh, thank goodness. So, Ryan said you should give his usual coffee order.” I said.

“Ryan? As in Ryan Falcon?” He quizzed.

“Yeah, that very one. I am the new P.A and I just started working there today.”

“Oh, he already told me you were coming to get his coffee today, although I didn't think it would be today since he already got his coffee himself this morning.” He said the last bit under his breath that I almost missed it.

After some minutes, he handed me the cup and I thanked him before zipping out again.

Unable to get a bus again, I ran as fast as my stilettos and the hot coffee let me.

I got to the office with five minutes to spare.

When I got to the main floor, I breathed a sigh of relief when I checked my wristwatch and saw I still had four minutes to spare.

“Mr. Ryan said to tell you to join him in the underground parking lot. You both are going for a meeting at one of the branches.”

“And the coffee?” I gestured at the coffee in my hand that I practically sprinted for because I knew there was no way someone like him would have coffee in a moving car.

“Oh, he said you can have it. Do hurry though, he went downstairs about five minutes ago and I think you know by now how much he hates tardiness.” With that said, she went back to typing.

I looked at the coffee and my now sweaty top and I felt anger bubbling in my chest.

I was now convinced that the scriptwriters of The Devil wears Prada got it all wrong. The Devil wears Armani and the Devil is my boss.

How could he make me get coffee he had no plans to drink to punish me for coming just three minutes late?

I might get blood on my hands soon and it definitely won't be mine.