6.Executively Sexy

“Boss, the interview will start soon.” Vicky, Lucien’s secretary, came into his office to remind him. “Boss…” She cleared her throat. Her boss seemed to be dazed looking at the window. He was looking at it blankly. Like he was lost in his own thoughts. She came closer to get his attention as calling out to him appeared to be unnoticeable to him. She felt a bit panicked. This scenario had never happened before. She wondered if the company was facing a big, unimaginable crisis to see him like this. She knocked on his desk when she got too close.

“Oh! Vicky! Were you saying something?” Lucien was startled to see his secretary so close. He was not used to such distance, and so he was confused.

Noticing how her boss was a bit uncomfortable with their distance, Vicky Reed explained herself. “I have been calling for your attention, but you seemed to be lost in your thoughts, so I came closer to make sure you hear me when I say that the interview is about to start, Sir.” Vicky was not afraid of him. They respect each other as to how an employer and employee are supposed to. Their working relationship and rapport would be considered as flawless except for her caving in speed as a sign of old age. She is turning fifty. Her experience and polished skills are what make Lucien keep her by his side, but he also needs someone who can keep up with him in and out of the office. That is the main reason why he is hiring a new PA and Executive Secretary. Vicky will remain as the head of his secretarial staff, and she will train the newcomer to meet Lucien’s standards and needs.

“Okay, let’s get going then!” Lucien stood up from his swivel chair. As if the thoughts that were occupying his mind just a while ago were already far gone somewhere unreachable. His buttons were turned on—his work ethic buttons. As always, he regained his composure from whatever was bothering his mind a while ago to give the hundred percent focus on the task and goals at his hands. Maybe, when he gets the time to have a break, that thought might be back, but if he gets lost in his work, maybe not. He walked out of his office and walked side by side with Vicky towards the meeting room. It is where they would usually hold staff meetings with a maximum of ten individuals. This room was also designed for such circumstances where interviewees would be seated on a lounge at the other side of the room. Another room which was specially created for employees to take their coffee breaks. It has a few benches, long couches, a snack bar, and a restroom at the far corner. And since there was a door from the side of the room where Lucien was, the people waiting did not know who would be in the interviewing room together with them later.

“This way, boss.” Vicky led Lucien to where he was supposed to be seated. It was at the head of the meeting table. She handed him a pile of folders when he got seated. “These are the files of applicants who have passed the preliminary interview. Please have a look while I prepare your coffee, Sir.” And Vicky left to do as she said. She exited the meeting room from the opposite direction where she came into it and saw the applicants waiting at the lounge. There were eleven applicants for Lucien Michaelson to choose from today. Hopefully, he gets to find what fancies him. Vicky looked around. There were few men in suits, while the rest of them were female in corporate attire. Everyone was in their professional garments. She was hoping that girl whom she never had the chance to interview due to the limited time she was able to pass her application. Originally, she wouldn’t have allowed her to take the final interview if Vicky had not personally interviewed her before Lucien, but her credentials were so mesmerizing that she couldn’t let her just slip away. She headed to the coffee machine. Lucien likes it brewed, so she was going to brew a cup of espresso. She was almost done when her sight caught an elegant-looking lady coming out of the ladies' room, heading towards the line of applicants in the lounge next to the door where she came out from. The lady was no doubt a head-turner. She couldn’t avoid giving her a second look while waiting for the coffee to be ready. She was wearing something not far from what everyone else was wearing, but her aura was definitely eye-catching. Graceful and finesse. Vicky had been in this profession for quite a while now, and she had seen a lot of faces and looks in white-collar looks, but she is way far beyond comparison. She had never seen someone to be as dashing and Executively Sexy in her entire life. She is a woman, and the description she just made herself a while ago was not relevant to gender comments. It was a professional compliment! She could even notice the other applicants feeling overawed. They didn’t have numbers as their names would just be called out if it was their turn, so all applicants were seated where they felt comfortable. Some were even standing as their nervousness overwhelmed them, and being seated seemed to suffocate them, while the others were seated almost a seat distance from another applicant. It was as if they were giving each other enough space to breathe and feel relaxed. No one was talking to the other. Vicky could see they were in a silent competition mood. Well, she knew the feeling. She had been there a long time ago, and so she understood. She just hopes one will stand out in the eyes of the boss to make them move on to the next step of job hunting if they fail here today. She prepared the boss’ coffee with some snacks that he would sometimes fancy to pair with his cup of coffee and went back inside the room.

“Vicky, is everyone in these files already waiting outside?” He asked urgently as soon as his secretary came back into the room.

“Yes, Sir. I believe so.” She courteously replied. He looked somehow resolute, but she was uncertain. “Is there anything wrong? Sir, you are quite different today. Do we have a problem? We can set this interview later if you want.”

“No, no.” Lucien quickly answered. “I am not sure what is with me either. But that is not a reason to waste the applicants’ time coming here for an interview just to be sent away and asked to come again later.” Indeed he himself was about to go crazy thinking about that specific lady he had a ride with on the elevator this morning. He cannot take her out of his mind. He felt like he was under the spell of her. He cannot believe she did not even greet him back properly, or how he expected she would, when, he greeted her in front of the elevator door. His masculine pride was hurt. This had never happened to him. He was the one ignoring women all his life. Now he realized how it feels to be ignored, and he is in a dilemma. He didn’t even know if he should be mad at her or praise her! He was going to forget about her while at work, but among the files Vicky gave him was her profile. He was even more captivated by the contents of her personal information. He had been so enthralled by the appealing credentials that were indicated in her files. To the extent of thinking that all ten applicants will be wasting their time taking this interview when he already has someone, he is eyeing to choose for the position. “I saw this applicant named Brianna Peters. What do you think about her?” He asked.

“Well, actually, her application came in at the last minute, so I didn’t have the time to call her for an interview. But still called her to be here today and see if you would like to take her.” Vicky explained. “Looking at her credentials, I believe she fits the position, but of course, she will have to undergo an interview with you.”

Lucien nodded. They allotted minimal time for the applications to be submitted. It was to avoid a mass of applicants arriving at the company for an interview. And their applications were carefully checked along with their credentials to make it to the final interview.