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Chapter 171: Epilogue
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The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 1: The Interview of a Lifetime
The elevator rises higher until the bright red numbers stop on eighteen. I take a deep breath and, in my head, recite my thirty-second pitch describing why I'd be a great Valiant Industries employee if given the chance.You got this, Mackenzie."Interview of a lifetime" does not do enough to foreshadow the next hour of my life. A job in the marketing department at one of the world's largest firms would change my entire future.The doors slide open and Greg, the assistant who greeted me in the building lobby, leads us down a long hallway to a glass room. There isn't a solid wall in it, making the room appear as if it's a greenhouse built in the middle of the sizable building. From my vantage point in the hallway I can see across the room and out the next set of windows, which overlook downtown Lansing. Inside sits a giant table, big enough to fit thirty people. It takes up most of the space. The rest is eaten up by oversized leather chairs with equal amounts of space between each
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 2: I Mean The Interview from Hell
Well, then. At least I can go down knowing I lasted longer than two minutes with the formidable Vincent Valiant. Dread fills the room as Shirley and Greg both shake their heads, already saying their goodbyes. For a second, I want to puke and run out crying, but as the sky-blue colored eyes of Vincent Valiant tear through my skin, I only find anger. This is my big break. I'm a kick-ass woman with a master's degree and I will not let an asshole million-billionaire with too much money judge me.Why is he even in on this interview? He didn't give me two seconds of time when I walked in the room, and now, he wants to call me out. Screw him."I believe the skills I learned help in marketing, Mr. Valiant," I say, not dropping his gaze. If I'm going to go out, I'm going out in a blaze of glory—a big ass fiery blaze of glory.For a flicker, I swear he almost smiles. The left side of his cheek moves up, even if he squashes it back down to the frown splashed across his face in every profess
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 3: Best Friend Blues
"You're hired. Just like that?" my roommate and best friend for the last six years asks as she sits on our cheap microfiber couch, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She's not the only one shocked."Yes!" I throw my hands in the air because this is at least the third time we've gone over it. I don't believe it any more than she does.Ashley leans back against the couch in our shared apartment, wrapping a piece of her brunette hair around her index finger. "Wow.""Wow, indeed." I pick back up the pacing she interrupted with her question.Her light blue eyes, the exact opposite of my green ones, stare out into our back patio past the large sliding glass doors. "That must have been hot. A man getting all bossy and giving you a job.""Ashley!" Has she missed everything I've said for the last thirty minutes?She shakes her head, clearing out whatever daydream she's imagining. "I wish I could've been there. I bet that pissed you off." She chuckles to herself, almost as if I'm n
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 4: A Kidnapping?
Hearts are soooo not Ashley."I'm so sorry."She takes a deep breath and lets it out."Why would he go with a heart?" Jonathan is not one of the most astute guys, but Ashley has laid hints on engagement rings for the last two years. You'd figure he would have picked up something. Kept one of the magazine advertisements she'd cut out and strategically left around the apartment. I'd never found a heard-shaped diamond taped to the fridge. Emerald or princess were her preferred choices. I agree whole heartedly."I don't know," Ashley says, shaking her head. "The only thing I can think of is how I said I'd never have a heart engagement ring."I nod with too much enthusiasm. It was a big long discussion. Most of it happened while sitting in the very room we were in now."I think he heard hearts and engagement ring and ran with it.""Well, is it big?" Does it being a big heart make it better or worse?Her head bounces back and forth between a nod and a shake. "It's okay.""T
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 5: Good Luck. You'll Need It.
The town car pulls out of my apartment parking lot and cuts through traffic onto one of the busiest roads in our town. Ashley and I chose this place not only because the rent was cheap but because it was a quick jaunt to both of our schools. Each of us had one road and one turn to take. It made getting to work today super easy. Not like I could get lost."Why did Mr. Valiant send you to pick me up this morning?" I ask the driver after we've gone five minutes without speaking and he doesn't turn on any music.His eyes make contact in the rearview mirror. "He doesn't like his assistants to be late. Mr. Valiant is very particular about schedules."Obviously. I settle back in the seat, staring out the window as the houses filter by on either side of the road. I've never understood why rich people build giant houses feet from busy roads, but I guess when real estate is tight, you do what you must.Like send your brand-new assistant a car service. I can't decide if it's a thoughtful
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 6: Wasted Time
On a bright yellow Post-it note set to the middle of the desk is a user ID made from a combination of my first and last names. Below it on the same sheet is a password with a mix of letters and numbers. It's safe to assume the login information unlocks the computer and I settle into the comfortable rolling chair as I type the credentials into the login box and wait for verification to complete.The next five minutes I spend making sure I look presentable for Mr. Valiant's arrival. I practice my smile. After that, I practice my handshake. And then I practice how I'll get up in the chair so as not to disturb my skirt. While a little shorter, it doesn't pull up too much when I stand, but if I don't do it just right the back of the blouse untucks.I have all three maneuvers down and ready for my new boss by the time 9:10 a.m. rolls around. But still there's no Valiant.At 9:30 I twiddle my thumbs.Literally.The time counts down on the clock attached to the computer, and my bored
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 7: Chicken Tenders?
I open every single drawer in the desk, searching for somewhere he may have left directions on what he wants for lunch, but I already know they don't hold my answers. Two minutes go by as I search for the solution to my needs. A magic lunch fairy. Something. After coming back empty-handed, I gather the courage to enter his office and take my tiny stack of Post-it notes and pen to his door.I knock and the door opens. Valiant sits behind his desk with his suit coat open to show the white shirt he wears underneath. He lounges in his chair behind a large oak desk, its top empty except for a computer monitor."Mr. Valiant, is there anything in particular you want for lunch?" I ask, ready to write down anything he tells me. The man could ask for a calamari sandwich with ketchup on the side and I'd figure out a way to deliver.He looks up and his face is full of anger and annoyance. His lips pinch together in a straight line and his eyebrows furrow. "You haven't ordered already?""No
The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 8: Competition
"Coffee." Now is not the time to draw attention to myself. Hell there is never a time to draw attention to myself while working with Vincent, but this is an extra bad time.He nods his head in agreement and I breathe a sigh of relief.I throw away his trash after steadying the plastic fork on top of the large desk calendar and then see my way back out of his office.The rest of the afternoon is uneventful. I find my email program and check it continuously, but besides the three intro emails from human resources asking me to fill out paperwork and a short curt email from Valiant stating his lunch order—he wanted a sub from Jimmy John's, a shop downtown—nothing else comes my way. At 5 o'clock on the dot he exits his office, re-buttoning his suit jacket. The muscles in his arms flex underneath it as he wiggles his shoulders to get it over top."You can go, Ms. Marshal. I'll see you tomorrow. Be here at eight and check your email this time."I nod. "Yes, Mr. Valiant." Jerk face.
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- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 171: Epilogue
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 170: Doctor's Orders
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 169: November Winds
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 168: Two Weeks Later
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 167: Too Early to Tell
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 166: You Can't Hid Glam Wear
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 165: Book Deals and Broken Promises
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 164: Agreements
- The Valiant Trilogy Chapter 163: A Ruined Evening Fixed
