Chapitre 11: 11. First day at work; the trial.
Talk about first impressions.
Que whimpered holding the dead plant in her hand. The bright young green leaves which had turned an ugly brown and black color had fallen to the ground leaving only the stem. Whoever had entered the office had paused at the door and she could feel penetrating gaze boring holes through her back, she need not guess who it was.
The door was closed after some seconds as the person silently moved inside the office. She kept the vessel back on the table and turned around to face him mustering all the courage she could afford, clasping her shaking hands behind her.
The straight and broad shoulders of the tall man walking towards the massive throne like chair was the first thing that blessed her view. His measured footsteps, poise and his every movement screams nobility. He ooze a strong and suffocating noble aura that had Que's intestines quivering in fear. The once spacious office suddenly felt crowded with his presence.
Que's eyes doubled in size at the sight of his very peculiar hair. His 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 and 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 ombred blonde hair moved coordinately with his every move. It was so long it reached his waist without a single strand out of place putting even the most famous female celebrities to shame. It was like it was flowing behind him.
Just what exactly had she gotten herself into? Why did this man suddenly felt the need to get married to the poor her. She didn't have anything. She's just a poor cursed orphan. She's not rich, not a genius, and certainly not the most beautiful. So what exactly did he want from her? At that moment Que seriously wished she could go back in time and unsign those papers.
But it is too late now, she could only hope to get on his good side. But even that is out of the windows as well when he had caught her murdering his plant red handed.
What a very lasting first impression.
"When you are done gawking you can take a seat." His cold voice broke the silence and she realised he had already sat down in his chair. The huge chair fit him perfectly as if it was customed to his size, well maybe it was. He looked even more intimidating behind the desk.
She moved her legs plastering a fake smile that looked more like a grimace than anything. His eyes followed her every movement like a pradator sizing up its prey until she was sitting in the chair facing him. His tilted eyes stopped briefly on her puffed chest before flicking away.
His stoic face was emotionless and she couldn't tell what was going on in his head. Something seems odd about him but she couldn't place her finger on it. Her thong dig uncomfortably into her butt when she sat and she squirmed a little which didn't pass his hawk eyes. It was the first time she is wearing one. She would chose comfort over fashion any day thank you very much.
Things like this do not look comfortable to her eyes, it wouldn't feel comfortable on her body so she avoided them. Did he know what she was wearing. She crushed the thought cursing her stupid brain. Of course he would, wasn't he the one that recommended it? She wondered why he would do that. Just the though made her uncomfortable. He cleared his throat.
"Have you read the papers you signed?" His smooth velvety voice held a slight accent which you might miss if you weren't paying attention given how low he spoke.
"Yes, throughly sir. Page after page." She rambled. Should she call him sir? Husband?
"Adequate. You are going to be my personal assistant but given how inexperienced you are, I'm having....."
"Of course sir. That wouldn't be a problem. I can be a very good personal assistant. I'm good at keeping records, answering emails and phone calls, sir." Personal assistant? She could do that. She let out a breath she had no idea she was holding. Personal assistant, not some stripper.
Phew.
"I can take care of everything you need."
He tapped his pen on the the table. His long fingers moved up and down, popping out the veins at the back of his hands.
"Mrs. Menalik, working with me is not going to be an easy job."
"Rest assured sir, I'm up for it." She is not going to let him change his mind and assign a much more tedious task. Seems like he have forgotten about the issue with the plant.
"Hmmm. " He opened a file on the table. "How about this, I'm going to be put you on a trial. You currently have zero points, if you accumulate a 100 point, you pass and only then would you be fully employed. Keep in mind points would be deduced when you fail to make up with the requirements for each task."
Is this some of a game?
"Understood?"
"Right."
"Adequate. Miss Pierce would brief you on your job. I do not tolerate slackers."
"Ah? Ah." She got up from the chair when red lipped Kate open the doors. She paused when she reached the door and turn to him.
"For every task I completed, how many points do I get?"
"5 points. For every fail minus 5 points." He replied after a pause.
5 points, which means she needed to complete 20 task. That is if she didn't mess up and get a negative. It shouldn't be hard.
She followed silently behind Kate who was smirking for some reasons, trying to match her speed. She wondered how they are able to walk fast on such heels. It wasn't easy, balancing yourself not to fall and also memorizing all the rules and regulations of the organization.
She reached into her bag and brought out a jotter to write them down least she forgot. They toured the whole building as Kate explain various departments and their tasks to her. The building was divided into two parts, the west wing and the east wing. They are on the east wing. She needn't bother about the west wing as she won't be having anything to do there, Kate had said.
The cafeteria which she had put alot of emphasis on was on the 10th floor, the sales and marketing department, sourcing department, and so on and so forth. It was too much for her brain to handle and when she was on the verge of collapsing, the woman finally come to an end when they returned back to the 30th floor. Kate's phone rang and she excused herself. Apparently she had no office and would be sharing the Boss's office.
Well isn't that nice.
"What are you writing?" Kate said when she was done.
"Jotting down some things least I forget."
"You didn't have to do that, you'll be given a handout with all the details." She waved a hand at her.
What? Why didn't she say so earlier!? Que fumed.
"Remember the cafeteria? Boss says you should get him a coffee. Remember, no sugar and he wants it strong. You have only 5 minutes." She said waltzing away.
What? The cafeteria is on the 10th floor! Why don't they have a kitchen area on the 30th floor if he needed coffee this much. This is too much hassle. Que rushed back ignoring the looks she was receiving. She had managed to twist her ankles several times but since it wasn't that serious, she ignored it as well and focus on the task at hand.
Getting a coffee. In other words her first 5 points! Its not a hard task, she can do it. Que rejoiced fumbling with the Expresso machine. If all the tasks would be this simple she'll make 100 points in no time.
"Hi," a young girl waved at her. She was dressed an equally all white attire and looked very beautiful in it unlike someone.
"You must be Mrs Menalik, the Boss's new bride." The girl beamed at her. The corners of her eyelids twitched.
She held back a smile and pointed at the cup in her hand, "You are doing this wrong. Here, let me help you." She took the cup and poured the content away.
"Hey!"
"Relax, let me show you. The last personal assistant was fired on her first attempt of making his coffee. When you fill and tamp the portafilter with finely ground coffee, instead of pulling a normal espresso shot, use a scale to weigh the amount of coffee that's extracted. Aim for 15-20 ml. That's 15 seconds tops."
"That's a Ristretto."
"Yeah. He likes his coffee strong." She laughed. "I sort of envy you, to be able to stay by his side all the time." She had a dreamy look on her face.
"Trust me, there is nothing there to be envious about." If it wasn't for her curse she wouldn't be here.
"No need to be polite, Mrs Menalik."
"Please, call me Que."
"I'm Sarah. You seem like a nice person. I like you."
"Nice to meet you too Sarah. Thank you, you are nice too."
"Forgive me for saying this but you have a unique name." She laughed.
"You could say that." Que shrugged. "Apparently my mom thought I looked very cheerful when I was born and the first thing that came to her mind was the letter Q when she stared at my face." It was a very interesting story. Que shook her head. A lot of people she met asked the same question.
"Wow, how unique. The coffee is done."
"Thank you, Sarah. You are a lifesaver."
"You should try using the kitchenette on the 30th floor next time. Saves you the trouble." Que felt like screaming.
Why haven't anyone told her that earlier!!! Kate must have done it on purpose.
She took the coffee and returned to the 30th floor. Her 5 minutes is almost over but thankfully she made it in time. Barely 5 seconds left. She pushed the door open and drop the coffee on the table. The devil was writing something down on a paper and didn't spare her a glance.
"Minus 5 points." He picked up the mug and took a sip. "Adequate."
"What!? My five minutes isn't up!" What does he mean by adequate? Is that the only word in his brain?
"Have you any idea what I've been through just to get..."
"I'll be the judge of that. And quit screaming at my ear." Que gave him an incredulous look. She didn't go through all that to acquire negative marks! She walked around and headed out before she did something that would earn her more negative points.
"What do you plan on doing with the plant you killed." She froze.
"I.. I'm sorry. I'll pay for it."
"Would you?" He raised his head from the papers in his front, clasping his fingers together he rest his chin and keenly observed her.
"That was a sample sent in by testing department for a new project. How do you plan on paying for it?" Her stomach dropped.
A..a what?
"I ...i,"
"I have an appointment with an important client over it in," he glanced at his expensive Rolex watch. "Less than an hour. What should I do?"
"I'll...."
"Minus 10 points. Congratulations, you already acquired two negatives so far. You have 50 minutes to get another plant Mrs Menalik." Que stood at the door staring at him. He had his reading glasses on looking all serious. Is he doing this on purpose?
"Your time starts now." She grabbed the vase and dashed out of the office. Which floor was testing department again?
She tried to recall but couldn't, she wasn't sure if Kate had mentioned anything about that. But then again the building was too big it's impossible for her to keep track of. She asked about but all she got was a "sorry I have no idea what you are talking about."
The hell! How long have they been working here for them to not know where the testing department is. She checked each floor but she got the same reply to the extent that she started doubting if she even heard correct. She wondered if he was just toying with her. She searched for Kate but she was no where to be found.
Que found a secluded corner and slipped down to the floor. Burying her head on her knees as tears sprung to her eyes.
Mother, what sort of torture is this?
How can she accumulate so much bad luck on her first day at work. What is she going to do now? She couldn't even find the department talk more of getting another sample. Why did she have to be cursed. She must've been there for long when someone tapped her shoulders.
She looked up and the young brunette girl stared back at her.
"What's wrong?" She stared at the pot beside her.
"Everything," Que sniffed. Everything's wrong. She narrated everything to her from the moment the Jiji send her out of the house to the offer of marriage upto now. When she was done, the girl's eyes were practically glowing and she winched.
Que didn't know what overcame her, she wasn't the type that shared her problems with others, apart from her small circle of friends she never opened up to anyone. It must've been the stress that had accumulated over the past few days that had her blabbering. She felt so hopeless and that idiot wasn't helping.
Before she know it, Sarah grabbed her hand and dragged her up.
"In that case you have less than 25 minutes, hurry up." They were speeding through the building, Que had no idea where she was and if it wasn't for this angelic girl she had no idea how to even get back.
They soon came out of the building and sped up to the car lots.
"The testing department is on the other side of the city." She said when they were both in the car.
"I know I shouldn't be telling you this, if and boss knows about it I'll be done for, but boss was the one that instructed us to not tell you."
"What!? The bastard! How was I supposed to find out on my own?!" She must've turned red from the anger bubbling through her veins. She had apologize alright, there was no reason for him to hold grudges against her!
"Haha, you should see your face, ops. Put on your seatbelt please." She swiveled round a sharp bend. Don't worry, we'll be there soon.
She is one hell of a crazy driver, who ever gave her a license must've been out of his mind. And as promised they soon stopped in front of a huge wearhouse.
The place was quiet and almost looked abandoned. Sarah pushed a button hidden on the wall and a door appeared. What looked like a wearhouse on the outside was actually a highly sophisticated science lab. She glanced in awe at the tanks filled with strange looking plants as they went deeper inside.
"This is amazing! I have no idea a place like this exist in our city!"
"You'll be surprised about a lot of things. You should go out more often."
"I should."
"Miss Sarah, what brought you to this side today?" An elderly man in a white coat approached them.
"Hey, Scott, I miss you too." Scott chuckled ruffling her hair making her yelp.
"Quit that. I need a favor please. An accident occurred in the Boss's office and this happened," she pointed at the vessel in Que's hand. "Can we have another one? The appointment is scheduled in the next 15 minutes."
"Holy mackerel! Did you pour acid over it? You guys only know how to destroy things and leave us with the hard work." He grumbled and disappeared with the dead plant.
"You seemed quite familiar with the workers here."
"Yeah, I use to come here with my dad. He is the head of staffs here."
"Wow, that's nice."
"Yeah, I mainly run errands between the two buildings."
"Oh. Wouldn't you get in trouble with the boss then?"
"It'll be alright, trust me." Scott returned with a new plant and passed it to Que. Shaking her head, she put enough distance between her and the plant. She've had enough trouble for the day thank you very much.
Seeing this, Sarah took the plant and left the building after thanking him. The girl was nice and bubbly which reminded her of her pesky friend, Soph. They had similar personalities.
After another reckless drive, they returned back to the office just in time as Mr Menalik came out of the building. His eyes zeroed on her and the plant in Sarah's hand and narrowed infinitely.
He walk past them without a word Sarah pushed the vase into her and shoved her forward.
"Go, he is going to the meeting."
"What does that have to do with me?"
She dug her heels in the ground careful not to touch the plant. She need to get another glove.
"You are his personal assistant, remember. You are to always be by his side."
That....
She rushed after him when a black car stopped in front of him.
"That'll be deducted from your salary." He said coldly when she was beside him.
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