I set down a steaming mug of coffee in front of Denise before taking my seat at the reception counter.
“You’re a lifesaver,” she grins while picking up the cup. “Next time I tell you I’m going out during the week, stop me. This hangover is trying to kill me.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “I told you it was a bad idea.” My gaze drifts over her pretty face. “Don’t worry, there’s no sign of the hangover. You look beautiful as always.”
I swear Denise and Beyoncé could be identical twins.
“It’s the mad makeup skills,” she chuckles.
“You have to teach me some of that magic.”
After the morning rush, the lobby’s quiet. I’ve been working at Byrne Enterprises for two weeks and learned so much. Denise is patient with me and a good teacher. We quickly became friends.
Just as I take a sip of my coffee, the phone rings. Denise takes the call giving me time to swallow.
“Byrne Enterprises, Denise speaking. How can I help?” She listens then replies, “One moment, please.” I watch as she presses the extension for the executive floor.
Once she picks up her cup again, I say, “I’m nervous about meeting the CEO and director.” I’ve been memorizing the hierarchy structure. Byrne Enterprises is owned by Liam Byrne. His younger brother, Finn, is a director.
Denise gives me an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. They don’t talk to us, lowly employees.” After finishing her coffee, she adds, “Just remember Liam’s the CEO. He should be back in a week or two. Finn is the younger brother. He–.” Suddenly she stops and moves her cup out of sight.
I do the same while following her line of sight.
“That’s Finn Byrne. Just smile and let me do the talking if he stops at reception.”
“Okay,” I murmur as I watch a man in his early thirties get out of a red Ferrari. He checks something on his phone as he steps into the lobby, then he casually glances in our direction. For a moment, he turns his attention to his device, but then his head snaps back toward us, and his eyes lock on me.
My insides tighten with nerves when he changes direction and heads toward the reception counter.
I take in the pristine Armani three-piece suit he’s wearing, his ruffled ginger hair, and once he’s close enough, his brown eyes. Finn is taller than average with a slim build, and even though he’s attractive, I can already feel the arrogance coming from him in waves.
Just smile and don’t put your foot in your mouth.
Stopping on the other side of the counter, he tucks his phone into the inner breast pocket of his jacket while glancing from Denise to me. “Where’s Julia?”
“She resigned around the same time you went on vacation,” Denise answers before introducing me. “Kiara joined us two weeks ago.”
Standing up, I hold out my hand. “Kiara Murphy. It’s a pleasure meeting you, sir. Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll do my best.”
Finn wraps his fingers around mine, the hold not too tight. “Welcome, Kiara.”
Just before things start feeling awkward, he lets go of my hand. There’s a sharpness in his gaze as he stares at me for a moment longer, then he walks toward the elevators.
Sitting down, I release the breath I was holding. “That wasn’t nerve-wracking at all.”
“Yeah, but at least it’s done and over with.” Denise frowns at Finn’s back, then turns her attention to me. “I’ve heard he’s not the most pleasant person to work with. At least we’re safe down here.”
Curious, I ask, “By not the most pleasant, you mean?”
She shrugs, but before she can answer the phone rings. I quickly take the call. “Byrne Enterprises. Kiara speaking. How can I help?”
“Put me through to Mr. Byrne,” a man snaps in my ear.
“Which one, sir?”
“Liam!”
“He’s currently out of the country. Can I transfer–.”
“Fuck, I forgot. Is Finn back from vacation?”
“Yes, sir. Please hold.” I press the extension for the executive floor to transfer the call before giving Denise my attention.
She’s busy digging a chapstick out of her bag. After putting some on, she says, “I don’t like spreading rumors, but I’ve heard Finn’s short-tempered.” She scrunches her nose. “Then again, apparently Liam’s worse. He barks at anything that moves. He once had Julia in tears because she accidentally transferred a call through to his office while he was in a meeting.”
Okay. No accidental calls.
After making a mental note, I ask, “Why did Julia resign? Did she get a better job?”
Denise shrugs. “I have no idea why she left. It was sudden, and she didn’t even give any notice, so I can only guess it was for personal reasons.”
“Shoot, I hope she’s okay.” Picking up the two mugs, I get up from my chair. “I’ll be right back.”
Walking across the tiled lobby floor, I spare Mark, one of the security guards, a smile where he’s standing by the entrance. Just as I reach the small kitchen, the door opens, and Kevin grins at me while he holds the door open so I can dart inside.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kevin and Mark have also been very welcoming. It’s been easy making friends with the staff working in the lobby, but then again, it’s just the four of us down here. The other personnel on the upper floors, not so much. Everyone’s too busy, scurrying around like ants.
After rinsing the cups and placing them on the drying rack, I quickly stop by the restroom to relieve myself. While washing my hands, I inspect my appearance, making sure none of the wild strands of my auburn hair are out of place.
I don’t have a huge selection of clothes and have pretty much been switching things up with the two suit pants and one skirt I have. Nobody seems to notice the lack of variety in my wardrobe, but as soon as I get my first paycheck, I’ll buy a couple of items so I’ll look more professional.
When I get back to the reception desk, Denise gives me an encouraging look. “You’ve been summoned to the executive floor. Good luck.”
Crap.
“Did I do anything wrong?”
She quickly shakes her head. “No, Finn probably just wants to get to know you. He does it randomly.”
“If I’m not back in thirty minutes, come save me,” I joke before walking toward the elevators.
On my way up, my nerves tighten my stomach into a hard knot.
Gosh, it feels like I’m going for the interview all over again.
When the elevator doors open, I force a smile to my lips, hoping it looks natural.
Devon, the executive floor secretary, gives me a professional smile. The man seems to have it down to an art form. I can definitely learn a thing or two from him.
“Mr. Byrne is waiting.” Devon gestures at the hallway to the right of us. Wearing a dark gray suit, he fits perfectly in with his luxurious surroundings. “The office at the end of the hallway. Just go in.”
“Thank you.” I wipe my palms nervously on my sides as I glance at all the cream, black, and gold décor. The art on the walls and sleek modern offices behind glass walls look expensive. The lavishness is a bit overwhelming and intimidating.
Reaching the end of the hallway, I can’t see past the frosted glass on the sides of the door. I suck in a fortifying breath of air, then knock.
“Come in.”
My hands still feel sweaty as I take hold of the knob, and opening the door, I make sure my smile is in place.
The first thing I notice as I step inside is a leather couch to my right. Finn stands up from behind an impressive desk that’s all steel and glass. He gestures at one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”
His eyes track my every step, and only once I’m sitting down does he take a seat again. For an unnerving moment, he just stares at me, the slight smile on his face doing nothing to set me at ease.
“I’ve read your file.”
Not knowing what else to do, I just nod.
“You didn’t study further after finishing high school.”
God, please don’t let him fire me because of my lack of experience.
“I’m a hard worker.”
“I’m sure you are,” he chuckles. “Gina seems to be happy with you.”
If the head of HR is happy with my work, it’s a good thing, right?
“Tell me about yourself,” he says as he casually leans back in his high-back chair, his eyes narrowing on me.
I always dread that question because I never know how to answer it. “Ah… I’m twenty-four.” Gosh, I suck at this. “Born and raised in Chicago.”
Lifting an eyebrow, he says, “I’ve already read that in your file.”
The ball of nerves that used to be my stomach tightens even more.
“What is your weakness?”
“Donuts,” I answer honestly, then let out an awkward chuckle. “I can eat a dozen if someone doesn’t stop me.”
I could eat a dozen right now.
Finn’s lips curve up into a pleased smile. “And your greatest strength?”
“Endurance. I’m not scared to work hard.”
This is better. This I can do.
“Why did you want to work here?”
The stiffness leaves my smile, and my nerves ease a little. “There’s lots of space for growth. I feel I can achieve and contribute a lot at Byrne Enterprises.”
Finn nods, and tilting his head, his smile widens, “Now tell me about yourself.”
Feeling much better than when I walked into his office, the answer comes naturally, “I love helping others. During the holidays, I volunteer wherever I’m needed, whether it’s at a soup kitchen or animal shelter. I love being outdoors. I can sit in the park for hours just feeding the pigeons.”
Finn stares at me for the longest moment, then asks, “Would you mind working after hours?”
I quickly shake my head. “No. Like I said, I’m a hard worker. Whatever the company needs.”
Slowly, he nods. “That’s good to hear.” He gestures to the door. “You can get back to work.”
Rising to my feet, I take a second to say, “Thank you for the opportunity. I really appreciate it.”
When I turn around and leave the office, I feel his eyes burning on my back.
You did good.
I think.
