Chapter Text
Fresh out of business school, you had no where to get a job.
Wishing you'd majored in something else, you had decided to surf the web for just a menial job, like a secretary, for the work experience... as well as money. Your friends had all decided to continue with school, going to law school, med school, engineering... and you were left with just an undergrad.
You had thoughts of pursuing law, but that dream fizzled away with your intelligence. Not that you weren't smart... it's just; you weren't really cut out for that type of stuff.
Hmm... what's this?
You click on a website that reads "Bluecorp". Intrigued by their positive messages as well as testimonies, you found the contact information and jotted it down on a nearby crumpled piece of lined paper. Glancing at the clock, it read 12:38 PM.
You could theoretically still get to Bluecorp before office closing time at around five. Weighing your options, you decided to bite the bullet and get ready.
Putting on professional clothes, you spritzed some of your expensive perfume on your wrists and neck. Luckily, Bluecorp wasn't very far from your apartment, and you could get there quickly.
Wait... should you call them first?
Worry gnawing at your stomach, you pulled out your phone and called the number on your computer screen.
"Hello?" A ditzy voice answered. If this was the secretary they had, you'd have no problem getting the job.
"Is this Bluecorp?"
"No, its Corpblue."
After a pause of confusion, a shrill laugh sounded at the other end.
"I'm just kidding! It's Bluecorp. What do you want?"
Shocked at the rude and unprofessional tone of the woman, you told her that you were going to go in for an interview.
"Perfect! Mr. White is in just now actually, I can tell him. Can you be here in, like, ten minutes?"
You rolled your eyes. Luckily you lived close, ten minutes was way too much to ask, especially in such short notice.
"I'll be there, thank you." You hung up, and gathered your keys and credit card and shoved them into your faux leather purse.
This Mr. White sounded a little bit intimidating, you didn't know you were going to meet with the CEO for just a company secretary interview.
Lost in thought, you made your way down the winding streets of concrete and ended up at a huge building consisting of glass and polished metal. Pushing through the revolving doors, you were greeted by a receptionist as well as four different security guards.
"Hello. My name is [Y/N] [L/N]. I'm here for an interview with Mr. White." Your voice was shaky, much to your chagrin... you were only talking to the receptionist!
"Oh." The receptionist didn't look up, but feverishly typed on his computer.
"Can I go up?"
"Oh... uh..." He scratched his head violently, readjusted his glasses, then looked up at you. "Yeah, top floor."
Nodding, you walked to the elevators and pressed the up button. In a matter of seconds, an elevator opened revealing sleek dark wood paneling and high-quality mirrors extending to the ceiling. Pressing the 30th floor, the elevator closed. Looking in the mirror, you were happy with how you looked. Your makeup was perfect and your hair was neat and professional. You were ready to apply for this job.
You chuckled to yourself - you were acting like you were applying to be CEO of the company, not a secretary.
As the doors opened with a sweep, a girl with wavy dark brown hair greeted you.
"Hi. [Y/N] was it?" She flashed her teeth in a fake smile, holding out her hand.
"Hello." You looked around warily for this 'Mr. White'.
"I'm Bluecorp's secretary, Rhonda." You shook her hand. "You're here to apply for Mr. White's secretary, aren't you?" Rhonda's smile was as fake as her eyelashes.
"Am I?" You looked down in confusion. "I thought I was just applying for secretary."
"Oh, no. We have a couple secretaries, I'm one of them. Redd-I mean, Mr. White needs a personal secretary." You swallowed hard. A personal secretary was going to be a lot more work... especially for a big CEO. "Anyways. I'm supposed to bring you to his office.... heh... I almost said lair for a second."
You looked up at her in a brief moment of shock. You felt a pit in your stomach as you followed her down the marble floor of the gray building. "What happened to his last secretary?" You decide to ask after moments of contemplation.
"Oh, she quit." Rhonda waved her hand. "But we've had many interviews, I must tell you. Mr. White's already choosing from a bunch of people. His favorite so far is May April... Or was it April March?" Rhonda thoughtfully looked at the ceiling before jerking her attention back to you. "Oh! Nevermind me, don't let me discourage you! If you work your magic and prove to him you're an excellent secretary, he'll take you." Feeling somewhat dejected that this was a highly coveted position (from what you heard from Rhonda) you weren't so sure if you could make it.
"Here we are!" Rhonda dramatically motioned at the REDD WHITE: CEO gold nameplate bolted on the mahogany door.
"Good luck."
You turned around to thank her, but she was already gone. Peering into the room, it was empty. You didn't want to sit down to seem lazy or arrogant, so you stood. To kill time, you looked at the layout of his office; it was VERY spacious and smelled of an expensive cologne: the type so faint, you can't put your finger on it, but it's still there. The artwork on the walls were eye-pleasing, and his desk was neat. Sighing, you leaned on one leg to ease the pressure off of your lower back.
"Well, well!" A booming voice sounded behind you. "Will you flourish me with the title of your personage?"
You turned around, your mouth opening slightly as you locked eyes with... such a strange man!
His hair was purple, and curved in a quaff. He wore a pink suit embellished with jewels that appeared to be aquamarine stones. His shoulders were impossibly broad. His eyes widened and a huge grin spread across his face.
For some reason, you decided this man was attractive.
He had a magnetism that drew you to him, despite his strange color choices. "Your personage, miss..." his voice trailed off.
"Y/N."
You barely choked out, gulping involuntarily as he was less than a couple feet from you now. He held out his massive hand. You shook it. It was rough and warm.
Oh no.
You couldn't develop a crush on your could-be boss!!!
"Well, I'm Redd White, clearly, but some call me Blanco Nino." He winked and walked past you to his desk.
"That's fine." You smiled.
That's fine? What are you? Someone just learning English? That made no sense!
You sat across from him in the plush leather seat. This guy sure had money to blow, that's for sure.
"So you're here for the secretary interview, yes?" He asked, putting his elbows on the table and leaning forward, looking at you attentively. You felt yourself blush.
"Yes, I am."
Redd grinned, angling his hands so you could see all the gold rings on his fingers. Was he married? Probably not. All the rings were the same style. Was he trying to impress you? Nah. This guy probably does that all the time - showing you some rings on his fingers meant nothing.
"I want to ask you about your education." Redd lowered his voice and smoothed it. He wasn't yelling like he was before, and he didn't seem very arrogant anymore.
"I've graduated [name of college] with a business degree." You shyly smiled.
"Oh, now have you?" Redd leaned back in his chair, looking at you thoughtfully, almost like he didn't even hear your answer. His eyes were half-closed in a look of smugness as well as content as he rested one of his hands on his suit lapel.
"Do you have any experience as a secretary?" Your heart skipped a beat. His smile was so beautiful, and his cleft chin was almost irresistible.
"N-No." You stuttered as you fought to keep the eye contact. Every time he blinked he scrunched his eyebrows together, a quirk you found cute.
Nodding, he stood up and smoothed his suit jacket. "Thank you, Y/N for taking your time to apply. I'll review your resume." Redd walked closer to you, still grinning, outstretching a massive hand.
Right! The resume.
Handing him your portfolio, your hands brushed ever-so slightly, making you blush even more than you already were.
You then caught a glint in Redd's eye... amusement? Oh no! Hopefully he didn't think you were some lovesick puppy... did you make your crush THAT obvious to him?
"Do not be intimidated by my giantesque vocabulary." Redd said suddenly as you were at the door. "Although, I'm sure you'll get used to it."
He lightly touched your shoulder as you shook his hand and turned away for the elevators. The spot where he touched you burned the whole time you traveled home.
You'll get used to it?
Did that mean you got the job? That means he'd at least want to see you again...right? Maybe ...romantically?
Scolding yourself for even thinking that way, you set your focus on your career. Forget about Redd White until you get the job, or you might ruin everything.