4. I'm the boss.

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Armani.

Not my office doors flying open and someone dashing in here like it were a fucking mall. With my eyebrows knitted, I turned to the woman.

She gently closed the door - as though she didn't just make a grand entrance.

My jaw dropped with as much surprise and annoyance towards her actions.

"I know I'm fucked, but I can explain..." she started, searching her purse.

Just when I thought the show was over, an ID dropped from the same purse.

"Ugh, fuck," she mumbled to herself, but loud enough for all of us to hear. Then she picked it up.

Finally, after what felt like hours, she looked up. I worked hard to put my jaw back in its place. Who was she?

Then her face turned beetroot red.

"Who is this again?" Mr. Enate asked, his eyes scanning the woman quizzically. Even I looked at her.

A plaid, blue dress clung to her body, feet forced into black, shinny pointed heels. I could imagine how those felt because they appeared too tight on her.

"I'm sorry, I was here yesterday, someone - Julie called me, she said I'd do the interview today. Sorry I'm late, my lyft broke down," she explained.

Mr. Enate raised an eyebrow and shot me a look. For some unknown reason, I felt embarrassed. This man was one of the board members. He took everything almost seriously, from his weird checked jackets, the weird colored ties, and the everyday black tea - not forgetting his well-arranged desk.

"Fine then, take a seat." I gestured to the seat on the other side of the table.

"I will leave you to it," Mr. Enate said before he left and closed the door behind him.

My eyes turned back to the woman.

"I messed up, I know," her voice came out shaky. Good thing she knew. This wouldn't take much of my time.

"Yes, you messed up, and please don't you ever barge into my office like that, ever again," I warned.

She nodded. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for," she explained.

"Let's move past this and get to the point, so your name again?" I grabbed a blue folder.

"Hazel Asa," she answered.

Oh! She was the one. Hazelnut. Sore throat.

I was about to commen but the vibrating phone interrupted me. This felt like Deja Vu - no it happened yesterday. This face, I remembered it. But just like yesterday, I gave her an apologetic smile and answered the call.

A deep voice spoke from the end of the line. If I didn't know better, I'd have shuddered.

"Armani," he spoke.

"Yes."

"He's here."

I ran a hand over my mouth.

"That's what you told me yesterday, I'm getting tired of these games. If it's him, he will find a way to get to me," I responded, my eyebrows contorting with annoyance.

"Choice is yours, Armani, but I'm telling you right now, he is here."

As tiring as all this was getting, I couldn't miss the only chance I had to get my brother back. I clenched my fists before finally giving in.

"Fine, I'm coming. Make sure he does not leave," I gave the orders.

"Copy that," he responded, calmly.

Frustratedly, I ran a hand through my hair, before looking at the lady in front of me. A small nervous smile stained my lips. If I dared to tell her that I'd have to discontinue the interview - again. I'd be painted as the worst human who ever lived.

"Ms Asa, I'm sorry to inform you that once again our interview has been interrupted."

She fell silent at first. Then she scoffed and stared at me dead in the eyes as though she wanted a dangerous stare down. Her eyelids were puffy.

"Listen, Ms. Armani Dune, I don't mean to be rude but this is not fair. Yesterday you walked out on me and I understood. If you're going to do the same thing today, you might as well just tell me, I can't have this job. I will look somewhere else, besides this is not the only publishing house this city has," she spoke.

On its own, my jaw dropped. Why did she say that? I mean, really who dared to say that? This was way out of line, she wasn't supposed to do that.

"Ms. Asa, listen-"

"No, you listen to me, alright. My entire life I wanted to work here, you are such an inspiration to me and I don't understand why you're so mean. I'm seriously not going anywhere until I get my chance to be interviewed. The universe does not hate me and you shouldn't too."

Wow, slow down.

"Are you okay?" Was all I managed say. Too shocked to say anything sensible. No one had ever spoken to me that way. It was another level of disrespect. "Do you know who you're talking to though?"

"Yes, you're the boss. And seriously I couldn't care less. If you're not going to give me the job, it's just as worthless to respect you when you look at me like I'm a nobody." She lifted her chin and faced me. Fearlessly looking the devil in the eyes, impressive.

Short of words, I stood to my feet and paced the floor silently. She was lucky though because today was my best day, great things would happen today. On any other day, I would have thrown her out.

Did she think, I thought of her as a nobody? I mean I wasn't one very fond of people but still, I wouldn't stoop that low. My friendly personality got me more friends and investors, but she was telling me the opposite.

She was annoying. And rude.

"Well, are you not going to say anything, Ms. Armani?" she asked, forcing me out of my trance.

"Well, won't you apologize?" Wait, why did I say that? Now she would confirm her assumptions about me.

"For what?" She got up, heels clicking as she took a few steps towards me. What the hell was she doing?

My eyes darted to the intercom on my desk, not very far from where I stood. If she dared to do anything funny, I'd call in Ethan and Gary to drag her out.

"For being so disrespectful," I responded.

She scoffed. "Ugh, that means you'd need to apologize as well."

The nerve, my fucking goodness I couldn't breathe.

"Let's get a few things straight here, Ms. Asa." I strode to where she stood. It could have been my six-inch heels because now that I was closer to her, she was a few inches shorter than me.

The closer I got, the clearer I saw the sweat on her bronze forehead. Oh, not so scary after all.

"I'm the boss, you're looking for a job. Let's not get those mixed up."

I turned to grab my phone and leave. The silence confirmed that she wouldn't say anything. So I went on to grab my crispy, white jacket.

"Boss?" she called out, sarcastically, still standing in the same spot. "I'm not leaving here without being interviewed, at least I deserve that much."

"I can't put you in my pocket you know, you really can't fit."

Wait, did I just call her fat? She wasn't even that thick. Jesus, why did I do that? Would she be offended and file a complaint about me body-shaming her? I didn't mean that.

"How about we do it right now, then you leave?"

I shook my head, guilt striking me.

"I'm sorry, you're right. Is it okay if we continue in my car? I need to be somewhere," I explained in a much calmer and quieter tone.

She looked at me and dabbed her cheeks with her palms before nodding.

"Thank you," she uttered as she settled in the backseat next to me.

"It's alright, you deserve this much."





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