by Young, M. L.
“That’s a nice name,” he said, turning around.
I looked up at him as he did, as the glaring intensity of the sun’s rays glowed around him. I squinted a little bit, just enough to focus my eyes and let them adjust, before I saw his face. It was him—the guy from earlier I saw before my interview. He was the CEO of this company? I knew he looked out of place, but I assumed he was just one of those overachieving guys that every office has.
I should’ve known by the crisp suit and confident posture alone. I looked down a little, as his stare was on me once again like it was earlier. I felt a little uncomfortable and awkward, but at the same time, I didn’t care but an ounce.
“Is the sun too much for you? I can take care of that, if you’d like,” he said.
“It’s a little bright, but I’m okay,” I said.
“Nonsense,” he said, picking up a remote.
He clicked a button and the clear, streak-free windows dimmed, and a black film seemed to appear out of nowhere. The sun, while still there, was now a little less bright.
“How’s that? Better?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you,” I replied graciously.
Blake walked over in front of his desk, right in front of me, and sat on the edge, his arms crossed, and looked down at me. I looked up at him, the perspiration along my hairline feeling more and more pronounced. I could swear the heat was on and blasting in the room.
“You have really beautiful eyes, you know that?” he asked.
“Oh, thank you,” I replied, nodding and smiling.
“You know, there are a lot of other people who applied for this internship,” he said, as he walked back around behind his desk.
“Sharon told me there were a few. It’s a great opportunity,” I said.
“What we’re looking for, though, is something that not a lot of people who have applied can do. It’s quite disappointing, actually,” he said, turning a pen on his desk straight.
“I’m not sure Sharon mentioned anything about that. What is it you’re looking for, exactly?” I asked.
“Well, I’m looking for somebody who can take orders. Somebody who will be directly under me and only answer to me and nobody else. I need somebody who will want to explore and not be intimidated by things that aren’t ordinary or mundane,” Blake said.
“Well, I can assure you that I’m willing to do anything it takes to get this internship. I know that probably sounds a little desperate, but I really love coding and I want to make a change with my work,” I said.
“That’s interesting,” Blake said.
“Well, I think most people should want to make a change with the work they do,” I said.
“No, not that, the other thing. The fact that you’re willing to do anything it takes to get this internship,” Blake said.
“Oh, yeah,” I said, laughing a little.
“I like that enthusiasm and necessity to do well. Tell me, Penelope, are you a woman who can take orders?” Blake asked.
“Yes, I’d say so. It doesn’t bother me,” I said.
“So, if I told you to do something, you’d do it? No questions asked?” Blake asked.
“Well,” I said, as my heart started racing faster. “Yeah, you’d be my boss.”
He looked at me once again as I curled my toes inside my shoes and tried to keep my breathing steady. I knew he was just talking about work, why wouldn’t he be, but I had to admit that sitting in front of a man as powerful, and let’s face it, as attractive as him, was a tad bit intimidating. It was no wonder he was the CEO of this company and that it was doing so well. He was like a shark.
“Do you know what’s customary in the corporate world when they find a candidate they feel is special and could potentially make a great addition to the team?” Blake asked.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t,” I said.
“They’re taken out to a meal. It’s a great chance to get to know somebody on a deeper level. You get to see them outside of a stuffy office where they’re a little more relaxed. I think you have what it takes, so with all that said, I would like to invite you out to discuss this further. Usually somebody like Sharon would do this, but I feel it is important to take you personally,” Blake said.
“Yeah, that sounds nice. I could meet you somewhere for lunch or something?” I asked.
“I was thinking of something a little more intimate. Possibly dinner? Tonight?” Blake asked.
Was this really happening? Did the CEO of RandomMeetX, a billionaire, ask me, Penelope Wells, to dinner? No, Penny, get your head in the game. It was just a business dinner to discuss employment at a job I really, really needed. He might be a little seductive, but this was all professional.
“That sounds fine. I don’t have any plans as of yet,” I said.
“Great,” he said, perking up with a smile that had been hidden this entire time. “My secretary will give you more details on your way out. She’ll get your address and my driver will pick you up and escort you to the restaurant. From there we’ll see where things go.”
“Okay, that sounds good,” I said, as I stood up and extended my hand for him to shake.
He reached out, grabbing my hand, and firmly shook it as he looked me square in the eyes. I felt my breathing grow shallow, my lips purse, as my heart rate picked up and wouldn’t stay down.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, as he let go and turned around.
“You’re wearing that?” Nicolette asked, giving me an un-amused look.
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked.
“Where to even begin? The sleeves are baggy, you have a pouch of fabric in the stomach, and your ass looks flatter than the world in 1457. You’re going out to dinner with Blake Hunter, Penny. Don’t you even know what this means? Women die for the position you’re in right now,” Nicolette said.
“Nic, it’s only a business dinner. He even said so. It happens all the time. Didn’t they take you out for a meal before hiring you?” I asked.
“Well,” Nicolette said.
“Did they?” I asked sternly.
“Well yeah, but it wasn’t with the damned CEO of the company! It was with Sharon, and let me tell you, watching a middle-aged woman stuff garlic bread down her throat isn’t a pretty sight,” Nicolette said.
“Still, Nicolette, he said that he likes to get involved every now and then to make sure they’re picking the right candidates for the job. It’s just dinner, and just to discuss my possible internship and hopefully one day employment there. Nothing else,” I said.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You know how he is,” Nicolette said, chuckling.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“Blake Hunter is a controlling, misogynistic asshole who acts like an out of control dictator. There’s been talk around the office over I guess the past year that every now and then he picks a new woman, usually an intern, and provides her with an erotic night of lust-filled pleasure before kicking her to the curb. We never see her around there again, and they never hear from him ever again. One time someone said they overheard him saying it was because they wouldn’t listen to him. Even with all that though, damn is he sexy,” she said, her hand on the edge of a kitchen chair.
“Yeah, he is pretty attractive, even though I don’t believe everything you just said,” I said, laughing a little.
“Then change! I have plenty of things and we’re the same size,” Nicolette said.
“That stuff isn’t me, though. And besides, even if a late dinner is kind of out of the ordinary for a business discussion, it’s still just that—business,” I said.
“You still need to make a good impression. Here, try this on. I just got it last week. I haven’t even gotten a chance to wear it out yet,” Nicolette said, before running into her room and coming back with a black dress.
“Ugh,” I said, as I held onto it.
“Go change. Hurry before the driver or whoever gets here,” she said.
I went into the bat
hroom and slipped out of my black pants and white shirt before slipping into the very tight, form-fitting dress she’d given me. I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror from all angles as the fabric careened up my ass a little and suctioned itself to my chest. I looked like a hooker, but at least I looked like the expensive kind.
“Here,” I said, as I walked out in it.
“You look so fucking hot, Penny. Seriously, if he doesn’t fuck you, I will,” she said.
“Oh, shut up. I’m not fucking him,” I said.
“But you would if you could,” she said.
I could feel my cheeks turning red before I turned around and walked back into the bathroom. I never wore much makeup, but I lined my eyes and brushed on some mascara before trying out some red-tinted lip balm that I got from the pharmacy the other day when I picked up my anxiety medication. I puckered my lips and walked out with Nicolette standing there, holding a small purse.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I went through your purse and put your essentials in here. There’s your keys, some money, your phone, a snack, and some condoms, just in case,” she said.
“You’re insufferable,” I said, as I snatched the purse from her hands.
“You’ll be thanking me later,” she said.
My phone rang and I looked at it, seeing a number I didn’t recognize. I usually didn’t answer these kinds of calls, but today I did, seeing as I was expecting Blake to send a driver for me.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hello, Ms. Wells. My name is Gustav and I am downstairs waiting for you. I am your driver for tonight.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll be right down!” I said.
“All ready?” Nicolette asked.
“Do you think I should bring my resume? Shit, I totally forgot. I think I have one around here somewhere,” I said, before walking over and fumbling around with some papers.
“Relax, Penny. I don’t think he’ll be wanting to see any papers tonight,” Nicolette said with her own charming laugh.
“But what if—”
“Penny. Go,” Nicolette said, grabbing onto my shoulders and turning me around.
“I’ll be home in a couple hours. I’ll try to be quiet,” I said.
“I won’t wait up,” she said, as I opened the door.
“Well, I’ll text you if things get rough. Then will you call so I can have an excuse to leave?” I asked.
“If it will make you feel better, yes, I’ll call you if you text me. I don’t think that will happen in the slightest, but I’ll do that for you,” she said, a smile on her face.
“Well, I better go, the driver is waiting for me,” I said.
“Goodbye, Penny,” Nicolette said, closing the door in my face.
“What a bitch,” I whispered under my breath.
I went outside and saw Gustav, who was smiling, and he opened the door for me and helped me inside. I kept my legs closed, as the dress Nicolette bought was short enough to give everyone a free show. God, I hoped nobody on the street had a camera phone when I showed up. Shit, every phone had a camera these days.
The town car Blake sent for me traveled with ease through the busy nighttime San Francisco streets, as Gustav was a master in the art of driving. He didn’t say a word to me, leaving me to fester in a stew of anxious thoughts as I ran over my plea for the internship over and over again in my head. I’d talk about my charity work, my coding skills, and most importantly, my love of helping lonely singles and coeds hook up. I knew plenty of people on campus who used the app and had found meaningful relationships, and a few STDs.
We soon arrived at the restaurant and Gustav pulled up to the door, where there was a red carpet covered by a red awning with some white cursive font on it. He put the car in park and got out, running around to the sidewalk and opening my door for me. He grabbed my hand gently and helped me out as I made sure to keep my legs as close together as they could go.
“I will be waiting for your departure later this evening. I hope you have a marvelous night, Ms. Wells,” Gustav said, smiling.
“Thank you,” I replied, smiling back.
I walked up to the door where a man in a white dress shirt and black vest was waiting to hold it open for me. I walked inside, brushing my hair to the side, before I came up to two women who were standing in front of the hostess stand and smiling from ear to ear.
There was light music playing in the background of the dimly lit restaurant, but no clanking of dishes or chatter amongst the other patrons. With my eyes adjusting I looked around, seeing nobody in sight eating or otherwise loitering around. This place was an up-and-coming hotspot in the Tenderloin District. How could there be nobody else here?
“If you’d follow me, I will be happy to escort you to your table,” one of the women said with a smile.
“Thank you,” I replied.
She began to walk and I followed as we made our way through the labyrinth of tables and chairs. I could hear a violin playing as we walked back to a secluded area of the restaurant filled with enclosed booths that even had curtains to mask the party inside if the patrons should so please.
“Hello, Penelope. I’ve been expecting you,” Blake said.
CHAPTER FOUR
Penelope
Blake, in a fitted black suit that had an almost graphite-like appearance, stood up and greeted me with a smile and a handshake. It was quite a formal introduction, which was good, I thought.
“Sorry I’m a little late. The traffic was horrible,” I said, before the hostess walked away.
“It’s quite all right. I was just enjoying the music. It’s nice and quiet in here so you can really here the notes being played,” Blake said, as we both sat down.
The menus were already in front of us on the table, their black leather wraps accented with gold letters. This looked like the kind of place that didn’t put prices on the menu, and it had a really crisp, small font that you needed a magnifying glass to read. I had never been to a place like this before, but I had seen plenty of them on TV.
“It’s strange that nobody else is in here. I heard on the radio like two weeks ago that this place is always packed and even their food critic was told he’d have to wait a month before getting in,” I said, opening the menu.
“Yes, well, when you have the connections I have it’s quite easy to get whatever you want and need,” he said.
“You’re the reason it’s empty?” I asked.
“I only wanted the best for your interview. Besides, how would we really get to know one another with a bunch of people running around and interrupting us?” Blake asked.
I smiled at him before looking back down at my menu and trying to make sense of the names and ingredients. Truffle oil, foie gras, pâté, and headcheese? Where were the fries, burgers, and pasta dishes? It was like I was in a completely different world. Hell, as I looked around, I was in a completely different world.
Our waitress, Karina, came by and introduced herself before offering us a wine list.
“I’m not a big drinker,” I said.
“Nonsense. Do you happen to have anything from 1947?” Blake asked.
“Yes, we do, sir. A beautiful red from the south of France, if you’re interested,” Karina said.
“Sounds excellent. We’ll take the bottle,” Blake said.
“Just to let you know, sir, that bottle costs—”
“I said we’d take the bottle,” Blake said sternly.
“Yes, sir,” Karina said, bowing her head a little and briskly walking off.
“I want you to at least have a taste, Penelope. It’s too marvelous of a year to not at least have a taste,” Blake said.
“Well, I suppose I could do that,” I said.
“Feeling the sweet, sugary nectar of decades past roll across your tongue and down your throat is an absolute marvel of the senses that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. To do without would be, well, a sheer tragedy of the truest kind,” Blake said.
&nbs
p; “You sure do have a way with words,” I said.
“Just wait until later,” Blake said, before sipping from his glass of ice water.
The evening wore on and I became more and more comfortable with Blake as the minutes passed. I thought he tried to play himself off as some kind of hardass who didn’t settle for anything less than what he wanted, but I could see something else deep down.
We hadn’t talked about work much, or the internship, and even though I really wanted it, I couldn’t say that I was all too disappointed. I had finally gotten out of the apartment, and not just with anyone, but an attractive, intelligent, and wildly sexy billionaire. I still wasn’t sure if I were dreaming or actually living through this, but either way I liked it.
“So, I suppose for me to be able to write off this dinner I should ask you about the internship. Tell me, what is your hope for this position?” Blake asked.
“Well, I would say my biggest hope is to build a foundation for after graduation. I’m a coder, as my resume said, and I want to not only better myself, but also the company I work for. I guess my end goal is like any other college graduate’s, and that’s to find a company I can stay with for a long time after graduation,” I said.
“It’s weird to me that you’re a coder,” Blake said, with an inquisitive tone.
“Because I’m a girl? I get that a lot,” I said, smiling.
“No. Because you’re beautiful,” he said.
My stomach sank as I continued to push my food around on my plate with the gold fork I was given. Did I remember to clean my ears this morning when I got out of the shower? I must not have, because I thought I just heard Blake say I was beautiful.
“Thank you,” I said, as I looked up at him. “That’s a very nice thing to say.”
“I don’t just say things, Penelope. I mean them.”
I smiled, though I tried to hold it back, as I bit my bottom lip a little and felt my cheeks getting warm. I tried to mask it by putting some food in my mouth, but I was sure he’d seen it and knew what kind of effect he was having on me. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that glass of wine. This was why I wasn’t a drinker.