Page 9 of The Good Girl

Chapter 5

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That first week after his visit the place was in an uproar. No one had heard anything about his decision and tempers were flaring. There were way too many women who thought they qualified for the position, but we all knew there was more on their minds.

The last admin for Mr. Harp had been an elderly woman. There was no one in this pool older than thirty to his thirty-three. It was a not too well hidden fact that anyone who got that close to him was sure to catch his eye and from the talk on the floor they were more interested in the perks gained from time in his bed than an actual job.

The tension was almost palpable by the end of the week and nerves were frayed. I seemed to be the only one not interested, not throwing my hat into the ring. I knew I wasn’t even in the running. At least it kept me from worrying myself to death the way some of the others were doing.

I kept my head down and did my work, willing myself not to envy whoever the lucky recipient turned out to be. Though I did spend a lot of time studying my coworkers, looking for that special something that would draw him to them.

“So, aren’t you at all interested in this job? Even if he doesn’t turn that wandering eye of his your way, I hear the pay is nothing to sneeze at.”

I could see why Amy would come to the conclusion that he wouldn’t have an interest in me sexually. After all I wasn’t his usual fare. I was brunette to his preferred blonde and I topped off at five-two in stockinged feet.

It didn’t matter that I didn’t fit his preferred taste, I’m more of the dream from a distance type anyway. Sometimes the dream was better than reality. I didn’t kid myself that he wouldn’t live up to all expectations, but I knew I didn’t stand a chance so why bother.

“Why would I get that job? There are about five women ahead of me and don’t forget we’re not the only pool here. He could be looking anywhere for his new assistant. And besides, I’m very happy where I am.” I almost convinced myself of that lie.

She shrugged off my excuses, and stood to leave from her perch on my desk. “Well I for one would love to be upstairs. The perks alone are worth it, and getting a look at the great man everyday can’t hurt.” She wiggled her brows and grinned.

I brushed her off and turned back to my work, feigning disinterest. Why doesn’t he choose someone already and put me out of my misery? At least if I knew who she was then I could move on. As it is, I stress day in and day out over which of the beauties surrounding me would gain his attention next.

There were any number of them that would fit the bill. I wondered if they’d all applied for a job at this particular firm because they knew of the boss’ preferences.

“Ms. Carmichael, you’re needed on the fifth floor.” The intercom on my desk buzzed just before lunch the following Monday. Everything stopped in the room as all eyes turned to look at me. The fifth floor was human resources. Why would they be calling me? Was there something wrong with my resume, my work performance? Couldn’t be. I’d been here long enough that if there were anything amiss they would’ve caught it long before this. As for my performance, my direct boss was always singing my praises.

I left my desk without acknowledging any of the looks from the others, and made it to the bank of lifts on trembling knees. All the way up, I questioned what could be awaiting me at the other end of this ride. The fear in the pit of my stomach made me want to throw up but there was no time to take a side trip to the nearest washroom.

I walked into the office and greeted the lady behind the desk. Her smile didn’t tell me anything of what was going on. “Have a seat Ms. Carmichael.”

I sat in front of her desk as she opened one of the drawers and retrieved a packet. This is it, my walking papers. I couldn’t even dredge up the energy to ask why? All I could think about was the many bills I still had yet to pay and the new apartment I was sure to lose for non-payment.

“Open it, it won’t bite.” She went back to the open file on her desk as I opened the envelope with shaky fingers. At first I couldn’t make sense of what I was looking at.

My head swam and my vision dimmed as the words came together. “Is this real? I asked the woman behind the desk. The nameplate said her name was Julia Simmons. She folded her arms on the desk and leaned forward with a wide genuine smile.

“Congratulations. Once you’re done here you’re to head upstairs to meet with Mr. Harp, he’ll fill you in on all you need to know.” Her lips kept moving but I would be hard pressed to repeat any of what was being said. I was going to embarrass myself and faint dead at her feet was all I kept thinking.

I filled out the paperwork the best I could, only having to go over what I’d written a time, or two. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be feeling right now. Had I been expecting this, hoping for it? I knew through conversations with the others that I was the most qualified.

My education set me above the others by a mile, but I never let myself believe that that would be a deciding factor. From all indication, Mr. Harp was a man who put more stock in loyalty than such things, so it came as a surprise that he would choose me over so many others that had been here longer.

But had I been secretly hoping even as I told myself I didn’t care? I had no answer, other than now that it was a reality I had rocks in my stomach. What was it that Amy had said about being that close to the great man?

I pushed the filled out papers across the desk for her perusal before getting to my feet. “Come, I’ll take you to the lift.” I followed her to the other side of the wall from where I’d disembarked. There was only one lift there.

I watched as she put in some kind of code and the doors slid open. “Good luck Ms. Carmichael.” I thanked her for her well wishes and waited for the doors to close.

I didn’t have to push the buttons; there were none to push. The doors closed and a smooth ascent begun.

I got off on the top floor into a vestibule fit to grace a mansion. Beyond was an outer office with a handsome desk that took up a lot of space. There was a four foot vase in the corner nearest the window that spelt money, but other than that the room was basically bare.

The door to the inner office opened and he was just there. He looked just as I remembered. Imposing, handsome, contemplative.

“Come in Ms. Carmichael.” I stepped into the room like a frightened mouse. You’d better get it together unless you want to lose this job before you start.

Putting aside the sexual overtones everyone had attached to the position, this job was more than I’d hoped to achieve in the short time that I’d been here. It would look great on my resume, a solid cap in my feather.