RICHARD
Out of the ten applicants Victoria had interviewed from 9am till 2pm that Thursday morning, she had decided on just three. One looked efficient but wouldn't stop batting her eyelids. Victoria asked her why she kept doing that and she had said that she had blepharospasm. It wasn't anything serious that would prevent her working efficiently but Victoria wasn't taking any chances, as it already made her uncomfortable. Sorry. You have to go, Victoria said, and then rather told her that she'll hear from them soon. Sorry. Again! Shoving them aside, stacking the three CVs on top of the rest, she exhaled in deep exasperation. She had to get someone real fast before Richard's daughter gets back. Knowing she had to tell him the extent of the interviews, she gathered up the three files without looking at them and went into his office. Richard was expecting her to brief him about the success or failure of the interviews, but judging from her expression, it seemed like a failure. "What is it, Victoria? Found someone, yes?" He asked, peering closely at her face, from where he was seated. He'd worked with Victoria for six years that he could already read her face, and what he read wasn't hopeful. She slowly shook her head and fidgeted with the CVs she was carrying. "Well, I thought these three would do the job but after close examination and further interviews..." She trailed off and just shrugged. Richard leaned back into his really comfortable leather recliner and signed. This won't be easy. For heaven's sake, this is Bellamy. There are always people who are in need of jobs or... Was his criteria so high? Sighing again, he balanced his elbows on the shiny desk and motioned to her hands. "Let me see those." Glancing down at her hands, she started to hand them over to discover that they were actually four, and not three. Richard noticed the frown that suddenly appeared on her face. "What's the matter?" Looking up at him, she shook her head and started to withhold the last file while handing him the others. "I made a mistake. This..." "Let me see that." He urged her and Victoria shook her head. "I didn't even send her an email. She's way too young to even make a real good cook..." "Victoria_" his voice turning stern, "let me have that." Forcing a smile, she nodded. "Yes sir!" Richard opened the file to see that it was just a one page CV. The passport caught his attention as he fixed his gaze on it. A redhead. Letting his eyes go further, he saw she was really young, a year older than his youngest daughter. Perhaps, Victoria was right, she's inexperienced. But, "Twenty three? That's really young." He said, still letting his eyes wander over the page and then let it halt on the passport. "So, you see what I'm saying..." Finally, he dropped it on the other CVs without bothering to go through them. "Perhaps, we should give her the benefit of our doubts." That really knocked Victoria for six, because her jaw dropped. Literally. "What? Perhaps, you should reconsider this. She is just twenty three and didn't even go to college." Victoria was sure she was almost shouting at her boss. Richard saw that. He was actually taken aback by that. She doesn't even have any work experience, but he wasn't going to delay any further. Nodding slowly, he leaned back into his recliner, again. "Yes, I saw that. She didn't attend college. She's even from Salta?" He asked, but Victoria knew that was rhetorical. "I didn't miss that, Victoria. I have a good feeling about this." "Well, I don't." She mumbled, totally not agreeing to that. Richard just smiled. "Just do what I asked. If she's not good at her job, you have the permission to fire her." Thinking it through, she nodded and gathered up the files, making an exit. Just immediately, Richard's phone started ringing. He wasn't surprised to see that it was Simone. Deciding to answer it after the second ring. "Hello handsome," she purred into the phone. "Simone," that was all he could mutter. He could hear voices from her end. Seemed like she had company. "So, I was thinking about that dinner..." She trailed off. What dinner? "What dinner?" He asked, obviously confused. There was a minute silence, then a chuckle. "You said you'll take me to dinner, Richard." Ahh! The dinner. He'd totally forgotten about that. Fuck it! Simone knew it, from his silence. Picking up the beat, she asked him. "Did you forget? Richard_" "No... No... I didn't. We should do it today. I already booked the place." Now, that was not what he wanted to say. Why had he even said that? There was a little giggle and then a deep breath. She was really excited by that information. "Really? Where?" That, he had to think about. He could even hear the excitement in her voice. "Well..." Thinking quickly, "it's a surprise." There was a second silence. "Okay. I'm looking forward to it. Baby,'' she said, drawing out the last word. When he finally lifted his phone from his ear, he telephone Victoria and she came running in. "I'm supposed to have dinner tonight with Simone, but..." He exhaled and let the rest sink in. "I need you to book us a place." Victoria's eyes narrowed. "Why would I do that? I never do that!" Richard nodded. "I know, but I'm so busy to do that." Thinking it through for a second, Victoria finally sighed. "What kind of restaurant?" Richard simply shrugged and she nodded. "I'll reserve a table if that's fine." Knowing Simone and how she loves everything to be classy and extravagant, Victoria wondered if reserving a table would be less than her worth. "You do that." Richard conceded, obviously not going to worry himself with that.***** Apparently, Victoria had taken the reservation too far. The hatred was evident from the look of things. She couldn't have possibly reserved a table at that place. Right? Simone had the same look on her face as he did. It wasn't shabby, or cheap or anything like that, but it was totally not where he would go himself or even take Simone to dinner. It wasn't exactly their type of place. He had even driven the car himself, with Simone beside him, just to give them privacy. What have you done, Victoria? "Richard, really? You brought me to dinner to this place?" She queried, almost looking furious. Richard opened his mouth, shut it and looked right at the building, through the glass. Maybe, he was becoming too friendly and familiar with Victoria that she had to pull such a stunt. Racking his head, knowing he had to give her an answer either way. "I... I... Just thought we could come to this place for a change. I've been here before." Lies. All lies. That was what worried Richard. He was becoming someone else with Simone. He'd never had to tell a lie or try to make excuses, but now, he just didn't understand what was going on, but he knew it was bad for him. Really bad. Getting out, he walked briskly to her side to open the door, and then helped her out. Simone was a beautiful woman, with a really great fashion sense. He sometimes doubted if she hadn't actually gone under the knife. There were claims about it, but she always denied all of it. Looking at her now, he saw she looked all dressed up and shiny, but was not really intrigued with the restaurant. Me too, baby. Me too. As they went in, with Simone's arm across his elbow, Richard was impressed to see that the restaurant wasn't bad after all. It was beautiful and cozy, not extravagant or anything out of the ordinary. It was just simple. They settled in and their orders were taken, Simone's face still bouncing all over the place. Turning back to face him, "did you really choose this place, or your secretary did?" She asked, immediately the waitress was out of earshot. He knew it. He knew that she hadn't believed anything he'd said. She was that smart. Sighing deeply, "well, I thought we could come here for a change. It's simple and classy anyway." He repeated tightly. Simone rolled her eyeballs, not buying it. "Simple and classy? Look at the decor." She gestured to the general interior. She wasn't wrong about that, but it wasn't terrible either. Richard was about to answer, when the waitress appeared again, carrying their orders. They'd both ordered spaghetti and turkey meatballs with a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild red blends. Twirling the spaghetti with his fork, he closed his mouth around it and was pleased to know that the food was excellent. At least, that's something. He further went on to try the meatballs, it melted in his mouth that he couldn't help moaning in utter satisfaction. Letting himself absorb all of the exquisite taste, he smiled at Simone, encouraging her to have a bite. "Come on, Simone. It's really great." He didn't have to lie about that. She hesitated, then picked up her fork. Richard watched as she did so, her eyes not leaving his face as she chewed on the spaghetti. Richard almost read the delight in her eyes, but it immediately disappeared. "It's good. Nothing special, Richard." The simple words left Richard thrown. Picking up his fork again, he decided to enjoy it, even if it meant alone. He could only flash Simone a quick smile, when she picked up her fork and they ate in comfortable silence. Once their plates were cleared, Richard poured wine into their glasses, knowing that things were going to get serious. Without missing a beat, Simone dropped her elbows on the table. "So, I wanted us to talk," she started. Richard graced her with a lingering look, reminding himself that Simone had been with him for two years, so there was no point in wasting their time. Taylor and Aria, obviously liked her, except that Simone doesn't know he hated bacon egg muffins. "You still don't think I'm good enough for you to pop the question?" Richard took a sip of his wine and mulled over her question. "It's not that Simone..." "Then what is it? We're no more kids. I turned thirty-five in January." Though her voice was low, there was enough frost in it. He shook his head. "It's not you, Simone, trust me. We're good together and I know that." He took another quick sip, his throat suddenly getting dry. She gave a chuckle. "Are we going to play it's-not-you-it's-me game right now?" "I like you enough_" a true statement, but Simone caught the drift. "But...? You don't even love me or think of me that way, right?" She said drily, enough disappointment in her voice. "I'm sorry. I just..." Reaching across the table, she placed her hands over his. "It's fine. We're not teenagers anymore. We can still work things out." She said with a smile, although Richard knew that she was just trying to act cool with things. He returned the smile, although it was evidently patronizing. "We like each other and the sex is great though." Now, the glow was back in her eyes. Richard had to agree. The sex was always great.AVA "Ava! Ava! Wake up!" Nicole shook her still sleeping friend, trying to wake her up. Ava just groaned and turned on her side, shrugging off Nicole's shoving hands. "Leave me alone," she mumbled in her sleep. Her voice coming out groggy. "You'll be late for the interview." That was all Ava needed to hear. Snapping her eyes open, she swerved her head to stare at Nicole. "The interview?" She asked. She had got an email to come for the job interview and she had spent the rest of the day, picking out an outfit. She had told Nicole that the interview was the first step to her answered prayers. She was so excited that even after Nicole had left for work, she had stayed awake till 2am in the morning. Nicole was probably shocked to find her still asleep when she returned. Ava was told to show up by 9am and it was already thirty minutes after 8. Scrambling out of the bed, "why didn't you wake me up?" The sheets tangled around her legs and sent her dropping to the floor, in a heap.
RICHARD "I still think she's a bad decision. I can get someone better. She's like a child." Victoria informed Richard, immediately they returned to his office. Richard was with Mr. Xavier when she got back, she had to hold her horses and wait till the papers were signed and eventually left. She had her reservations about Xavier Co. She thought it was a bad investment but Richard was the kind of man who never gets out of what he had made up his mind about. Still, Victoria always gave him a piece of her mind. Richard, still sitting at the head of the table in the boardroom, with the papers and empty water bottles scattered across the table, met Victoria's intruding gaze. "It's good that she's like a child. At least, I won't feel like I'm in danger around her," he said, as he loosened his tie and rounded his desk to sit on the recliner. "She hates bacon egg muffins too. That's a good thing right?" Her voice sounded wary, which had Richard glancing up a
AVA Gray eyes. Bright gray eyes. That was the first thing Ava noted, the minute she turned and stared back at the man who stood at the doorway. She hadn't heard him come in, so she had gasped when she found him standing there gazing at her. How long had he been standing there for? Blinking hard against the masculine figure before her, she felt her heartbeat speed up and drum sporadically. He wasn't anything like the gigantic portrait of himself that stood at the corner of the sitting room. Gray hair. Gray beards. Fine lines. He wasn't anything like the kind of men Ava was used to seeing. For a man his age, he sure looked really breathtaking. Heck! She hadn't seen a man like that. His streaking gray hair made him all the more formidable. Raising a hand to her throat, she swallowed and prayed he didn't hear and see how nervous she was. Looking down sharply at herself, she was grateful for the apron that covered her ugly outfit. It was d
RICHARD Richard knew he'd got to ask the question that had been on his mind since he saw her in his kitchen. He needed to know to sate his curiosity. He'd never been particularly interested about a woman's hair, but hers? It just stirred something in him. He'd never seen a red hair so curly and frizzy like her's. It reminded him of an artwork he'd seen at an exhibition a long time ago- Taylor had literally dragged him to one. It wasn't anything about a hair or a woman but it made him think of sunsets and rainbows. That was just what Ava's name made him think of. Sunsets and rainbows. And her name? He'd never met an Ava before. He even liked how it rolled off his tongue. Christ! what's wrong with me? It had just been few hours and he was already so weird and had never felt that way around anyone before. Her eyes pierced into his as she lulled over his absurd question. Richard was sure he would never ask anyone that, so what's going on? She casually
AVA It was few minutes past 6pm when Ava got home. Nicole was doing her makeup, getting ready to leave for the club. Thank goodness, she's out of that shitty job, Ava prayed silently. She toed off her shoes at the door and slumped on the bed, visibly tired. She still couldn't get over the fact that she had sat and ate and talked with her employer. No one had ever paid her that kind of attention. It was a thrilling experience, but she knew that it just couldn't be. Maybe that was how he was. Just being nice and friendly. "I can see you got the job, since you didn't get back earlier than I expected." Nicole said, leaning closer to the mirror to get a good look at the eyebrows she was trying so hard to draw. The way she drew them always made Ava think of the cockroach antennae. Funny! Sighing heavily, "I did. Like I told you I would. Isn't it great?" She asked, not expecting a response. Nicole stopped and turned to look at Ava, her brows raised. "Really? Is that ostentation I he
RICHARD Richard had been on that treadmill for approximately fifteen minutes. He'd woken up earlier than he usually did, probably because he was kinda excited about Taylor's return. He'd started by walking for five minutes, then run between intervals for three minutes. He'd been at it since he woke up. Victoria stood beside him, with a bland expression registered on her face. He knew that expression. It reeked of disinterest and somewhere in the line of something else. He couldn't find the word. Clutching the grips tightly, he set his sights on his secretary's face. "Say what's on your mind, Victoria?" Victoria pinned him with a look, then sighed as she glanced down at her wristwatch. "It's 7:7am and she's not here yet." Richard knew that was the only reason Victoria was in a sour mood. He was beginning to think there was more to her aversion to Ava. She overdid it most times, but he liked her work spirit so, he had to turn a blind eye most times. Like right now, she wore a
AVA So stupid! Who doesn't like a nice man? Except me, obviously! She chided herself and sat down heavily on the chair he'd vacated earlier. It was bad enough that a cook can't make a cup of coffee. But, he'd taught her how to. He'd even thought it funny that she couldn't make coffee. He wasn't mad or upset about it. Maybe, it was normal for girls his age not to make coffee. That sounded even very stupid to her own ears. But she... She was really embarrassed, but did her best to hide it. Ava could even feel her neck heating up. It was already evident that she was inexperienced in a lot of things, but she was determined to stick to this one till the last day. Making her way to the laundry room, she took the cleaning tools to start the day. Mr. Richard's daughter would be home in a few hours, inasmuch as she was curious to know what she looked like aside from the pictures around the house. Ava already knew that she would look prettier than the pictures, rich kids tend to look l
RICHARD And that was how the little redhead went running from him. Richard hadn't meant to touch her and feel that shot of electricity down his bones, but it was apparently there and that meant she felt whatever it was. He knew without being told that she was young enough to be his daughter. He must be fucked up to be feeling that way for a girl that just resumed work two day in. Heck! There was no way to tell how he was particularly feeling. But when he had locked eyes with Ava over Taylor's hair, it was clear as day that there was something. There was going to be something. Something that shouldn't be. It had to be avoided, whatever that was. Taking the two luggage with him into the house, he went straight up to Taylor's room to find her taking out clothes and dumping them on the bed as Henry retreated to retrieve the last suitcase. "The new girl... She's pretty. Her hair is even natural." She said when she sensed him enter. Richard just nodded to himself without a comment