Resisting The Bad Boy

Chapter Five

Lilian’s POV

The information that Dakota provided was sketchy at best, no information on the team or person that I would be working with, just that it was PR work for a company called Evolution Industries. A quick internet search was enough to tell me that they deal with some of the biggest names in sports in San Francisco. I hate to admit it, but this would look amazing on my CV to boost my chances of getting in the door that would lead me to my chosen field of journalism.

I was a bit shocked when not only did I get a response from the PR firm that Dakota sent me the details for, but it was followed up by an informal telephone conversation with Sandrina Marvelo, one of the company executors. She was interested in my background, where I went to college, and was fully engaged in the conversation whilst talking to me. I took that all as a good sign and had to stop myself from squealing loudly when she was quick to request that we do a video interview the next day.

So here I am, tapping my fingers on the desk on a Sunday morning at ten am, as I stare at my laptop waiting for the video call that could change my life. The appearance of the phone icon on my screen still startles me, and I take a few deep breaths before I click to accept the call. My screen fills with the face of a man in his late fifties, his salt and pepper hair brushed to the side like he’s been running his hands through it. Beside him is a woman in her forties who just screams that she’s in charge, her long auburn hair is styled to perfection and the part of the business suit I can see is enough to tell me that it didn’t come off the sales rack like my own outfit did.

‘Lilian!’ the woman greets me with a smile, ‘thank you for agreeing to speak with us, normally we like to do in person meetings but with the distance we accept it just wasn’t something we could ask of you.’

I straighten up, putting on my best, I’m a really confident person, face, ‘It is my pleasure Ms Marvelo, thank you for the opportunity to interview with you both, I’m excited to about the possibility of working for such a high profile company such as Evolution Industries.’

The woman waves her hand dismissively, ‘please, call me Sandrina’ she replies, ‘and this is Derek by the way, he deals with one of our major sports teams, this is why he’s sitting in on the interview.’

I nod, trying to keep my composure, ‘it is a pleasure to meet you Derek’ I say to the older man who gives a curt nod of acknowledgement. I try not to get ahead of myself, but if this guy deals with a specific team does that mean I could be working under him? Is this a good sign for me that he also wanted to talk to me?

We go through the basic interview questions, me giving my pre-rehearsed answers, trying to make them sound natural as the two people staring at me through a screen nod along with what I’m saying. I start to relax after a while, there have been no trick questions, no attempts to trip me up of make me flounder, this is good, yes?

‘OK Lilian’ Sandrina says after I tell her why I want to work in PR, thank you internet search for solid reasons, I owe you. ‘All your responses have been great, just what we wanted to hear in fact’

I smile brightly as Derek nods his agreement, glancing at his colleague as she leans closer to the screen, smiling at me, ‘but it’s all bullsh*t isn’t it’ she adds.

I choke on my own spit at her words, ‘sorry?’ I squeak out.

Sandrina laughs, ‘Lilian, your resume practically writes your aspirations for you, you want to work in journalism not as a PR girl. So, let’s cut through all the crap, tell me why you really want to work for us.’

My mouth open and closes as they watch me expectantly, ‘I uh . .I . . .’ I stammer uncertainly.

Sandrina chuckles, ‘it’s OK Lilian’ she soothes, ‘you’ve got the job, you had it as soon as I spoke to you on the telephone, this interview was merely a formality to make absolutely sure that you would fit into our team. I can say with certainty, that you are exactly what we are looking for, we just want to know what your end goal is.’

‘Uh . . oh . . um OK’ I mumble, unsure how to respond, ‘well . . ‘ I trail off again uncertainly, my eyes flickering between the two people on the screen.

They said the job was mine right? So what could it hurt to be honest? Taking a deep breath I straighten my back. ‘I want to work in journalism, that is true, but not for some tabloid paper who is all about greasing the publics opinion of whoever is putting money in their back pocket. I want to speak for people who can’t speak for themselves, bring light to the stories about women and men who have escaped domestic abuse. People who have been the victims of a s****l crime and come out the other side, mothers and fathers who have lost a child from a violent ex. I want to get people to see what is happening in our world and also give hope to those suffering these things that there light for them to follow, that they are not alone. I want to also bring recognition to the small non profits that are dedicated to helping these survivors and maybe convince people to open their wallets to try and help.’

I gulp in a breath as I press my lips together again, I’ve told hardly anyone about what I want to do, most people I just say that I want to work in journalism and they are happy with the answer.

Sandrina glances at Derek who is leaning back in his chair, a small smile on his lips.

‘Now that was an honest answer’ the man says and I’d almost say that he looks impressed. Sandrina nods, her smile widening before looking back at me, leaning closer to the screen as she presses her fingers together.

‘So we can safely say that you are not looking for a long term position’ she muses and I bite down on my tongue not to give the official interview answer of how I want to be buried in their parking lot having died at my desk due to being so darn loyal to my employers.

‘No’ I admit instead, ‘I’m looking to work somewhere that will allow me to build up my resume enough that I can interview for a job in my field and actually get the chance to walk in the door for an interview.’

The auburn haired woman claps her hands together, beaming, ‘well I have to say, that is a commendable vocation’ she gushes.

‘It is?’ I ask, beyond confused now, what the fudge? What kind of employer doesn’t care that you don’t want to stay too long with their company?

Finally Derek leans forward, his steel grey eyes boring into me, ‘as you are aware Ms Sanchez’ he rumbles ‘we provide the PR for some of the hottest sports men and women in San Francisco. We hype up the Rookies and downplay the veterans’ misdemeanors when they get a bit rowdy after a game.’

‘OK’ I mumble, waiting for where this is going.

Derek eyes me shrewdly, ‘we have been approached by many teams in our time’ he confides, ‘they each have an issue that needs dealing with and that is our speciality. We look for a particular type of person to work within our organisation, and Sandrina thinks, and after speaking to you, I agree, that you might just be that person. We are used to people having other aspirations, very few covet the idea of pampering stars and putting out fires long term, we like to know what we are up against if we are going to sway you down the line to stay on with us.’

‘What is the job?’ I ask curiously, what could the job possibly be that they are determined I’m their girl? anyone could run coffee orders and photocopy paperwork surely?

Derek inclines his head slightly, ‘you would be working directly under me, Miss Sanchez’ he growls out. ‘I need a right hand man, or woman as it turns out. I want someone who will be dedicated to giving the best possible service to our clients. Someone who is eager to learn and has a way with words, someone I can trust with confidential information and know that she won’t be blabbing to the tabloids.’

‘But’ I start immediately but the older man holds up a hand to stop me.

‘I understand that this is the first time that we have spoken Miss Sanchez’ he sighs, ‘but in our line of work, you tend to get a read on people fairly quickly. Your resume impressed me, you have worked a lot of low end jobs to get you through college which tells me that you are someone who isn’t scared to do what you need to do to get what you want. I have been even more impressed during this interview, you are open and honest and when we put you on the spot, Sandrina calling you out about seeing us as a stepping stone in your career, you didn’t shy away or try to bluster that we were your long term goals. You were immediately forthcoming with regards to your plans and I like that. I like knowing where I stand with my employees, it makes it so much easier when I want to try and convince them that Evolution is really where they belong.’

A shiver runs down the back of my neck at his words, and my nervousness must shine through as he smiles understandingly. ‘Rest assured Miss Sanchez, the position here is yours for the taking, and though I may try to entice you to review your future over your time here, the decision on whether you stay or leave us will always be in your hands. I have a good feeling about you and think that you could be very happy at Evolution even if it isn’t quite what you were hoping to achieve with your life.’ Derek inhales deeply, holding my gaze through the screen, ‘we would want you to start immediately’ he continues. ‘As in, we’d like you here and working by the end of the week.’

I gulp, ‘I can’t just up and leave, I have my apartment, I need to give notice! I need to save up to relocate, find somewhere to live.’ My voice is going up an octave with each few words as panic sets in. I’m watching as the prospect of actual employment that could kick start my career, begins to slip through my fingers because I can’t just up and leave on a whim.

Sandrina waves a hand, ‘we understand that what we are asking is a lot’ she soothes, ‘this is why Evolution Industries will cover all costs of your relocation. We’ll also provide you with an apartment for two months whilst you find your own living arrangements. This means you can give your notice to your current landlord and not have two sets of living costs.’

‘But . .’ I start, overwhelmed.

Sandrina smiles, ‘Lilian’ she says softly, ‘we want you to work for us. Derek and I, we believe that you are supposed to be here so we will facilitate in any way we can to get you here.

Derek nods, ‘in fact we want you here so badly we’ll even throw in a two thousand dollar bonus to help cover your bills where you are.’

Sandrina looks at me hopefully, ‘so what do you say Lilian?’ she asks, clasping her hands together in front of her, ‘do you think you’d like to work for us?’

I bite down on my lip nervously, this whole job sounds too good to be true and I learned a long time ago that when something sounds too good, it probably is, but I’m at the end of my rope and my debts are piling up around my ears.

‘How much do I get paid?’ I ask finally.

Derek’s face splits into a smile, ‘we’ll be prepared to offer you sixty thousand dollars a year plus bonuses for additional services that run outside of normal working hours. This will be along the lines of black tie events, Galas and other meet and greets where we schmooze potential clients.’

My mouth falls open as I blink rapidly, my mind short circuiting, ‘Six . . sixty thousand?’ I stutter.

Derek nods, ‘plus bonuses, is that acceptable Miss Sanchez?’

I’m nodding automatically, still trying to get my head around what I have just got offered.

‘Excellent, well we will courier the contract and non disclosure agreement to you overnight, please read and sign it before returning it too us. The courier will wait until you hand it back and then we can arrange for a plane ticket for you. Our team will contact you with a flight schedule and information about your accommodation. Please remember Miss Sanchez, that we are eager to bring you on board, so we are going to want you here as soon as possible, the sooner the better, will that cause any issues to you?’

‘Wha . .uh . .no, um no of course not, I can be there as soon as you want me’ I reply, pulling myself together.

‘Wonderful, then I suggest you get packing and we will see you in a few days.’ The man leans forward, pressing the button to hang up as I wave awkwardly at Sandrina.

‘Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!’ I whisper, my trembling fingers going to my lips, as the reality of what had just happened hits me. Pushing back from the desk, I slowly stand on wobbly legs, gripping the wooden edge for a moment to steady myself before I make my way toward my bedroom. Stepping inside, I scramble over my bed, reaching for my phone that is sitting on my side table, charging. Opening my lock screen, I scroll down my contacts before pressing Dakota’s name and sinking down onto the mattress.