The Vampire's Sweet Secret

Chapter 3: Showing Interest

-Ava-

The building was enormous, and as soon as I entered it, I knew I had stepped into a world I did not belong in. Everyone who worked here looked like they had stepped out of a magazine, and I kept fiddling with my clothes because I felt so out of place. The women there were especially beautiful, and it seemed like there were almost only women.

They all wore tight dresses and heels and had a lot of makeup on. Compared to them, I looked like a very unsexy librarian. I was only missing the glasses to look like the nerd in every high school movie. Yet I didn’t let it stop me. I knew I had to do this. If I wanted the job, I needed to show how interested I was, and there was only one way to do that: request a meeting with the boss.

I walked over to the golden desk, which had a beautiful logo of a swirling “E” forged into it, where two receptionists sat. Neither of them looked up as I approached them, and I ended up having to clear my throat before one of them finally focused on me. She had long blond hair and the same dark eyes that all vampires had. She took one look at me and then turned to her computer again.

“Name?”

“What?” I inquired.

“Name?” she repeated, looking at me.

“Oh, uh, Calliope Grey,” I said.

She typed it in, and I heard the sound of her long nails hitting the keyboard.

“Your name isn’t in the system,” she remarked.

“No, I don’t have an appointment,” I admitted.

“Well, then what are you doing here?” she asked. “You need an appointment.”

“I know that, but you see—"

“I need to ask you to leave,” she cut in.

I felt my heart beating so fast. This was one very intimidating woman. If the receptionist was so scary, then how wouldn’t the boss be?

“No, just, uh… wait!” I said.

“Miss, you need an appointment,” she repeated.

“Yes, I am aware.”

“And the boss won’t be available until November, and we are in July,” she pointed out.

“Yes, but, I-I have applied for the job as her assistant, and… and I am here to talk to her about the job,” I explained.

The woman in front of me raised an eyebrow.

“You know, sh-show her how much I want it,” I told her, attempting a small smile. However, it quickly faded as the woman scanned me with her dark eyes and then looked down in a manner that suggested she couldn’t believe I ever thought I would have a chance here. I had to admit, I wasn’t sure either, but it was my last option.

“Well,” the woman began. “I can call up and see if she has the time, but don’t expect anything.”

“No, a call would be fine,” I insisted.

The woman then gestured to a seating area further away, with beautiful cream-white couches and a small fountain behind it.

“Take a seat.”

“Okay.” I did as she told me and then walked over to the seating area, but I hesitated before sitting down, afraid I might dirty the beautiful couches. I had really jumped off the deep end, and now I was drowning in this completely other world.

It felt like I had stepped into another universe. It was unbelievable, and I couldn’t help but look around, gazing at the high ceilings and the expensive paintings and posters about Everly Colt’s achievements. She was definitely something else. I had to admit, and I knew there was very little chance she would ever agree to see me, but I had to try.

A few hours went by, and I pulled up my sleeve to look at my watch. Zachary had given it to me, so I could always be on time. He didn’t like waiting for me, but I had kept the item, not just because it was expensive, but because I liked being punctual.

But right now, it was showing me all the time that had passed while I waited. It was almost late afternoon, but what had I expected? I sighed and realized that I might never meet the famous Everly Colt. I stood up, finally admitting defeat, when suddenly the intimidating woman at the reception called out to me, “Miss Grey!”

I was still getting used to that being my name now, so at first, I didn’t react.

“Miss Grey!” she called again.

I turned my head and looked over at the reception, where the woman was now standing. I walked closer, intrigued why she had called out to me.

“She will see you now,” she informed me.

“Who?” I questioned, confused.

The vampire shook her head, thinking I was ridiculous.

“Oh, she! As in the boss?” I asked.

The woman nodded.

“Yes, Miss Colt will see you now,” she told me.

“Really?” I exclaimed.

The vampire told me with her eyes to try to control myself a little, but she had no idea what this meant to me. She had no idea how important this meeting was to me, and I simply couldn’t contain my happiness as I walked over to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. I felt very nervous, but also excited.

The doors dinged open, and I stepped into this glorious room that looked almost like a living room, except for the few tables scattered around. There weren’t many people, but I could imagine the boss wanted some more privacy and quietness around her office.

Were they all her assistants, or was it just one of them? I wondered. A few glanced at me as I walked through the clear, spacious room. Everything was so spotless here. Nothing seemed out of order, except me.

“You must be Miss Grey,” a woman said as I ended up at the end of the room.

I nodded. “Yes, that is me.”

The werewolf smiled at me and reached out her hand to me. I gently took it and returned the smile.

“I’m Jen. I am whose job you are trying to take,” she remarked.

I lost my smile and quickly withdrew my hand.

“I-I didn’t know. I-I am only here because—"

“Wow, slow down,” she said and chuckled. “I was only teasing you. I am leaving of my own wishes. I found my mate in another country.”

“Oh!”

“Yeah, so don’t be afraid. It is actually very impressive of you to come here,” she praised.

“It is?”

She nodded again. “Especially because you don’t qualify at all.”

I looked down, knowing she was right. I had no experience, but how could I have any? I had been so young when I was given to Zachary. Only allowed to turn 18 before I became his breeding mare. I never had any chance to live my life, and now I was 26.

“I…” I began.

“But showing ambition is good. It is how you get out there and get noticed,” she pointed out.

I smiled at her a little.

“I will just tell her you are here,” Jen informed me.

She pressed a small call button, and then I heard a voice speak before Jen answered, telling the boss I was here. However, I couldn’t forget the sound of that voice. It had seemed so demanding and gentle at the same time that I, for a moment, was completely enchanted.

“Miss Grey?” I turned to Jen, shaking myself out of the trance. “Miss Colt will see you now.”