Fake Billionaire Friends

Ava P.O.V. Shouldn't looking for a job after college be easier? I have been looking for a job for 2 months and nothing. Companies often offered me free 3-month internships that might be later changed into a full-time job. Right away they offered fruit Thursdays as a main benefit, as if I could live on that. Agrrr... During these 2 months I went through about 20 interviews, including tests and various stages of recruitment, but I still fell at the last stage due to lack of experience. I've had 3 interviews today, and I've already had the first two which went horribly. The recruiters kept on pointing out that I didn't work in my field of study. I didn't tell them my tearful story that I had to earn my own money so I couldn't afford the unpaid internship. I was already discouraged, sweaty, and angry when I arrived at the 3rd office in Manhattan. I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile. It was with this company that I had my highest hopes for the day. I had already gone through a placement test and an interview with the HR director who was also one of the 4 shareholders. Today my possible future boss was to attend. The company had been in business for 10 years. From what I read while preparing for the interviews it was founded by four college friends. One of them came up with a great idea for an app, where users challenged each other in various funny ways and then filmed it. Initially, the founders organized various contests that shot the popularity of the app, but now after 10 years, they no longer had to do that. The app was more widely used than i********: or Snapchat, and the fellows were now billionaires. The platform itself had expanded to include a forum and a dating app.          The company was headquartered in a giant glass tower in Manhattan, where it occupied the top 3 floors. I entered the lobby and approached the receptionist, introducing myself and telling who I was meeting. After a while, I got a visitor's card and rode the elevator. I was lucky that no one got on with me so I had a moment to improve myself. I looked at myself in the mirror and broke down. My brown wavy hair was sticking up in every direction, my mascara was smudged and my lips were chapped. I quickly rubbed off the mascara, put lip balm on my lips and tried to tame my hair, but it felt like nothing was coming out.     After a while the doorbell sounded signaling that I had reached the top floor. I entered smiling radiantly with feigned confidence. The receptionist informed me in an indifferent tone but with a careful, probing look that the meeting was in room 501 and I should enter because the recruiter was already waiting for me. I wanted to ask if I heard the number correctly but she was already staring at the monitor again, completely dismissing me. I straightened up and headed down the hallway. At the door I took another deep breath and knocked vigorously but no one answered. I knocked again but again there was silence. I grabbed the handle and walked in as the girl at the front desk suggested. I took two steps forward and froze. In front of the desk stood a tall man with his head thrown back. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, a white shirt emphasizing his broad shoulders, a tie, and his pants were down to his ankles. In front of him knelt a blonde dressed in an elegant tight dress doing him good with her mouth. After a moment the man lowered his head and looked at me with his cold steel eyes, still holding the girl's head. - Excuse me. I was supposed to have an interview here," I exclaimed and ran away. - The room next door. 502 - said the man behind me - What a bitch... I didn't hear any more because I had already left the office. I was shocked. Why did it have to happen to me in this company? I stood outside the office, embarrassed and trying to pull myself together. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. - Miss Green? I raised my head and saw HR Director Mark Smith, who I had interviewed with two weeks earlier. If I wasn't already completely blushing, I probably would have again under the influence of his flawless blue eyes and blonde hair perfectly styled. The first time I saw him my legs gave way under me, and it happened again. I smiled softly trying to erase the image of the man at the desk from my mind. - Good morning - I stretched out my hand in greeting - Sorry, I got lost. - It's nothing. The director is late anyway. I was just about to call him - he pointed at the door behind me. - Er... I think he is very busy right now - I said embarrassed and he looked at me carefully, then nodded and directed me to the office next door.     When we entered he pointed to an empty chair, asked what to drink and disappeared for a moment explaining that he would ask the secretary to prepare. I knew it was an excuse. He might as well have done it over the phone without leaving. After a while he came back and talked to me about how my day was going, just to pass the time. A few minutes later the secretary came in, the same blonde I had seen on her knees not so long ago, and behind her a man with cold grey eyes. He smiled at me as if nothing had happened and shook my hand. A shiver ran through me. I couldn't believe there were so many handsome men in this building. - I'm sorry I'm late. I had an extended meeting,' he said, combing his lush black hair with a roguish grin, and the blonde girl giggled as she set down trays of drinks. Mark looked at her disheartened but said nothing - Jake Brown. I felt myself blushing again, but this time from anger. What a nerve. Even though they should be ashamed of themselves I felt embarrassed by the whole situation. He sat down by Mark and when the girl came out we started to talk. - You have passed the test of qualifications very well - he said looking at my documents - but I am worried that you have never worked in this profession. Do you know what this job will be about? - I think that as your assistant I will have to go through financial, marketing and any other relevant reports, make notes on them and summarize the most important information for you. - Do you think that without knowledge of the market and without experience you will be able to do this reliably and professionally? - Yes - I answered with emphasis looking into his eyes - I am a thorough and conscientious person. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. - Yes? - He looked at the sheet of paper again and then back at me - You are 28 years old, which means you finished your master's degree four years later. Does that prove that you are thorough and conscientious? I pressed my lips together in anger. I expected there would be questions about it, but every time this remark hurt the same. - I had to take a break during my studies due to personal matters. If you had a good assistant who prepares you for meetings, you wouldn't be asking about this, because I have already told Smith about it. Smith smiled under his breath, and Brown chuckled. - Mr. Avo, do you realize that being my assistant also means traveling, dealing with everything around me, including personal matters? - I hope my duties don't include what I saw in your office half an hour ago, because if they do, I'm out. Everything else I can handle. Smith laughed, and Jake got an annoyed look on his face. - It's only for a selected group and it's consensual. I don't think you're in danger of that," he said maliciously. - Jake - Mark gave him a warning look and then looked at me - Miss Green We're very sorry about earlier. I hope this story stays between us. - Of course - I replied looking at the blond man. For the next half hour we discussed my duties and possible situations that I might encounter. I had to tell them how I would solve possible problems and what ideas I had that could help the company. Brown hardly spoke anymore. He just stared blankly at the phone without even giving me a glance, muttering something grimly every now and then about my answers. Finally, Smith ended the conversation by saying the familiar phrase. - I believe that you are the ideal candidate for this position. We will get back to you soon. Thank you for meeting with us.     On my way out of the office I met a blonde woman gossiping with the receptionist. They laughed at the sight of me and exchanged glances. Did they give me the wrong room number on purpose? I had a great desire to show them the fuk but I refrained, and ignoring them I entered the elevator. Returning home I dreamed only of a hot bath and a glass of red wine. I wanted to forget about everything as soon as possible. Damn Monday.