Chapter Three

As I approached the coffeehouse, I noticed a woman standing next to Mrs Reynolds. I paused before getting in view of the window, I debated I had a sneaking suscipion who she was. After a 30 seconds, I convinced myself I really wasnt that important and that man was just saying it to get a response out of me. 

I walked in carefully, hoping not to disrupt their conversation and bring attention to me. Unfortunately, it did not work. 

“Avery” Mrs. Reynolds hissed. “This woman is telling me, you accepted another job.” 

I looked at the young woman, she was not much older than me. I presumed she was Linda. “Accepted is a bit presumptuous” I said, rolling my eyes. It didnt lie to myself, there was a small part of that had hoped it was true. Not only because of the money, but because of him. Though the latter was defintely because its been a good while since I have gotten laid.

The woman fought a smile as she handed me a pile of paperwork. “ Mr.Swanson wants these signed  and to have you brought over once you are done.” 

Mrs. Reynolds scoffed, throwing her hands in the air before settling them on her hips. “You know it is proper manners to let your employer know you are leaving, especially when I did not have to hire you in the first place.” She practically spat out the rest of her sentence. 

She was never a pleasant woman, but I have never seen her act like this. I tensed at what she was implying, hoping Linda would not ask her what she meant. 

Linda cleared her throat, gathering Mrs Reynolds’ attention. “Mr. Sawnson can reimburse you for any inconvenience this may cause you.”

Mrs Reynolds mumbled to herself, as she walked towards the back of the coffeehouse. I assumed she was calling in other employees. 

Removing chairs from on top of one of the tables, I sat down staring at the paperwork. There were a few forms I recognized for taxes, but everything else looked like a lot of legal stuff. 

“What is all this?” I asked her. 

She sat down across from me . She went over each paperwork slowly, explaining the NDA I would have to sign to work with Mr. Swanson. A few more paperwork explaining that I was waiving my rights to sue and that I was not allowed to work for any direct competitors if I was terminated from the company. It went over my expected salary and I about passed out. 

After she was done explaining, I sat there with my mouth open. “Who is this guy? Like a mafia boss?” 

Linda smiled at my comment, shaking her head. “Have you heard of Swan Industries?” She asked. 

I shook my head. “Should I know them?” 

She shrugged. “I come from a very small town. I didn’t hear of them till I was in college and applied for an internship. Mr. Swanson is the CEO, he is a very important man.” 

I refrained from rolling my eyes. “What happens if I do not sign these?” 

She shifted her weight in the chair, uncomfortably. “He told me to tell you he will make good on his promises.” Linda cleared her throat at the end of the sentence. 

“Like a mafia boss” I mumbled, signing the paperwork. "I dont know my bank account information though, that's all in my apartment." 

Sliding them over to her, I asked if I could grab my stuff from the back. She nodded as she went over what I signed. 

I knocked on the office door hoping to apologize to Mrs. Reynolds, but after a few moments of silence and the door remaining closed, it was clear she did not want anything from me. 

Opening my locker, I took the few personal belongings I had here. It was mainly a few things to freshen up like deodorant, a hairbrush, and an extra pair  of clothes in case of a spill. I learned that lesson the hard way. 

I shoved my apron into the empty locker and walked back to the front. 

Linda stood there waiting patiently.

“Mr. Swanson has instructed me to purchase proper attire.” She looked me up and down, surprisingly I did not feel any judgment coming from her. 

“And what would proper attire be exactly?” I asked. Her outfit reminded me of what I saw lawyers in TV wear and it wasn’t  something I wanted to be shoved into it. While I wore dirty jeans that tore slightly at my knees with an equally dirty band t-shirt to match, my sneakers were old but I scrubbed them clean every night so they didnt look bad. It was the only thing I couldn’t afford to replace any time soon. I could easily thrift some shirts and pants. 

“He said you would probably object to any type of business wear. And opted for simple blouses and pants.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, offended by his statement. “He knows nothing about me.” 

She smiled, waving down her body. “Would you like to wear something like this?”

I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest. “No” I hated that he was right nonetheless.

She nodded, and ushered me to a black car waiting outside for us. I hadn’t noticed it previously but it was quite obvious now that it didn't belong in this part of town. 

We drove for some time. I tried to follow street names, knowing I would have to map a route out to get home and back. I gave up after we crossed the bridge into the city, no matter what way I took it was going to be over an hour to get here. 

Linda took me into a few shops, picking up soft button sweaters and flower printed blouses. The material was so thin and soft I was afraid I was going to rip a hole into it. I grimaced at all the pastel colors she picked out and khaki colored pants she picked out. 

“Black pants only” I stated “I might be open to some colored shirts.” 

The store associate took my measurements  and came out with a pair of  black pants. They were smooth with only two small back pockets, the material was softer than jeans, but rougher than any leggings I owned. I told Linda I liked them and gawked when she asked for 5 more pairs. 

“No seriously, I'll wash them every night. I don’t need five pairs.” I begged her. 

She gave me a small smile and shook her head. “He said an outfit for every day. He will check the receipts.” 

“And what if I got the same five shirts to match? How would he know?” I replied. I was never comfortable with people buying me things, especially the prices of some of the items I had seen in the store. I would never be able to afford clothes like this. 

Linda giggled. “While I would love to see how he would react, I would advise you not to do that” 

I reluctantly agreed to a few blouses and sweaters she picked out, wanting to get this over with.

While she paid for the merchandise, I took in my appearance in a mirror that was placed in the middle of the sales floor. 

My blonde hair hung excitedly around my face, it was long and stopped right above the indent of my lower back. I twisted around staring at my figure,  I have always been skinner then I liked. I chalked that up to my childhood and the fact I never got to eat when I wanted too. I had a wave of insecurity wash over me as I thought about the gorgeous man I was going to have to face again. 

“Ready?” Linda asked softly, breaking my thoughts. I nodded and followed her out to the car. 

We drove a bit more into the city before stopping in front of a tall building, made mostly of windows. The lobby was huge, full of small square tables with two beige chairs on sides of them. There were about 5 or 6 of these sets up on each side of the doors. There was a long counter straight ahead with a huge steel sign above it saying “Swan Inc.”. To the right of the counter were two metal bars, it reminded me of the subway station entrance. A security guard stood on the other side, next to the elevator. Linda waved at the receptionist and walked through the bar with me talking beside her. The security guard pressed the button to open the elevator for us. She gave him a slight nod and a goodmorning. 

When we got into the elevator, I noticed there were 44 floors to the building. She pressed the button that only had a star on it. The elevator prompted her to slide her card after she pressed it, she pulled a badge out of her purse and swiped it to the right of the buttons. 

“Fancy,” I said. I had never come across an elevator like this before. 

“He likes his privacy,” Linda replied. My heart skipped a beat knowing I was going to see him.

We rode the rest of the way in silence, as I clenched onto the bags of newly purchased clothes. 

The door opened onto a floor that was nothing like I had ever seen. It did not look like an office building, but a giant customized apartment. Linda led me to the right and down a long hallway, leading into a giant library with a few rooms with glass door along one wall. 

I could see him working across the room, sitting at a ginormous oak desk. We made our way to him but Linda stopped short of the door. He did not look up from his desk, but there was no way he did not see us. 

“I have to take care of this paperwork, but he wanted to see you first.” She whispered, pushing the door open after giving it a small knock. 

He finally looked up at me as I walked in and I felt small under his intense stare. He took in my appearance and I realized I never changed into the clothes we bought. I swore his lip turned up slightly but it was gone quickly. 

“I’m glad you decided to come up willingly and I did not have to make a bad investment.” He said his tone was playful but there was an underlying harshness to it. I forgot how unappealing his arrogance made him. 

“I was not forcing you to do anything. I was the only one given no choice.” I reminded him, annoyed by his statement. 

This time the smile creeped up his face. “Do not forget you cost me an assistant.” He got up from his desk, waking his way to the front and leaning against it, crossing his legs. 

“I believe I had told them to buy you proper attire.”

I crossed my arms. “Well you also told them you wanted to see me first thing. Maybe you should be more clear on your instructions.”

He licked his lips, his eyes twinkled mischievously. “Perhaps” was all he said. We remained like that for a moment, staring at each other. 

He eventually shook his head slightly, stepping forward reaching his hand out. “We should properly introduce ourselves. Derek Swanson.”

I returned the gesture, trying to calm my frantically beating heart as my fingers wrapped around his hand. “Avery Parker”.