Chapter 49
Paula
Today is an important day in my life. I’m at this big hotel chain to score a job, and I need it more than my next. breath. Yesterday’s Paula was a leech who asked her parents for money, but today’s Paula can handle herself.
I’m a big girl now, and I can survive on my own. I just need to convince the CEO that I deserve to be his assistant. I’m pretty sure he is the one holding my interview.
With confidence, I enter the grandiose building, but my breath catches as soon as I step inside. It’s like walking into a completely different world, where everyone dons top hats and elegant dresses.
“Wow…” I whisper in amazement as I make it over to the reception desk.
There is a beautiful lady standing behind it. “Good morning, ma’am.” The lady’s voice is smooth and friendly, not an octave too high. “How may I help you today?”
“I’m here to see Mr. Winter. My name is Paula Ellis, and I’m here for a job interview,”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Give me one moment, dear.
Even though I wasn’t nervous before I feel a slight bit of panic enter my lungs as I listen to her tap on her keyboard. What if I don’t get this job?
For six months, I worked at a fancy restaurant, but the boss decided to move the business elsewhere, so here I
am, desperate to earn money.
“Mr. Winter is expecting you, Miss Ellis. You can take the elevator straight up to his office.”
“What floor?”
“Twenty–fifth,” she replies, her fingers momentarily paused over the keyboard as she looks up at me. “Take a right as soon as you step out. His office is the only door down that corridor.”
“Thank you.”
I head over to the elevators only to get tackled by an older lady that’s making her way out of the elevator.
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“Oh, excuse me!”
She merely glares at me and lifts her nose Into the air–I guess rich people don’t bother with us “normies,” huh?”
Whatever.
I confidently strut into the elevator, but my swagger quickly turns to panic as I realize my skirt is caught in the
doors.
“f**king shit!”
Before I can do anything about my skirt, a loud “SHHHRRRUIPPP” fills my ears as the doors rip through the fabric like a knife through butter. And as if that weren’t embarrassing enough, I finally notice the tall man standing in the corner, gaping at me like a fish out of water.
My mild irritation turns to humiliation as I realize I’m not alone in this awkward situation. Oh, the horror!
“No, not today
I hang my head in shame. The second I’m left without a skirt is when I want to die. I’m now wearing skirt rags that are scandalously showing off my polka–dotted granny panties. My cheeks flush hot, and my heart thuds faster.
Don’t panic, I tell myself. You can do this. Stand straight, and you may keep your dignity.
The man, however, places a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you alright?”
Panic floods me as I stare at the ceiling, nearly collapsing from shock at the sight of my skirt being caught in the door’s corner. A million ideas race through my mind about how to retrieve it. But before I can act, the elevator jolts and comes to a sudden halt–just my luck.
“Ma’am?”
I lift my chin into the stranger’s purple eyes and scramble back like a frightened animal upon noticing his smiling face, which looks like it could belong on a poster.
This is one hundred percent the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen, and he is unrealistically tall!
My jaw drops as I look at him, and suddenly, I feel this magnetic pull. It’s like every fiber of my being wants to
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touch, inhale, and hug him–have I gone mad? He is a stranger, and I have a freaking boyfriend, but oh my god, I’m stupidly attracted to this guy!
He is even wearing a navy suit–my greatest weakness! How am I supposed to pry my eyes from him?!
I somehow hit the back of my head against the elevator doors during my distraction. A couple of swear words escape my mouth, and the guy in front of me chuckles in amusement, definitely entertained.
“That must have hurt,” he comments.
A groan escapes my lips, and I angrily massage the back of my head with my fingertips. The fancy suit has backed a little, but I’m still amazed by his broad chest and muscular arms.
I swallow thickly, too aware of him to function properly. This hotel sure has everything: luxurious furniture, rich guests, and stunning guys in elevators.
“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t painless,” I mumble.
The stranger hands me a charming smile and calmly removes his suit. The action makes my eyes bulge out of my
head.
“Why are you taking off your clothes?!” My eyes dart around the elevator, trying to find a hidden camera. This might be a prank.
“Here,” The man hands me his suit with a glittering smile. “To cover yourself up with,”
His face is a blur in front of me as I stare at him, completely stunned. He bursts into laughter, attempting to quiet it with his hand, but his amusement shines through. The man clearly finds the situation incredibly amusing, making my face flush with embarrassment.
This day couldn’t get any worse….
“Take it.” he urges
Since I don’t want to keep standing there in just my underwear, I take his suit and carefully tie it around my waist. “Thank you…”
“You’re welcome.”
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Chapter 49
The man says nothing but sits on the floor with his back leaning against the wall. When he notices me looking, he taps the space beside him.
“You can sit with me if you would like. I promise that I don’t bite.”
I hesitate.
His smile is friendly, but I don’t know this man. Is it safe to sit beside him? He is very handsome so I doubt he would molest me when he probably could get whoever he wanted. Women must drop by his feet like flies.
“Okay,” I tell him. “But no funny business.”
“No funny business,” he promises before looking around the elevator. He seems to be in distress. “And while! don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, I think we will be stuck here for a while.”
I had completely forgotten about our situation. But one glimpse at the panel that flashes the same number repeatedly tells me he is right..
I sigh and drop down beside him. “How long do you think it will take before we get out of here?”
The man shrugs before he straightens himself. It’s like he is trying his hardest to avoid me but failing tremendously–his eyes constantly flick to mine. Is he afraid of me?
I shoot him a curious look and he winces before answering my question.
“I don’t know, minutes? Maybe hours?”
I plaster a smile on my face. “Great.”
The man laughs at my fake enthusiasm. “Why? Are you in a hurry?”
“As a manner–of–fact, yes, I’m in quite a hurry,” I suck oxygen into my lungs dramatically.
I watch the man struggle to get comfortable against the wall. He is attractive; I have to give him that. When he notices me looking at him, I’m rewarded with a knowing, dimple–filled smile–he knows he is hot stuff.
i
“I see,” he says. “And if you don’t mind me asking, where are you headed, and why are you in a hurry?”
I grimace. “I came here for an interview with the CEO, but he probably won’t hire someone who shows up late,”
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Chapter 49
The stranger arches a single eyebrow. “Have you considered the option of explaining what happened? I’m sure he would know if his elevator was struggling.”
I giggle at his question. “Good point, but rich people rarely care about us small fry,”
A chuckle, “You have some strong opinions.”
I shrug. “It’s true, though…”
“Let me guess, you are speaking from experience?”
I challenge his smirk with one of my own. “Yes, I might not express wealth with my bold choice of clothes, but my parents are rich and total scumbags.”
Scumbags?”
“They never once bothered to talk with me as I grew up. Sure, they send me money, but that doesn’t change the fact they treat me like I’m not a person worth knowing.
“Oh,” the stranger says, looking apologetic. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question.”
“No, it’s not your fault. I didn’t have to tell you that, but I did.” I wonder why I did it, though. Something about this man makes it easy to share things.
The man smiles kindly and reaches out his hand. “My name is Henrik.”
I blink repeatedly. “Wait, Henrik…as in Henrik Winter, the CEO of this company?” My voice squeaks in surprise and a bit of mortification as I connect the dots.
Henrik grins and nods. “One and the same.”
I feel my eyes widen as blood rushes to my face, flushing my cheeks with embarrassment. I’m sitting in an elevator, wearing the suit of my potential boss, while sharing personal information about my family. This is not how I imagined my interview day would go.
I
“That’s you?” I stammer, pointing at him.
He chuckles, leaning his head back against the wall. “Yes, that’s me. Surprise?”
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Chapter 49
“Surprise?” My voice rises an octave, and I think I might pass out when Henrik grins.
This can’t be happening. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, unwilling to accept the absurdity of this situation. When I open them again, Henrik is still there, his handsome face lit up with amusement.
“You’re laughing at me,” I say accusingly.
“No, not at all,” he quickly reassures me, but then he chuckles, and his smile widens. “Maybe a little?”
…I’m not going to get this job, am I?”