One
There’s something to say about billionaire business owners and their huge corporate buildings being a direct correlation to their small penis sizes.
I could write a thousand articles about that.
In fact, I asked my boss if I could do that rather than waltz my ass up to the top floor of Thax Incorporated and meet with ever mysterious owners, Alexander Rivas and Theo Moretti.
Not only would we cover their accomplishments, but I want to hear about their failures too. It helps to bring the mighty down to ground level for the average man to gain something from our work. If they can fail and make it, so can you.
They are always together, from what I can tell, which makes me wonder if they have a romantic entanglement between them. I won’t ask that question, of course, but I will closely observe for my own curiosity.
Naturally, for professional reasons and professional reasons only that are totally believable with no hints of sarcasm whatsoever, I dressed to impress today.
I slipped into my favorite, form fitting emerald green dress, sleeveless dress with a gold zipper that stretches from the top to the bottom in the back.
The hem hits just below my knees that are covered with nude stockings that show the seam down the backs of my legs, and I’ve paired it with a pair of black, suede pumps that make my normal five foot three inch form heighten by four extra inches.
My flaming red hair is hanging in soft curls down my back and I’ve styled it all over my left shoulder.
I feel confident, sexy, and ready to crush this interview.
When I step inside the main lobby area of Thax, I’m greeted by two very kind security guards that ask for my credentials and usher me through once they have determined I’m not a threat and send me to the elevators and up to the top floor.
I watch the numbers light up on the stainless steel wall above the doors. I’m not a fan of heights or elevators so a quick trip up thirty floors isn’t helping the anxiety and nerves building in my chest.
The halt of our ascent and ding above me brings a welcome relief when the doors slide open for me to exit into the reception area of this floor.
It’s a stunning modern affair with floors of deep oak also runs up the back wall behind the large desk and onto the ceiling.
The other walls are cool concrete. The juxtaposition is stunning.
To the right is a black, leather sofa and glass coffee table and just beyond that is a room surrounded by glass with a large conference table in the middle, but it’s currently unoccupied.
A petite blonde woman rises to her feet from behind the reception desk and greets me with a smile. “Welcome to Thax. How can I help you?”
“Good morning,” I respond, making my way toward her. “I’m Lillian Thomas. I’m here from The Summitt. I have an appointment to see Mr. Rivas and Mr. Moretti.”
“Lovely to meet you, Ms. Thomas,” she reaches out to shake my hand and I return the gesture. “If you’ll just have a seat, I’ll let them know you’re here. Would you care for a drink? Water? Coffee? Tea?”
“Water would be wonderful, actually. Thank you.” I tell her as I sink down onto the plush sofa and cross my legs.
“Coming right up.” She disappears down a long hallway to the right side of the desk and returns just a few moments later with a crisp, cold bottle of water. “Here you are,” she hands it to me. “As soon as they tell me they are ready for you, I’ll take you back.”
“Thank you…” I leave the sentence hanging as I do not have her name.
“Darcy. My name is Darcy.”
“Thank you, Darcy.”
“My pleasure, ma’am.”
She leaves me with my water and I pull out my notes and give them a quick read once again. I want to be as prepared as possible without messing up my words or appearing unprepared in any way.
I barely have time to take my second sip of water before Darcy says my name, pulling me from my quick study session.
“Ms. Thomas? Mr. Rivas and Mr. Moretti are ready for you now.”
“Great.” I quickly gather my things, give my hair one last fluff and follow her down the hallway.
I take in the surroundings as we walk. From what I can see, this floor consists of offices and conference rooms. There isn’t much in the way of extra staff up here. All the doors seem to be closed and it’s very quiet.
If it weren’t for the occasional glass wall letting light in, one could say this place may feel stuffy and overly serious.
Though, I suppose you don’t become a multi-billion dollar tech giant by being loose and flippant.
Darcy leads me to a small, corner office that, to my surprise, is currently empty.
“They’ll be in shortly.” She motions toward the small seating area in the corner where the two floor to ceiling windows meet. “Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”
She leaves me alone and I take a few moments to gather myself and my thoughts.
Interviews usually don’t make me nervous, but I feel like there is something in the air today. I’ve usually got a good sense about these things and something tells me this interview is going to be a very important step in my life and career.
I don’t let the stress of my last forty-eight hours weigh on me.
I’m newly single, I have a career I love, friends I adore, and I’m a badass.
I’m going to kill this interview.
Just as my inner pep talk comes to a close, the office door pushes open and two tall figures enter the room.
Pictures absolutely do not do these two men justice.
Alexander’s dark eyes pierce straight to my soul. He’s taller than me, easily six foot, and a beard that is begging to be scratched through with fingernails. His hair is a soft, dark brown with a slight curl that looks perfectly tousled in that “I rolled out of bed like this way.”
And don’t even get me started on the navy blue three piece suit he’s wearing.
Theo enters after him and I nearly have to hold myself upright.
He’s a few inches taller than Alexander with skin that’s a bit darker and his overall vibe is much looser and more relaxed than his partners.
He’s wearing charcoal gray slacks and a white button down tucked in with a black belt.
His shirtsleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off his forearms that are completely covered with tattoos.
His rich, hazel eyes on mine make my skin ache to be caressed.
“We’re sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Thomas,” Alexander tells me as he reaches out to shake my hand. “There was an issue that needed tending.”
I take his hand in mine and it’s so soft and warm. “That’s alright. The view made the wait worth it.”
“Mrs. Thomas,” Theo says as he steps forward to flank Alexander. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he also takes my hand in greeting.
“You as well,” I clear my throat and instinctively push my hair behind my ears.
“Is there somewhere you’d like me specifically or would you prefer we complete the interview here?” I ask, and it’s impossible to miss the fact that Alexander glances over at his partner, whose jaw clenches ever so slightly. If I wasn’t staring at him, I may have missed it.
I’m fucking staring at him. Lillian. Get a grip.
“Where you are is perfect, Ms. Thomas.” Alexander says once his gaze is back on mine.
“Do we anticipate this taking very long?” Theo chimes in, raking a hand over his perfectly groomed facial hair. His presence is thick and overwhelming. My heart is in my throat.
“No more than fifteen or twenty minutes,” I clear my throat and check my notes again.
“Don’t mind him,” Alexander tells me. “He’s a bit of a monster before he’s had coffee.” Alexander checks his watch. “Which should be arriving in three… two… one.” Knock. Knock. Knock. The rap on the door pulls my attention and Alexander smiles. “Damn, I’m good.”
He rises from his seat and heads across the office toward the door, leaving me alone in the seating area with Theo still staring straight into my soul. His aura is dark and mysterious, like he’s a villain in an epic saga. He’s beautiful.
“Here,” Alexander says, having returned to where we are seated, and hands his friend a large to-go cup of coffee. I can tell from the label that it’s from the local spot around the corner.
I wonder what their orders are.
“Thank you,” Theo responds and takes a sip, not even bothering to blow on it, like he has a mouth made of steel that can handle piping hot liquid.
Alexander returns to his seat and lays his eyes on me once again. “Shall we?”
“Yes, yes we shall,” I flip open my notebook and pull out my lucky pen, clicking it open to start jotting down notes.
“I suppose we’ll start with something easy, something a little silly to break the ice.
” I look between them and lick my lips. Their mutual stares could light fires, start wars, or even turn unsuspecting journalists into piles of ash.
It’s distracting. “What are your coffee orders?”
Theo’s eyebrow raises and Alexander smiles before saying, “Well, that’s not what I was expecting you to ask first.”
“I like to take things slow at first. I’ve found that silly, meaningless questions help bridge any awkward gaps and help get my articles started on a personal note. You happen to have coffee now, so I thought I’d use that as a jumping off point.”
Shockingly, Theo is the first to give me an answer. “Black. Just black.”
“Black,” I repeat before making note of it. It’s not surprising in the least.
“On any given day, I’ll take flat white, but today I’m having drip coffee with a bit of sugar,” Alexander tells me.
The juxtaposition of their two personalities, at least in the few minutes I’ve spent with them, is confusing, but intriguing to say the least. Alexander reads approachable and kind, with a soft sensibility about him, while Theo looks like he could be a mob boss right this very second.
“Duly noted,” I tell them before uncrossing and recrossing my legs. “It’s no secret that you currently own one of the most successful tech companies the world has seen in the last decade, even giving our modern era tech giants a run for their money.”