Chapter 5 #3
From his expression, I can tell he’s already crafting excuses to prevent us from going to the grocery store.
"Have fun, Rosie. Just one more thing: please don’t run away again, okay?
Your uncle and Sally love you very much and would be really worried if you suddenly disappeared.
" Rosie nods and is carried away by Gabriel.
I watch for a moment before returning to the elevator and pressing the button for the first floor.
Well, off to the conversation that won't get me a job anyway. Can’t wait to be rejected...
Once I arrive downstairs, I’m immediately greeted by a cheerful Sally 2.
0 and led to Mr. Bones’ office. Unlike with Gabriel, I was able to find a few pictures of him online.
He’s 48, about as tall as me, and has rapidly thinning hair, which somehow suits him.
In the photos, he looked stern—but in person, he seems lively and friendly, which immediately puts me at ease.
"Ah, the babysitter," he greets me, immediately extending his hand.
I barely react in time to take it. His handshake is firm, and he pulls me right into his office.
Pretty effusive welcome, I have to say. I’m surprised, and at first I don’t really know how to respond.
I didn’t expect him to be this friendly.
The fact that he already knows about Rosie and the little rescue mission means Gabriel must have called and filled him in during those few seconds between my leaving upstairs and arriving down here.
"It was just a small thing," I say, watching as he turns to his secretary. "Could you bring us drinks?" Then he looks back at me. "Would you like anything special?"
"Just water. Sparkling. Thank you."
"All right." He looks at his secretary again. "Sparkling water and coffee for me. Thanks." Then he gestures toward the lounge area across from his desk. "Please—have a seat Kim."
Oh, so we’re already on a first-name basis.
"Thank you." I settle onto the black couch. He takes the armchair angled next to me.
"To be honest, I was surprised Gabriel didn’t want to hire you himself, leaving someone as overqualified as you to me."
Overqualified? Nice to hear. But it also means he’s probably going to try to negotiate my pay down.
"Unfortunately, he didn’t tell me why he didn’t want to hire you.
Not even now, after you brought his niece back.
" He smirks. "This wasn’t her first escape attempt.
But it was the first one that got her outside. "
"Sometimes it’s just not a good fit," I hedge. Thank God Gabriel didn’t bring up our almost-one-night-stand. That would’ve been humiliating. Either he told Steven and Steven’s pretending not to know, or Gabriel actually kept it to himself.
"In any case, I’m glad you decided to give me a chance, even though you applied to Gabriel first. I’m curious…
" He studies me with a slight frown, leans forward, and tilts his head.
"Why? I mean, why would a woman with your qualifications settle for working for me? You’d only earn about half of what Gabriel would pay. "
Ouch. That much less?
"I rarely travel, and most of the work would just be paperwork."
"May I be honest?" At this point, it doesn’t matter.
"Please, by all means." He’s still smiling.
"I need the money. I couldn’t care less about the job." If this were a sitcom, the laugh track would kick in right now. But instead, I just sit there silently blinking, trying to hold my composure and gauge his reaction. He smiles. Then laughs. Then leans back.
"Gabriel didn’t exaggerate. You are definitely honest."
"I’ll do the job—as well as I possibly can. And as soon as I find something better, I’ll move on." No idea why I’m being this blunt. Actually… yes, I do. I don’t want this job. I thought I could stomach it, but everything in me is fighting against it. Absolutely everything.
"Wow, you really are damn honest. So, if you found something better in a week, you’d be gone?"
"Yes. Of course. But Gabriel asked me to come here, so here I am." Honestly, all I want to do is get up and leave. I’m surprised I even showed up at all. Desperation must have been speaking when I agreed. Now that I’m here, I just want out. Just like Rosie said to me earlier.
And I feel that in my bones.
"Normally applicants lie through their teeth and gush about the company endlessly." He watches me with genuine curiosity. "If it’s about the money, I’m sure I could get a bit more out of Gabriel."
"It’s more about my résumé. And the money too, of course." But no—deep down, I know I don’t want this job.
"And if I offered you the same salary you would’ve gotten with Gabriel?"
"I love challenges. I need to keep moving and learning, otherwise I lose interest fast."
"Hmm. I see." He considers me carefully.
God, how rude do I have to be before he finally lets me go?
I even glance at my phone, trying to look impatient and annoyed.
Something inside me is screaming to stand up and walk out.
At the same time, I feel sorry for Steven.
He seems like a genuinely good guy, someone who deserves a personal assistant who’s steady and reliable.
"What else is it?" he presses. "You didn’t come all this way just to turn down the job, did you? You could’ve done that over the phone."
"Gabriel can’t stand me. The feeling’s mutual. I don’t think I can work here, even though it would’ve been my dream job to work for… Mr. Kensington."
"That’s not what he told me. He spoke of you in the highest terms." Steven frowns thoughtfully, eyeing me with suspicion. A knock interrupts us, and he calls for his secretary to come in. She brings in our drinks—and even a tray of snacks. After setting everything down, she slips back out.
"He also mentioned that you have diabetes," Steven adds. The snacks are exactly what you’d expect: veggie sticks and other diabetic-friendly bites.
"That’s really kind of you, but I think I’d better go now. Gabriel… I mean, Mr. Kensington isn’t going to let me have this job. No matter how qualified I am or how enthusiastic you are about me. We just got off on the wrong foot."
"He’s grateful to you. You brought his niece back. What makes you so sure he doesn’t like you?"
"That angry look earlier said it all." My own fault. But it doesn’t matter now. I shake my head.
I won’t be happy here. I need to let this dream go.
"He often looks grim, but Gabriel’s a good guy.
He doesn’t have it easy and rarely lets anyone get close.
Maybe you two should clear the air first. I think you both have a few things to work out.
And if you still want to work for me after that, call me and we’ll have a proper conversation. How does that sound?"
Yeah, this Steven really is a good guy.
"Thanks for the offer, but…"
"Think about it."
"You’re a good person. But I’m the wrong one for the job."
"Maybe. Maybe not." He smiles and stands. I stand as well and shake his hand.
"It was really nice meeting you. I hope you find the right candidate."
"Thank you." He walks me to the door. The moment it opens, and I step out of the office, I feel an overwhelming sense of relief.
Maybe I really should just go back to my parents in Scotland, now that there’s nothing keeping me here anymore…
I get into the elevator and ride it down to the ground floor. By the time I step out, I need to catch my breath. If I show up upstairs again now, Gabriel will almost certainly turn me down. And he definitely won’t let me take Rosie to the grocery store. That would just lead to endless drama.