Chapter 3: Your new boss

Joanne sat in a corner looking nervous while waiting for the results of her interview. She browsed through WhatsApp but found nothing intriguing and logged out immediately.

Getting a job as a costume designer at Movie concepts was all she hoped for, perhaps, with her earnings she'd be able to change the tide and make life more comfortable for her and her family.

The receptionist occasionally stared at her and could tell what she felt within.

Dressed up in a blue chiffon blouse and a white straight-cut skirt, she looked just like an office worker.

Her big black glasses rested perfectly on her ears, thereby covering her eyes, and hiding her nervousness or so she thought. Her actions thereafter sold her out.

Feeling concerned the receptionist walked up to her. " The boss is not around but not to worry, you'll get your interview results soon. The assistant manager will grade you according to your score and then, he'll get back to you. Just stay calm."

The receptionist assured her while patting her back. Joanne felt relieved after hearing this and felt less tense.

The goosebumps that crept all over her fair skin were all gone. Growing up in one of the poor cities in the USA, Detroit, Joanne was exceptionally beautiful but lacked very clear skin.

Gaining a job over here in Santa Monica CA would be a dream come true.

Two hours later...

Dressed in a brown suit with black stripes, the assistant manager walked into the reception and saw the rookie sleeping peacefully.

"Wake her up please?"

"Got it, sir"

The receptionist replied and made for Joanne as she tapped her lightly. At once, Joanne woke up and stared around.

Upon noticing the man standing not so far from her, Joanne sat up at once and cleaned the drool on her face with her face towel.

Feeling embarrassed, she apologized repeatedly. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't know when I slept off"

She tendered her apology to him and took a thorough look at him. He looked like one in his mid-forties, with not so fair skin, little eyes, and wrinkles at the sides of his eyes. His nose was not so pointed but he looked good to look at.

"I'm Thompson and I just want to tell you that.."

He was on the verge of completing his statement when a man accompanied by four bodyguards entered the reception.

Everyone grew silent and smiled while nodding. The assistant manager advanced towards the man at the front and shook hands with him.

"He must be some big client tho" Joanne soliloquized but to her surprise, the friendly receptionist replied to her, "You wish!"

Feeling surprised at her comment, Joanne retorted, "sorry, what do you mean? Other than a client, who else could he be?"

"I guess you didn't do much research about Movie concepts. That's the famous Liam Noah". The receptionist proudly replied leaving Joanne at a loss for words.

"Wait. What? Oh my!" What she just heard was unbelievable. Liam Noah, the famous entrepreneur who had signed tons of ambassadorial and business deals was right here at the company she was hoping to work with.

"It's my first time seeing him. If approved, I might just be so lucky to see many more entrepreneurs after seeing him today." Joanne happily spoke.

Joanne gazed at his tanned skin, his height was a very beautiful sight, he had a fine body build, and his wavy hair and shimmering pink lips were eye-catching.

"Not only will you see many entrepreneurs, but you'll also get to see him every day" the receptionist was hellbent on thrilling her.

"How do you mean? Is he a friend of the boss?" Joanne was still confused.

"Read the handwriting on the wall" with this last statement, the receptionist walked back to her position, leaving the latter to brainstorm.

"Wait. What? He's the boss? Oh my!"

Joanne finally arranged the puzzle while telling the receptionist what she had found out.

After briefly talking to Thompson, he made for the stairs and went to his office. Feeling exhausted from his journey to Rochester NY, Liam reclined on his chair as it went 360.

He rested his head while looking outside the window. Briefly, after he rested, he heard an annoying and unwanted knock on his door.

On the other side of the building...

Smiling, Thompson walked up to her with an envelope in his hands.

" Take the elevator and stop at the 3rd floor, then you take your left, and you'll see a door with a tag on it. Knock and walk in."

Having said that, he handed the envelope to her and walked out. Joanne stood transfixed and swallowed hard while breathing in and out, trying to gain her composure.

Swiftly, she picked up her bag and placed her glasses inside her bag. Thereafter, she looked at the receptionist who gave her a thumbs-up and wished her good luck.

She found difficulty walking due to the number of feelings that engulfed her at the moment. She smiled and nodded whenever she came across the employees, after so much difficulty, she finally located the elevator and entered it.

"Ding!" A sound came from the elevator and it came to a halt on the 3rd floor. Joanne took her left and saw a door with a tag on it.

She stretched her hands to knock on the door but withdrew it at once. Joanne was feeling conflicted and unsettled. This was it, what she hoped for, she was just a step away but then something kept restraining her.

What it was, she couldn't tell or place it. Was this what it felt like in getting approved?

Definitely not!

"Breathe baby, you've got this!"

Joanne reassured herself and knocked hard on the door.

Feeling an adrenaline rush build up within her, she knocked again, harder than before. "Pheeew!" Feeling relieved, Joanne breathed out slowly as though a rock had been lifted off her chest.

She checked herself one more time, trying to gain her composure before going in. She looked at the mirror and saw a reflection of herself giving her a thumbs up.

Like a crazy girl, she laughed slowly and placed the mirror back.

She held the doorknob, ready to go inside and claim what was rightfully hers.

As she opened the door, she saw something coming for her...