Focus wasn't on my list today not at all at least not today even the teachers noticed it
maybe cuz I really needed that job
The thoughts of finding myself a good job got me deep in thoughts I really wanted to assist my mom ever since my dad had left us things hasn't really been going well at all she having numerous jobs and always having those huge eye bags under those soft looking eyes made me sick that I couldn't do anything at all to assist her
even though she asked me not to help her my mom really is a hard working person but I hate seing her over work herself I was so deep in thoughts that I didn't notice someone calling me
"Neo...Neo" Zuma our school janitor called "I'm sorry Zuma I was just deep in thoughts" "oh I know I can tell.. let me guess you're thinking about the job issue right"
He always got me he was my father figure after all
"Yes Zuma and am so frustrated cause it hurts to see that I can't actually do anything to help her" I said this leaning on the lockers
"What if I said I got a job offer for you"
Did he say a job offer from where how and why
"A job offer for me Zuma how, are you serious" " yes I am and the interview is on Saturday so are you in or out" he said smiling "yes of course where do I sign up please" "well the contract is here actually it was a friend who told me about the offer and I already have a job that I love so much so I thought about someone and your name was the only one that popped in" I couldn't think I was over excited "thank you so much do Zuma really thank you, you don't know what this means to me".
" you're welcome neo you know I take you as a son well I know you got to go so here is the contract" he gave it to me and to be honest it looked more like all those fancy office contract "okay I promise I'll not disappoint you" "I know I trust you that's why I chose you" "thank you again thank you" I said running off so I won't miss my bus home.
Later at home
Throughout the ride home all I could think about was the job offer and the interview I hadn't really opened the envelope to see exactly how the contract worked but I had high hopes, I could tell the people in the bus thought I was crazy or something cuz I kept on smiling for no reason but I had a reason in mind.
I got home and as usual mom was out worKing her ass off and pia my junioy sis was left at home "welcome"she said from the sofa she was on "hey" I replied she looked up and her eyebrow squeezed together , yep a question was coming up "why the smiles" "cuz I'm happy I'm back from that stressful School" "lies spit it out" pia said standing up this time "spill what?" I said climbing up the little staircase but little miss clever followed behind
I walked into my room and the next thing a bang made me turn with full force, where is the respect for God's sake
"last time I checked there is something called knocking before entering" "and last time I also check there was something called being honest with your junior sis" " are you for reals right now" "yes cuz I know your hiding something...a normal neo doesn't just walk in all giddy and smiley especially from school" "but I choose to be that way" I said sternly please just believe and leave already
"Oh spear me all those bullshit" " manners and mind your words young lady your just 16" I said "last time I remembered your just 17 one year difference". Yep am done here
"Fine but if I tell you you get the hell out of my room I said just hearing promise something about pure was that she was very smart and it was always hard trying to convince her she was really beautiful she had been brown eyes that could capture anyone who's teared hard she got it from my dad her curvy body from my mom and the features were mostly from my dad "okay it's something I got from school" I said finally after the long staring battle "Hold up you got a new girlfriend if so then you got all right to smile, old one was trash"
"Pia stop it already and no I didn't get a new girlfriend" this time she frowned a little
"Then what exactly did you get go straight to the point already" "okay okay fine I got a job offer from Zuma" Pia just stood there as though she was dumbfounded "Zuma as in the school's janitor" "yes" "wait wait hold up don't tell me you got a job to be a school's cleaner" pia said folding her arms on her chest
"No pia I got a contract from an office actually" I shuffled my bag a little and brought out the big brown envelope and gave her "wow it looks well packaged which company exactl... Oh!! My!! God!!"
Pia screamed so loudly I nearly gave up the ghost"what the hell is wrong with you" "have you opened this" she asked helf yelling with the look of disbelief " no what's in it" please be something good please
"You got a job at..at.." "at what say it already your getting me nervous already" "you git a job interview at TITIANA.J.LUTHER'S"
What the fuck did she just say
"Don't be playing with me " I said out of words "I'm being serious neo check it out for yourself already" " how.. how did Zuma get this" I said as my eyes flipped through the pages of the book "well at least I get to have a job right no big deal like I guess" I said throwing the papers on the table.....smack "owwww" a hard snack from pia made me irked out "what the hell" "do you know Titiana.J.Luthers" "yes of course is the country's known company and among the world famous companies" "aand" "and what that's all I know" pia walked towards the contract and picked it up again scanning it as though she was searching for something then her eyes git eider than normal "neo have you read this at all" "not really what exactly does it say"
"This contract is looking for the post of someone becoming the personal assistant to the boss" no way me the personal assistant of the Luther's unbelievable "I actually didn't know pia" " but don't you think it's kind of fishy and suspicious I mean like with the companies rumoured dealings" "which is" "wait do you even know who the boss is at all " "no actually" this time Pia's mouth dropped "you don't know lucka Luther the world youngest boss" "nope"
"Are you leaving under a rock or something" "nope I'm leaving with you" " oh stop being ignorant about this neo this shit is dangerous" okay she looks serious..... behave neo "what do you mean pia you sound serious" "cause I am the rumors about the companies dealing is drug trafficking and other illegal stuff" ok shit did she just say drug trafficking
"How..how do you know it true I mean it's just a rumor right" "am not sure but it's what going around here" Fuck
"Then pia it means I need to decline this offer" "no what are you saying you have to accept it,it will bring good pay" "are you for real right now " I asked even more confused she was just shouting at me for no damn reason now she wants me to go and accept "yes I am actually serious and you have to go get yourself some new clothings before then" "I know...I know" "what about mom" oh shit I forgot about that "how do we tell Mom" Pia asked "we are not telling mom anything at all" "had the same thoughts in mind to but we have to just act normal around her anyways when exactly is the date of your interview" pia asked "it's on Saturday" that's just next tomorrow and you have nothing to show for it we are both skipping school for shopping tomorrow" she said crossing her arms "and where is the money going to come from" pia stared at me for a while then it actually dawned on me where the money was actually going to come from "we actually don't have any choice than to ask mom"
" you mean you don't have any choice there is no we here" wow and here I thought we were working as a team arghhhhhh I hate asking mom for money cuz we are managing "fine I guess if that the only choice then okay"
Dinner time
"Guys is dinner time come down already pia...neo" "coming Mom" "this is the third time you both are saying this"
"NEO XAVIER DEMI UTHER and PIA LUCIANA DEMI UTHER come down right now" yep she wasn't kidding now,she only calls us by our full name when it serious
"Here we are mom" Maggie eyed her two children curiously "and what exactly where you both doing upstairs that kept you busy" "nothing really serious maa" pia said "dinner smells great maa" neo said smiling at his dearly beloved mom "thank you now sit lemme get the plates "remember just say it casually" pia whispered behind me "easy for you to say" I mattered
I sat down quietly, staring at my food,my stomach was doing flips not from hunger but nerves. Pia kicked me lightly under the table which earned her a side glare.
"Mom" I said finally,my voice coming out lower than I expected "I,uh..... wanted to ask something" then she glanced up "what is it" I froze Pia's eyes were on me waiting "uh..i kind of need some money" her eyebrows lifted slightly "money for what" "think Neo think um.. for a class project" I said avoiding her eyes "we are supposed to you know present some things next week and I need to buy a few materials" mom tilted her head like she didn't fully buy it but didn't want to argue "how much" "not much" pia jumped in before I could stutter "just a little will manage" mom sighed and reached for her purse "you two are always up to something" she said with a tired smile "all right just done waste it" "thank you mom" pia quickly gave me a nudge "yeah" I said with much relief flooding through me as soon as we left the table pia grinned "see that wasn't so bad" I rolled my eyes "you say that like lying to mom was part of the plan" "it was part of the plan" she said "now tomorrow we get your clothes and you get that job" I sighed running a hand through my already ruined hair "you really think I can pull this off" Pia smiled "you already did"
The next day
The store was brighter than I expected racks of clothes lined the walls and the air smelled faintly of new fabric and perfume. Pia immediately took charge dragging me towards the men's section like she owned the place "okay" she said scanning the shelves "we need something that screams hire me but also whispers I smell expensive"
" Pia" I groaned "it's just an interview not a movie premier" she's smirked flipping through hangers "maybe but what if your boss is hot ,you might as well make a lasting impression" I shot her a look "you are impossible" " just saying" she sang holding up a white shirt against my chest hmmm "to plain you need something that makes your collarbones look like they have a fan club" "pia!!"
"what you've got good features use them, god gave you flaunt them" she winked
I shook my head and move towards another rack "I just need something simple yet professional" "simple and professional are boring words neo"
While I searched through a pile of neatly folded trousers I could feel the stares not just one or two a lot of them the girl at the counter the one pretending to arrange accessories had been glancing over for minutes another by the fitting room bit her lips when our eyes met for just a second I quickly looked away
pia noticed immediately of course she did she leaned close and whispered "ooh Look who suddenly became the main character" "stop it" "oh I'm not stopping you didn't even notice the girl behind the counter she's practically melting" I ignored her pulling out a pair of dark gray pants "these will do"
"Mm-hmm" she hummed ,eyes darting towards the cashier again. A slow mischievous smile spread across her face,that mischievous smile always meant trouble "stay here"
Before I could ask what she was up to she marched off towards the counter, I stood awkwardly pretending to check the price tags while trying not looks suspicious, a few minutes later she returned waving a receipt like a victory flag "what did you do" I asked "oh nothing much" she said grinning from ear to ear "just a little charm and negotiation turns out your fan club has benefits" "pia!!" "what she gave us a discount a huge one" "you flirted with the cashier?" she laughed "no I just pointed out that your a struggling job seeker with an honest face and then she said and I quote," he really does have a kind face and boom discount".
I pinched the bridge of my nose "you are unbelievable" "unbelievably helpful" she corrected as we left the store bags in hand pia nudged me "you know if this interview doesn't work out you could just stand there and blink at people apparently it's profitable" I shock my head trying not to smile "remind me never to take you shopping again she grinned "you'll thank me when you land that job Mr kind face"
Back home the house was quiet except pia humming in the background as she unpacked the shopping bags I stood before the mirror buttoning the white shirt we picked. it fits better than I expected clean lines, soft fabric, calm color "would you look at that" Pia said from the doorway arms folded "you actually look like someone who has life together" I rolled my eyes "don't start" she's smirked "just saying,neo you clean up nice if your boss doesn't hire you after seeing this.." "then I'll blame you" I cut in adjusting my collar
"Mm fair enough, you've got this okay? Tomorrow's yours"
For a moment I just nodded because somehow her words felt heavier than the should as she left the room I caught my reflection again same face same eyes but for the first time in a while I actually looked like someone I wanted to become.
I woke up a little too early not because I wanted to get there on time or something but it was all out of nervousness I was nervous as hell I had so many questions running inside my head how many people would be there with my efforts count or will I even get chosen but later I reassured myself and calmed my nerves down and got ready I had to go out real quick so mom wouldn't see me all dressed up like this "hurry up already" pia shooed me away "mom must not see you like this" duh I know "okay bye sis" "good luck".
The building looked like money the air smelled like power I smelled like cocoa butter and nervous sweat I really didn't know what to expect but I really didn't want to put my hopes down. pia had styled my outfit so well I felt like a model I worked into the building doors opening by themselves immediately I was welcomed in by the very cool breeze from the inside and one thing I noticed everyone wore black and white like they were one mistake away from getting buried, well this is getting interesting I walked to the receptionist who looked like a funeral bride "and you are here for" she said not even trying to look up from her screen rude "I'm here for the interview" I said "walk straight then make a turn take the elevator to the top floor and wait on that floor with the rest until you are called" "okay thank you" that was a brief welcome they better be nice though, I moved according to the instructions that had been given passing employees that moved like they were under military order definitely that's not how I'm going to end heck they looked like robots I leaned on the elevator wall in deep thoughts now as butterflies swarm up and down my tummy I was definitely losing my cool here thank God I was the only one here I would have looked like a freak.
ding , the sound of the elevator brought me back as the doors slid open my jaws dropped you have to be kidding me right why are they so many people in here ,this time all eyes turn towards him as he was certainly the odd one out they all wore suits with freaky ties and carried suitcase while I was standing there in some baggy jeans and a white polo top and my Air force one sneakers and my file that now was hanging loose in my hand from the shock where they all here for the same position as me should I just go back they looked so smart they even dressed so but I couldn't turn back at least not now I'm already here though what was the worst that could happen I mean.
Hours passed
Seats started getting empty each going in and coming out with disappointed looks and here I was sitting in my chair a little bit of sweat gathering on my forehead as I got even more nervous when another was called in oh god please let this come out good
"NEO XAVIER DEMI UTHER" someone called, my heart clutched inside "y..yes that's me" I said looking at the tall figure hovering over me follow me "me" I asked scared as fuck "yes" he said and simply started moving heading for another passage my legs felt numb as though they were moving on their own,eyes watched me as I moved with the rather tall man I had so many questions to ask at this point but it's got worse as I heard a group of ladies saying 'he's seeing the boss today he's the one' who's the one it can't be me.
The hallway we turned to was cold very quiet and empty the air got heavier the closer we got and then we stopped at a huge metal door with beautiful details knock knock that was the only sound made and we waited in complete silence as though the tiniest sound could end us, like literally I haven't even met this man but yet I feared him just his name held so many Aura in it "enter" that was heard was that seriously his voice it was different it was bold sharp with confidence and here I was trembling
I stepped into a rather large room that was clean to the tiniest detail it was spotless,there was a whole different section in that room I'm guessing it was meant for the assistance my eyes darted to the rather large window area and there he was the man who never seem to smile according to Pia
"El MISMO Diablo" [the devil himself] that was the nickname I had found while searching about him last night. He didn't look up right away just sat there behind that massive black desk pen moving across a red folder like he was signing someone's end by then I was left alone with him he didn't even need to say a single word but they understood oh god why isn't he talking at all I stood there all curious holding my file tight, should I clear my throat or say something I felt like a kid ready to be scolded then without warning his eyes were on me cold, piercing and curious or was I seeing things Lucas had the kind of face sculpted for intimidation all sharp jaw lines, high cheekbones and a mouth that look like he hadn't smile in years his skin was pale but flawless the kind that looked like it belong to someone untouchable his eyes a deep set cold Gray the kind that didn't blink often like he was always calculating something thick lashes that soften nothing, dark hair perfectly styled like every strand knew not to disobey him. a faint scar cut across his brows barely visible but impossible to ignore once seen.
I knew all this from one stare pretty impressive I know, his eyes moved from literally reading my whole existence to the file in my hand that was already begging to be released from my grip if it was human and then I realized and hurriedly dropped it on top of his decks in front of him he didn't say anything but this eyes scanned through it. I tried my best to act cool as he flipped through each page until................
"Your seventeen" his voice was ice itself he stared at me with no readable expression I just froze "I'll be eighteen In two months" I answered rather too fast . He closed the file , leaning back a little not breaking the stare which I couldn't even keep. Swallow me already
I could literally piss my pants with his stare "you lied" "technically I omitted" "technically you're a minor" neo swallowed hard the air felt like it was pressing into his chest but he held his ground "I'm not a child" Lucas expression didn't change "that's not what the Law says" damn I really can't let this opportunity go "please I know but I... I really need this job that's why I did it I'm so sorry but please" "it also says your schooling how do you plan to handle both" shit I forgot about that "I'll manage please I.." "go to school and forget about this job I need someone committed" "but I am" "you won't be" "please don't if I couldn't I wouldn't even think of taking this job offer please I need it Sir" this time I felt like crying already I hate this so much "what will you do if I need you and you are in school when I need you to take trips in my absence attend meetings and you also have exams" he said and I couldn't help but look down quavering and also bite my bottom lips he was right I didn't think about it "but.. but if I don't work I won't be able to do those things you just mentioned sir I really need that job to do this things you just said I promise I will work really hard I promise sir just try me please" I really looked desperate but that was the case here I was really desperate but just look at this man he just wore a bored face as though i just disturbed his schedule are you for real there was silence for a very long time "report to me anytime you're ready by 8:00 a.m. do not be late" he said closing my file and going back to what he was doing wait wait I got it I got it
"move" he said without looking up but still it sent me shivers to my body I literally ran out of the office closing the door gently before breathing out loudly that was crazy I walked out of the building not sure whether to be happy or sad then my phone dinged as a message popped up from pia
Pia:so????? is he as he fine as the Google pics or nah
Neo:he looks like sin,smells like danger and probably hates me
Pia:so ....did you get in at least
Neo: yeah...I entered the building
Pia:no dumbass did you get the job
Neo:yep I'll tell you when I get home,I think I peed my pants a little
Pia:eewweee congrats though
Well that was assuring
Luca's pov
"He's a child" Luca murmured "but yet he walked in here like he had nothing to loose"
Interesting "but too bad"