Chapter 6: Loyalty And Commitment

“Résumé, school records, photo ID, and a picture,” Gabrielle murmured as she attached the necessary requirements one by one. She bit her lip, giving the email one last review before clicking on send.

Sighing heavily, she said to herself, “I hope I get the job.”

It was nine in the morning the next day and after giving it much thought; she decided to apply for the post since she wasn’t getting any luck from those that she had appealed to.

Gabrielle previously served at the BNC Media Company, doing part-time production work. That was where she met Warren, her ex-boyfriend. Warren was a Talent Manager at the said TV network and that also granted him the power to have her fired!

Naturally, she sought part-time production jobs from the other TV networks, a job that was in relation to her studies, but even that did not give her any luck. They only wanted full-time employees.

She also applied to other establishments, but the schedule simply did not work with her studies.

Gabrielle was preparing to leave, hoping to meet up with some friends who can loan her the amount to pay for rent, but right after getting changed, she received a notification from her mobile, how a reply came in from her application.

Immediately, she checked her email and read the response in silence.

[Dear Miss Taylor,

Good morning!

We believe you are perfect for the job. Please come for a personal interview at the Wright Diamond Corporation and inform the front office you have an appointment with Mark Esperanza.

We expect you to be here at 11:00 AM.

Sincerely,

Mark Esperanza

Executive Assistant to the CEO 

Wright Diamond Corporation]

Her eyes widened as she made sure she read it right. “Wright Diamond Corporation?”

Gabrielle went back to the piece of paper from her bag and checked again. The flyer did not say anything about the company! “I am applying for the Wright Diamond Corporation?”

She could not believe her eyes!

Sitting down on her living room sofa, she thought broadly about her future. She wondered whose penthouse would she end up managing if the Executive Assistant himself contacted her.

Realizing how she had less than two hours to get ready, she returned to her closet, finding a more formal attire for the interview.

It was because she only had a few dresses to choose from that she wore the same sapphire blue dress, the same one she wore a few nights back.

After putting on light make-up, she left for the company and easily arrived at the Wright Diamond Corporation in half an hour.

Approaching the front desk at the lobby, she informed, “Excuse me, I have an appointment with Mr. Esperanza. It’s an interview for a job?”

The two ladies at the reception looked at each other, puzzled. One said, “A job? Why would Mr. Esperanza do the interview himself?”

The other receptionist simply shrugged and called the CEO’s assistant. After confirming the appointment, the lady looked at Gabrielle and smiled. “Please proceed to the top floor. A security guard will assist you.”

After thanking the lady, Gabrielle took a deep breath and asked, “Has anyone else come for the interview?”

“So far, only you,” said the lady. “Good luck.”

As she rode on the lift, Gabrielle wondered how no one else came for the interview. She could only hope that no one else qualified and that this was her luck!

She was led to a small meeting room on the top floor of the tallest building in the city.

In every step she took, she felt her heart racing, utterly curious about what she got herself into.

‘Manage a luxury penthouse. Dang! How did I end up in this big company?’ She reflected silently.

The guard asked her to take a seat, and she waited not too long. Mark Esperanza joined her in just ten minutes, holding a set of documents in his hands.

Gabrielle immediately offered her hand to Mark, but he did not shake it. Instead, he just smiled at her and she swore that for a second, he glanced through the glass wall divider behind her.

“Ah, Miss Taylor, your handshake belongs to someone else,” said Mark. While Gabrielle was left confused, he merely gestured for her to take a seat.

After getting settled, Mark began to discuss the scope of the job. “The penthouse that you will be managing will have housekeeping, hotel employees coming in and out for cleaning and maintenance. It’s located on the top floor of the Second Diamond Hotel. Even the meals are prepared for by the property itself. So you might ask what is left for you to do.”

Gabrielle nodded and answered, “Exactly… Assuming, I will get the job.”

Mark looked intently into Gabrielle’s eyes, studying her for a second. He clearly saw how the girl before him was attractive, yet not imposing. She was just the right height, but had a very slender figure.

What he thought was great about her was her silky, long and straight caramel hair and how expressive were her hazel brown eyes.

He determined she was a good fit for his boss.

Returning to the agenda, Mark cleared his throat and answered, “First of all, we really value loyalty here at the company, especially the owner of the penthouse. So, the initial requirement is your commitment! Should you get a job, we expect you to follow through on your contract, staying for at least a year.”

That made Gabrielle think twice. She was graduating in three months. Can she afford to work outside her field of interest for an entire year? Then the idea of being broke easily penetrated her head. She did not really have much of a choice.

She nodded and answered, “Okay… One year is fine.”

“Good!” Mark proceeded, “Then, the owner of the penthouse does not want unnecessary drama so unless it is beneficial for him, you are not allowed to have a relationship with any other men, especially backstabbing men who can only cause distraction at your job!”

Pointing at Gabrielle, Mark added, “This is part of your loyalty! You should be committed to the task at hand only!”

Gabrielle shifted her gaze from side to side. She thought, ‘Why is this sounding like me all over again?’

In response, she shook her head and said, “I don’t want any drama either. I will be dedicated to my job.”

“Good!” Mark answered. “Next, you will not be allowed to live elsewhere. We need you to fully commit to your responsibility and consider the penthouse as your own home. You will have your own room and you will be provided for – all the food and private space as you need... I guarantee you, the penthouse is huge enough.”

“Oh?” Gabrielle’s mouth formed into a circle. She was hoping this job could pay off her rent, but as it turns out, she would also get a free home?

“Yes. So now we move on to your primary responsibility at the penthouse.” Mark handed her the contract, first turning to the page where the scope of work was listed. He said, “Your tasks are the following: One, remind the hotel staff of their daily cleaning and maintenance schedule. All of which are outlined here. Two, you open the door for them, of course, and when they are done, you shut the door!”

Gabrielle, “…”

“Second, you need to make sure there is enough supply of food and toiletries at the penthouse and that everything is working fine, from electricity to the internet, to the water running, etc. If anything is wrong, you just need to let the hotel know and they will bring up any lacking supplies and, or fix whatever is needed to be fixed.”

“Third, you need to make sure that whenever the owner of the penthouse is around, his meals are provided for. This part, you sometimes will need to coordinate with him, asking him if he will have breakfast or dinner at the penthouse,” Explained Mark.

“And you don’t have to worry, the hotel will cook for him,” added Mark.

‘So it’s a him,’ Gabrielle concluded. Just as she was absorbing everything, she asked, “But can I cook for him too? I like home-cooked meals.”

“Oh.” A smile reflected on Mark’s face before he answered, “I think… that’s an even greater idea. I’m sure he would appreciate such gestures. I would suggest, you - do - exactly - that too!"