CHAPTER 2: Hiring

CHAPTER 2: Hiring

I looked around the crowded area beside my car. I kept the grimace from coming out of my face.

Nana Karina chuckled. “This isn’t much but I’ve lived here most of my life.”

“Oh,” was all I could say. I immediately felt bad for misjudging the place.

“It’s alright, my dear. Some people here are indeed not decent, but some are. Just like where you grew up in. The world is the same in every nook and crevice of it,” she said, rubbing my back, as if I was still the child she used to teach things about the world.

I smiled at her. “Thanks for helping me out on this, Nana.”

She shook her head. “Oh, I know how much the position means to you. You think it's your parents' last gift for you as their only child.” She suddenly pointed a finger at me. “But swear that you will soon tell your Grandfather the truth.”

I immediately nodded. “I will. I promise I will. Soon.”

“Alright. Let’s go and get your future husband.” I hated the idea of this, but Nana’s statement made me smile.

Yeah, I guess it’s time I meet him. But first, we have to find him.

“So, where is this place you’re telling, Nana? Is it near your place?” 

I asked as we started walking towards the narrower street that was inside the crowded houses around. I didn’t even know there were squatters around this side of the city.

“Oh, it is kind of near. They live in a single place. And I know a couple of them that are about your age that must be… ehh… at least good enough for the role.” I nodded, starting to feel nervous about what we’re doing. 

“They’d be needing the pay, as well. And if I were them, I would gladly take this acting job with you. They wouldn’t have this kind of offer even when they all put together their income every night.” Nana stopped walking for a while and faced me. 

“And rest assured, dear, I will help you find a really decent one.” 

I smiled at Nana. “I know. And I also have bodyguards around always. So whoever will be picked today better not mess up with me,” I said, assuring her, and also myself.

Because today, we are going to a place where a couple of guy escorts are. I know. Hiring an escort for this could be sketchy, but I don’t know where else to find this ‘boyfriend’ I have in just a matter of days. 

I can’t ask some of the friends I have. Most of them are already known to my family. I need someone that could look the part and would go for it for the money, because that’s all I could really offer for them to do this crazy plan. I need someone who is desperate for the money. Like how desperate I am about getting the position.

Nana and I continued walking around the narrow street until there was an opening. We stopped and I looked at the tall basketball hoop that was the only thing inside the metal wires surrounding the opening.

“This way.” I followed Nana as she turned to the other side of the court.

“I already informed them about the job offer you’re making, and some of the guys are up for it.” I nodded at her, feeling my nerves spiking. “I also rented one room inside the apartment complex near it, so you could have your interviews there safely.”

“Thank you, Nana,” I said as sincerely as I could. She just touched my cheek and smiled at me. “Of course. Anything for my dear, Jenny.”

Nana guided me towards the apartment complex just around the corner. We went inside a three storey building, and inside we went to a room that was just half of my own room in my house. 

“I already had this cleaned, so this must be okay.” Nana said as she inspected the place with that eagle eyes of hers. 

I approached her. “That’s fine. I’ll be okay, here. I promise.” She smiled.

“Okay. I think we’re ready. I’ll inform them we're about to start so they start coming here.” I nodded at her, and quickly, Nana went out of the room. I was then left alone.

I sat down on the orange sofa that was one of the few pieces of furniture inside. In front of it is a small table. I pulled the table closer to me and sighed. That’s perfect.

A couple of seconds passed and I was still waiting for them. I started tapping my hands on the table, but then someone knocked. 

“Come in.” 

Nana came in with a tall man that had a clean shaven beard. He looked good with it.

“I’ll be staying outside.” My attention went back to Nana. I smiled at her and nodded. “Thank you.”

The door closed and I was left alone with my very first applicant for the job: fake boyfriend/fiance that had to eventually become my husband.

I looked at the man, seeing he had dark brown eyes. He looked older than I was.

“Shall we begin?” I smiled formally.

***

“Do you know anything about business?” I asked.

Tim reluctantly shook his head. He smiled that boyish smile he had. “I want to say I do, but I can’t, because besides the part where I know you have a lot of money as a businesswoman, I don’t know anything anymore.”

I sighed, but still smiled at him. He was cute and charming, but he was wrong about that too. “Not all business people have a lot of money. Most especially when they’re just starting, and the ones who are only running with rolling debt for the company to continue.”

Tim chuckled. “See? I even got that wrong.”

I heaved a deep breath. “I could have endured a few months with you,” I said truthfully. 

Like I said, he’s really cute and charming. I could tell he was sweet, too, and not in a cringey way. And I can say we both know what we want. We could be actual friends. He was the very least awkward interview I had among the 5 of them.

It’s just too bad he wasn’t confident enough to learn things about business since he never even got to highschool. He said he was scared he’d be the reason I wouldn’t get what I want, even when I offered to teach him.

“So, I guess we’re done,” I said, standing up. Tim stood up from his seat too and shook my hand. 

“It was nice meeting you, Jen,” he said with a smile.

“Likewise. Just tell me if you want another sideline. I’d be glad to work with you.” Tim’s face immediately brightened up at my offer. 

I could see he was a genuinely nice guy. Nana also said he was one of the orphans in the neighborhood that was brought up by basically everyone in the place. He had a very rough life; he stayed on the street, jumped on a home from another, and no one offered to help him go to school. He was pushed to do just whatever so he could survive.

“I will. Thank you.” I nodded and waved at him. He went out of the room and I started rearranging the table and chairs I set up.

Nana suddenly opened the door. “No luck?” I shook my head.

“I just need someone who at least knows the basics of business.” I sighed. 

As my future husband, he’d be bombarded with those questions from the people around me for sure. And I will do my best to keep him away from those conversations, but I know I won’t be able to rescue him out of that all the time. So he has to know even just a little, and then I could teach him gradually.

“That would be hard to find here, I must say. We could get all sorts of good looking guys, but not the businessman type,” Nana said.

I looked out the window and saw the sun was almost out of the sky.

“You should get back. People would start looking for their boss.” A tired smile was all I could offer her.

“Thanks for today. I really appreciate it, Nana.” I hugged her. She tapped me on the back. 

“You’re always welcome, dear. Don’t worry, there’s still tomorrow, and more guys in the house are getting interested over this mystery job you’re offering to them. But of course, I wouldn’t let anyone shady get to you.” 

I chuckled at her protective face when she said the last statement. “I’m all good. Like I said, I’ll have bodyguards constantly.”

“Alright. You go ahead. Ted is waiting for you outside. I’ll be staying for a while to catch up with some old friends.” I nodded and started walking out of the room.

“See you later,” I said and waved. “See you, dear!”

I went out of the room and saw that Ted, my driver/bodyguard, was already there. “Back to the office,” I said and he just nodded, not saying a word.

We started walking out of the crowded place. But as we walked, I heard voices around the corner.

“I can make this business of mine get big! Bigger than the buildings!” I turned around when I heard a deep chuckle.

I saw a man sitting on the sidewalk in front of a small rugged house. He was ruffling a kid’s hair that held a bottle of candies in his hand.

“I know I have to get tall first, like you, Lev. But when I finish school, I will have money with my business.” The kid beamed at the man, so proud of his plans. I couldn’t help smiling at how passionate the kid sounded. I remembered what Teresa Collins said…

“A successful business requires one simple thing: passion. And you got that kid.” I stared wide-eyed at the man when he just quoted the quote that I was about to say in my head.

The sun was now completely down, so I couldn’t see their faces properly. But when the man inched closer to the kid to hold his head, light reflected on his face from the post beside the street. I felt myself stop altogether.

“Let me tell you something, Jeffy. Business is a game. And you have to play by the rules, but make sure you play ferociously. Be firm and continue being passionate. Focus on your goal, and you will get there.”

I didn’t know where to focus: at his strikingly gorgeous features or the words he quoted once again by Phil Knight, and the words he just advised to the kid. 

I started walking towards them. Both of them looked at me when they noticed. I met the man’s eyes and was instantly assaulted by how deep yet glassy his gray eyes were. It oddly looked brighter with his dark mass of hair and the dimness around the street. 

“Do you know anything about business?” I asked.

The kid and the man stared at me for a while before the man spoke up. “A little. I studied economics and marketing for a while.”

My heart started beating fast at his answer. But I calmed myself first and inched closer to them.

“Are you from around here?” I asked the man, not just drawn by his looks now, but also about him being a possible prospect to pass my job qualification.

I’d have three days to prepare him for the event on Friday. I really need to get someone quick so we could still plan for that day. And he said he studied econ and marketing, which is absolutely fantastic for this. Also, his looks… 

“Yes, I live around here. And you are?” The man answered and asked in return, confused about why a girl like me was suddenly asking him what could be the most random question he got today.

I stepped forward even more, making my face and figure lit up by the post around the corner. 

I smiled formally at him. “I’m Jennifer, and I’m here to offer you a job.”