Chapter 1

Persefoni

Staring up at the gigantic building before me, I prayed to the ancestors that today should be nice. This is my first time working in an establishment. I may have worked before in other places such as in the library, coffee shop, even as a maid but this one is the biggest so far.

The young lady who interviewed me last week was indeed a very lovely lady with a lot of patience since I mistakenly knocked over her cup of coffee, which wetted some of her files.

How I got accepted was beyond me although I planned on intervening had she given someone else the job.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked into the building, giving a big smile to anybody who cares to look my way. I walked up to the secretary, introducing myself all over again since I did the same at the door to the security man standing outside.

"Use the elevator to the 24th floor, ask for Miss Stevenson, she'll direct you on what to do"

I gave her a small smile before walking towards the elevator. I walked in and pressed the 24th floor. Just as it was about to close, I heard someone shout, and with what she was saying, it seems it was directed towards me

"Hold the elevator!!!! Please hold it!!!"

I stopped it as she entered. I took in her sweaty and scattered appearance and she must have noticed me stare because she offered me her sweaty palm, one that I glady took

"My name is Alvera"

"Persefoni"

She beamed at me "Is it your first day Perse?"

I visibly grimaced as she made the same mistake that people have made over the years "It's Persefoni not Perse and yes it's my first day"

Her mouth formed an o "I didn't know you prefer your full name, please pardon me"

I waved off her apology "It's okay, it's a common mistake. What about you? Your first day?"

"Nah...I started last month"

I looked at her again, she looks like someone who is here for the first time or who is not even sure why she's here.

"Don't mind my appearance" she laughed nervously "My car broke down so I had to run down to the nearest bus station and that's the reason I'm all sweaty. You know I've offended my boss a lot lately" she brought her index finger and thumb together closely "I'm this close to getting fired, so I'm avoiding any more mistakes"

That still doesn't explain her mismatched clothing but I decided not to point that out. One of the things I learnt from mistress while growing up is fashion. I may not have plenty, but I do know how to match the few that I have.

Immediately the elevator pinged, she rushed out before me while shouting over her shoulder "I'll see you at lunch Perse... Persefoni"

I looked around nervously as everybody looked at the bearer of the name Persefoni.

I walked to the woman seating behind the desk "Please I was directed to Miss Stevenson by the lady at the front desk downstairs"

She looked up from her computer "How may I help you?"

"I just told you that I was directed to Mi__"

"I heard you the first time, I am Miss Stevenson, how can I help you?"

Oh!! She should have just told me from the onset instead of being rude "I was interviewed and given a job here last week, but I was told to begin today"

She looked at me as if I have my pants inside out "In other words, you are looking for Mrs Claus?"

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she's always rude but I decided against it "Yes, I'm here for Mrs Claus"

She pointed towards the seat behind me "Have a seat, she'll be with you shortly"

I looked at the time 7: 20, I don't think it's proper for Mrs Claus to think I reported to work by the time she finds out I'm here. "Why don't you call her, at least let her know that I'm here"

She ignored me

"Miss Stevenson?"

"Why don't you have a seat Miss_?"

I know she's waiting for me to say my name but I ignored her... Ha!! Take it bitch. She exhaled and almost continued with her statement but she stopped when the elevator opened and Mrs Claus walked out with a handsome, muscled man. Her face lit up when she saw me.

"Miss Persefoni, sorry to keep you waiting. Please come with me"

I turned to Miss Stevenson and gave her a look which says 'that's how to be polite'. Turning to Mrs Claus, I smiled at her and the young man as I approached them.

"This is Mr Gabriel Washington and you'll be working for him directly as his secretary"

I stretched forth my hand for a handshake "I'm Persefoni"

He just stared at my hand before looking at my face "Persefoni who?"

And this is one of those moments that I hate "Just Persefoni"

"What do you mean by just Persefoni? No last name?"

I nodded "No last name"

He eyed me skeptically before turning to Mrs Claus "Did you run a background check on this one?"

"Yes I did"

"And how the hell didn't you get her last name"

'Because I made her see what I wanted her to see' I replied in my head

"Because that is what is in the system Gabriel" she replied then turned to me "Come let me show you around"

I followed Mrs Claus but turned to look at my boss once more and with the deep frown on his face, I silently wished I was going to work for Mrs Claus and not this fellow behind me.

She showed me around until we got to the kitchen, she pointed the coffee machine "That's for coffee, everybody likes coffee right?" She asked jokingly

"I don't" I deadpanned "I'm allergic to coffee"

She blinked at me before staring back at the coffee machine as if it holds any solution to allergy. I don't blame her for being surprised though. I was quite surprised when I stole a cup of coffee from my mistress's kitchen and drank it, that day I almost lost my soul. I remember I was rushed to Morgana the oldest witch for help and she said something that broke my heart. Okay let me explain things a little bit to you, you see every witch has this particular thing or food she's supposed to avoid, you know like the Apple in the center of the garden of Eden. Failure to avoid those things like lead to your death if you aren't rushed to a witch who can help you. So far it has been the descendants of Morgana that has been able to heal them. It's more like a gift given to them by the ancestors.

"Do you have any questions concerning his coffee?"

Damn I must have zoned off "Sorry Mrs Claus, but I kind of got lost on the way"

"There is absolutely nothing to get lost about, it's as simple as the come. He loves his coffee black and warm. Not too hot not too cold. You got it now?"

"Yes ma'am"

"Good, I'm going to show you to your office so you can get settled"

I followed her to into an office with a desk, a comfortable looking chair, a computer and a shelf containing a lot of files.

"This will be your office and_" she pointed at the door close to my desk "that's Gabriel's office but please don't ever call him that, I think you should always be formal with him if you still want your job" she waved her hands towards the files in the shelves "It's going to be quite easy to access, Elizabeth was quite orderly when it comes to arranging the files"

Stretching those perfect red lips into a smile, she gestured towards the door "I'll let you get settled in but I must warn you, Gabriel is kind of cranky so tread carefully whenever you are around him okay?"

"Okay"

She clapped her hands together "Alright...I wish you good luck on your first day"

I nodded in response, I'm definitely going to need it if I am working for that man I just saw downstairs.