Chapter 3 (2019)

Pearl 

Dressed in a black kimono sleeve top and a nude asymmetric pencil skirt with a black stiletto heel that morning, a few days after my encounter with Lucas Anderson at the school reunion, I was a woman on a mission.

I had to select that simple outfit so as not to gain too much attention from my father. I wanted it to appear as if I was going on a casual event and not a job interview as I had planned to.

I'd told my father I won't be going to work because I was meeting with a friend and he believed me. Whereas, I was on my way to get a job. Something that'll give me freedom from home. I've always wanted to get a job and stand on my own rather than rely on my father's job. 

I've been searching for a job for over two months now and each time I ended up getting one, I won't be able to go for my interview because of dad's work and as a result of that, I ended up still working at his office.

This current interview was from a bigger company and I can't afford to lose it.

Lucky enough, I didn't encounter any of my parents as I left the house probably because they were still in bed, it was only Aurora that I saw and she just waved, telling me to have a nice time. 

I hailed down a cab and gave him the address. Soon enough, I got to the office and looked up at the banner that read, Florence and sons. The company is majorly into women's accessories even though sometimes they infuse men's clothing into their line of work and their products are always fantastic.

They rule the fashion world in this part of the world and I can't wait to get started already.

“Florence and sons, how may I help you?”

“Please hold on, I’ll get you to him right away” 

“Florence and sons, we're always at your service”

“Yes, Mr. Logan would be on the line soon, please have a nice day”

I was currently sitting in the lobby of the Florence and son's cooperation head office as I was waiting for one of the receptionists to finish their calls so I could approach her. 

The lobby contained a long line of receptionists who attended to phone calls and also people who were visiting the skyscraper office building for the first time. I looked around me and realized I wasn't the only eager person, everyone here in this visitor's seat was in a hurry to get something done, fast. 

As soon as I realized one of the receptionists was free, I moved closer to her and waited for her to be done with the task she had at hand.

"Hi, Good morning," 

I called out and got no response. I knocked on her desk, trying to get her attention. She raised her head and smiled at me.

It was when I looked down at her that I realized she was painting her nails while making a phone call.

Must all receptionists be this annoying? 

"Hello beautiful, good morning to you," She greeted with a wide smile on her face. I looked back to see if it was actually for me and when I looked back at her, I realized she was referring to me.

I guess I judged her too early.

"I'm here for an interview with Mr. Gerald,"

"You must be Pearl Adams, right?" I nodded and wondered how she already knew about me.

"Are other interviewees around already?" I asked, wondering if I was late for the interview.

"No, you're the only one they'll be interviewing today," 

My eyes almost bulged out of its socket. She made a quick phone call and told me, I should go to the fifth floor and that I'll meet someone there waiting for me.

"Best of luck, Miss Pearl," 

"Thank you. That's so nice of you, I'll do my best" I appreciated her kind gesture.

I walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. I rested my back against the elevator wall and sighed. The interior of the building was just as magnificent as the exterior. This family really rules the city of California. 

The elevator dings and the door opened, as I walked out, a man in a black suit was waiting for me.

"Miss Adams, Welcome to Florence and sons," 

"Thank you," I shook his stretched hand.

"Please follow me. Your interview will happen right in this office," 

He gestured for me to follow and I did. We got to a door and he knocked before we entered.

As we walked into the office, I saw a man with his back turned to me. He was wearing a grey suit with his hand in his pocket and when he finally turned, I realized he was almost the same age as my father.

“Please sit” The man gestured towards the chairs placed in the middle of his office in a U-shaped manner. I gently sat while he tidied up whatever he was doing on his table. 

I looked around the office and realized it was bigger than my father’s and mine combined but still, it gave me an eerie feeling that makes me want to stand and just run out of here but then, I’ll be going back to my previous life without a taste of freedom. 

"Miss Pearl, it's nice to finally meet you," 

"Same here sir," I furrowed my eyebrow at the thought of how familiar he looked. I've seen this face some time ago. 

He waved his hand. 

"Don't call me sir, please refer to me as Gerald. I'd invited you over for the interview as per someone's recommendation," He explained, resting against his desk.

"Okay, Gerald," 

"Good. How old are you, Pearl?" 

"I'm 24," 

"You've graduated from college, right? What course did you study?" 

"Business administration sir and if you want, I can give you the details of my job experience and education…." 

He interrupted me by raising his hand. "I just want to get to know you. This isn't a job interview. I've seen your CV and I was impressed even before you got recommended," 

"I don't understand you, sir," 

I was getting confused with everything he was saying. This was supposed to be a job interview, right? 

"Are you Augustus' daughter? The man who owns the textile company" He asked.

Shit! Shit! Maybe I should've changed my surname before coming down here.

"Yes," I replied, biting my lip in the process. As soon as I opened my mouth and said yes, I instantly remembered him. It's not possible, it cant be possible. I thought this company belonged to a Florence family and not.....

"Okay." That was all he said.

"Sir," 

He stared at me. 

"Were you expecting me to ask you formal questions when you already have the job?" 

A smile crept up on my face. 

"I have the job," 

"Yes, Miss Augustus but in addition to that job, you have a job for me," 

He said and the look on his face made me realize he was serious.

"An additional job," I asked and he nodded.

The door of his office was suddenly flung open in a loud thud and I watched as the demon's first child called Luke Anderson barged into the office looking at Gerald murderously.

"Shouldn't I be the one interviewing my employee, Father?" 

Wait! What did I just hear? 

"Well then, Miss Pearl, say hello to your new boss," 

His father answered sarcastically.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, still in shock.

"News flash, I own this company," He replied. 

"What?" I asked in disbelief. 

"No more questions, Sil" he spat.

"What games are you trying to play, father? You're not supposed to be here anymore," 

"What will you do since I'm here?" 

Luke walked over to his father, pushing me out of the way in the process. My butt landed on another sofa and I quickly sat up to stand far away from the two.

"You wouldn't dare try to annoy me, Gerald, or else, I swear to God that I'll skin you alive," Luke growled, making the hair at the back of my neck stand.

"I'll love to watch and see you try, Son," 

"Forget the relationship we have, Gerald. I told you a long time ago that you're not my father anymore and if you try and breathe next to me or anyone near me again, I swear that you'll regret ever having me," 

The two of them were glaring at each other, breathing heavily as Luke's fists were clenched in front of him. 

"Pearl, get your ass to the sixth floor," Luke commanded.

I stood rooted on the spot, not knowing if I should move or leave.

"Don't fucking make me repeat myself," He screamed. I yelped as fear ran its course through my body.