Stepping out of the elevator, a tempest of fury churned inside me, each step I took toward the grand door a lightening strike threatening to shatter the calm face I had put on. I couldn't fail now after years of planning it came down to this moment; getting accepted. As I got to the huge door there were guards standing by the door. One stopped me as I was about to get in, I showed him my ID card and he scanned me with his handheld metal detector and after confirming I wasn't here to harm their Boss Almighty they let me in.
As I stepped in I was greeted by a waft of cool air, conditioned to perfection, carrying the faint, sophisticated scent of sandalwood and polished wood - a fragrance that whispered of affluence and meticulous taste. My heels clicking deliberately on the polished marble floor.
The space hit me like a wave of cold fire; grand, precise and commanding. Dark mahogany panels lined the walls, the rich grain catching the light from the sweeping floor - to - ceiling windows that framed the Los Angeles like a living masterpiece. Golden accents glinted here and there in the handles of drawers, the art pieces, the inlays of the massive desk - subtle, undeniable markers of wealth and control.
Everything in this room spoke of meticulous control, the velvet chairs across from the desk, the steel and marble sculpture in the corner. My eyes flickered to the desk, a polished oak desk that seemed almost too heavy for the room yet somehow it commanded the room like a throne. Behind it was seated a man.
HIM, Damon Voss, 29, CEO of Voss Industries; a conglomerate that was into almost every aspect of modern day business, but his empire from the scratch through ruthlessness, efficiency and precision, hated anything women - more like he was allergic but he has been spotted with an actress, Jenna Dobrick I think and his only friend is Alex Walter; the complete opposite of him. Alex was America's hottest playboy, CEO of Walter Housings, a multi-billion real estate company that owned probably half of the buildings in America and think he owns the world cause of his pretty face and wealth I huffed inwardly. Pathetic bunch of shells. Yeah, I could say I did my research pretty well. Atleast that was all the Internet had to offer.
Focusing back on him, he was seated in a high backed leather chair, the kind that swallowed anyone whole, hunched slightly over a stack of documents yet even in repose, he exuded a presence that seemed to fill the entire room. The faint scuff of his polished shoes on the floor, the way he adjusted the papers with a measured flick. His sharp green eyes flicked up briefly, scanning me with an intensity that made my pulse skip, not with fear but with the tiniest spark of annoyance. The air around him radiated authority - ruthless, impatient, entirely unapologetic. He didn't occupy space, he didn't even need to try, the aura around him clung effortlessly like gravity itself bending toward him, he owned the moment and anyone who stepping into it was on his terms.
After a few seconds he spoke "Finally, you made it I almost thought you'd send someone else to fo your job for you." smirking, an edge of annoyance in his tone.
I lifted my chin I refused to let him intimidate me, calming and steadying my voice "I'm here".
He smirked and leaned back, his face evident that he was waiting for me to falter so he could attack "look if your going to cry, quit or flirt, do it now. I don't waste time."
"then I will make sure not to waste any of yours, sir."
Finally gaining his full attention "Bold. Careful though - confidence doesn't always equal competence." Meeting his gaze unwavering "it does when measured" I could see the flicker of surprise that crossed his controlled face could have missed it if I didn't study him carefully
"Talking too much won't cover up your mistakes" excuse him! If anyone was talking too much it was him ignoring the comments and remaining calm as I normally do
"True, I let my results speak for themselves"
For a heartbeat, he was silent and the silence was heavy.
"OK then, let me have a look at your resume and tell me... How can you take a project from a draft to a finished project?" stepping closer and handing him my resume "I graduated from the columbia University in New York about two years ago and have been working on trade books and digital content..."
He rudely interrupted me and asked"so you have never worked on a physical project before? "
Folding my mouth and holding the snarky comment I was about to say I just reply"yes sir but I highly believe I am competent enough to do it.. "
"why, Because you've worked on a few project online? Who knows Amazon Kdp or for one measly company or publishing house? "
He finally caught me off guard, and I would give it to him, the man knew what he was doing, he's good"No sir.. But I do think that..."
"well, we don't work on thoughts here, we do facts."
"yes sir, I was only trying to be nice but if you want the real truth, you will have it"
His compusure falters a bit but he regains it almost immediately I ignore him and continue "Our Today's world runs mostly through the web and in as much as our company does physical publication most of the job from content review to editing to style guidelines are done online, AI has made it possible. Even proofreading can be done online so if you really think about it, can you really say you handle your projects physically since everything is done online? The only difference is that I never physically hold my projects and here at Voss you do. Voss Industries own most of the high tech equipments in the world so technically it's still done online. So in reality is mine not really the same with yours just little less because of the high tech equipments.
" hmmm... You may leave." huh! Why? I was now tensed hope I didn't get fired as I was trying to understand what happened, he clicked a button and few seconds later, a lady came in collecting the files from him as he quietly talks to her as soon she walks out and I follow. The huge doors shutting behind me I turned to see the lady handing over the documents to Mrs Irene and then she looked at me and said "Congratulations, welcome to Voss industries.You may go back to work " she said with the enthusiasm of a turtle, I smile softly and head to the elevator as I go down.
I noticed that there was no button for the 12th floor that was strange.. So how does he go there or does he even go there?
I quickly kept that thought aside as the elevator doors open and I walk in, heading to my seat. I settle down and immediately Stella started with her questions
"so how was it? Did you cry?"
"people cry?"
"yes" she said laughing "one time a girl tried seducing him and she was dragged out like literally by the guards it was hilarious"
"That's wild"
"I know right? Anyways considering your here, that means you find amazing did you see the door?"
"which door?"
"well, rumor has it that there is a hidden door or more like an entrance that leads to the 12thfloor since if you've noticed there is no 12th button on the elevator but there is a 12th floor. Creepy, I know! Well nobody knows what's there or how to get there. " now that was something that intrigued me but I acted like I didn't care.
The rest of the day went by in a blur associating my self with my colleagues and registering my name and email in different departments for easy access to documents, joining the publishing platform and knowing the different sections in the office, soon it was closing time and as I arranged my things ready to head out with Stella who insisted on waiting for me so we could go down together, I got a call from my brother Jamie, my 19 year old brother "hello, why are you calling me this late"
"Finals isn't until after the holidays can I atleast come stay with you in LA"
"No! Go stay with Pa and Ma"
"El pleaseee I've never been to LA before, I promise I won't disturb you." And yeah, I lied people do call me El and it's not like I didn't like it, it's just weird coming from someone I don't really know. I looked up to see Stella hanging her bags ready to leave so I took mine and we looked at each other, greeted a few colleagues as we headed to the elevator which wasn't busy considering the fact that alot of people had already closed for the day.
"come on big El, the bestest sister sister in the world" he said and I could hear him chuckling through the phone
"ewww, what are you? 10?" I said cringing he normally said that to me whenever he needed my help while growing up and I would always help cause he was one of the few people I cared about.
"it worked didn't it?" he said laughing
"whatever fine. I'll send your ticket tomorrow, I'll book your flight for the weekend so it'd be easier to pick you from the airport"
"why can't I come tomorrow or next, it's just Monday. How am I supposed to say in school doing nothing when everyone's going"
"I donno if you really want to leave so bad I can book you a flight to New York immediately so you can go stay with Pa and Ma because unlike you I have a Life and a Job"
"fineee, sorry, weekend it is."
"Better, Good night, see you soon."
"Alright bye"
He ended the call and I turned to see Stella's inquisitive eyes on me, jeez! Does she ever take a break? To prevent the numerous questions, "my younger brother" she laughs "what made you think I was going to ask?"
"Weren't you?" she laughs, "well yeah, just not immediately" this time I join her and giggle
As we reached the last floor and we step out to get a taxi she says "I have a feeling we would be really good friends" I just smile and wave her goodbye as I wait for a taxi.