8

AUDREY
An hour later, I stepped into the dazzling reception area of Gilmore Shopping’s head office. My necessary appointment wasn’t just a simple appointment. It was a job interview.
I passed the first two rounds, thanks to the probation at Stark Apparel. The company’s good name and reputation were known to many other companies. They welcomed me as if I was a VIP guest. Now, I was approaching the final interview—the last one-on-one interview with the CEO. I took an elevator to the executive’s floor.
I knew I still didn’t receive an employment evaluation at Stark Apparel, but my three-month contract ended today. I needed to find a new job, whatever the evaluation result. Moreover, I didn’t think I could work adequately around Mr. Stark without undressing him in my thoughts.
I already got over the fact he was Liam’s dead ringer, but I didn’t move past the point that he could still make me wet despite being an asshole. I didn’t want to be treated like a slave anymore.
“Are you Miss Hopkins?” The receptionist greeted me with a bright smile the moment I stepped into the lobby.
“Yes, for my final interview.”
She grinned. “Follow me. Mr. Gilmore is expecting you.”
I followed her into the bright halls. I was already envisioning myself walking down these halls next week—walking with confidence and smiling at everyone. The blonde receptionist opened the glass door to a spacious office, and inside, the late fifties gray-haired man was smiling back at me as I approached his desk.
“Good morning, Mr. Gilmore.” I reached out a hand to him. He stood as we shook hands.
“Good morning, Miss Hopkins. It’s great to finally meet you. Congratulations on passing the interview rounds.”
“It’s great to meet you too, sir.” I smiled.
“Take a seat.” He sat behind his desk as well, then I did as I was told.
“You came from a good company—one of the best, should I just say. Mr. Stark and I have a good relationship when it comes to business. But you said your evaluation for the full-time position is supposed to come out today. Do you not want to continue working there?”
“Ah, the fashion industry isn’t really my strong point,” I said honestly. “I came here because business is my specialty.”
“Ah, I see. Well, I am impressed with your resume. I don’t think we have anyone here who was a first in their business degree and a former employee from Stark Apparel.”
I smiled sweetly. I already had a good feeling that the next thing he said was, when can you start?
“Considering your application, I think you would bring a good deal to my company, Miss Hopkins,” he said after a few seconds. “I think I can—”
“I can start today, Mr. Gilmore. Like today, right now.”
Mr. Gilmore stared back at me. “Well…” He looked down at my resume on his desk. “Let me just say this, Miss Hopkins. You are impressive, but I don’t think you would fit in here.”
What?
“I don’t understand. I’m sure I didn’t have a problem with the previous interviews. You said I would bring a good deal—”
“Listen, Miss Hopkins,” he interrupted. “As I have said, Mr. Stark and I have a very good relationship in the industry. I can’t hire you because I don’t want to become blocklisted to Mr. Stark.”
”I’m sorry?” I frowned, confused. “What does my application here have to do with my future ex-boss?”
He sighed. “We called Stark Apparel’s HR, and they say you are working directly under him and also a candidate for the executive assistant position.”
I blinked. Me? A candidate? What? ”I am working directly under Mr. Kline, his right-hand man.”
He cleared his throat. “You know what I mean, Miss Hopkins.”
“What if I wanted to work with someone else? What if I don’t want to be his assistant? Your company has nothing to do with Mr. Stark.”
“It does. Mr. Stark invested in this company two years ago and is also one of the reasons why this company is still running, Miss Hopkins. He started selling his premium apparel in my shopping malls, giving me twenty percent of the sales in addition to his investment. I don’t want to pay him back by pirating his prospective executive assistant.”
I finally let out a sharp breath, unable to speak.
“Besides, when he called me, he made it clear that if I hired you or even gave you consideration, he would rather sue me.”
I felt the blood in my cheeks drain. “You told him that I was here?”
“No, not at all. He called me just a few minutes before you arrived.”
My shoulder dropped to the floor.
“It’s really a pleasure meeting you, Miss Hopkins. The executive assistant with Mr. Stark will make you a successful individual in the corporate world. I highly suggest that you grab the opportunity.”
I forced a smile, shook his hand once more, and left the room nicely.
I was pissed and confused at the same time. I couldn’t believe he blocked me from getting a new job! How did he even know I was coming here?
Stepping out of the Gilmore building and into the scorching sun of Manhattan, I went into my Uber app and booked my apartment’s address because I was still one of the people in New York that didn’t have a car. But when I was about to type my address, a familiar silver Aston Martin stopped in front of me.
The driver seat’s door slowly opened, and then a pair of Italian leather shoes stepped onto the pavement. Gabriel Stark turned around the passenger seat and held the door open. He took off the shades and then put them inside his suit jacket.
“Not getting on?”
I blinked, shocked. I didn’t answer, so I shoved the phone back into my bag and slid into the car. Stark sat back in his respective seat and pulled out the door.
“How’s your important appointment?” he asked, smirking.
“So you are picking up employees on the streets now after their job interviews?”
However, it was my first time sitting in his private car. Stark didn’t usually drive around the city without Mr. Jones, his driver, so I wondered what’s gotten into him now. I was guessing he probably had somewhere to go that wasn’t in his schedule. Perhaps, the supermodel everyone was talking about.
He flashed out a sexy smirk, then he opened the glove compartment and picked out a small yellow box with a pink ribbon around it. “I find it amusing that you would do that to me.”
I realized I can’t put up with your demands anymore, I thought. But I didn’t say it. I didn’t want to jeopardize my existing job.
“I even wanted to congratulate you myself for passing the evaluation period.” Stark carefully tossed the box on my lap. “Congratulations, Miss Hopkins. You are now officially my executive assistant.”