CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

“He needs your help.” Jem said plainly.

“On what”? I said, raising my eyebrows.

“I just found out that my Chief Financing Officer has been working with my competitor. “ Emerson replied as he sat on the couch holding folders.

“That's not included in my job description, I think.” I said at him. I know I sound stupid but I really don't care about his company. Okay fine, just a bit.

“We know that, that's why I want to talk to you first.” this time Jem replied.

I sigh. “Okay. I'm listening.”

“You'll be working as his CFO's assistant and find out what she's been up a couple months ago and on the succeeding months ahead.” what! My eyes gone wild I know that.

“I know it’s risky and dangerous but I wouldn't let anything to happen.” Emerson said reassuringly. “I'll have someone to follow you, for your safety.” he added.

“You don't need to, I'll be okay.” I replied not looking at his brown eyes.

“Love, just agree on this please? We don't know who we're against.” Jem said, looking tired.

I sigh. “Okay.” I rolled my eyes.
I stand up and gather my things when Emerson speaks “There's one thing I forgot to say.” He said.

“You need to apply tomorrow. There are other applicants, but we have a feeling that it's you she'll choose.” he continues. “I'll email you everything you need to know.”

“We still don't know that.” and before I open the door. I turn to Jem and point at him.

“And you, go home. You look like sh*t.” I said.




I woke up at my usual time and had my routine.

I chose to wear black pencil skirt which is just above my knee, a white long sleeve blouse, black and gold necklace, white pumps and my not so expensive bag because I am applying for a lower position.

Emerson emailed me details and that includes my new identity. Yes, you're right. I have a new name.

Love Vine Gilbert. When I saw that name, I laughed. He just named me after Elena Gilbert of The Vampire Diaries. But at least I maintain my name Love. I don't know where he got that Vine.

I also memorized the schools that this new me had been.

His bodyguard, Jayson delivered my passport.

“I hope I won't end up in jail because of these falsified documents.”
When I parked at the Triumph's Corporation's garage, I look around the lot, it looks modern.

I sigh. “I can do this.” I said to myself. It’s like I’m applying again for the very first time.

I got out of my car and when I was about to enter the elevator, someone bumped me that I almost meet the floor. When I look at who it was, I saw a tall woman; well she's just taller than me like 2 inches. She's wearing a very fitting dress. I don't think she can still breathe in that. Her dress is floral blue with belt and she's wearing high heels and like me she's also wearing a visitor's ID.

She eyed me from head to toe and smirk.

I swear I want to slap that shitty face.

“Are you an applicant”? she asked, while rummaging into her bag.

Raising my eyebrows, “Yes” I said plainly.

She's applying foundation. “You'll not get it, you know? I bet you don't have any qualified experience for the position.” now she's applying his red lipstick.

Not qualified? Yes sure, that's because I'm overqualified for that position. I want to say it out loud but I just flash my sarcastic smile. We'll see about that.


There are three more applicants sitting in the area when we arrive. The office is surrounded with white ceiling and a glass wall that could see the New York City. Black couches and white reception area and at the end of the hall is a mahogany door. There's a name on it but I can't read it, it's far from where I am. I sat beside the last girl.

“You all are not qualified!” I froze when I heard someone said inside the mahogany door. It’s more like of a yell.

“You can't even answer a very simple question.” the woman shouted. “Get out!” then at a cue, the door opens and five girls passed us, running. The third to go out is crying.

Monster. I thought. She doesn't even have a heart, it's cruel to shout, very unprofessional for a CFO.

I sigh.

“You sighed. You must be shaking because of nervousness.” the woman at my left side said, the one with a slutty dress.

“Oh? Am I”? I asked, smiling.

She smirks and flips her hair, it brushes my face
“Anyway, I have scissors inside my bag. Flip it again on my face, you'll see what will happen.” then I heard a chuckle at my right side, when I look at her, she's grinning. I think I just found an alliance with her.

When the girl on my left was about to answer, a mid twenties woman approached us. She's wearing a gray business suit and her hair is down but she has an eyeglasses.

“You five stand up.” and we did as we're told.

The girl on my left moved closer to my ear. “You're lucky, she arrived.” she whispers.
The woman in a suit glared at her and raises her one eyebrow.

“You finished”? I just stare at her. I didn't even glance on the girl at my left; I think she just became a tomato. I almost laugh at that thought.

“Since you're finished now. You all will be interviewed at the same time.” then she turn her back on us and started to walk. “Follow me.”



We are approaching the mahogany door and now I can finally see what's on it. It’s Jean McClaire then under it is the Chief Financing Officer.

When the woman who I think is her secretary or the receptionist in this floor opens the door, a dim light came thru us. The shades in her ceiling to floor glass windows are close. I wonder what it looks like when open.

Her office is better than mine. I mean, my office almost looks like this one; the only difference I think is the view. I don't know the view in here but I know it’s beautiful like the ones outside. Please don't tell it to Jem.

Ms. McClaire pointed the chairs and told us to take a seat.

“I don't like wasting my time on the people who are not deserving. I don't like stupid and dumb assistant, it's a corporate world anyways, so if you're like it, then you may leave and one thing.” she paused. “ I don't like to see women inside the office wearing skirts and dresses like a perfect whore. “ Then she glared at the woman on my left side, she's shaking a bit, I can see it.

All of us jumped when she shouts at her. “Get out.” Ms. McClaire said. “I don't like you parading your boobies and legs around here.” she added and that made me want to laugh but I still maintain my professional expression.

“You didn't even ask me a question -- you are judging me that easy. “ The woman replied.

Ms. McClaire raises her brow at her. “What's your name”? she asked her then all other applicants including me.

The woman on my left smirks, raise her head up high and composed herself. “My name is City Ann Fleming, but you can call me Cian or City or Ann. I completed my Mast---” then we saw Ms. McClaire's hand signing her to stop.

“First of all, I only asked for your name and secondly I don't care what your nicknames are.” glaring at City Ann.

Ms. McClaire then sighs and closes her eyes. When she opened it, it looks like they're on flames.

“City Ann Fleming, Ma'am.” the woman said. Oh she really answered it for the second time.

“Okay then Ms. Fleming, you asked me to ask you questions about work related.” then she nods.

Ms. McClaire smirks. Uh oh! This can be dangerous.

Even I’m not the one being asked, I also pay attention to it. The three applicants on my right did the same.

Ms. McClaire quickly glance to us and back to City Ann. “If you are the one to decide on this situation what would choose.” pausing, she looks on the closed window pane. “Higher profit on short run or smaller profit on the long run”? looking back at her. “I hope you know the differences between short and long run.”

“Of course” City Ann replied proudly.
“Well”? tapping her toes on the floor, it's creating a tap sounds. That would increase one's nervousness. Bosses always do that just to make you sweat more and see if you can cope up within pressure.

“Like when you're jogging.” City Ann pauses. I closed my eyes, even if she was cruel at me a while ago, I don't want her to be, you know? Criticize or something. “I would rather choose to jog one kilometer and earn abs instantly than to run for two kilometers just to burn some fats from the cake you ate.”

Ms. McClaire puts her hands on her pockets and nods. She walks towards us. City Ann being satisfied on her answer smirks at us like a fool. When Ms. McClaire walks back to City's direction, she looks back at me and walks towards my direction.

“You” I raise my eyebrows.

I point to myself. “Me”? she might think I'm retarded. Way to go Love. With that reply, I don't look like the CFO of Jem's Company. What? I think that's way too good for your new identity.

“Yes you. What would you choose”? she asks me smirking. When I looked at City Ann she's wearing a kind of devil smile.