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I adjust my tie. Attempting. “I concede, humor isn’t my strong point. I fired three people already today, and there’s more to come on Friday, so this is me in a good mood.”
Her eyes flick to mine once more and I’m pleased to see most of the anger has dissolved.
“That sounds horrendous.”
“Trust me, they deserved it.”
She glances around the room, not that there’s much to look at. “So, Mr. Petrov.” Fuck, every time she says my name like that… “If I work for you, just exactly what do you expect of me?”
I frown. “You didn’t read the job description?”
“I did. But given our history, I think it’s best to nut it out in person.”
My adorable little Krasavitsa.
“Of course you’re completely correct. How foolish of me.” I look down at her file and an idea comes to mind. I flip the folder open and pull out the contents; her resume and cover letter. I look up at her.
This should be fun.
“So, Miss Anderson. Tell me about why you applied for the store manager position at Tre’sor?”
I don’t know what she was expecting, but her breath hitches ever so slightly.
“Actually, my friend Ariana told me about the position through her husband, your associate Lukas Bentley,” she tells me. “She thought it might be a good fit for me. I loved my position at Cartier, and when the pandemic hit, I was forced out of a job. Seattle is a very competitive market, which I’m sure you’ll come to realize — if you haven’t already.”
Ouch.
“I think it would be a good fit for you, too, even though you’re clearly overqualified for a store manager position.” I refrain from telling her new opportunities could be closer than she thinks after Friday’s meeting. “Tell me about your training as a buyer for Cartier.”
She looks at me skeptically. “Do you really want to know?”
I nod. “I’m all ears.”
She swallows her pride — and her anger — and pushes her glasses up her nose.
“Well, I was liaising with suppliers, learning the negotiating process, overseeing revenue targets and reporting on performance. It was important to me to be able to work for a company who values ethics and ethos, as well as deliver a high-end product with conflict-free diamonds. Unfortunately, it all came to an abrupt halt during the pandemic, and when the store reopened, staff cuts were severe.”
“You have a glowing recommendation from them, that speaks volumes.”
I smile. “I would’ve loved to have returned, but in this economic climate, times are tough.”
“What have you been doing since then?”
Her resume says she is currently a temp for one of Lukas’ ad agencies.
“Office work, mainly… and… I’ve been waiting tables here and there.”
Waiting tables?
I stare at her.
There’s nothing wrong with anyone waiting tables, but are times that tough, considering her experience, that she needs to do that?
She sighs. “I had a bad break up. My step-father — well he’s the only Dad I’ve ever known — passed away… my mom… well, anyway. I wanted a job I could do without having to think, without having to put my happy face on every day and pretend I was someone I’m not. For Lukas I’m just doing back office filing, and at the diner I was clearing and running orders out. It paid the bills.”
I shift in my seat unable to see my Krasavitsa doing something so menial.
I don’t like it.
