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Surprisingly, Lev spoke up in a nonthreatening manner. "Why give up independent work to be tied to a company that could hinder your work? How do we know if you can be a team player after all this time working alone?" Given his initial reaction to Hanna, I was afraid he would ask nonsensical questions, so it was good to hear him behaving with his questions.
Once again, she remained relatively confident with her reply. "Even though I pick up contracts independently, I actually have a small crew I often work with. It is somewhat rare for me to go on a completely solo job, so I am used to working in a team. I want to give up my independent work for the stability that a company can provide me and the growth opportunities."
I remained silent, pondering momentarily as I let my eyes bounce back and forth between Hanna and her resume on my desk. If I went by my typical checklist, then she probably wouldn't be hired, given the lack of work history. I had no clue about her credibility and background because she had no past employees I could contact. Her answers so far were solid and typical, so I'd give her some points there.
Logically, based on what we did know and have about her, she should be shown the door. On the other hand, my gut told me otherwise. I couldn't place it, but an energy about her drew me towards her. Was it the way she confidently held herself? Possibly, but there was something else.
Usually, interviewees, no matter how strong and confident, were always anxious to some extent. Their nervousness always spilled over with their words, but Hanna held hers in very well. They usually felt small to me, too, like a criminal on the stand. Yet, it felt as if Hanna controlled the room.
"I'm going to be honest, your resume doesn't bode well for you along with what little history you do have on it. Typically, I'd play nice and give you the whole 'we'll call you' spiel, then let you down later, but I'm going give you a chance to prove yourself and earn the position." Something very unorthodox of me, but something tells me I wouldn't regret the decision.
I saw Lev open his mouth out of the corner of my eye, but I held my hand out to stop him before he could get a word out. "I will go over the terms and conditions with you, if you agree. Also, this is the only time I will ever offer you something like this, and I expect an answer right now." The offer would go out with her if she walked out the door.
This was the only chance for her to work at my company. Like I told her, I wouldn't hire her based on her resume alone. She would take my offer if she was serious and wanted the position badly enough.
Besides, it's not like I would make her do anything deplorable to earn her position. I wasn't a horrible human being.
Chapter 2
Hanna
Phew.
I felt myself drop a little when he said he wouldn't have hired me based on my spotty history, which I didn't blame him for. Actually, I was surprised at how far I got. I knew it was a long, colossal shot when I tossed in my application to his company.
My friend Angel had told me her brother-in-law's company had positions open for field workers and to apply. No, she didn't pull any strings to get me this interview either, nor did Stepan know about my connection to Angel. At least, if he did know, then he didn't indicate the knowledge. So, I was shocked when he made the offer about the trial. I have no complaints about it though, because I would take it if he were willing to give me any chance. Honestly, it was better than nothing and a whole lot better than what I had hoped for coming into this interview, given my very shitty resume. Also, seeing Lev react as he did when I walked in did not feel promising.
If I had known Lev would be my potential future boss, then maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't have shoved my wins in his face back then. Well, at least he didn't flat-out throw me out the door, but it looked like he wanted to.
I tried to sound confident and not eager, but my reply came out faster than I could control it. "I'll accept your offer. Whatever you have to throw at me, I'll take it and prove myself." I wasn't worried about him making me do something horrible like spreading my legs for the job; he didn't seem like that kind of man. Stepan carried an aura of confidence, but not overly cocky and rude, not with the proud and sure smile on his face.
The smile on his face didn't give me chills either, so I considered that good as well. Shockingly, his smile was warm and comforting. So, whatever he had in mind for me shouldn't be bad, right?
Stepan wasted no time in laying it out for me. "Perfect, glad to hear the answer I was hoping for. It'll be a simple trial run, a week long. You'll be either with me or Lev, and we're basically going to test you with supervised fieldwork." He paused with a brief smile, "You will be paid for all of it of course, we wouldn't waste your time and energy without compensation for you." Good to hear I wouldn't be working for free. "A formal contract will be drawn up about all of this in more detail while we give you a tour of the place, if you are still in agreement with everything? Do you have any questions?"
"So, basically I'm going to have one week to show you two that I'm worth it." I summarized with a tilt of my head.
"Yes, essentially. Just take it as a week-long test, no pressure." Stepan replied with a soft chuckle. "So, still in?" He asked with an outstretched hand.
Without any hesitation, I reached out and took his hand, shivering a little from the warm contact of his rough hand. "Of course. I never back down." Always forward or nothing, that was my motto in life. One week of working with people watching over my shoulders for a stable job was a walk in the park.
I felt as if his hand lingered more than it should have, not that I minded. "Perfect, I'll have my assistant write up a contract while we show you around." His hand seemed to pull away reluctantly before gesturing for me to stand as he stood.
"Is Lev going to be okay with your decision? He still doesn't seem too content." Lev had silently glared and scowled at me the whole time Stepan questioned me. There was no doubt in my mind that he would make the trial week an absolute nightmare for me.
"Oh if he really wanted you gone then it already would have happened. Either way, he'll have to suck it up. His problem with you is personal, nothing I see that should affect your employment here if we were to hire you." Stepan didn't seem too worried about his brother's attitude toward me, which I won't question for my sake.
"Well, like I said before, I will have no problem working with him. I have nothing against him." I replied with a slight shrug of my shoulders before looking at Lev with a somewhat overly exaggerated, innocent smile. "Why don't we start over?" I offered my hand out to Lev with good intentions.
Yes, I might have stolen some bounties from right under him, but not like he never returned the favor. I held no ill content towards him for the stolen targets as there would always be plenty of bounties out there for me to pick up to make up for any lost ones.
Narrowing his eyes at me, Lev reached out and took my hand roughly. Then, instantly, he jerked my body forward over the desk and hovered his face over mine with a forced smile. "I'm not going to let you off so easily, but I'll play nice with you, for now." He forced through his smiling face. "Good luck with your little trial period, you're going to need it."
His stupid face disappeared from my line of vision in the next instant, with Stepan placing himself between Lev and me, standing protectively in front of me. "Lev!" Stepan scolded him with a stern look.
Lev looked at his brother with a playful grin and replied in Russian with a short chortle before Stepan threw some words back at him. "Sorry about him, I'll make sure he won't give you a harder time than he does others." Stepan assured me while narrowing his eyes and shoving at Lev, who rolled his eyes in response with his arms crossed.
The tour started from the top of the ten-story building because Stepan's office was at the top. I had to admit that the place impressed me greatly. The place had nearly everything: office areas, cafeteria, arsenal area, underground shooting range, gym, locker area. It was a lot to take in, honestly. I felt a little daunted after the whole tour. Everyone seemed professional and well-placed, and I felt like a sore thumb. I didn't try to dwell on the feeling, though. Why should I feel intimidated? Stepan wouldn't have given me a chance if he didn't think I could stack up to his workers. I belonged here, possibly, or at least I had the chance to. Earning my place should be as easy as breathing.
