Despite being a yucky, blood-sucking vamp.
Serenity
Later that same day, I was at work and my head was spinning with a mix of delight and surprise.
Bryce had called and left a message while I was doing my usual cleanup before customers arrived. I’d just gotten a chance to call him back and he was still on the phone with me. I stood in the club’s staff room, holding my cell tight against my ear, hanging on his every word with my lips glued ear to ear in a beaming smile.
I’d gotten the job!
“This is amazing. Thank you so much, Bry—Mr. Harding,” I said, for some strange reason changing to formal language as we chatted.
“It’s still Bryce,” he said in a wry but kind tone, clearly happy at my overjoyed reaction. “And we’re still friends. But yes, maybe when we’re in Midas, for the sake of appearances, maybe you should call me Mr. Harding. I don’t want any other employees thinking you only got the job because we’re friends.”
Fidgeting with the grimy cleaning rag in my free hand, notwanting to spoil the moment, I felt I had to confirm something. “And that’s true, right? I hate the idea of getting special treatment over more qualified candidates.”
His words firmed but not harshly. “I can assure you, you got the job because I felt you were the best choice. You don’t know me that well yet professionally, but my nickname—whispered around Midas—is ‘Mr. Precise’. And there’s a reason for that. It applies to everything I do with my companies. With hiring, I choose people I think are the best fit.”
I was relieved to hear it, as it had been niggling at me, despite my intense happiness over the best news I’d had in just about forever. “Thank you so much. This means so much to me. I won’t let you down.”
“I have no doubt on that score. I’ve seen your talent, from your portfolio. But also, from spending time with you, some attributes which are much more important, regardless of the position.”
“Oh, what are those, if it’s okay to ask?” I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous, considering I’d come to know him pretty well in just a week.
“Integrity, honesty, determination, caring about others, courage. I could go on.” His voice deepened. “But I think you get the point. So, rest easy. I saw a lot of highly qualified candidates, but nobody I can be sure to trust like you. You were also the only human applicant, and that rules you out of being part of this pro-Temple mess I’m determined to expunge. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to help me on this.”
His words sent shivers across me in a pleasant way. I was honored such a kind and caring man, and one hell of a CEO, trusted me so much. “Thanks so much, Mr. Hard—”
“We’re friends chatting on the phone. Bryce, please. Save the Mr. Harding stuff for later.” He chuckled, then cleared his throat. “And I have to admit, what Dagger said yesterday upset me. About the Temple of the Pure Breed. They are being reported on with afavorable bias. I’ve been aware of it and I need to change it. I don’t like the idea of people in my company using my resources to further their own agendas. Like I said, I need people I can trust.” There was a pause, his tone turning awkward for a moment. “And I trust you very much. Sorry if I keep repeating myself. It’s just the honest truth.”
“I appreciate that. I trust you too,” I said, blushing. And was really glad he couldn’t see me right now. “So, what is it with the Temple? Are they really that bad?”
“I can’t say I despise them. I’ve never even attended one of their services, and everyone’s free to have their own beliefs. I have no problem with that. But just the fact they seem to harbor an uncompromising—putting it mildly—disdain for humans, never mind their deep prejudices against half-breeds, makes me very wary of them. I’m drawing up a list of their supporters who are working for me and acting inappropriately. I’ll be giving each of them a personal warning not to promote Temple propaganda through my news channel or any other arm of Midas. If they don’t heed that, they’ll be looking for work elsewhere.”
“Oh, I see.” To be looked down on just for being human made me feel slightly angry and uneasy. I had a similar attitude toward vamps. Although that loathing had beenverywell earned. But still, maybe I was basing my opinion on the actions of a few. Sebastian, for example, had shown nothing but the deepest concern for Rico’s well-being and my own, if I was being fair. “Well, you can trust me to be professional at all times, and I have no interest in joining anti-human religions, I can assure you.”
He laughed. “Exactly. Hence, you have the job. And talking of the Temple, I’d like to start you off working on some new logos and designs for the news channel right away. The news desk back drops, things like that. I have a strong suspicion the current ones have been tweaked in a way to dog whistle their followers. That’s something that I’m not going to tolerate. I trust you to set that right.”
“Damn right I will,” I blurted. “Oh sorry, I—”
I could sense his smile even through the phone. “Don’t be sorry. That’s the spirit. Keep it up. So are you ready to get to work on that as soon as possible? Could we head to the news station even as soon as… tomorrow. Eleven or so?”
Wow, that was fast, but I was raring to go. “Uh, what about paperwork?” And I’d have to speak to Hunter too. I wasn’t sure I could manage both jobs, but I would if I could, at least for a bit, and wouldn’t just bail on him.
“Come to Midas first thing tomorrow, my secretary will have your new employee paperwork. We’ll drive over to the news station together.”
“Okay, great!” I was so excited, I wanted to reach through the phone and hug him. Oh man, my feelings for my new boss were quickly getting complicated. This was as bad as things were with Hunter. At least with Bryce, his condition meant we’d never be close enough for me to embarrass myself.
“Fantastic,” he said. “See you tomorrow morning. I’ll leave you to let Hunter know the good news. Have a great evening.”
“You too, Bryce. Bye.” I tapped the end call button on my cell and took a deep breath, trembling slightly at the massive opportunity I’d just been handed. Plus the fact I had to let Hunter know I’d be scaling back at the club as of tonight.
Then I’d try to figure out what the hell I was wearing tomorrow.
Serenity
“Do you think this looks okay?” I walked up to Hunter as he was leaning back on one of his sofas, petting Carrot.
I smoothed my palms down my skirt then did a twirl, trying to ramp up enthusiasm for the less than sophisticated outfit I’d chosen for my first day as a Midas employee. As soon as I’d gotten off the phone with Bryce, I’d told Hunter my news. I shouldn’t have been surprised when he insisted we leave the club early so I could get a good night’s sleep. It wasn’t quite bedtime yet though, and I was much too anxious about how things might go to call it a night, so I was trying on clothes. Not that I had many options.
