Page 6 of Overtime

I bartend at The Blue Lagoon. It’s a pretty upscale strip club at the far reach of town. It’s pretty exciting to see all the girls dance, and I get asked about doing it myself, but there’s no way I could ever see myself being so bold.

I live in my little nook of an apartment in the middle of downtown, near all the action and the good bookstores and cafes. I know myself and I know my limits.

And I think I know what I want, which is to put my Political Science degree to good use. I didn’t spend four years studying with my head in the books for nothing. I mean to make something of myself and to be a name people recognize.

Holt, Banks, and Shea is a good place to start. After all, they got Austin Bain a.k.a. “President Player” elected, so that means they are very good at what they do.

The thing is, I’ve heard some things… like, they sell themselves to the highest bidder and not necessarily to the person who can do the most good for the country.

That doesn’t run right with me. I have integrity, and it’s important to me that I maintain that.

In the political world, it’s sometimes hard to have an honest reputation. I know you have to do things that may be uncomfortable, but you do them anyway just to get things done.

But I’m also an idealist. I believe in the power of doing good for the world, and I will never let money sway me from that cause. I am determined to preserve my principles no matter what.

This is the pep talk I give myself as I pull open the heavy doors to the skyscraper that’s going to be my future workspace. I’m serious about getting this job, and let me tell you, when I turn my attention to something, it happens.

For instance, I’ve had to sweet talk my best friend Lily into finagling her boss and lover Sebastian King to get me this interview.

And I’m not going to lose out now. I’m a hard worker. I deserve to be here.

Besides, when I put my charm to work, I can have any man eating out of the palm of my hand; this time will be no different.

My heels click on the floor of the marble lobby. I find the elevator and check my phone that’s buzzing with a text from Lily:

Good luck today. You’ll do great. Sebastian tells me they’re very excited to meet you. xoxo

Oh, great. I have Sebastian and these guys judging me before I even get there.

I wonder what they’re saying? The prospect of working for three power players is daunting. It’s gonna be a lot of work, I know. Men like them are known for being demanding, and I will probably be put to work as their personal slave—filing documents, writing articles, and doing research.

But I swear, if any of them make me fetch them coffee, I’m out. I didn’t come this far just to be degraded to take the role of “that girl who gets Starbucks.” I mean business, and they better see that.

The elevator takes me all the way to the top: the penthouse. Of course. These guys are the type to want only the best.

I breathe in deeply and try to calm my nerves. This is just the beginning. My career starts today, and I have to appear confident.

I walk out into the grand lobby where the three of them work. I’ve heard it’s just them up here, that no other members of the staff work at the penthouse level. That all the real work begins downstairs while the three of them bask in the glory of the empire they’ve made.

I assume it’ll be a quick interview and then to a cubicle somewhere downstairs. I imagine all the long nights that will be spent defending a cause that these three guys, Cameron, Adam, and Chase, will take credit for.

But as long as I get hired, I’m good.

I walk over to the secretary, and she looks at me knowingly.

“Nicole Ryder?” she looks at me over her trendy glasses. “They’ve been expecting you. Come right in.”

I’m shocked. I don’t have to wait? They’ve been expecting me? I’m a nobody! What did Sebastian tell them?

I don’t let my shock show. I simply follow her down the hall, which has an open floor plan with an airy vibe and extremely modern architecture going on. It’s all stone and steel, very upscale.

I’m suddenly very anxious again, and I fidget with my pantyhose and garter belt, hoping the secretary doesn’t notice. Had I known it’d be like this, I might have put more foresight into my look. I catch my reflection in the mirror and sweep up a couple loose hairs into my bun.

This is it, Nicole. Get ready for your life to change.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com