Page 4 of A Dark Infinity

Enteringtheimpressivelobbyof Infinity Solutions, I’m immediately struck by the sleek, modern design and the palpable aura of professionalism that permeates the atmosphere. The lobby is a hive of activity, filled with people rushing to and from, their voices mingling in a cacophony of sound.

Spotting the receptionist’s desk, I make my way over to her. “Welcome to Infinity Solutions. How may I assist you today?” Her voice is polite but carries an underlying sense of authority.

“I have an interview for an assistant position,” I reply, trying to keep the nervous tremor out of my voice.

“Did you say assistant?” I turn around and nod at the woman behind me. “Are you here for the assistant role?”

I nod. “Yes. I’m Lark and I have an interview at 2pm.”

Both women laugh good-naturedly, and I know it’s because I’m almost an hour early. But I’d rather sit around for an hour than risk being late.

The receptionist checks me off her list and points at the tablet on her desk. “Please sign in, and don’t forget to come see me on your way out.”

I do as I’m told, and once I’m done, the woman walks me over to the elevator. “I’m Ellie,” she grins as we ascend the building. “Our offices will be close together if you get the job. I’m the assistant to Mr. Hunter.”

“That sounds good.” Honestly, I don’t know if it sounds good or bad. I’m too nervous to form a single thought right now.

I follow Ellie through the maze of hallways and corridors, my mind swirling with nerves and anticipation. Finally, we reach a set of double doors. “This is where they’re holding the interviews,” Ellie explains. “Do you want me to check if they’re available earlier?”

Shaking my head, I say, “No that’s okay. I’m happy to wait.”

“Suit yourself,” she says with a shrug. “My lunch hour is up so I better head back. But good luck…” she trails off and looks at me expectantly.

“Lark,” I say.

“That’s right. Good luck, Lark.”she wishes me good luck and disappears around the corner.

After thanking her, I look around the sparsely decorated room. There are nowhere to sit, no plants, no art. It’s completely bare, it’s so unwelcome I’m hesitant to move at all. Should I remove my jacket or will that send the wrong message? I’m so out of my depth that I’m scared to breathe.

As it turned out, the call from Claire wasn’t a hoax. The next day, as promised, I received an email detailing the job description, salary and benefits. But that wasn’t all; I also received a fancy gift basket with expensive fruit, chocolate, lotions, and even a dress with a note welcoming me onboard and suggesting I wear the dress at my interview.

I don’t understand this at all. If they’re that eager to have me, why am I interviewing? Why not just take me on and be done with it? It all seems weird. But this job isn’t just another opportunity; it’s a lifeline—for me and, more importantly, for my dad. Everything is riding on this, and I can’t afford to mess it up by leaving a bad impression. So… to keep my jacket on or not to keep my jacket on.

The time passes quickly, and when there are only five minutes left until my appointment time, I summon every ounce of courage I possess. With my jacket slung over my arm, I approach the door and knock softly. “Come in,” comes the deep voice from within.

Stepping into the room, I’m met with the sight of Ethan Drake—a man whose reputation precedes him. He sits behind a large mahogany desk, exuding an air of authority and confidence that is both intimidating and captivating.

He’s even more handsome in person than the many pictures of him online. His jet black hair is styled to perfection, and his jaw is covered in a dark, sexy stubble. The gray eyes that look at me are so piercing I feel naked under his scrutiny. I never expected it to be the man himself interviewing me. I’m not sure who I thought would do it. HR, or perhaps another assistant, like the one sitting at the edge of the desk, ready to take notes. But definitely not him.

A woman I hadn’t noticed clears her throat. “Hello,” she greets warmly. “I’m Claire, and it’s so nice to finally meet you after we’ve spoken on the phone.”

“Hi Claire, I’m—”

“Ms. Parker, please have a seat.” Ethan’s tone is dripping with impatience as he lifts his tattooed hand and points to the empty chair opposite him. “I would like to find a new assistant before Claire gives birth, so I would appreciate moving this along.”

What the hell kind of thing is that to say? It’s clear the woman is pregnant but still. “Thank you, Mr. Drake,” I reply, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

His piercing gray eyes regard me with keen interest as I take a seat opposite him, trying to appear calm and composed despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

As Ethan begins to review my resume, I can’t help but feel a sense of vulnerability under his penetrating gaze. The awkwardness of the situation is palpable, and I struggle to maintain my composure.

“So, Ms. Parker, tell me about yourself,” Ethan prompts, leaning back in his chair.

“Well, I graduated from college a few years ago with a degree in business administration,” I begin, wanting to keep my response concise yet informative. The last thing I need is for him to dig into why it’s taken me years upon years to graduate college. “Since then, I’ve been working as an office manager at a small startup, where I’ve gained valuable experience in managing day-to-day operations and coordinating administrative tasks.”

Ethan nods, his expression neutral as he listens to my response. “And why Infinity Solutions?” he asks, his gaze lingering on me expectantly.

I’ve never been happier for any research I’ve done. At first I didn’t plan on doing any since Claire made it clear they want me to work for them. But with everything on the line, I couldn’t risk looking out of place. “I’ve heard great things about the company’s reputation for innovation and excellence,” I answer, trying to convey my genuine interest. “I’m eager to contribute to a dynamic team and be a part of something truly impactful.”

---