Page 10 of His Revenge
“I must have, hmm?I get so many resumes all the time, that I guess I forgot.But a resume earmarked by the CEO probably got HR’s attention.”
“Yes,” I say in a tone that’s a bit too forceful.“We had a conversation back then.I told you that I was pessimistic about my future career as a journalist, remember?How dozens of American newspapers have been folding right and left, and that I wanted to explore marketing as a career alternative?”
Brad nods thoughtfully again, giving nothing away.
“I do remember,” he says in a deep voice.
I shoot him a look.
“Do you really, Brad?”I ask in a dry tone.“It seems like my presence at Excel is a total surprise to you.”
Instead of being offended, the powerful CEO chuckles.
“Iama little surprised,” he acknowledges.“But it’s fine.Excel has tens of thousands of employees, and another intern isn’t going to bring the place crashing down.At least, I hope not.”
I nod.
“Good, because I’m genuinely interested in marketing and hope to pick up some valuable experience while I’m here.Which brings me to my next point...”
One of Brad’s black brows arches.
“Which is...?”
I exhale with a poof so that my hair flies up a bit as I shoot him a wry smile.
“Well, I think my fellow interns might be angry when I say this, but we haven’t gotten any work yet.It’s been almost a week, but we’ve been sitting on our hands, re-reading the Employee Handbook, and wondering if everyone’s forgotten us.We’re going a bit stir-crazy at our desks.”
Brad shoots me a wry look.
“Yeah, I can see why the other kids wouldn’t appreciate you telling me that.There are definitely a lot of people in the world who’d be more than happy to twiddle their thumbs while letting their paychecks roll in.”
I think for a moment.
“Yes, but it’s not healthy to do that.It’s a competitive job market out there, especially for recent college grads.None of us want to waste time, and especially not an entire summer.Say what you will about Gen Z, but lazy slackers we are not.We need experience.Skills.Bullet points for our resumes, and this is where we’re going to get them.”
Brad nods, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.Oh my god, is he laughing at me?Does he think my little speech is sanctimonious and trite, coming from a girl so young and green?Do I sound like I’ve been memorizing aphorisms, like someone who consumes too many “girl power” memes?OMG, I’ve totally overstepped and my cheeks flame hot as I try not to squirm.
“I see,” the huge man hums, one tanned cheek twitching a bit.OMG, heislaughing at me!Suddenly, I feel so stupid.I feel like a completely inept moron sitting here in the billionaire’s office, and fervently hope for a hole in the ground to swallow me up.Heck, if the hole swallowed this entire building, that would be great.
But Brad merely smirks again, his tanned face so gorgeous that I can barely breathe.
“I find your eagerness very refreshing,” he remarks lightly.“We need more of that at Excel.”
I shoot him a look.
“Really.”
“We do,” he confirms.“We can always use fresh new energy around these parts, and I find you very intriguing, Minnie.”
“Okay,” I say in a hesitant voice.“Thanks.I think.”
He grins fully now, flashing even white teeth and momentarily, I’m reminded of a wolf smiling because Brad Landry’s not my friend, nor is he an amicable co-worker, nor even a doting manager.This man is a predator circling his prey, and unfortunately, I’m it.
“You’re very fetching, Minnie,” he drawls again, his large form still on the sofa.“But I’d like something before you leave.”
I pause, squinting at him.
“Like what?For me to take my words back?For me to go home, so you and my mom can divorce in peace without her daughter here, under your shoe?”
