Page 8 of Stuck with My Billionaire Protector

“The interview is scheduled for nine, and it’s only a quarter to nine now,” I reply, feeling the elevator start to ascend.

“I wish you all the best, kid. I know you’ll nail the interview, and any company would be lucky to have you on their team,” he says encouragingly.

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re only two years older than me.”

“But you’ll always be my baby sister.”

“I’ll call you when I get home.”

“Talk to you later!”

I end the call and put my phone in my bag. As I’m stowing my phone, the elevator dings, and the doors open on the tenth floor. Taking a deep breath, I step out into the lobby.

Today, I had taken extra care with my appearance, striving for a simple yet professional look.

My hair was easy. I have naturally curly hair, so all I had to do was smooth down the frizz and let the ringlets cascade down my back. I opted for a natural makeup look, just enough to enhance my features without overpowering them.

I am wearing my favorite red power suit. The sharp lines and bold colors give me a sense of confidence that I need for this opportunity. I accessorize with a simple silver necklace and matching earrings that glint in the light. I feel ready to take on the world and make a lasting impression.

I walk to the front desk and greet the receptionist with a smile. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. Welcome to Chase Media. May I ask if you have an appointment?” she inquires.

“Yes. I have an interview with Mr. Parker Slater, Senior Corporate Strategist,” I reply.

“Ah, you must be Jocelyn Mitchell, here for the personal assistant to the CEO position. You’re a bit early, but let me see if Mr. Slater is available to see you now. He’s been here since seven—the poor man practically lives here.” She gestures toward a corner where a small coffee bar is set up. “In the meantime, help yourself to a cup of coffee or tea. We have a Keurig machine with a selection of pods and all the trappings, as well as bottles of water in the mini-fridge.”

“Thank you so much,” I reply as she walks away.

Making my way to the coffee bar, I start brewing a cup of my favorite Green Mountain Breakfast Blend. I notice the Keurig screen popping up with recommended brew settings. It makes me realize that this must be the new Wi-Fi-enabled model I have been eyeing but am unable to afford. Well, maybe this new job would change that…

The receptionist returns a few minutes later. “Mr. Slater is available to see you now. Go down the hall, and it’s the third door on your left.”

With a smile on my face, I thank her again. I then make my way down the hall, pausing at the third door. Though it’s open, I knock anyway.

The man behind the desk rises to his feet to greet me. “Good morning, Ms. Mitchell. I’m Parker Slater. Thank you for coming in on such short notice,” he says, extending his hand for a firm shake. “Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable.” He gestures toward the chairs in front of his desk. “I see Elise has already set you up with coffee. Can I get you anything else before we get started?”

“Thank you, but I’m all set,” I reply.

I settle into the chair and glance around the room to take in the modern and sophisticated decor of the office. The sleek, glass desk and minimalist furnishings are accented by tasteful artwork and designer lighting fixtures. Everything works together to give the space an elegant and refined atmosphere.

After shutting the office door, he returns to his seat behind the desk, allowing me to get a closer look at him. Parker Slater appears to be in his early to mid-forties, with chiseled features and striking good looks. However, despite his attractive appearance, there are visible signs of stress and fatigue etched on his face, suggesting that he’s a man carrying a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders.

He begins shuffling a few files on his desk, and I watch as he opens one and skims through the contents. I assume it’s my resume.

“Can you tell me a bit about your experience at Digiprint Communications?” he asks, glancing up from my resume. “It looks like you were there for three years, starting right out of college, and that you recently transferred to the Los Angeles office.”

“Yes, that’s correct,” I reply, sitting up straighter in my chair. “I actually interned there during my final year of college and was offered a full-time position upon graduation. I started out as a junior copywriter and worked my way up to eventually leading the team.” I begin to feel more confident as I speak about my previous experience. “During my time there, I gained many valuable experiences such as managing projects and teams and developing and executing successful marketing campaigns.”

“It sounds like you had a great position at Digiprint,” Parker comments, nodding thoughtfully. “May I ask why you left?”

“While I enjoyed my work there, I found that I wasn’t being challenged enough anymore.” I make sure to choose my words carefully. It isn’t exactly a lie since I had outgrown my previous position, but I’m not about to mention the harassment I had endured from my former boss during this interview. I’m not going to mention the fact that I was fired either.

“I understand,” Parker says, leaning back in his chair. “However, this position is for a personal assistant. From what I can see on your resume, you have a great deal of experience and seem to be overqualified for this role. Can you tell me why you’re interested in this position in particular?”

“Although my previous role was a step up from a personal assistant position, I am genuinely excited about the prospect of working for a large multinational media corporation like Chase Media. The opportunity to learn and grow in this dynamic environment drew me to this role. What specifically intrigued me were the challenges associated with anticipating the needs and preferences of the CEO before they arise as well as the chance to be involved in strategic planning and the decision-making processes for the company as a whole.”

As I watch him close my file, I feel a sense of nervousness. I know he’s sizing me up, trying to determine if I’m the right fit for the job. However, as he leans back in his chair and looks at me, a small smile forms on his lips. It’s a reassuring gesture and puts me at ease.

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