At least I hoped I had.
"So, do you have any questions for me, Miss Cooper?"
I shook my head and sat quietly before remembering what Maddie had told me. "Be honest with him, Em. He's a strange kind of man, but he seems to have a knack for things. Eric can't say enough great things about him."
So I did as she said and told the truth. "Yes, actually I do. I understand that this is a hiring service, but I was wondering if I could make a request."
He smiled a wide grin and sat back in his chair, arms folded across his chest, before replying in a very serious voice, "You’re perfectly welcome to make a request, Miss Cooper. Whether or not I can fulfill that request is another story entirely. I'll do my best, though."
I sat perfectly still, not knowing what to say until Mr. DeVille chuckled. "Relax, Miss Cooper. Just tell me what it is you want. I'm here to help."
"Well, it’s more of what I don’t want, really."
He leaned forward and steepled his hands in front of him. "Oh, now I'm intrigued. Go on. I so rarely get these kinds of requests."
"I hope this isn't too much to ask, but I think I would be well suited for something that doesn't involve children. It's not that I have any serious issue with them. In fact, it's usually them who don't like me, but I do think I would work much better in a field that doesn't involve a lot of one-on-one contact with children," I said, hoping I hadn’t ruined my chances at a job.
I didn’t hate children, but I'd never had much luck with them. I didn't know why, but they never warmed up to me. I looked over at Mr. DeVille, nervously, and asked, “Is that okay?”
"That’s no problem at all. If you don't like something, you won't do it well and we don't want the people finding jobs through us here at DeVille Staffing giving us a bad name, after all. Your request is granted. No children for you. I find the little rug rats annoying myself. Always shrieking and drooling. It's too much. Now your paperwork says you're available immediately. Is that true?"
"Yes, sir. I can start today at a job, if you have one ready for me."
Ordinarily, I wouldn't have sounded so eager, but I needed to start making money and quick.
"Good, good. Well, Emma, I looked around and given your skills and past employment history, I think I've found a place that'll work for you. Am I correct in assuming that you're familiar with the basics that go into being a secretary? That includes being able to set appointments, computer work, get what the boss needs, those kinds of things? Nothing too physically intensive, mostly desk work. The prospective employer I'm looking at for you might send you out to get lunch, but nothing more major than that. What do you think?"
"Yes, I can do all of that," I said, my heart racing at the idea of getting such a cushy position right off the bat.
My friends had been worried that I was going to get some awful job cleaning toilets or something equally as gross. Desperate times called for desperate measures, but I had secretly hoped for something less disgusting.
"Good. Well this will be a short meeting then. Tomorrow you'll go to this address and start. The man in charge there is named Mark Tanchen. He’s a CEO of a tech company that's experiencing tremendous growth, and as his business is expanding, he needs a secretary. Tina will email you all the details, such as where his office is located, the hours, and other pertinent information. I would suggest wearing something professional, of course, but you don't seem to have an issue with that,” he said, gesturing at my outfit and making me smile.
I had taken extra care to ensure I looked the very picture of a professional in my black skirt, red silk blouse, and sensible heels my mother suggested I wear. As usual, she'd been right.
"Does everything about that sound good to you?” Mr. DeVille asked, typing something into his computer as he waited for me to reply.
"Yes, thank you so much, Mr. DeVille. Is there anything else you need from me?"
He looked across the desk at me and pursed his lips. "No, if we need anything, Tina will be in touch with you. If you've signed all the paperwork you gave her, then go enjoy your night off before you start tomorrow. He’s a busy man, so I suggest getting there a little early on your first day.”
"Thank you so much, sir. I really appreciate this."
"It’s what I do," he said with a chuckle.
I smiled once more at him before standing to leave. When I reached the door, I remembered I hadn't asked one important question. I turned and said, "Mr. DeVille, as for my salary…"
"Your new boss will go over all of that. Again, any issue and we're here. That being said, we work with excellent clients, and none of them are the kind of people who expect superior work without paying superior money."
Not exactly the answer I wanted, but he did say superior money. "Okay. Thank you, sir,” I squeaked out before leaving.
When I walked outside, I beamed about my success. I had to remind myself that jumping around in celebration was something I could save for when I was back in my apartment and wouldn't look like a lunatic on the street. That hadn't been bad at all and faster than I could have ever imagined.
I had a job.
Oh, God! In my excitement, I didn’t ask him where Mr. Tanchen’s business was located. No matter. I didn’t care how far I had to travel each day. I had a job, and if it paid a superior salary like Mr. DeVille said, it would all be fine.
On my way to the train, I quickly called Maddie to share my good news. Without even saying hello, I jumped right in. "Hey! I just left DeVille Staffing, and I have a job starting tomorrow!" I squealed.