Chapter One
Tia
The rain poureddown in sheets, drenching all of New York City in water that had lasted for days. I clutched my umbrella tightly as the deluge battered against it, desperate to keep myself dry for this appointment. I could practically feel the humidity flattening my hair to a pancake against my head.
So much for all that effort I took to make myself look good before I left my house.
My insecurities began to get the better of me, so I took a deep breath and stopped under an awning to let it out slowly. “Okay, Tia. You’ve got this. So what if you don’t have a four year degree? You have skills, and the people at this place are going to see that.”
After my quick pep talk, made even quicker by the downpour that now ran in rivers off the end of my umbrella as I hurried to my destination, I rushed into the DeVille Staffing office. The office was warm and welcoming, and as I approached the reception desk, I heard the faintest sound of classical music playing in the background. The receptionist was tanner than anyone usually looked in October, but it somehow suited her, making her blond hair look even lighter next to her skin.
She looked up and gave me a genuine smile as she said, “Good morning. It’s a nightmare out there, isn’t it?”
I nodded in agreement while I wrapped my umbrella up in a bag and stowed it near my purse on the floor. “It really is. This is crazy. I guess it could be worse. It could be snow.”
A look of horror filled her expression. “Don’t even mention snow. I swear every winter I’m going to move to an island or something, but here I am getting ready to spend another season right here in the city.”
Her Brooklyn accent, one I recognized immediately, became stronger as she talked about the cold weather coming, and I suspected she usually hid it but couldn’t when she got excited about something. As she complained about what we’d all be seeing in just a month or so, I nodded and smiled, refraining from joining in with how much I hated the cold weather.
“Well, welcome to DeVille Staffing. I’m Tina. Did you have an appointment?”
I smiled as I replied, “I’m Tia Morton. Nice to meet you. I have an appointment with Mr. DeVille at ten.”
“Tia! Just dropped the n, huh?” she teased before smiling and nodding again as she typed into her computer. “I see you right here, Tia. Mr. DeVille will be ready in just a few minutes. Would you like something to drink while you wait? Something to take the chill out of your bones from that rain?”
Holding the paperwork I’d filled out from online, I shook my head and smiled again as I handed the papers to her. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”
“Okay, well, have a seat and he’ll be out in just a few.”
“Thanks.”
The lounge area was well put together and chic with modern furniture, like the rest of the office, which made me feel better. I would have felt absolutely terrible if DeVille Staffing resided in one of those cramped and dirty offices that a lot of temp agencies seemed to specialize in. Upscale and recent magazines sat on the oak coffee table in front of me, and I found myself feeling very relaxed in one of the plush black chairs around it.
After only waiting for the few promised minutes, I saw a door open at the far end of the office and a man in a dark suit walk out. Tall with black hair, he had an air about him that commanded attention. He said something to Tina before smiling a wickedly charming grin and gestured for me to come over.
Quickly, I grabbed my soggy belongings and hurried over to him at the reception desk. As I drew closer, I saw he had the bluest eyes I’d ever encountered. Their color was nothing less than piercing.
“Tia, is it? I’ll have to be careful not to call you Tina. How do you do, Tia Morton?” he said in a smooth voice as he held out his hand to shake mine.
“I get that a lot actually,” I joked back. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. DeVille.”
“So, Tia, you’re the one who likes kids, right?” he asked as he escorted me into his office.
“Yes, sir. I have a two year degree in early childhood education. I know it’s not a full degree like many places want, but I love children and they love me.”
“I understand completely. Well, let’s chat and by the time you leave, I’ll see to it you have a temporary position somewhere.”
I beamed my happiness at how positive he sounded about my finally getting a job. He sat down behind an enormous old desk that reminded me of my grandfather’s mahogany desk he loved so much, and I took a seat in front of him in a black leather chair as I looked around at his office.
Beige walls and deep brown carpeting gave the impression that this was just another nondescript room in a business, but as I glanced over at the dark wood bookcases that filled the wall behind him, I saw a variety of interesting books from what looked like first edition classics with fine covers to paperbacks of romance novels. Expensive picture frames held images of beautiful women and Mr. DeVille, all different in each of the five of them.
What an interesting man he must be, I thought to myself.
“Now, I can’t guarantee that you’ll be hired on full time. I don’t make that call, but we’re here to place you somewhere else in the event that you don’t get hired on permanently somewhere.”
Nervously I asked, “Do many people not get hired on permanently?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Oh, most of them do, but I’m not allowed to guarantee anything. You understand, I’m sure.”