The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(39)
“You did it, girl,” Diane said as she had leaned over and squeezed Alicia’s hand.
Chapter 3
Preparation Before Success
Just as quickly, it seemed, as she had moved into her college dorm room and then housing on campus, she was moving out. She and Clinton had met at their favorite coffee shop only a few days before, him confiding in her that he had been accepted into his first choice of Law School. She was ecstatic for him, but also hesitant, knowing that it was in New York.
They had talked for hours, weighing their options. They ended up deciding that a long distance relationship would most likely be extremely difficult for both of them, especially when they would both be so focused on succeeding in their paths. They had kissed for the last time, his hands grabbing her face across the table and pressing his lips firmly to hers.
“You are an amazing woman,” he said, and she had seen in his eyes that he truly meant this in his heart.
She had been upset, but not discouraged. She missed him immensely as she packed up, especially when she got to their pictures and his old sweatshirts. She held onto them, a reminder that there were true and honest men in this world, much like her brothers.
Her mother had offered up the idea that she move back home for a bit, but Alicia was too enthusiastic to finally be on her own. She had worked every summer, long and tedious hours, in order to save up for her first apartment, still only a few blocks from campus and her mother’s. The commute to work would be a bit longer, but she could bike to the train and study on the ride. She had a plan and she had no doubt she would follow through with every aspect of its action.
Her mother helped her set up in her modest apartment. She had a small kitchen, bathroom and living space, where she placed her bedroom and dresser in the corner. She hung a simple, bright cloth between her bed and dresser and her couch and tv, making a makeshift bedroom.
She and her mother had traveled to Goodwill to get her some suits to wear to work, Alicia insisting that they be longer pencil skirts, in order to keep some of her style in place. She had splurged on a pair of heels and a friend had given her an old briefcase and she had found a slightly used laptop on Craigslist, and felt ready to begin her first career that upcoming Monday.
Chapter 4
A Man With A Mission
Alicia woke up earlier than needed that Monday, sipping a cup of her favorite coffee in order to prepare herself for the day ahead. She felt hesitant, for the first time since beginning college; she was afraid people would see through her Goodwill purchased clothes and hand-me-downs, especially at such a prestigious company.
There weren’t many times in her life when she allowed herself to divulge in these thoughts and let them consume her, primarily because there wasn’t much she could do about it. However, she had a fear of feeling less than, regardless of all the hard work it had taken her to take a path that some were fortunate enough to be born into. She had knocked down doors that were, many times, left open for the richer kids in the suburbs whose mothers stayed at home to raise them. She reminded herself that she had been the one selected for this position, no one else.
She had met Mr. Arthur on her second round of interviews at the company, and had loved his calm demeanor. Although very elderly, he had described a family business that he ran from the bottom up, a sentiment that resonated within her deeply. His son, he said, worked just as hard, if not harder than himself, and this was obviously a sense of pride within the old man. This was a family that was very similar to her; a hard working family, and she reminded herself of this when she became nervous as she prepared herself for the commute.
She slipped on her favorite suit purchase, a long black pencil skirt, button up white shirt and red cardigan, the red looking beautiful against her sweet tea skin. She added a light gloss to her lips that day and a bit more volume in her hair and put on some pearl earrings Clinton had given her, being probably the most expensive gift she had ever received, and headed towards the train.
After an hour long commute, she arrived and took the elevator of the sky rise to the 100th floor. She was guided to wait in the lobby, and so she did, briefcase firmly in hand. She stared out the window, jiggling a foot nervously.
“Ms. Marshall,” she heard, after having been waiting for ten minutes. Her eyes darted from the view out the window, admiring the tall and strenuous buildings, and glanced at a man standing before her. Her heart caught in her chest and she gasped quietly.
Before her was a man who, she could tell instantly, was extremely self-assured, his arm extended, with a smile spread across his face the way a hand caresses its lover. His eyes, the same golden color as her skin, shined, and she glanced at his carefully manicured hand which was engulfed in the most expensive suit she had ever laid eyes on. His thick dark hair was combed back, a piece or two endearing themselves to her by going against the grain and poking out, onto his forehead.
“Hello,” she said quickly, as she stood up, practically stumbling on her usually reliant and firm feet, shaking his hand. The warmth and strength of it sent a chill down her spine.
“I’m Mr. Arthur, I believe my father hired you?” he asked. He motioned for her to follow him. She did so obediently. He turned to look at her as he talked while briskly walking down the hallway. She noticed as the women of the office paused in whatever it was they were doing to catch a glimpse of this younger Mr. Arthur; although they saw him daily, his beauty was still something to be admired. She also noticed that they looked her up and down, evaluating any potential threats.