The President's Humble Substitute Secretary

Chapter 3: I got the Job

"For...forgive me. I didn't mean to... to fall asleep."

Florence apologized profusely, her voice coming out small as she rubbed her eyes while trying to stand up straight. It wasn't as if the cold concrete floor of the private parking section was comfortable but somehow she'd still managed to fall asleep. That was how tired she was.

Arturo Fanucci let out a slow, frustrated sigh, the sound cutting through the still air like a knife. "How did you get in here?" He asked,his tone very sharp and impatient. He sounded more annoyed than angry. Maybe he was used to different women sneaking in on him.

"I'm very sorry. I... I only wanted to talk to you" Florence admitted brushing her hair back to look more presentable.

Arturo's dark eyes narrowed. "You're not the first person that wants to talk to me, young lady." He said in a dismissive tone. "If it's really that important then you should book an appointment." The corner of his mouth twitched as he began to turn towards his sleek black car waiting at the other end of the garage.

Seeing that he was about to leave,she acted so fast before she could realise what she was doing. Her fingers clenched around the fabric of his suit sleeve. When realisation dawned on her she immediately let go of him. "I... I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." She stammered trying to clean off the invisible dust on his sleeve but he pulled back before she could touch him. "I really didn't mean..."

Arturo stared at the woman in front of him. It wasn't the first time a woman has tried to date him. They've all done crazy things. Things way crazier than sneaking into his private garage. She was probably five foot four inches but she was nowhere close to his towering six feet two inches height.

Florence felt even smaller than she felt under his scrutinising gaze. The way he looked at her as if he could see through her soul made her swallow hard.

Muttering every last bit of courage in her,she stepped directly in front of him in hopes of stopping him from leaving. "Im Florence Rossi. I applied for the secretary job Mr. Fanucci but unfortunately I wasn't qualified. Please, you have to give me that job. I promise that I'll work twice as hard than anybody else. I'm very diligent. I'm not asking for charity... just... I really need this job. Please."

Her words rushed out desperately as she tried to sound as sincere and vulnerable as she could.

He looked down at her with an unreadable expression across his face. "If my team says you're not qualified then you're not qualified. I'll advise you to stop wasting my time young lady." He finally said his voice low and disinterested.

"Please, I'm begging you. If I do not do well then you can fire me. Please Mr. Fanucci. I beg you" she begged, going down on her knees with her forehead pressed on the cold concrete floor. "My life depends on this. I'll do anything. All I'm asking is that you give me this job. I promise not to disappoint."

He stared at her silently for a moment. What kind of trouble could she probably be in that would make her this desperate? He thought to himself. The tension in the air grew thicker the longer he remained silent. Then after what felt like an eternity but was actually a few minutes,he said;

"I'm not in the mood for this," he said, voice clipped. "You start tomorrow."

Those three words were like a ray of sunlight after months of nonstop rain. She was so overwhelmed with happiness that she didn't realise when she stood up and threw her arms around him in a hug.

Arturo's hand froze by his side. Florence pulled back, eyes wide in realization of what she'd done.

"DO.NOT.EVER.TOUCH.ME!" He said in a sharp voice his dark eyes locking onto hers. "That's the first and most important rule."

Florence swallowed, nodding furiously, her heart racing. "I... I understand. I'm so sorry. It'll never happen again sir."

-

The next day Florence made sure to come as early as possible dressed in the most professional clothes she could find. It's been a long time since she had an office job. She constantly checked her reflection on the glass windows as she walked into the lobby. She wasn't the most beautiful woman on earth but she tried her best to look presentable.

As she entered the lobby, she saw the woman who had interviewed her the day before, standing near the reception desk. Her eyebrows shot up. "You... again?" she asked, clearly surprised and annoyed. "What are you doing here? Didn't you get the hint yesterday?"

"I... I got the job," Florence said, voice filled with uncontrolled excitement.

The woman's lips pressed into a thin line. She wondered if the young woman in front of her was mentally challenged. "I remember telling you clearly that you were not qualified. Is something wrong with you?"

Florence's stomach lurched. "Yes but..."

Before she could finish her sentence the woman motioned for the security. Two burly men started to make their way towards her.

Florence froze. Panic clawed at her chest.

Then like a gift sent from heaven Arturo walked into the lobby looking as confident and handsome as he had when she saw him yesterday like he owned everyone... which in this case he did.

"Let her go. I hired her." He said in a calm voice leaving no room for argument.

The woman stared at him with a gobsmacked expression on her face. "But I already hired someone else."

"That's your problem," Arturo said, voice as sharp as steel.

Florence could see that the woman was very angry even though she was trying to hide it but she couldn't tell if her anger was directed at her or Arturo. It was only her first day and she'd managed to tick off a fellow employee.

Arturo turned toward the elevator. Florence immediately followed behind him. She figured that they were going to be working on the same floor since she was his secretary now but before she could step foot into the elevator he stopped her. "Take the stairs"

Her eyes widened. The top floor? That was... impossibly high. But she didn't say that out loud. Was this a test? Was this his way of checking if she'd actually do anything he asked?

She watched silently as the elevator doors closed behind him, cutting him off from sight.