15 Work for me

The next morning, Nerd and Brad bumped into each other outside the company. Apparently, the two had decided to risk it and take the job. They only had to not betray her, nor date anyone within the company, and follow the other many rules listed in the contract. What could be so difficult? Especially when the job paid well.

"So... let's do this?" Nerd asked, raising his fist for a fist bump. 

Brad reluctantly bumped fists with him and the two entered the building. 

Just like the previous day, the unsmiling lady helped them get inside until they were in the finance department. 

"Wait here. I will let Miss Anderson know you have arrived." She said and went inside the office.

Was it possible that this lady was truly not her personal assistant? Brad wondered.

A few seconds later, the lady was out, and looked over at Nerd. 

"She will meet you first." 

"W-hat?" Nerd's eyes widened, and he looked at the two in panic. He didn't want to go there by himself. 

"The time is counting." The lady announced. He looked at the two nervously and nodded before going to knock on the door, then he opened it noiselessly.

"Take a seat and wait for your turn." The lady told Brad before walking away. 

Brad waited nearly twenty minutes before Nerd appeared again. He immediately stood up and moved closer to Nerd when he noticed how pale Nerd looked.

"Are you okay? What did she say?" Brad whispered. 

"She wants you in the office now." Nerd said sighing in relief. "I can't believe I survived that. You should hurry now before she gets pissed." 

Nerd nodded and went to the door. He knocked once before he opened and entered. She didn't bother to raise her head when he entered and closed the door behind him.

There were papers spread all over her table and she looked as busy as she looked the previous day. Also, she looked better dressed in a shirt. He didn't know whether she was wearing a skirt or trousers, and he didn't have the time to think about it because she suddenly sat up. 

"Oh-four-three." She looked at him, addressing him with his application number 043 but pronouncing the Zero as Oh.

She still could not get over his eyes whenever she saw them. He was good-looking, no doubt. But his eyes were more catching. Maybe because it reminded her of Michael. 

"Uhm... Good morning. It's Bradley." 

"Morning O43. Take a seat." She said with a smile, as if she wanted to taunt him or test his patience. He swallowed any comment he had and sat down obediently.

"I get it that you have something for me?" She stretched her hand. 

He remembered the large envelope with him and took out the documents from inside to hand them to her.

She looked at it and smirked. "You agreed to the terms." The two new intakes were quite brave. She liked it.

He nodded. "I will do my best." 

She nodded. "You should. This first 6 months is going to determine whether you will remain with us or not." 

"Can... I ask a question?" He asked gently.

She raised an eyebrow at him. The first young man who came here looked very nervous. This one also looked nervous, but he seemed more relaxed. 

"Go on." 

"Why was I put on probation?"

"Isn't it obvious? You were not qualified, but you were kind of more qualified as compared to the others, and we needed additional help around here. Any problem?" 

"Oh..." He shook his head and tried not to sigh. He had to do a good job for the next 6 months in order to get a solid position.  

"Do you have a girlfriend?" She asked out of the blue, surprising him. 

"Uhm... no?" 

"A crazy ex who would show up one day at this place to cause a scene?" 

He shook his head "no" again. 

"Good." She nodded. 

"I am sure you went through the contract carefully. Dating within the company isn't allowed. It's bad to date someone in your department because of all the distraction, and even worse to date someone in another department because certain information could be leaked." 

He was a little surprised that she was explaining the clauses in the contract. He had assumed she would simply accept the contract and ask him to leave, like the dictator she had been portrayed to be. 

"I... understand." 

She nodded and kept the contract inside her drawer. 

He wondered whether it was time for him to leave, but she sat upright in her seat and looked serious. 

"Now let's talk about serious business." She said, looking her two fingers together.

Serious business? He looked a little confused. 

"Would you like to work for me?" She asked, looking directly into his eyes. 

His confusion was all over his face. 

"Am I... not working for you already?" He asked. 

She shook her head. "You are working for the Finance Department at ANC. Working for me means you'll do things for me that are not work-related. And I will pay you twice the amount you'll be receiving from ANC. That means you'll be getting triple your initial salary at the end of each month. Note, it is going to be a secret. Between the two of us only." 

Since he was an intern without many qualifications, people would barely take notice of him and try to pry out any information out of him. He was perfect for the job she had for him. Grace smiled, very proud of herself.

The confusion on Brad's face turned into a horrified look when realization dawned on him and he used his two hands to cover his chest protectively.

"I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE THAT KIND OF PERSON!" He said in shock.

It was Grace's turn to be confused. What was that supposed to mean? He didn't want to work for her? 

"I may be in need of money, but I won't sell my body for it!" He said fiercely, causing her jaw to drop in shock.