UNPLANNED INTERVIEW

ELI MARK'S POV

TWO YEARS ON: ARMAND INC. OFFICES IN CENTRAL UTAH

Pa's irritating words rang over and over in my head as I drove to Armand Inc.'s office in central Utah. The sun was already blazing early in the morning, and I felt suffocated by the suit and tie that I had done for the interview.

"Since you grabbed his attention two years on, you are bound to pass the interview. Just charm that fucking bastard and get the job. Your mission is to get all the dirt on him and steal the company secrets, the AI algorithms would fetch a good price in the black market. Failure will not be tolerated" Pa growled at me as I stood face down in the vast living room of the hell hole I called home.

I was caught unawares when Pa announced that I had passed the first interview selection of Armand's Inc. Secretary to the Chairman's position.

"What?" I gasped as I stared at Pa in shock.

"Surprise" He stated with an evil grin and then added "I applied for you, and you got in. Prepare to attend the last interview tomorrow at nine a.m.

I was numb from there on and slowly went up to my room as I heard the snicker that came from Pa's wife, Laurine Marks, and her precious daughter Salome. Ignoring them I locked myself in my room and lay on the bed for hours, wishing I could leave Utah and disappear forever.

I was my father's illegitimate child that he had with Ma, who was Pa's secretary. After she gave birth to me, life was a living hell for us, and at the age of eleven, Pa decided to raise me in his home, while he bought Ma a house on the outskirts of Utah. Living with Pa was hell itself and worse, were the insults and rebuke that came from his wife and daughter.

The phone kept buzzing and knew it was Ma as she was the only person who would call me non-stop especially now that I was about to do the dirty work for Pa. I chose not to pick it up and made a mental note to call her after the interview. I prayed to the heavens that I would not pass, even though I knew Pa would give me a beating, but it was better than working for Armand James.

Memories of the day, two years ago at Salt Lake City: Hampton Inn came rushing back when Pa's nemesis waltzed in the room while I was being whipped by Pa. I had raised my head to catch a glimpse of him up close and his hair was neatly combed and his well-tailored jacket hinted at a refined taste. As our gaze met, something inexplicable shifted within me, there was a spark, a sudden, electrifying connection that bridged the gap between us. His eyes spoke of experiences and a kind of quiet strength that captivated me completely. I had lowered my eyes hurriedly just in case Pa noticed that I had been blown away by Armand James.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, the view of Armand Inc.'s office came into view, and I stepped on the car pedal as I drove into the basement parking where the guards directed me as to where I should park my car.

I got off and walked into the elevator, went up to the 30th floor, where the Chairman's office sat. I stepped off the elevator and approached the ornate double doors that led to the Chairman's office. My heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy as I stared in awe at the hallway, lined with polished marble floors and contemporary art, which seemed to stretch endlessly, adding to the gravity of the moment.

The receptionist took in my details and guided me to a vast room that exuded power and sophistication. The office was vast, its high ceilings accentuated by sleek, modern lighting fixtures that cast a soft glow over the space with expansive windows that offered a sweeping view of the Utah city skyline, a reminder of the influential position held by the person I was about to meet. The walls were adorned with framed awards, certificates, and pieces of art that spoke to both success and a refined taste as the air was tinged with a subtle hint of cedar and a faint, calming fragrance.

"Chairman Armand, this is our first candidate for the day, his name is Eli Marks. Here are his details "She placed a file on the Chairman's Armand's desk and then walked out.

Seated behind the desk was Chairman Armand James, an imposing figure whose presence commanded respect. He was meticulously dressed in a tailored suit, his posture relaxed yet authoritative, with a composed demeanor and piercing gaze. I had read his file over and over, Chairman Armand was forty years old, had built his company from the ground without any help but taking bank loans, and then he invested in game developers, who worked on gaming AI algorithms and made his company turnover rise in five years to one billion dollars. He was only at the age of thirty-five when Armand Inc., was listed as the top company in Utah. 

I walked forward and stood a few steps from his mahogany desk and met his eyes with a steady, assessing look. Chairman Armand James' looks remained the same since I met him two years ago. I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and spoke up.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again Chairman Armand. The last time we met in such an unpleasant environment, and I hope you will not take it to heart. "

"I did not" He spoke up and his voice was an experience unto itself, rich and resonant, like a fine aged wine, smooth, almost hypnotic quality, with a depth that seemed to echo from a place of profound emotion and understanding. "Have a seat "He pointed at the empty chair next to me.

I slid down and responded, "Thank you, Chairman Armand."

He took the file that the receptionist had placed on the desk, and she spoke up "Tell me about yourself "

I quickly delved into the core of the interview, my eyes darting away from him because of the tension my body felt from the attraction between us. The Chairman's questions were incisive, probing into my experience, ambitions, and vision. He asked questions and with each response and exchange, I felt a growing sense that this meeting was more than just an interview—Chairman Armand was interested in my life.

"What would you say if I told you that you are hired?" Chairman Armand asked.

"What? Didn't the receptionist just say that I was the first one in the line of the interviews?" I blurted out.

"You are" He responded and then leaned back on his chair and stared at me. I chose to keep my mouth shut and waited for him to explain himself and when he finally did my jaw dropped "I want to hire you. "

Our eyes clashed and held each other as the eye contact was electric, carrying a silent conversation that spoke of unspoken understanding and admiration. Chairman Armand's gaze held a certain depth and warmth, and I could not look away, it created a subtle dance of attraction, making me feel a thrill I had never felt before.

"I want to hire you" He repeated the words snapping me out of the trance.

This fucking interview was not going as planned, how could he want to hire me, a person who had just graduated from law school and had no work experience working as a secretary to a chairman?

"You are making a mistake "I voiced my thoughts.

"Quite the contrary. You are hired, Eli Marks." He stood up and extended his hand to me.

I stared at his hand and cursed inwardly, stood up, and then placed my hand in his, to return the handshake and my body froze. I felt like I had been scalded as an electric current flowed between our hands. I pulled my hand back and hid it behind my back.

"Thank you, Chairman Armand, for your trust in me "I pipped.

"Great, Grace, the lady who brought you will take you through the induction process. "He smiled and I could only nod as I turned around and fled from the Chairman's office as I had signed my doom by getting hired just as Pa had planned.