The Interview (2)

He said raising his voice. Ben stood up and faced Evans "I'm sorry Mr Evans but I have to let him in. Mr Mason is expecting him" "Is this some kind of a sick joke? Mason is my best friend, I know practically everyone he knows and I've never seen this man before. What is he here for?" Evans said totally bewildered, he had expected Ben to be remorseful for almost letting a stranger through. He was about to go into his friend's office to let him know what was going on when Mason himself peeked out of his office, he had obviously heard the commotion outside his office. His gaze roamed over them and suddenly his expression became smooth and unreadable. He walked out and stopped by Ben's desk "I thought I told you to let him in" he said briskly. Bryan's smug smirk widened "You hear that? The real boss is expecting me, why don't you run along and do whatever it is second place CEO does while we conduct business here"

Evans was stunned, not only was Mason acting the opposite of how he thought he would react but then this lowlife was disrespecting him outrightly. Mason narrowed his eyes at Bryan "That's enough, my office….now"

Bryan winked at Ben who was trying his best to seem invisible and swaggered into Mason's office, brushing his shoulder against Mason's in the process. Evans looked at Mason with questioning eyes expecting him to explain what was going on right away but Mason only shook his head "I'm sorry bud. I can't talk now but I'll explain what this is about later". He then turned to his secretary "Ben reschedule my 9 o'clock will you?" . He didn't wait for a response before he turned around and walked into his office without another word. Evans was speechless, he stood there for a minute before slowly turning to Ben who was smiling apologetically at him "Okay Ben what the hell is going on here? Who is that street boy and why is he talking to my best friend?" Ben didn't know what to say, he didn't know how much Evans knew or how much Mason wanted him to know "I'm sorry Mr Evans, his name is Bryan Holding. I'm not quite sure what his deal is. Would you like me to inform Mr Mason that you'd like to talk to him as soon as he's done in there?" Evans shook his head, he'll talk to Mason in his own time and find out what the hell was going on "That won't be necessary Ben, you can go back to work " Ben nodded and threw Evans a grateful look that he wasn't being forced to tell him more. He sat down and watched Evans as he turned and walked away before returning to his work while wondering what was going on behind Mason's closed doors.

Mason was beyond irritated, he had gotten to work early just in case Bryan Holding decided to be a decent human being and arrive early for his interview but he had obviously overestimated the man's willingness to carve a better life for himself. He had waited and paced around his office wondering if Bryan had decided not to come after all until he heard raised voices. To his dismay, Evans was having some kind of faceoff with Bryan who was 47 minutes late, he hadn't counted on Evans finding out about the interview, at least not until it was concluded. He felt a stab of guilt for turning away his best friend and resolved to explain everything later wondering what Evans would think of his plan.

In his office, Bryan was seated with his legs on Mason's desk sending another jolt of annoyance through Mason, he walked around the desk to his chair and sat down doing his best to keep his cool "Get your legs off my desk Mr Holding" he said coldly.

Bryan chuckled lightly before dropping his legs, he leaned forward with a mocking expression on his face "Of course Mr CEO, I wouldn't want to hurt your precious furniture" Mason ran a hand through his hair in frustration, Bryan seem to be pushing him on purpose, he cursed inwardly at his sister's poor choice of friend. "Listen to me Bryan, this isn't the street. There are rules here and if you're going to be working for me you'll need to learn to arrive on time, dress properly, talk properly and show some damn respect for your superiors". If Mason's words had any effect on Bryan, he didn't show it. Instead he leaned back on his chair and rested on his arms which were locked behind his head and said in mock seriousness "In the movies, fancy organization always offer tea or coffee but you haven't offered me yet, is that the proper way to behave or am I too lowly to be offered expensive beverage in expensive cups?" Mason clenched his fist and slowly unclenched them when the urge to punch Bryan had subsided. "You're here for a job interview Mr Holding, surely even you must know that you should conduct yourself properly in situations like this if you're hoping to make a good impression on a prospective employer."

"See that's where you're getting it wrong, you shouldn't expect a lot from a college dropout who has probably spent more time on the streets than you have spent in formal places. And these clothes are my best, not everyone can afford fancy tailored suits you know" he said grinning at Mason "Besides I haven't accepted to work for you yet, you need to convince me on why I should let go of my freedom for stuffy offices"

"If you are not interested in working for me then why are you here"

"You summoned sire, how could I refuse a direct order" Bryan said teasingly before replying in a more serious tone "I was curious of course, how far are you willing to go to stay in control of your sister's life and keep her away from the dangerous biker dude?"

Mason gritted his teeth at the question, he was supposed to be the one asking the questions not Bryan, the interview wasn't going as well as he had thought it would go. He had been counting on Bryan's initial surprise turning into gratitude at his generous offer. Anyone would jump at the chance of being his PA, even those older than he was and with years of working experience would not want to pass on the opportunity instead Bryan was here acting like he owned the place.

"This isn't about trying to control her life, if you know Lisa as well as I do which I doubt, you'd know that you can't make her do anything against her will, this is about protecting her and trust me there isn't any length I would not go to protect my sister" he said, narrowing his eyes at Bryan and was surprised when he saw respect in Bryan's eyes at those words of plain honesty.

Bryan was silent, thinking about what Mason just said, he wouldn't put it past the man in front of him to stay true to his words and have him removed from his sister's life by any means. Here he had a chance to take advantage and make a nice life for himself, he was about to speak until he noticed that the silence made Mason uncomfortable, he smiled inwardly as he rested further on his arms. No harm in having a little fun at the CEO's expense before he agreed to the offer. Mason shifted in his chair trying not to make his discomfort obvious, he tried to guess what was running through Bryan's mind but the expression on his face was totally blank. A part of him worried that Bryan would refuse to work for him, he was obviously someone who enjoyed his freedom and working for Mason would curb him somewhat. When he couldn't bear the silence any longer he cleared his throat and said "Well?" "Well what sir?" Bryan responded teasingly "Are you willing to take this job and perhaps turn your life around or not"