I find that life takes you to where you are meant to be, today it brought me to Crawford Industries fifteen minutes early. I finished my iced latte and put the cup in the nearest recycling bin before stepping into the revolving doors.
I wasn't used to seeing the building during the day, the lobby was a hive of activity, expensive suits rubbed shoulders as they danced their way through the ground floor, heading in their direction with purpose. I filtered myself through the throng of people leaving for the day heading towards the elevators, standing behind a woman dressed in a power suit. Her immaculate hair and sleek pastel shift dress exuded class. Manicured nails played with the diamonds nestled in her ears, sparkling as they reflected the light from overhead.
Since it was finishing time for the rest of the building soon, the elevators weren't as busy as normal. I expected that in a little over an hour people would think they were selling free puppies outside with the amount of rushing and activity in the foyer.
I followed Chicago Barbie into the elevator and pushed the button to the fifth floor. Standing towards the back I began to feel nauseous from her overbearing perfume.
Arriving at my floor, I stepped through, gasping. Damn her perfume was strong! Before me, a smart young lady sat behind a black marble desk; she lifted a finger to indicate she would be with me in a moment as she continued to talk into her headset. Behind her head I could see an open plan layout surrounded with offices lining both sides of the walls, privacy glass sectioned each. But the doors were transparent glass, allowing the person leaving the room to see if anyone was there.
My eyes darted from side to side, but I couldn't catch sight of Jackie.
"Thank you for waiting, I'm sorry for that, how may I help you?" A lady with chestnut brown eyes and an incredibly warm smile greeted me when I dropped my eyes and took notice of the receptionist.
"My name is Elena Maclaren; I believe I have an interview at 4pm." Although I wasn't sure if it was an interview. The letter simply said they wanted to speak to me about a possible job opportunity.
"Ah yes, of course Miss Maclaren, please take a seat on those chairs to your left. May I get a drink for you whilst you wait? Tea, coffee, water?" My mouth was dry from nerves, so I graciously accepted a glass of water and waited for someone to come and call my name. I was the only person sat in the waiting area which I was glad for, I wasn't great at small talk; and it would be my luck to speak to someone I was unknowingly competing for a job with. After a few short minutes, I was pulled from my daydreaming by an older lady dressed in an impeccable light grey woolen suit. There wasn't a hair out of place, as it was secured in a tight bun at the nape of her neck.
"Miss Maclaren, please follow me, I'm Lizzie Parker and I shall be taking you to your meeting." I stood and secured my bag on my shoulder and followed Lizzie through three sets of doors and at the end of a long corridor up to large mahogany doors. Lizzie opened the doors and I turned to her as she spoke.
"Here you are Miss Maclaren, good luck." I frowned as she closed the door, not understanding why she was leaving if she was taking me for my interview. The realization hit me when I heard him speak.
"Good to see you again and now I know your name as well as how good you are with numbers Miss Maclaren." Mr. Crawford stood at the end of the long meeting table surrounded by leather-backed chairs. Behind him stood Chicago's Loop district. I never really took the time to look out the windows when I was cleaning but when I did, the feeling it gave me didn't compare to how I felt in this moment. Mr. Crawford was positioned like he was all conquering, a master in his universe, and he was now walking towards me.
"I'm intrigued Miss Maclaren, how you were able to work out the accounting error so quickly, I came to it just mere moments before you did." I couldn't stop the blush rising in my cheeks, I dropped my eyes down holding my bag closer to my chest, trying to give me something more to hide behind.
"If you have read my resume sir, you would be aware of my accountancy qualifications. Numbers have always made sense to me. I could always multiply in my head, better than I could spell." Numbers didn't lie, they were constant and couldn't be what they weren't. Mr. Crawford smiled and gestured to his left towards two leather Chesterfield sofas. I followed his hand and took a seat opposite. He waited to sit until I was seated and comfortable. This area was worlds away from the imposing meeting room table just feet away, it was cozy and intimate.
"What do you know about Crawford Industries Miss Maclaren?" Mr. Crawford sat back, crossing his right ankle over his left knee, laying his arms along the back of the sofa in a very relaxed gesture.
"Well, I understand you have a great deal of influence in Chicago, your interests range from real estate to manufacturing. You are number ninth on the Forbes top one hundred richest people in the world list, and if you listen to my best friend, Chicago's most eligible bachelor." I couldn't hold his gaze as I finished my sentence, I could have mentally punched myself for what I had said. Jaiden always knew who was hot in the area, and he hadn't been afraid of enlightening me about the mega billionaire I was cleaning for.
"Well, she sounds like a very astute person, what do you think?" My eyes widened, and I paled at his question. Right then and there I was the epitome of a wall flower, choosing to blend into my surroundings. I may appear bolshy at times, but I had never colored my hair, painted my nails or changed anything about my appearance. Drawing attention to myself was something I had never been comfortable with.
"Please call me Elena, Miss Maclaren is reserved for old spinsters with many cats, and she is he. Jaiden, and he has an even worse taste in men than I do," I laughed to myself. "And I don't even date." I stopped, winced at what I'd said and adjusted my bag again, my shield slipping and revealing my vulnerable side.
"OK Elena, call me Chase, this is an informal meeting, however, I like to get to know prospective employees on a more personal level, happy employees make employers happy, it improves productivity." I nodded. Chase sat forward and pressed an almost invisible black button on the small rectangle table between us.
"Lizzie, please bring Miss Maclaren and me two coffees, thank you." Upon releasing the button, he stood and buttoned his jacket and began to walk towards the doors.
They opened within moments of him reaching them and Chase took the silver oval tray from Lizzie before she turned and left us alone again.
"If you don't like to date, then what do you do for pleasure?" Chase asked, as he placed the tray down in front of me. I gasped at his inappropriate question. Who the hell does he think he is asking that! He took his cup and saucer before adding a drop of half and half.
"I don't quite think that is any of your business Mr. Crawford." My back stiffened on the sofa, forcing me to shift myself back. Leaning forward I filled my cup with a large splash of half and half.
He sighed. "I'm sorry if I've offended you Elena, it was not my intention. Please shall we start over." I nodded. "Tell me about your family?" I couldn't help the sigh as it fell from my lips, Chase shifted in his seat uncomfortably at this sound.
I settled back in my seat, taking a sip of hot coffee. "Well, I'm an only child, my mom and Dad met in high school. They fell in love, and shortly after Dad graduated from the police academy, my mom found out she was pregnant with me, sadly she died during childbirth.
So, my dad has raised me ever since." I took a long gulp of coffee, Chase lent forward and stared intently at me, a confused look on his face.
"Interesting, do you have any contact with your mother's side of the family?"
"I get cards on my birthday and at Christmas, that's it. I'm never met any of them. Dad says Mom came from money, old world money and they were never happy with Mom choosing a guy from the wrong side of the tracks." Why was I telling him all of this? I sighed, relaxing on the sofa. For some reason he made me feel safe. I drained the remainder of my coffee and stood up, wanting to put some space between Chase and me.
Striding over to the enormous windows I sighed again, looking at the city from this position always made me feel small and insignificant; I was just a mouse in a world of cat's trying to find my way through without getting eaten.
"Is that what you want? To be eaten by a hungry cat?" I whipped around, the air left my lungs faster than I could breathe. The world began to spin and before I realized, I was wrapped in Chase's arms, it was either that or fall on my arse, again.
"Oh my! Did I just speak aloud?" I hide my head in his chest, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He lifted my chin with his index finger, striking green eyes sparkled with concern and a hint of amusement. I pushed him away and went back to the sofa.
"It's not every day a woman gives a glimpse into their mind, it was... refreshing!" A low rumble echoed from his chest and when he looked at my scowl, he couldn't help himself as the laughter bellowed from him.
"I'm glad I amuse you Chase, I'm just the regular class clown!" Crossing my arms, I lifted my chin away from him, my last act of defiance before he came in with the final blow.
"I'm happy to say you've more than proved that you are capable to work in a place like this, the salary is seventy thousand dollars a year, expenses and overtime are paid when necessary." Chase stood and stretched his right hand out, I mimicked his movement and stood, a knock at the door cut through the Moment. Lizzie entered, flanked by a police officer.
"Excuse me for the intrusion Mr. Crawford, Officer Short is here, to speak to Miss Maclaren."