My Innocent Girl

Ashley POV:

I had enough reasons to cry. But I didn’t because I wanted to try one last time at work.

I packed my things as Lara wished for me good luck.

“Bye, Lara,” I said while unplugging my phone from the charger.

“Bye. Good luck, sis.”

“Thank you.” I grabbed my suitcase, left the house, and took a cab to the airport.

I’m Ashley Jones. I had always been a good girl, but not a lucky one. I had been fired my last job and had voluntarily left the one before that. Not that I didn’t like it, but because I just cared too much about my self-respect.

And that was the only thing I was proud of.

I tried applying to many jobs in Russia, but none accepted me. My last boss made sure that I wouldn’t be hired, at least not in this country. Consequently, I had to leave the country and was going to America. I am originally American anyway. I had settled in Russia four years ago because of some issues that I really don’t want to talk about.

“Okay,” I said to the taxi driver as I paid with my credit card. He left and I walked towards the airport platform.

This was going to change everything.

“Here.” I handed my identity papers to the officer and after everything was processed, I sat down in the airplane seat. This was not my first time on a plane, but I was afraid as always.

If I couldn’t get a job in the US, I would be completely jobless. When Mom left us, we always depended on each other. The last two months Lara worked day and night. Now, I must take this flight so that I could do something other than eat her hard work.

Literally.

I waited for the plane to take off while I glanced at my wristwatch. 6 a.m.

It was going to take almost 13 hours to fly from here to Los Angeles. LA was my home for as long as I could remember, and Moscow was my second one. They had equal home vibes.

I fell asleep once the plane took off.

I woke up and checked the time. 6:13 a.m.

Of the next day, dude.

At least, I was nearly there. I had already applied for a job at quite an expensive company, but I had a chance because I grew up and was educated in the US, particularly LA, and that was where this awesome company was located.

It was internationally popular, but I guess they respected the citizens of their own state the most.

I was kind of a relative to them, right? I belonged to the same state. If that makes sense…

Anyway, I waited some more, and when we landed, I took a cab to my old home.

This empty house could be haunted.

Just kidding.

I went inside and put my suitcase down. The first thing I did was call Lara.

“Hey! Guess what? I am alive!”

“Well, that is some really sad news. You ruined my mood.”

“At least I won’t be there to disturb you and your boyfriend.”

“Aish, you are such a jealous girl,” she sighed.

I am not, dear. I am happy that at least you have someone in your life you can trust.

“You know I am not.”

“Whatever, sis. Take care and you know what? I will miss you so bad.

“I’ll visit you on weekends,” I said hopefully.

“Oh, we can’t pay for that. How can you visit me so much?”

“We will think of a way. Anyway, I gotta go.”

“All the best for your job.”

“Thank you.” I ended the call with a smile.

I got this, Lara.

Ashley POV:

I woke up and checked the time on the clock that hung on the wall. It was still 6:55 a.m. so I could sleep peacefully for another five minutes. I swear I will wake up after 5 minutes. I am just so sleepy.

I dozed off for another nap as laziness took over my brain and the next time I opened my eyes, fear engulfed me.

God, please tell me that I slept only five minutes…

I looked up at the same clock…7:34 a.m.

I was dead.

I got up and ran towards my wardrobe. I took out my clothes and changed into them. It was good that I had already picked out my outfit yesterday. I couldn’t have possibly done that today.

I washed my face and did my hair, then I grabbed my phone and resume and grabbed a cab to Brown Headquarters.

***

The cab stopped right in front of a massive building. It was such a beautiful place that I couldn’t dream of working there. It was a very tall building made of what looked like the most expensive marble and glass. It wouldn’t be totally wrong to think that it was full of precious gems, even diamonds.

I paid for my taxi and entered the gate. It would be quite expensive for me to always take a taxi here. I would need to buy a vehicle very soon.

I shrugged away my thoughts. First, I needed to pass this second interview.

I went inside and the receptionist smiled brightly at me.

“Hello. How may I help you, miss?”

“Ah…I-I am here for the second interview for the PA position.”

“PA position…” She checked her documents. “For Mr. Brown?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Y-Yeah!” I replied and she nodded.

“Great! He is already here. But you might wanna be really careful with him, okay? PAs don’t last long with him. And you look like a girl who needs a stable job.”

“Yes,” I nodded. “I will be careful.”

“Okay. Good luck. Go to the 47th floor. He might be checking on some teams. I don’t know where exactly he is, but he was seen on the 46th floor just a few minutes ago. So, hurry and go to the 47th floor. Go.”

“Thank you!” I smiled at her and went to the elevator and pressed the 47th button. I looked at the top floor. This building had 66 floors. Wasn’t that too many?

The elevator stopped and I entered. I had seen Mr. Brown on TV before, so I could recognize him. My first interview was conducted by someone else from the company and since I had passed, which they said that was very rare, I was here to meet him and get his approval.

When I got to the 47th floor, I glanced around while walking forward. There were many cubicles, followed by many rooms. There were different names written on the doors and the building was way too luxurious for an office.

“Who are you?” I heard a voice and my heartbeat raced. I turned around and saw Mr. Brown standing with his hands in his jean pockets.

“I-I…I am here for the second interview, sir.”

He looked at his watch. “I thought it was at 7:15. I’m never wrong. The time right now is 7:45. Why do you think I’d take your interview now?”

I looked down. I cursed myself for thinking that I’d wake up after five minutes. If only I had woken up, I would have been here on time.

“I apologize, sir. Please don’t think that I am not sincere. I just overslept, and won’t ever do that again,” I finally said.

I don’t often get scared, and I always speak my mind so that others can understand me instead of misunderstanding me.

He sighed. “Meet me in my office at 8.” He left.

Where was his cabin?

Oh yeah, I better hurry and ask the receptionist.

I went down to reception. “Um…where is Mr. Brown’s office?”

“Which one?”

I stared at her blankly. How was I supposed to know?

“Ah…he told me that I should meet him at his office in 15 minutes. Now, do you have any idea where?” I questioned her as I found myself very confused.

“Yes. You should go to the second room on the second floor. That is his interview room, and also his office. But remember, the next time you are asked to go to his office, go to the first room on the second floor. Okay?”

“Oh, okay. Thank you.” I smiled at her. “My name’s Ashley, by the way.”

“Great to meet you, Ashley. I’m Kate.”

“Bye Kate.” I left the reception with a smile.

***

I reached the second room, and I saw Mr. Brown written on the door. I could go inside now, but should I wait until 8? It was 7:58 right now.

I decided to wait and when it was 8, I knocked on the door.

I went inside and he was sitting in his seat.

“12 seconds late, what were you thinking?” He looked at me.

Who was this guy?

“Sir…12 seconds…” I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.

“Anyway.” He closed his laptop. “Your resume?”

“Yes sir!” I handed him my file and kept standing because he didn’t tell me to sit down. I mean, I didn’t need to sit anyway.

“Hm,” he handed it back to me. “Now tell me about yourself.”

“I…I am Ashley Jones—”

“I read your file. Tell me something that is not in your file,” he interrupted.

“Well, I guess I haven’t included that I really need this job and I am determined to do this with sincerity.”

He half-smiled. “What are your strengths?”

“I don’t think that I should be the one telling you that because I don’t feel like bragging about myself. I mean, of course, I know what they are. But I think that anyone would be able to tell my strengths after seeing me work for a week.”

He nodded with a playful smirk on his face.

“So, what are your weaknesses?”

“I really sleep a lot!” I accidentally said and then was embarrassed. “B-But I can change that!”

“Well,” he looked at me. “I guess I know one of your strengths. You can’t lie.”

“I think that’s a weakness,” I murmured to myself as he raised an eyebrow.

“Okay,” he nodded, but I don’t think he really heard what I said. “Now, tell me why you left your last job.”

My last job, I remembered, wasn’t the most pleasant experience.

“Personal reasons,” I said but he didn’t seem to be satisfied with my answer. “My…my mom…actually, it is really personal.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “What do you expect from this job?”

“I just—” I started thinking about my family. “I just want something to keep me busy, and I won’t lie, I want this job for the money. My sister lives abroad and I really can’t live without her. She is my only family. This is quite a personal reason, but yes, that is it.”

He nodded. “What salary do you expect?”

“Anything to let me and my sister meet every once in a while.”

He nodded as he stood up. “Great,” he smirked. “Get ready for your first task.”