Job Offer—Recommended by President Lester

I moved the curser to the garbage can icon, considering the Job Offer to be piece of spam, and then paused when I re-read the rest. Recommended by President Lester. Wait, the President of the Uni was recommending me for a job? I hadn’t spoken to him since my last day as his personal assistant. That was almost four years ago. Why was he recommending me for anything? I mean, I was flattered that he even remembered me, let alone recommend me for a job of any kind. At that point, I was curious. So, I opened the email.

Dear Mr. Johnson:

   My name is Gabriel von Barlow, owner and CEO of von Barlow Consulting. We are a multi-billion dollar firm that operates on an international platform. We deal primarily with other multi-billion dollar firms, such as Amazon, Aero-Global Airlines, and others.

   I am looking for an intelligent, self-motivated type to step into the role of Developmental Vice President. I need someone who is well versed in international law and business practices, who has some experience with startup companies and can work with them to advertise and market them into prosperity.

   I spoke to President Lester, because the University of Louisville in Kentucky was recommended as having the most students with a high grade average and the savvy to hit the ground running. President Lester gave me several candidates but he sang your praises highly. He faxed me your academic record and then told me what you’ve done for Rickman Enterprises. I also took the liberty of looking up your work experience by speaking to several companies that you have assisted Mr. Rickman with.

   I truly think you’d be a good fit for our company. I am offering an eight figure salary, a clothing and apartment allowance, unless you choose to purchase a home in any one of the dozen European cities we retain an office in. You’ll also have a vehicle at your disposal, as well as usage of the company jet.

   I have added my e-business card with my contact information. Please contact my personal assistant at your earliest convenience so that we can negotiate the perks of what I hope will be your new career.

Sincerely,

Gabriel von Barlow

I stared at the screen for several minutes. Read the email at least a dozen times. Mostly because my brain refused to accept what I was seeing. He checked me out? I felt a little violated there. Eight figure salary? That was in the tens of millions at the very least. Okay, I had the rest working for Rick but this guy was talking about starting me out as a Vice President. Starting as a Vice President. I had two companies as CEO and President but, I was still—essentially—Rick’s Personal Attaché. Okay, he considered me a partner but—

Fuck! What hell are you thinking? Who cares what my damn title is. Rick calls me his partner and I have more than enough responsibility and pay…and why am I considering this?

‍ ‍By Siobhan MacKenzie

Novella 7 — Chapter Excerpt

God, I missed her. If not for Rick, I think I’d have gone insane.

I reached for the plate and had a couple more bites, then put it back on the desk. I guess the first thing I needed to do was check my email. I was expecting an email from PrimaCom. The Co-President of the company was Camelia Ioveanu. I found her picture on the company’s website; she was a handsome woman that looked strong willed but kind. She certainly had a great smile. The company was based out of Bucharest, Romania. Found some great shots of the Romanian countryside. Talk about beauty. The place was filled with history and historical buildings, mountains and hills with forests and amazing scenery. I knew that I was going to have to take Rick with me on the business trips there. We both would love the sightseeing and romantic places to make love.

I was reaching for the plate again when I heard the -ding- of my email. I hadn’t been expecting it, so of course I jumped. And then felt stupid. I have that talent to feel embarrassed when I’m alone. I laughed at myself before looking down at the screen.