BEHIND THE MASK

Clumsy Assistant.

I said nothing, keeping my eyes on her. Quinn motioned to her again and she took her cue this time, stepping back slowly, keeping her eyes locked with mine.

"I.... I didn't mean to spill....." She was stuttering and I raised a brow beneath the mask and she knew to shut up.

Clamping her lips together, her words died mid-breath.

Perfect.

I sincerely wasn't in it for the apologies.

Attempting to turn, she ended up stumbling and a guard quickly caught her elbow, helping her stand upright.

Pocketing my hands, I watched her disappear around the corner. Probably to catch the next elevator.

She was..... amusing.

Swinging back in motion, I headed back to my office and Quinn joined me.

"I had her application reviewed again, and she's very clean. Clumsy but smart. And thankfully, she's got zero red flags," he informed.

"She's got an awful balance," I pointed out.

"Noticed that too."

"Do me a favour and purchase a new pair of shoes for her. The ones she's got are way too.....loud for a working space like this."

"Noted."

"And Quinn?"I called, making him snap his head to look at me.

"Yeah?"

"Earlier.....she managed to somehow look me in the eye."

"Oh. Do you need me to talk to her about it?"

"That's not necessary. I just find her.... interesting," I commented, making him look at me like I'd grown two heads.

★

Getting to my office, I pushed the door open, striding a few steps to sit in my chair.

She followed behind me, shutting the door behind her with a click.

I watched her eyes grow wider as she looked through my furniture.

I stayed silent, deciding to let her enjoy the view and commence with the interview after she'd gotten her fill.

"Uh.... I'm sorry for ogling at your stuff. Am...am I allowed to grab a seat?"

Oh? So soon? I expected an hour's worth of time wastage.

"Gravity doesn't exempt interns, Miss Dawn."

"Right," she chuckled awkwardly, moving to sit across me only to trip over the edge of the rug. Luckily, the chair caught her fall.

Seriously, how clumsy was she?

Quinn joined us, standing behind me, his head buried in his tablet.

"You see.... This is the first time I'm getting involved in a real job. My last one was the position of a barista. So....I might flop or suck at this but.. I'm hoping I'm getting a chance at least. The only problem I have right now is...I think there's a mixup. I mean, I applied to the internship program only because I thought it was for the lab division or something. My degree is in forensic science so....."

I zoned out of her rambles. What the hell was this?

I looked up to see Quinn had lifted his head from his tablet, silently asking, "Are you seeing this?"

"Ahem, "I cleared my throat, cutting her short and she went silent. Better.

"I noticed that in your resume, you listed 'excellent people skills'" I said.

Because I genuinely wanted to understand.

"Oh. That," she babbled with her head quickly. "That was purely aspirational.

You're kidding me.

"Speaking of which. I also saw a typo on the email," she spoke in a rushed tone.

The company. Made a typo?

"The time for the interview was stated to be by 9 in the morning tomorrow. I only showed up today to scope out some things, and then I encountered you ..." She awkwardly glanced at my stained shirt.

Boy was she a rambler.

When she realised it was just her doing the talking, she fell mute, reaching for the glass of water that Quinn had offered her earlier, but ended up tipping it and water spilt across the desk, wetting up most of her materials.

Yelping, she strikes to dab them with the sleeve of her cardigan.

Just great.

"My days. I'm so sorry...."

I held my hand up, and she froze in place.

For a minute, all I did was stare at her. I could see the panic in her posture. The fight between flee and freeze in her muscles.

The girl in front of me had no polish of any sort. Neither did she have any filter. Has no motive other than just surviving.

She was unpredictable. In an amusing way.

But one thing was sure. She was an original. And originals like these were hard to fake.

She blinked at my silence before sighing. "Not again. Just keep ruining opportunities," I heard her mumble indistinctly to herself.

She began getting up from her seat. "My apologies. I should maybe ...."

"You got the job."

April's mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"

"You begin tomorrow."

A second passed.

"Like.... begin, as in begin begin? Not in the 'we'll contact you' beginning? You're sure?"

Quinn blinked at me, his mouth opening like he was about to say something only to shut it back up.

"I mean, woah. Thank....thank you. But are you....sure?" she asked doubtfully as if giving me a final chance to save myself from the headache that came with having her as an employee.

"I'm sure, "I replied flatly and Quinn cleared his throat.

"Sir, may I have a word?"

Rising from my seat, I moved to the far end of the office with him.

"Does she look like someone who could successfully organise a sock drawer without setting something on fire?" he hissed.

"She seems pretty perfect to me, " I shrugged.

"Perfect? For what exactly?" he asked, frustration seeping in his voice.

"For being her. For not faking perfection."

He made a noise that sounded like a grunt but also a curse. "It isn't comforting, just so you know."

I walked back to my table, saying over my shoulder, "Ensure to put her on my schedule. Assistant. Shadowing hours.... whatever you think is okay to keep her busy without letting her set my company on fire.

"So you know she's a threat. Why hire her?" he whined.

"Because she's gold, Grandpa."

★

"Thank you so much, Sir. I promise, you're not going to regret employing me, "she bowed, smiling widely.

I'm not? I was pretty much regretting it already.

"You're to resume tomorrow. 8 AM sharp. Meet with Quinn on your way out and he'll give you a small brief, "I spoke, busying myself with work on my PC.

"Quinn? Who.... Mr grumpy guy?" she asked looking genuinely confused and I mentally face-palmed myself. It's going to be a tough journey with this one.

I looked up at her blankly and she flattened her lips.

"Miss Dawn?"

"Yes..... Sir?"

"This is a company. A large group filled with professionals. If you're going to survive and not get eaten, I'd advise you learn how to blabber less, and work on the clumsiness," I spoke flatly.

"Right..... I understand," she spoke, looking down at her feet.

"I'm glad you do. Now, off you go,” I mumbled, taking my attention back to my screen.

On hearing the door slam shut, I leaned back on my seat, sighing deeply.

Only heaven knew what the hell I just employed as an assistant.

I doubted she'd be able to get anything done, but she would learn…right?