The next day, Thursday, I walked into work like it was just another day to get through, ready to power through another dull, mind numbing shift. I had done this job long enough to know exactly what to expect—calls, complaints, and more work than my paycheck justified.
The first call of the day was smooth. A rare miracle in this job. It was like a sip of cold water after trudging through the desert. For about two minutes, everything seemed okay, maybe even calm. But of course, that didn’t last long.
The second call? A disaster.
The phone rang again, snapping me out of my brief daydream. I sighed and answered, putting on my most polished, professional voice, the one that had become second nature.
“Good morning, this is Haylee. How can I assist you today?”
A sharp voice cut through the receiver like a blade.
“Finally! I’ve been calling for hours! Does anyone in your office actually do their job?”
I closed my eyes for a second, bracing myself. Here we go. “I apologize for any delay. How can I help?”
“My paperwork is missing,” she snapped. “I was promised it would be delivered yesterday, and yet here I am, having to chase it down. What kind of incompetent people are you hiring?”
I pulled up the delivery records, keeping my voice steady. “I understand your frustration, ma’am. According to our logs, the paperwork was delivered to the department you requested at 3:45 p.m. yesterday. Have you had a chance to check with them directly?”
“Oh, so now it is my job to go looking for it?” she scoffed. “What exactly do you get paid for?”
I bit my tongue, forcing a tight smile even though she could not see me. “Ma’am, I can certainly reach out on your behalf, but since the documents are in their possession—”
“This is ridiculous,” she interrupted. “You people are absolutely useless! First, you lose my paperwork, and now you are making excuses. No wonder this company is a mess.”
My grip tightened around the phone. Deep breaths, Haylee. Do not get fired today.
“I personally handled this request, and I can confirm that the paperwork was processed correctly. However, if you need immediate assistance, I can transfer you to—”
“I do not need to be passed around,” she hissed. “What I need is someone competent for once.”
The word incompetent rang in my ears. I had dealt with difficult customers before, but something about today—about her—pushed me over the edge.
“I am transferring you now,” I said flatly, pressing the transfer button before she could say another word.
I slammed the receiver down and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. I cannot do this forever.
That was the moment it hit me—I needed out. Maybe Ryan had a point. Maybe his job idea was worth considering after all.
It wasn’t her fault I was stuck in this blood sucking frustrating job. It wasn’t even my fault. It was just the endless loop of frustrations that came with working as a receptionist for a small organization handling everyone else’s mistakes while never getting any credit for the things I actually managed to get right.
I tried to shake it off, but it lingered, that bubbling frustration and it didn’t help that the next few calls went exactly the same way. I was getting the brunt of other people’s problems while no one noticed the weight I was carrying. By the time lunchtime rolled around, I was exhausted, both mentally and emotionally.
I grabbed a sandwich from the break room, my thoughts wandering back to Ryan’s offer. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to try something new. Maybe a bigger company would be better. After all, wasn’t that what everyone said? Bigger opportunities. Better pay. A chance to actually get ahead in life.
I pushed the thought aside as I took a bite, trying not to dwell on it. But no matter how hard I tried, the feeling wouldn’t go away—something had to change. I couldn’t keep doing this, not if I wanted to stay sane. And honestly, at that point, I had nothing to lose.
With a deep breath, I walked back to my desk and opened the office laptop. If I was going to do this, I might as well use company resources to make it happen—at least the office would finally serve a purpose in my favor. I typed in Knight Enterprises and, to my surprise, saw the position listed right there on their website. Without hesitation, I clicked Apply Now, keeping an eye out to make sure no one was watching my screen.
After successfully applying, I got a call on the weekend, it took less than three days to get a response which was actually shocking. My phone buzzed with an unknown number, and when I picked up, a professional-sounding lady informed me, “You are to be at the company for an interview by 8AM on Monday.”
I blinked in shock. That fast?
"Okay I would be there," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but inside, adrenaline and excitement coursed through me. Could this be it? Was I finally about to leave this damn office behind?
Wasting no time, I put in a request for a day off. The morning of the interview, I dressed in a crisp white office shirt tucked into a black skirt that hit just above my knees hugging my curves and making my ass look bigger, paired with black heels I only wore for special occasions. First impressions matter, I had to keep reminding myself.
I hailed an Uber for the hour-and-a-half ride to the office, my mind drifting to Ryan. How did he even find out about this job? It wasn’t exactly his scene. But whatever, I shrugged off the thought.
As I stepped out of the car, my eyes landed on the towering glass structure ahead. The name Knight Enterprises was boldly displayed at the top, exuding power and prestige. I inhaled deeply, muttering a quiet prayer before walking through the doors.
Inside, the building buzzed with activity—polished floors, high ceilings, employees in sleek suits moving with purpose. This is a whole different world.
I walked down to the receptionist immediately, still feeling a bit nervous, my gaze meeting the receptionist’s.
"Hello, good morning. I received a call confirming an interview for 8am, and I am here for an interview for an executive assistant position," I stated.
She looked up at me and then back at her computer before she responded. "And your name, please?"
"Haylee Martins," I replied.
She looked back at me with a slight frown before checking her screen again. "Oh," she muttered before typing something. "You are scheduled. Head to floor 13. That’s where you should go."
"Okay, thank you," I replied as I walked toward the elevator.
As I arrived on the 13th floor, I met three others sitting patiently in a room. I hesitated before asking, “I was directed here for an interview. Is this the right place?”
The candidates only glanced at me before looking away, offering no response. They were all too absorbed in their phones or their own nerves. I sighed and took a seat, feeling the tension in the room.
Moments later, a young man in a black suit, neatly laced with a tie, walked in.
"Next," he called.
The person sitting two seats away from me immediately stood up and followed him in.
So, we’re all here for the same position, I thought. My palms started to sweat, and I gripped my bag like it might fly away. The wait felt like an eternity. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my skirt as I tried to steady my nerves. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of a clock on the wall. The other candidates seemed just as anxious, stealing glances at their phones or tapping their feet against the polished floor.
Finally, the man in the black suit returned, clipboard in hand. “Haylee Martins?”
Yes, Haylee here, I responded.
Okay please follow me, he said.
I stood quickly, smoothing my skirt as I followed him down a long corridor. The office space was immaculate—floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek black furniture, and employees moving efficiently like they belonged in a high-budget corporate movie. This wasn’t just another job; this was a whole different level.
We stopped in front of a large door with frosted glass, and he gestured for me to enter while he turned back.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.
A woman in her early forties sat behind an enormous glass desk, her dark hair pulled into a severe bun. Her sharp eyes flickered to me as she gestured to the seat in front of her.
"Please sit." she commanded.
I did as told, my hands resting stiffly on my lap.
“My name is Linda Carson, the hiring director for Knight Enterprises,” she said, flipping through my resume with a blank expression. “So, tell me, what makes you a good fit for this company?”
I swallowed, my prepared answers suddenly feeling inadequate. “Well, I have experience handling administrative tasks, managing schedules, and dealing with clients”
“Dealing with clients?” She arched her brow. “You worked as a receptionist at your previous job, correct?”
“Yes,” I replied, trying not to sound defensive. “It involved multitasking and handling high pressure situations.”
She gave me a hard look, clearly unimpressed. “And do you think that qualifies you for a position at one of the top luxury real estate firms in the country?”
Ah, there it was. That condescending tone, like I had just wandered in off the street and accidentally sat in the wrong chair.
“I’m a fast learner,” I said smoothly, forcing a polite smile. “I adapt quickly, and I’m looking for a challenge that allows me to grow. I know Knight Enterprises is highly regarded, and I’m willing to put in the work.”
I said it with enthusiasm, but inside, my sarcasm was loud and clear. Because who doesn’t love a good challenge? Nothing excites me more than unnecessary stress, long hours, and proving myself to people who already think I’m not good enough. Truly, a dream come true.
She hummed, tapping her nails against the desk, completely unfazed. “You do realize this position is for an executive assistant?”
Oh wow, an executive assistant? Here I was thinking I applied to be the office plant.
“Yes,” I nodded trying my best to stay in check reminding myself it’s just an interview.
“Meaning you would be directly assisting one of our top executives. This isn’t a standard desk job. It requires availability at all times, absolute discretion, and the ability to handle demanding tasks under pressure. Does that sound like something you are prepared for?”
I hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Yes Ma'am” I replied.
She let the silence stretch before finally setting my resume down. “Alright. You’ll hear from us within the week.” she said as i walked out of her office.
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