Chapter 2– The Job Interview
In which Thomas interviews his prospective bride.
The pretty musician Thomas had seen warning Lauren about her father's unfortunate appearance the night before was, in fact, named Macie. And Macie was currently sipping a double espresso at a table in their favorite coffee house, waiting for Lauren to meet her for lunch. Seeing the blonde head of her friend entering the shop, she waved cheerfully, then her eye caught the face of the man trailing just a bit after Lauren.Was he at the benefit last night?she thought, trying to remember. He was wearing a good suit, but his broken nose and the hard set to his jaw didn't speak of the wealthy glitterati from the night before. As he seated himself a few tables away, ignoring her, Macie shrugged mentally and turned to smile at her friend.
"I'm kind of relieved to see you! I was worried your asshole Dad caught up with you outside or something." She leaned in, looking at Lauren's tired face. "Hey, you're dressed up! Well, for you this is dressed up anyway. You got a gig?"
Lauren sighed, "Don't call him that."
Macie snorted inelegantly. "What else am I supposed to call a guy who threw you out of the house at seventeen because you wouldn't go to law school? Jesus! Every one of your music teachers called you a prodigy and your dad wants you to turn into a soulless corporate clone?"
"Well, fortunately, I have wonderful friends who helped me," the blonde squeezed her hand and picked up a menu. "Let's not talk about him anymore. I need to be in a good mood, I have an interview this afternoon."
"Yeah? For what?"
Lauren wiggled a little, an excitable habit that she was trying to crush since it made her look like an adolescent. "One of the vice presidents from the company that hosted the fundraiser last night wants to meet with me today about performing at an event. If we get in good with these guys, we could have a steady side income! I got the sense from Arabella- she's the president's wife- that they throw these kinds of parties all the time."
"If the man wants to take you home with him, I expect you to go." Macie's expression was completely serious, but she finally cracked up at the appalled expression on her friend's face. "Really? You won't take one for the team? Selfish bitch!"
Rolling her eyes, Lauren shook her head. "I swear to god, for half a second I thought you were serious."
Still giggling a little, Macie asked, "Now, which one was he?"
"I'm not sure?" Lauren hesitated, "I don't think he ever spoke to us but he's really tall, dark hair, gorgeous eyes? I looked him up on The Corporation website."
"Nice," her friend twisted a long black curl around her finger. "Maybe youshouldgo home with him- it's been a long, dry spell for you, honey." Laughing as Lauren covered her face, she asked, "What's his name?"
Swallowing the last gulp of her chai latte, the blonde answered "Thomas. Thomas Williams."
"Mr. Williams will see you now."
Lauren looked up from smoothing the front of her pale green linen dress. Why did she pick linen? It wrinkled the second she put it on. Standing, she smiled at the gorgeous brunette secretary, who looked her up and down like she was reeking of malt liquor and badgering her for a dollar. Sighing, she followed the impeccably suited woman into the interior office.
It was, of course, beautiful and awe-inspiring. Floor to ceiling windows in a corner office with expensive walnut paneling and a gigantic desk. Everything designed to strike terror into a humble visitor. Trying to not let her knees knock together, Lauren stiffened her spine and attempted to look confident.
The man behind the desk was the one she'd seen the night before-Oh god oh god oh god he's gorgeous!Lauren chanted internally, trying to keep her composed expression.
"Miss Marsh? Thank you for coming on such short notice. I'm Thomas Williams." Hewasbeautiful, and tall, and his suit was surely bespoke, the girl thought dreamily before remembering her manners and taking his hand. Unlike most businessmen she'd met who worked with her father, he didn't try to crush her knuckles in his grip or try to keep her hand in his for an indecently long period of time. But when she looked into those glittering eyes, they were an icy blue, chilling her and making her pull her hand back a little quickly. Fortunately, he didn't seem to notice and gestured for her to sit.
Lauren did, smiling politely and looking around the office.
"Something wrong?" Williams was leaning back in his chair, running his finger across his lower lip.
She shook her head, laughing a bit. "Oh, no. Sorry. I was just expecting your events planner to be here."
Thomas nodded, fixing her with his warmest, most reassuring smile. It was traditionally the smile he gave to someone he was about to kill. Or worse. He did so enjoy the look of horror they invariably gave back. But this time, he actually intended to make the girl relax. He could tell she was already apprehensive. He'd been right last night about her eyes- they were lavender. Beautiful. They reminded him of an old Elizabeth Taylor movie his mother used to watch, over and over. Lauren's eyebrows and lashes were dark, setting off a nice contrast with her pale hair, cut shorter with curls just brushing her shoulders. Tall, not slim, more like an athlete's figure and small, shapely breasts. Pity about her hair, he mused. Thomas enjoyed wrapping a woman's hair around his fist and yanking on it as he fucked her. No matter, he'd make the girl grow it out.
"Ah," he smiled easily, "I like to handle the important matters myself. I had one highly recommended planner book a heavy metal band for a retirement party."
He liked the sound of her laugh, pretty and light. "A good cautionary tale! Most 65-year-olds aren't all that into Anthrax or Korn."
They spoke for a few minutes, discussing music and favorite artists. Lauren was pleasantly surprised at his wide range of music interests. Finally, he leaned forward, hands together and she automatically sat up straight like a student with a stern professor, a movement he regarded with a bit of amusement.
"I wanted to interview you personally, Miss Marsh because I am looking for something of a more... durable nature. I need someone responsible who can handle these requirements for me with professionalism. Your career with the London Symphony Orchestra will not be disturbed, of course. But I find myself requiring..." Inside, Thomas was laughing at himself. This was a job interview he'd never anticipated holding. "...requiring someone discreet. Well-versed in social nuance and able to represent me and The Corporation in the best light. I do assure you this can be quite lucrative."
Lauren was thinking of her horrible one-room flat, down an alleyway and within walking distance of St. Luke's. Hot water was optional at best and she'd once found a rat racing across the floor when she came home. She may have had a scholarship to Juilliard, but there were still student loans to repay. Mr. Williams was hinting at a second job! Omigod! To be able to pay her rentandher cell phone bill at the same time! Dizzy with the visions of occasionally being able to order takeaway instead of discount ramen, she nodded eagerly. "I see. I do have connections to musicians from many different genres of music. I can certainly help customize the music to your events." She trailed off as she noticed his expression. Did he look almost... hungry?
"That sounds very useful, Miss Marsh. Tell me a bit about yourself. Do you have family here?"
