Chapter 3 - The Proposal (1/2)
”My proposal is simple,” Mr. Tan says, pausing for effect. ”Work for me for a month, for free. Like what you say, a 'demonstration' of your skills and competency. If you can last a month and not walk out, I will pay you a year's salary.”
”What? A year's salary for only a month's work?”
”Yes.”
Claire makes quick mental calculations in her head and arrives at a jaws-dropping conclusion: this deal is too good to be true. So what's the catch?
”Are you being serious, sir?” She tries to hide the quake in her voice.
”Do I look like I'm one who has time for frivolity?”
”But that's too good to be true. You're either too kind or too monstro…Err, I mean, I'm finding it hard to wrap my mind around it.”
Mr. Tan fake-coughs. ”I also don't have the time to wait for you to wrap your mind around it. Take it or leave it. I'll give you two seconds.”
”What? Just tw—”
”One…”
”Wait, okay, wait, let me breathe a sec.” Claire looks around and grabs the sofa's armrest. She's not kidding; her head seems to be spinning. This is happening too fast for her taste. ”Wait, let me…”
”One point five seconds….”
She stares at him. What's this man's problem? Doesn't he have an ultra-important board meeting to attend somewhere? Isn't he supposed to sign a boatload of important documents? Shouldn't he be at some control room at the top of this tower making critical decisions for the future of his company, decisions that, given the magnitude of his business holdings, could affect the economies of at least a dozen countries? Yet, here he is, taking the time to ”interview” a lowly fresh graduate for what is really just a personal ȧssistant's job. He even has the liver to tease her with an ”offer you can't refuse,” as he put it. Does he think he can tease the bejesus out of innocent girls like her, with prospects of money and a comfortable life a year from now? How dare him! How dare he give her false hope!
This man deserves only one thing: Call his bluff. Claire Monteverde isn't someone to be trifled with.
”Of course, I'll say yes to the proposal, sir,” she says, putting on the act of being some cheerful nincompoop who's supposedly clueless about the game the man's playing. ”I'd be happy to work for you, free, for a month in exchange for the prospect of getting a year's pay.” She smiles her widest smile.
Then she waits, as Mr. Tan stands there, gazing at her with that bemused look on his face. Would he cave in? Would he say, ”I got you! Was just kidding, you stupid girl! Who in his right mind would actually give you that kind of offer? Ha ha ha ha!”
But to his amazement, he says, so calmly, ”Fine. I'll have Mrs. Gomez give you the contract to sign. You report directly to me.”
”That's it?” Claire is still suspicious; she almost leaps out of the chair. ”I am really working for you for a month?”