The Shadow Effect

Jo’s POV

    Ding, the elevator doors opened so I stepped in with confidence. I was ready! I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this since.. I don’t know...Forever?!...Everything should be fine it’s just an interview.

 I am not going to lie, this interview could change my life for good. It can open or close many doors for my business that I worked so hard to grow. But at the end of the day it’s still an interview not brain surgery.

 Everything depends, today, on how good I am to sell my business by answering their questions. The usual questions like “why my company? why should we choose you? what do you bring new?” I can answer them even in my sleep ..Yes I have the whole speech prepared, because it’s very important for my company to get the contract with the Court.

 “Selling” is something I was born to do, I always find the words to convince you to do what I want. I wanted to be a lawyer, but my parents convinced me that a business career would be more suitable for a girl, so I graduated Valedictorian an Ivy League Business School.

 This contract better said this alliance would consolidate my company position in the top five accounting companies and me and my people we deserve this, we worked hard. I can’t let anyone down so I’ve been preparing for this.

Yes, I am prepared. This morning, I dressed up with a pale yellow shirt which I matched it with a navy tailored suit. It fits me perfectly and I look professional. This is my lucky outfit, I can’t leave anything random. Why you will ask? Because “Knowledge and luck are the ingredients for success”, well at least that’s what my mom likes to say. I smiled thinking about her.

 My hair is tidied up in a bun and I applied a little bit of make up, not to much, you know just some nude eye makeup, black mascara and some cherry gloss on my lips. I wear black high heels to give me extra confidence, not like I needed, I know I am the best and they would be lucky to work with me.

 Ding! The elevator door opened and I rushed out not checking the floor I was in. As I hit a wall in front of me, all the files I was holding, scattered around the floor.

Damn it, who puts a wall so close to the elevator exit? “ Sorry Miss! “ I heard a manly voice. I looked up to tell him not to worry, it happens, but my heart skipped a bit when his icy green glance met mine. He looked into my eyes like he wanted to search my soul and leave a mark.

“ Sorry Miss, are you all right?” He asked again, bending this time to help me gathering the papers on the floor. “ Yes, don’t worry, I managed to say smiling”.

I reached to take the papers, but the moment our hands touched an electrical shock was sent to my body. I manage to thank him again before I left looking for the office I was interviewing.

 Wow that was weird, it’s been a while since I was interested in a men. Yes of course, he was not just a man, he was a handsome one with beautiful green eyes.

 It took me a second before I realized I was on the wrong floor so rushing back to the elevator, I checked the time, I don’t like to be late. I always leave early and I don’t like people who are late, basically they are saying they don’t respect my time. Just as I pressed the elevator button, the doors opened and there He was standing in front of me, holding a cup of coffee.

 I stepped inside the elevator and I noticed he was on the phone so I stayed one step behind him to admire his features. Even if he was leaning against the elevator wall, I could tell he was tall,he had black charcoal hair that was perfectly styled, a nice chiseled jawline and let’s not forget those beautiful green eyes. Without even knowing, I smiled.

 Dressed in a tailored black suit with a light blue shirt, I noticed the black thin tie that had a butterfly needle which again made me smile. He looked like one of those men models from the magazine covers.

 “Yes, I will be in court all day, but I will call you later to make plans for tonight.” His manly voice said shortly.

 I can’t understand what the voice is saying on the other side of the phone, but somehow I feel relieved that it’s a man voice. He run his hand through his hair before replying quickly.

 “Yes, I am tired. I left the party last night with a girl, it kept me busy all night, she knew what she was doing. I highly recommend her”, he said smiling... Before I realized what he said, the elevator opened and He stepped out leaving a trace of his flagrance behind. I instantly inhaled it and imagined myself in his arms... Stop it, my inner self snapped at me, it’s not the time to loose focus, eyes on the price.

 I checked the time again, I have enough time , so I decided to go to the restroom to freshen up a little bit and give myself a pep talk.

 “Josephine Jackson, you got this! Focus on the price. Stand straight, be polite and don’t forget to smile ”I told the girl in the mirror. I washed my hands thoroughly like I did before all my exams and meetings, it helps me focus, I fixed my jacket and went out to search for the office where the interviews were holding. It didn’t take me too long to find the office, the number 100 was written with gold on the big brown door. I stopped in front of it waiting for someone to call my name, breathing through the silence and listening to my heart bits.

 After a while the door opened and a man around fifty with grey hair and dressed up as a court officer called for “JJ Consulting”. I smiled before I announced him that I am there on behalf of JJ Consulting.

“You can come with me. Everyone is ready for you”, the Court Officer said politely. I nodded and followed him. As I entered the room, I could feel all the eyes on me, staring at me, giving me chills. I walked confident with my business smile: Game on, I told myself.

 “Good morning, Miss Jackson! My name is Judge Quinn. Here are my colleagues: Mr Tanner (lawyer at Tanner& Associates), Mr Miller (lawyer at Miller&Sons), Mr Montgomery( lawyer at Montgomery & Brown) and Mrs Davis (lawyer at Davis& Davis).”

Saying the names The Honorable Judge Quinn was pointing in the direction of every lawyer, who was extending the hand for a shake. I smiled politely and shook their hands but when the judge said “Mr Montgomery “for the second time today my heart skipped a bit. I couldn’t believe that “He “ was in front of me.