~

"You really think this one's a good fit, boss? She seems a bit too… innocent. "

His eyes linger on the spot she had previously been occupying. Compassionate, smart, pretty… gullible. The interview with his head of security was brief, but she left quite an impression. And based on what he saw of her on the security camera, she did indeed have a look of purity about her. Just what he needed.

"... She's perfect."

~

Tall… Tall and intimidating are my first thoughts I have as I approach the building where I start my new job today. I hesitantly enter the rotating glass doors and almost immediately spy the reception desk.

"Hello. I just got hired and need to know where to go to have my company ID made and keyfob activated."

"Name?," the receptionist asks, uninterested.

"Ollette. Evangeline Ollette."

She looks through her clipboard for a second and finds my name. Her eyes slightly go wide.

"O-of course, Ms. Ollette. Just go down the hall and it's the fourth room on the right. Sorry to be so rude before!," she says, slightly panicked.

'Well… that was unnecessarily intense. I'm just going to be the boss's assistant, no big hoorah…'

I began the walk down the marble-tiled hallway. Now that I thought about it, the proceedings at my interview were very… Unorthodox. I never actually met with the man I was going to be an assistant to, and the atmosphere felt like it had an air of danger. Not to mention the interview itself seemed more interrogative than simply being hired for an assistant.

'It's a bank… What could possibly be dangerous about working at a bank?'

I reach the door to the HR quarter and turn the handle. Inside is a bunch of people who instantly turn to me and stare me down with looks of suspicion. I try to ignore the awkwardness and make my way up to what I assume to be the head of the department's desk.

"Excuse m-"

"What?," he asks coldly.

"I need to have my company credentials made."

He eyes me up and down.

"When were you hired, and what's your name?"

"Evangeline Ollette. I was hired last week," I say as I hand him my offer of employment.

He nods and begins typing on his computer.

"Okay, you're confirmed. Go see Rachel and she'll take care of you."

"Thank you."

I see the name Rachel on an office door. I knock and she lets me in.

"Name: Evangeline Ollette; age?"

"29."

"Date of birth?"

"January 21st, 1993."

"You're a natural blonde?"

I look around awkwardly.

"Yes…"

"Blue eyes? 130 lbs? Five feet, six inches?"

"All yes."

"I need to see your offer of employment."

I hand it to her quickly.

"Your employee ID is 8675309."

I lightly giggle.

"What's so funny, if I may ask?," she asks with irritation.

"8675309. You know, the song?"

She stares at me with a scowl, clearly unamused. I nervously clear my throat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect."

She seems to loosen up a touch at my apology.

"At least he chose a polite one this time," she mutters under her breath.

She finishes with the usual questions, and then slides me a document. It's a confidentiality contract.

'Well… this is new.'

I read over the terms and find it intriguing. It specifies that I'm not to talk about anything specifically relating to my position and anything that I overhear while doing my job is to remain classified. I begin trying to rationalize the need for such a condition of my position.

'It must be a protection for clients and account information. Nothing to worry about.'

I sign my name at the bottom and slide it back over to her. She then signs her name under mine.

She turns around in her chair and I hear the printer running. She grabs my ID off the tray and hands it to me attached to a clip.

"Keep this on you in plain sight at all times when in the building."

"Yes ma'am."

"You're done here. You can go up and get introduced to Mr. Duran," she said dismissively.

I nod to her and pick up my badge, clipping it onto a belt loop on my pants. I quickly squeak out a thank you and hurry towards the door back out into the hall.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding in. As I wait for the doors to the elevator to open, a smartly dressed man stands next to me. I discreetly steal a glance at him, and I become entranced. He has jet black, perfectly coiffed hair, and is wearing a solid black suit. The most striking feature of his though, is that one eye is chocolate brown and the other is a light blue. He also has a scar running from his brow bone down to his cheek.

'What could that be from?', I wonder as we step into the elevator.

"What floor?," I ask, since I'm standing next to the panel of buttons.

"Top," he says with a slight smirk.

'Convenient,' I think to myself.

We're both silent as the elevator ascends, hearing nothing but the whirring of the gears above us. He begins coughing as we near the top floor. As he lets out a particularly violent hack, something flies out of his suit jacket. An inhaler.

I lean down to pick it up and hand it back to him. He takes a long drag off it and leans back against the wall, trying to control his breathing.

"Are you okay?," I ask, worried.

"Yes. Thank you," he says, and casually walks off the elevator.

I follow him out and stop at the desk in front. The mysterious man continues on his way around the corner.

"Hello, I'm Evangeline Ollette, and I'm Mr. Duran's new assistant. Could you tell me where I may find him?"

"Around the corner to the right are big double doors to his office. You can't miss them," the lady said.

"Thank you so much."

I round the corner and see a big set of cherry wood doors that are intricately carved. I begin to feel my chest constrict with a hint of nervousness. I gently knock on the door.

"Come in."

I recognize the voice.

'Wait a minute…'

As I open the door, I see the man from the elevator sitting behind a large mahogany desk.

"Please, come in, Ms. Ollette."

I step around the door and close it behind me. As I step towards his desk, his eyes don't leave mine as a mischievous twinkle in his eyes appears.

"Did you know who I was when we were in the elevator?," I inquire.

"Of course. My people thoroughly inform me of the people who are hired. You also attached a photo of yourself to your resumé. Hoping your looks help in determining if you get hired?"

I'm taken aback at the audacity this man accusing me of such a thing. He begins to grin seeing he's rendered me speechless. I hope he's just testing me, so I sass him back.

"I don't know, did it work?," I ask with an anxious giggle.

His grin widens.

"I think we'll get along just fine, Ms. Ollette," he beams as he reaches his hand out.

I smile back at him and grasp his hand in what I think will be a handshake; instead, he brings the back of my hand to his lips.

'Oh my.'

"Please, call me Evie."

"Evie," he repeats.

He motions for me to take a seat. He sits in his big cushioned leather chair as well.

"I don't know how many of the specifications you were told about that come along with the position, but you are not only to be my assistant at work. You will also be expected to accompany me to public events and live close to my home."

'...That was never mentioned in the interview…'

"They left out all those details; not that I have an issue with any of them."

"Excellent. The guest house on my property is where you'll be residing. And when you join me for events and business trips, all expenses are left to me. Clothes, food, hotels, all of it."

"... Are you certain that's all necessary? I don't want to be a burden…"

"Nonsense. If I didn't want it that way, I wouldn't offer it."

"I suppose you have me there. I do have to ask, though… Why is it required that I practically live with you?"

"I don't tolerate tardiness. And it's easier if I need something to have you close by than farther away, especially since our days will begin early."

"That makes sense. How soon do I need to move into your guest house, then?"

"As soon as possible. I'll give you a few days to prepare since the imbecile who briefed you on your job was lax."

"I appreciate that. I don't have too much to move though. Just furniture, clothes. and knickknacks."

"Don't worry about furniture, it's already furnished."

"Oh… well then, I can be in as soon as tomorrow."

"Good. Will you need a moving truck?"

"No, I'll be fine, but thank you."

"Very well. Now that that's out of the way, I assume you've signed the confidentiality agreement?"

"Yes, sir."

"very good. You may go. My current assistant is on her last day and she's waiting outside to teach you the basics. I look forward to working with you."

"Thank you, sir."

"When we're in private, you may call me Jean. When we're in public, please refer to me as Le Chiffre. I require a degree of anonymity. "

"Of course, Jean. And I look forward to working with you as well."

I exit out of the doors, and see a small brunette woman waiting for me.

"Hi! Evangeline, right? My name's Tina. It's nice to meet you!"

"Thank you, Tina; it's nice to meet you too."

"I'll show you the ropes. Your job is fairly simple; you make appointments for Mr. Duran, set up business meetings, and get him whatever he asks for."

"Okay. Does he ever have a temper? He seems too good to be true as a boss."

She gives me a confused look.

"I've never seen him become harsh with anyone he works closely with. He can be a little cold, though."

"Really? He seems so cheerful and fun.."

She's staring at me like I grew a second head.

"Well good. Anyway, his extension when you need to transfer a call to him is *65. When he's in business meetings, it's best to take messages. If there's a schedule conflict, ask him his preference on which appointment he would rather take. And, since he asks for coffee and tea throughout the day, he takes his coffee black, and his tea with a pinch of sugar and a splash of cream."

"Got it. Thank you, Tina."

"My please, Evangeline. You have a call coming through, so let's see your phone etiquette."

As if on cue, the phone began ringing.

"This is Evangeline for Mr. Le Chiffre, how may I help you?"

Tina gives me a nod.

"This is René Mathis. I need to speak to him right away."

"May I put you on hold for a moment?"

"Okay."

I put Mr. Mathis on hold, and dial Jean's extension.

"Hello, Evie."

"Hello. I have a Mr. Mathis on line one for you. He says it's urgent."

"Very well, I'll take his call."

"Of course, sir."

Once Mr. Mathis is taken care of, another call comes through.

"I would like to make an appointment with Mr. Le Chiffre."

"May I ask your name?"

"Steven Obanno."

"What day would you like?"

"When's the first free spot?"

I turn to the digital appointment book, scanning weeks ahead.

"The earliest he has open is next month on the fourteenth. Shall I put your name down?"

"That doesn't work for me. I'll call another time.

"Okay. I can call you if something opens up."

"That won't be necessary. Thank you."

"Have a good day."

By the time the call has ended, a woman walks through the entrance to the office. She's tall with bleached hair and overly tanned skin.

"Ah. Miss Valenka. So nice to see you," says Tina.

She leans over to me.

"That's his girlfriend."

"Oh."

"You're the new girl?"

"Yes, Evangeline. Pleased to-"

"Listen up and listen well, Le Chiffre is MY man. Any attempt you make to weasel your way between us will land you in a world of hurt!," she exclaims as she brushes me off with a flick of her hair.

"What… the…"

"Hell is her problem? She's very territorial of him. She acts like he's her property, and for some ungodly reason he puts up with it."

"Why is part of the job going with him to parties and galas and all that when he has a girlfriend?"

"She's extremely antisocial and hates being anywhere where there's large crowds."

"Ah. She sounds like a terribly boring person to date."

"Yup, but she's the boss man's problem, not ours, to deal with."

"Thank god for that," I say with a sigh.

Tina lets out a smirk.