First Impressions

"It's good money."

Mercedes rolled her eyes and switched the phone from her right ear to her left. She had been talking to her best friend Kurt on the phone for the last hour about a new job opportunity and the only response he could give her was that the money was good.

"Um, I realize that but being someone's personal assistant is not what I went to college for."

"Ok, be uppity then if you want. The broke, hungry, and homeless that you're going to be will go great with it."

Mercedes bit back a retort because she knew that Kurt was right. The pretty diploma that she was still paying for sure did look nice on her wall but it was worthless because she couldn't find a job in her field. She had been pulling double duty working as a receptionist at a doctor's office by day and a cashier at a convenience store at night to pay her bills. Four years after graduation she was still struggling to find her footing. A degree in business seemed like a good idea at the time but it quickly became apparent that when one out of every five graduates is a business major the jobs are going to get snapped up quickly. Unfortunately, Mercedes wasn't one of the lucky ones that got a job straight out of college so she has been hopping around from odd job to odd job for years trying to make ends meet. It was a cycle that she hated, but still got comfortable with. Now, that comfortable little bubble was being tested by a great opportunity that Mercedes was too afraid to go after.

"Fine Kurt, you're right I don't have any room to be uppity about this job offer. But…"

"But…?"

"I don't know if I'm ready for this. I don't know if I can do it."

"Girl, please. That's bullshit and you know it. So what if you've hit a wall with that worthless degree of yours and can't find actual work?"

"It's not worthless!" Mercedes snapped indignantly.

"Whatever. Look, you need a job. A job. As in one. This one pays great, it's a good company, you'll have benefits and I heard the brothers that own the company are a bunch of hunks!"

"Who'd you hear that from?"

"This guy I met down at the gym."

"Oh God." Mercedes rolled her eyes, "so basically what you're telling me is that I need to take job advice for some random dude you met at the gym?"

"Yes…or no, it's whatever. Like I said, if you want to be uppity about it then you can work your two jobs, barely make rent, eat ramen noodles every day and drink tap water for all I care."

Mercedes attempted to muffle her laughter at Kurt's miffed tone.

"Okay, Kurt I'm sorry. Thank you for your advice and be sure to thank your friend as well."

"Are you going to take it?"

"Yes. Yes, I think I am. I was lucky enough to have this job opportunity basically fall into my lap so I'd be a fool not to go for it."

Mercedes was not exaggerating about the job falling into her lap. She worked at an OB's office during the day and she was lucky enough to befriend one of their pregnant patients, Emma Pillsbury. The soft-spoken red head always came in with a smile on her face and she and Mercedes instantly hit it off. Mercedes would listen with apt fascination to all of the stories that Emma would tell her about her job as personal assistant to Sam Evans of Evans & Evans Advertising. Emma had originally been the PA to Sam's father John, but he tragically passed away from a massive heart attack. After his sudden death Sam was forced to take over as CEO and he along with his brother Stevie had been running the advertising company ever since. The way Emma talked about Sam and Stevie it was clear that she had a soft spot for both of them and over time Mercedes developed one for them as well.

As time progressed Emma's pregnancy proved to be a rough one. By the time she reached the 8th month she feared that the doctor was about to put her on bed rest and she was panicked over it. She had already been in the process of interviewing candidates to take over for her while on maternity leave but she hadn't met anyone that she trusted to take the reins and she was running out of time. Even though she had a soft spot for Sam she knew how he was and it was going to take a special person to handle him, which meant she had to be very careful about whom she hired. It wasn't until she saw Mercedes calm a panicked mother in the waiting room that she realized that the answer to her problem had been staring her in the face all along. The first time she suggested the job to Mercedes she laughed in her face. Emma was taken aback by Mercedes unwillingness to even consider the position but she didn't back down. After a little bit of pleading, a touch of bribery, and a big dose of guilt she got Mercedes to agree to go to the interview. Emma had all the faith in the world that Mercedes would be amazing at the job, and she even believed that she would be able to tame Sam…eventually.

As Mercedes took a quick look back at the events that led her to this situation she was quickly brought back to a reality by a shrill voice screaming her name.

"What is it Kurt?"

"I've been talking to you for like the last five minutes! Did you even hear anything I said?"

"Yes, of course," Mercedes lied, "I was listening to everything you said."

"So you agree?"

"Um…yes?"

"Good, then I'll be there in an hour. We gotta get you lookin' good for your interview tomorrow!"

"Kurt, wait…"

Mercedes sighed as the sound of a click was the only answer she got back. She still wasn't sure about this new job but she realized it was mostly from fear. Even though she wasn't happy with the way her life was going it was still comfortable but she realized that sometimes being too comfortable can be just as destructive as having no direction at all. She was never going to have anything working two jobs and still only making ends meet. She wanted to travel and buy a house and set up a college fund for her future children one day but she couldn't do any of that in her current situation. She may not be 100% ready but she was in fake it until you make it mode and even if she was terrified no one would ever know it.

The next day shined clear and bright and Mercedes took it as a sign of great things to come. As she inspected herself once more in the mirror she reminded herself to send Kurt some flowers for the kick-ass ensemble he put together. Between the borderline indecent wrap dressed that hugged all of her curves and the sky high Louboutins that showed off her shapely legs Mercedes looked fierce and she felt it. Looking like a million bucks gave her that final boost of confidence she needed to go into that interview and own it! As Mercedes stood outside Evans & Evans she was impressed with the sleekness and sheer size of the building. After working in a stuffy doctor's office and a dingy convenience store Mercedes couldn't help but be impressed by the modern beauty.

After getting checked in by reception and then ushered up to the 110th floor the nerves that Mercedes had successfully beat down with her Louboutins started to come back with full force. As she sat inside a small lobby outside Mr. Evans office the nerves got the best of her and she stood up and begin to pace. It wasn't too long into her pacing before started to talk to herself.

"Come on Mercedes you can do this."

"Remember to breathe…just breathe"

"Firm handshake and make eye contact."

"Speak clearly and remember to-"

"Who in the hell are you talking to?"

Mercedes gasped and turned around quickly. She wanted to say something…needed to say something but her vocal cords were apparently not ready for the sight of the golden Adonis standing in front of her.

"Are you deaf?"

Mercedes blinked at the golden God standing in front of her. A part of her realized that she should probably be pissed off at his tone but currently her fierce, femme side was laid out next to her vocal cords.

"Do you understand English? I saw you talking to yourself earlier so obviously you can speak. Is there any particular reason why you refuse to do it now?"

Since Mercedes' ears survived the onslaught of the beauty of Brad Pitt's twin they were still functioning properly so they heard the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"Excuse me?"

"Ah, what do you know, it does speak."

Mercedes could feel the tips of her ears getting hot. Maybe her ears weren't working correctly after all because she knew that he didn't just refer to her as an 'it'.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh great, so now you only know two words."

Mercedes could feel tears welling in her eyes. This whole exchange had taken less than a minute but she already felt humiliated. No job on earth was worth this.

"No, actually I know a few more. Fuck. You."

Mercedes whirled around, grabbed her purse, stalked to the elevator and pushed the button. Nothing happened. She pushed it again, and still nothing. Mercedes prayed to God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Mary, Joseph, the 12 disciples and the burning bush to come and save her from this seemingly never-ending humiliation.

"It's locked."

Mercedes so wanted to ignore him but she wanted off that floor even more and she didn't think ignoring him would help achieve that.

"What?"

"The elevator's locked. You can't go up or down unless I allow it."

Mercedes rolled her eyes at his use of the word 'allow' and she whirled back around asked,

"Well, would you be so kind as to allow me to leave?"

The blonde asshole smirked at her emphasis on his word and raised a challenging eyebrow.

"I thought you were here for an interview?"

"I'm no longer interested."

"And why not?"

"Because I don't want to work for an arrogant, rude, jackass like you."

His eyes widened at Mercedes outburst and he stepped forward until they were only a few feet apart.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Sam Evans."

"Good for you Sam Evans, now will you unlock the elevator so I can leave?"

"No. You came up here to do something so why don't you finish it?"

"Did you not hear me before? I don't want to work for someone like you. You can keep this job and shove it up your ass for all I care."

"Fair enough, I was an ass to you. I deserve that."

Mercedes slowly started to clap her hands together.

"Wow, how magnanimous of you."

Sam laughed out loud at Mercedes' sarcastic remark.

"You know what, Emma was right about you."

"Well, the same can't be said about you."

Sam had the decency to look hurt by her remarks but the look was quickly replaced by a smug smirk.

"Look Ms. Jones if you want the job it's yours."

Mercedes gave an unladylike snort and just rolled her eyes at Sam.

"Just like that? You don't care anything about my credentials, or previous work history, or what I can bring to the current position?"

Sam shrugged, "Emma vouched for you so that's enough for me."

Mercedes stared up at Sam like he was crazy. It had only been about 3 minutes since this whole crazy situation had begun but it weirdly felt like a lifetime.

"Thank you for the offer Mr. Evans, but I think I'm going to have to pass. I don't think our personalities mesh well and it would be a waste of both our times to and try and pursue a work relationship."

As she spoke Sam crossed his arms across his chest and Mercedes try to ignore the sudden dryness in her mouth at the sight of his arm muscles bunching up under his suit jacket.

Once Mercedes quit ogling Sam's arms she turned on her heel again and made her way towards to door that she knew led to the stairwell. She wondered how many floors she would have to go down before she came across an elevator that wasn't controlled by Mr. Sam "Allow" Evans.

"I'll double whatever salary Ms. Pillsbury promised you."

That stopped Mercedes in her tracks. The salary that Emma had already offered her was astronomical compared to what she currently brought home so the idea of making twice that was almost more than Mercedes could fathom. There was something about Sam that made Mercedes want to slap that smug grin of his face but if Emma had such glowing words for him he couldn't be that bad all the time…right? Mercedes knew she was grasping at whatever straw she could to justify taking the job but she didn't care at this point. The idea of not living paycheck to paycheck was just too good to pass up. The offer was unlike anything she'd ever imagined and it could be any better unless…

"Double the salary AND the paid vacation time and I'll accept."

Sam let out a low whistle before giving Mercedes an incredulous look.

"You drive a hard bargain Miss Jones."

"If you want me then you'll accept my terms."

Sam moved a couple steps forward and let his eyes rake from the top of her head to the soles of her feet and back up again.

"I definitely want you…"

Mercedes ignored the obvious sexual innuendo even though it sent tingles up her spine and stared up at him unblinkingly.

"Do we have a deal, Mr. Evans or not."

Sam stared down at her for a moment before finally reaching out his hand.

"Deal."

Mercedes could barely contain her grin as she reached forward and grabbed Sam's hand. As soon as she slid her hand into his she had to force herself not to jerk away at the sudden electricity that raced up her arm. She gently pulled her hand away from his and rubbed it self-consciously against her thigh, despite the absence of his hand the tingle was still there. Mercedes glanced up at Sam to see his response but he looked troubled and confused as he ran his hand through his hair. Mercedes decided that some things were better left unsaid and she headed back towards the elevator.

"Are you going to let me go this time?"

Sam stared at her slightly dazed for a second before blinking his eye rapidly and smiling sheepishly at her.

"Sorry about that, I'll take care of it."

He walked over to the elevator and slid a card into a slot above the up and down arrows. The elevator lit up and when Sam pushed the down button the doors slid open. Mercedes walked in and she turned around with every intention of giving Sam a polite farewell, but before she could open her mouth she heard,

"Be here by 7:30 Monday morning and not a minute later. I like my coffee with 2 sugars and 1 cream, and I want it hot. You had better have all of your paperwork completed with HR by the Friday before because I don't you wasting my time by trying to complete Monday."

Mercedes mouth gaped open at Sam's sudden change in demeanor.

"Is there anything else, Mr. Evans?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact there is, from now on try not to wear such revealing outfits to work. This is a professional office, Ms. Jones."

The rage that Mercedes thought she had under control came boiling back to the surface,

"There is nothing wrong with my outfit!"

Mercedes opened her mouth to say more but it was in vain because Sam pushed a button and the doors slid closed in her face. Mercedes took a deep breath and leaned her forehead against the cool metal of the elevator door as she tried to beat back some of her anger. She could do this job, she knew could but would she be able to work with Sam Evans?

Only time would tell.