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Usual disclaimer applies.

7. A Foot in the Door

After following Ricardo into his office, he indicated that I should sit in a chair that sat in front of his desk. He walked around and sat behind his desk and stared at me for at least two minutes before he spoke.

I was wondering if he was expecting me to talk, but he finally relieved the tension by saying, "Carlos tells me that you are currently majoring in Finance as well as Marketing. That's a hefty workload for a young person. Why don't you tell me why you have retained both subjects?"

This was a question that I had to answer a lot, but it was usually because my mother wasn't happy with her daughter going to college, let alone working towards two divergent career paths. I took a deep breath and said, "It's relatively simple in my mind. I am really good at the mathematics involved in accounting and finances. The business perspective seems like second nature to me, so it makes sense to me to be qualified in that area.

"The marketing side of things boils down to my enjoyment of graphic design. I really enjoy working with images and messages and coming up with something unique that hasn't been seen before.

"One part comes naturally and I enjoy the technical aspects. The other holds my creative interests."

Ricardo smiled and said, "That is a very mature attitude for someone as young as you. I hope your friends and family appreciate this and support you in every way they can."

My smile faltered at the mention of my family, but Ricardo didn't seem to notice, so I replied, "I have a lot of support. I have two very close friends and one of them studies finance and the other studies marketing. We support each other, but since I am taking both subjects, I pull us together."

"Carlos has also mentioned something about a problem you recently experienced where you were forced to stand up for yourself. I don't expect you to share any details that you are not comfortable with, but can you tell me why you felt compelled to make the stand you did?"

This was also an easy question. I looked Ricardo in the eye and said, "I was betrayed by someone close to me. I confronted this person, and when they lashed out, I stood up for myself. It wasn't pride, anger or revenge that spurred me on. It was the knowledge that if I didn't make a stand here and now, it would happen over and over again. If I let it happen again, it would be my fault the next time, and I couldn't live with that."

Ricardo's face was hard to read at this point, but he did nod and then said, "I know what you mean about betrayal. My best friend and I are currently up in arms because of that very subject. I hope we can work through it, but it will take time. Loyalty is something very important to me and my family, so I understand your position."

He smiled and then asked, "If Carlos hadn't mentioned this to me, what would you have done for the summer?"

"I probably would have worked in the bakery in Trenton that I've worked at since I was 15 years old. In order to make enough money for school, I'd probably work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week."

"That's a harsh life when you work so hard during the school year."

"It is what it is. My parents can't or won't help with my tuition and fees and student loans only go so far. I want to finish my degree, and if working 12 to 18 hours a day is what it takes, that's what I'll do."

Ricardo was nodding at my answer. He leaned forward on his elbows and said, "What if you didn't have to work those long hours, but could make the same amount of money, if not more?"

I looked at him, smiled, and said, "Where do I sign up? No. Wait, what exactly do you have in mind? I don't want to agree to something before I know what it is."

Ricardo laughed and said, "Every summer, we hire up to 5 college students in their area of study. Since you have two specific areas of interest, I'd like to suggest that you split your time between the two different departments. Perhaps you could work mornings in the accounting department and afternoons working with our marketing team. How would that sound Miss Plum?"

"That sounds amazing. Don't you need to see a Resume or something before offering me this kind of role?"

"Normally, we do ask for a CV, but in your case, I think I'm confident enough by your attitude and demeanour that we can wave that necessity. It's one of the perks I'm able to provide, since I own the company. I like you dear, and I think you'll be a wonderful asset to my company this summer."

"I appreciate your faith in my abilities, sight unseen, but I feel that you should know something before you agree to hire me."

Ricardo put on his serious face and asked, "What is it dear?"

"I think that you should know that I am partly responsible for Lucida and Carlos' problems."

"Stephanie, Carlos explained to me how the two of you met, and the reasons. You are not to blame for Lucida or your boyfriend's behaviour. I won't lie, I'm disappointed that they are no longer together, but that's a silly old world pride that doesn't really belong in this modern world. I do not blame you and I wouldn't let that interfere with you working here."

"I should also warn you about my mother. She is very old fashioned and doesn't really approve of me going to college. She has wanted me to quite ever since I started so I could stay home to marry and take care of Ryan. The fact that I'm not coming home might mean that she'll show up here and make a scene. At the very least, she'll annoy Amanda and the receptionist by calling in an attempt to talk me into moving back home."

"I will instruct people to direct her calls to me personally. I will tell her about all the good things you are doing, and how much we value you. Carlos has said many good things about you, and if there is one thing I know about my son, he's a good judge of character. Speaking of which, we shouldn't keep him waiting. We can draw up the paperwork right now and you can take it with you. You'll just have to sign it and bring it back with you on Monday to start your job."

I looked at Ricardo and said, "I can't thank you enough. Who knew that running into your son yesterday would have such an effect on my life. I promise that I will work hard so that you don't regret your decision."

"I'm sure you'll make me proud dear. I like you, and I look forward to working with you."

When Ricardo and I emerged from his office, Carlos was sitting on the edge of Amanda's desk. They were talking and laughing as we approached. Amanda smiled and waited for Ricardo to speak before jumping to action. "Amanda, can you please call down to HR and get that paperwork started? I'd like Miss Plum to take it with her when she leaves today."

"Of course, it will probably take about 30 minutes, so why don't you go take a seat and I'll bring in some coffee after I speak to HR."

"That's a great idea. Stephanie, Carlos, please join me in our break room for a coffee. I might even be able to scrounge up some cake if there's some left from this morning. It was Marco's birthday."

I walked between Ricardo and Carlos into the break room. Because it was the middle of the afternoon, it was empty so we had an unobstructed view of the remains of a very chocolate birthday cake. My eyes must have jumped out of my head because Carlos laughed and said, "It's a good thing we didn't have time for dessert at lunch. I think chocolate cake is one of Steph's favourite things."

I blushed at his comment and Ricardo chuckled quietly before saying, "I'm also glad that there is cake left. I didn't have a chance to grab a piece earlier and it is one of my favourites as well."

I smiled at Ricardo and then stuck my tongue out at Carlos when Ricardo had his back turned. Before Carlos was able to make any sort of comeback, Ricardo said, "That's enough children. There is enough cake for everyone."

We all laughed at this and Carlos and I joined Ricardo at a table. He handed us each a plate that was holding a generous slice of cake. Ricardo sliced a fourth slice and set it on the table with us. As soon as Amanda entered the room to get the coffee started, Ricardo motioned to the cake and invited her to join us.

While we drank coffee and ate coffee, Amanda explained a few things about the building's security and staff. I would need to get an employee badge that would allow me in and out of any areas I was allowed to venture. They also explained that I'd have to attend a new employee induction that would take place my first day. This was standard for all employees, and after the course, Amanda would take me around and introduce me to the people I'd be working with each day.

When our coffee and cake was finished, Amanda received a phone call letting us know that my paperwork was finished. We all stood and walked out to Amanda's desk. Ricardo looked at me and said, "It was a pleasure to meet you Stephanie. I look forward to you joining our company."

"Thanks. I am really excited myself. I will be here on Monday with bells on."

Ricardo laughed and then said to Carlos, "Son, your mother is expecting you for dinner this evening. Please tell me that you can make it."

Carlos looked at his watch and replied, "I had planned on it, but I have to drive Stephanie back to New Brunswick. I can't promise I'll be back in time."

I was surprised at this because Carlos had never mentioned driving me home, so I said, "Carlos, you don't need to drive me home. There are these new modern things called buses and trains. I can easily get myself home."

Before Carlos could respond, Ricardo said, "Nonsense, why don't you bring Stephanie to dinner and then take her home. I'm sure my wife Maria would love to meet you."

I was panicking now, so I blurted out "I couldn't possibly impose on you and your family like that. I'll be fine to get home on my own."

Ricardo looked me directly in the eye and said, "It's no imposition at all. Besides, Maria likes to show off her cooking skills, and for someone who enjoys her food as much as you do, you'll be quite welcome."

I looked over at Carlos, who seemed to have gone pale at his father's mention of my enjoyment of food. I narrowed my eyes at him and watched as he blushed slightly. I looked back at Ricardo and said, "I guess I should accept your generous offer. Thank you very much."

Ricardo smiled at me and then turned to Carlos, "Please call your mother before you head over. Since you have her car, she may need you to pick up some things on your way home."

Carlos nodded, and with a final goodbye, he walked back into his office.

I turned and looked at Carlos with narrowed eyes and said, "What did you tell your father about me and my enjoyment of food?"

Carlos looked a bit sheepish, but he said, "I simply explained that you are not afraid to acknowledge when you like something of the culinary arena. I didn't mention anything about the noises you seem to make when I'm around when you eat."

"Those noises have nothing to do with you mister. It is all about the food."

Carlos smiled and said, "You wound me with your harsh words Steph. I need to be alone for a few moments. Please excuse me."

I laughed at his implied pain and picked up the folder that contained my paperwork from Amanda's desk. She looked at me and said, "Those Manoso men can be quite a handful at times. Young Carlos seems to know exactly what to say to push your buttons. Be careful there, or he'll worm his way into your heart before you know it."

"Carlos and I are friends Amanda, there's no need to worry. Besides, I have a feeling that now he's no longer attached to Lucida, he and his friends will take full advantage on the Newark female population."

Amanda maintained a look of innocence on her face and said, "You my Dear can now count yourself a member of the Newark female population."

"Only during the day, I still live in New Brunswick. My friends are there, and my life is there."

The expression on Amanda's face changed from one of smug innocence to a sweet smile when Carlos walked back into the room. He looked at me and said, "Mama needs us to stop at the deli on the way home to pick up a few things. Are you ready?"

I nodded and tucked the folder with my paperwork into my handbag and turned to say goodbye to Amanda. Carlos kissed her on the cheek and promised to stop by for a visit next week. Amanda walked us to the elevator, and waved as we stepped into the empty car.

As soon as the doors closed, I said, "I'm really sorry Carlos, I don't want to impose on your family this evening. I especially didn't intend for you to drive me all the way back to New Brunswick."

Carlos turned to me, looked me directly in the eye and replied, "I told you that my father would like you. He never invites people he doesn't like to dinner. He did that on his own, without consulting me.

"As for the drive home, I was originally planning on spending the evening with the guys, but now I'm stuck spending time with my parents and eating with a new friend. It's not the evening I had planned, but I think I'll get by, especially if I get to be near you when you eat my mother's cooking. She is amazing, and her food is as good as it gets."

"Was that supposed to make me feel better?" I asked, as we exited the elevator and walked through the underground parking garage toward the car. "Because I don't feel better, I feel worse. I'm keeping you away from a night out with the guys, I'm forcing you to eat with your parents and now you have to drive all the way back to New Brunswick at your father's insistence."

"Stephanie, I love my parents and I actually enjoy spending time with them. The guys won't miss me, so there's nothing to worry about there. As for driving you home, I actually like driving. I don't get to drive very often, so I'm really taking advantage of your presence in order to spend some time on the road."

We climbed into the car and were silent as Carlos navigated the narrow aisles of cars and corners of the exit ramp. Once we exited the garage, Carlos reached over and turned on the stereo at a low volume and continued his statement from earlier.

"To tell you the truth, Lester seemed kind of relieved when I called to tell him I wasn't joining them tonight."

"Why would Lester be relieved by your absence Carlos?"

"I guess he didn't want the competition. When I was with Lucida, every time we went out, she was with us. She was very possessive, so nobody was in doubt that I was taken. Now that I'm single again, Lester probably thinks he will have to compete with me for the ladies."

I laughed and said, "Oh, I get it. I suppose he is right though. You'll be quite the hit with the single ladies when you and the guys go out now that you don't have Lucida scaring them away."

I realised that he probably wasn't comfortable talking like that with me, not just because we didn't know each other very well, but because I was a female. I didn't attempt to push the conversation, so I sat and watched the traffic as we progressed through it.

Carlos was silent for a few minutes and the next time he spoke, it was about a different subject. "I have to get a few things from the deli near my parent's place. You can come in with me or stay in the car, it's up to you."

I thought for a moment and said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to come in. I like going into new places like that, just to see what's different."

Carlos smiled and said, "This one will be really interesting for you then. It's owned by a Cuban couple and most of their customers come from Cuba or other South American countries."

My eyes lit up and I said, "Does this mean that your mother is going to cook a typical Cuban meal tonight? I've never actually had anything Cuban, or at least if I did, I didn't know it. My mother is a very traditional cook, and rarely strays from the Italian or Hungarian menu. Don't get me wrong, she's a great cook, but she refuses to experiment or deviate from what's expected in any way."

Carlos laughed and said, "I'm sure whatever my mother cooks will be heavily inspired by traditional Cuban cuisine. She grew up and learned to cook there, so that's what we eat. My mother loves to cook, but she does experiment. We even had a typical American roast turkey for Thanksgiving last year. It was mostly because of my sister's Californian fiancée who was visiting. Mama loved everything about it.

"She spent weeks on the internet researching different recipes, making lists, and finally cooking everything on the day. She was exhausted afterward, but she had such a great time."

I thought about what he had said about his mother and said, "If your mother cooks as well as you say, maybe she can adopt me. I'm sure my mother has already disowned me so there is a vacancy."

We both laughed at that for a few minutes. Carlos pulled to a stop on the side of a road and we both got out of the car. I followed Carlos into a very small little privately owned shop and started to look around. Carlos greeted the woman behind the register in Spanish and I followed him deeper into the store. Carlos grabbed several items, greeted a few others in the store, and went to pay. I looked around as best I could, but it was too overwhelming. There were so many new things that I wanted to investigate further but I simply didn't have time.

I was pulled out of my investigations when I heard raised voices at the front of the store. I poked my head around the end of the shelf I was at to see Carlos standing in front of the register being yelled at by a very angry looking woman who had just walked into the store. Carlos didn't look very happy, but I didn't want to interrupt. I didn't know what to do, so I stayed put and waited for the rapid Spanish conversation to calm down. As soon as Carlos paid for his belongings, I walked around the back of the shelf and out the front door. Carlos saw me slip out the door and hastily tried to follow me to get away from the screaming woman.

Unfortunately, she followed him out of the shop. When she saw me, she turned her anger towards me. She was speaking Spanish, so I didn't understand what she was saying, but I could tell that she did not like me. I climbed into the car as Carlos hit the locks from his keychain, trying to ignore the woman rapidly walking towards my side of the car. I closed the door and she started yelling through the window at me. I was sure what to do, so I looked over at Carlos. It was clear to me that he was annoyed and embarrassed, so I was extremely relieved when he said something and climbed into the car and we drove away.

Carlos didn't say anything until we pulled into a residential area. He pulled over to the side of the road and put the car into park. I thought we were at his parent's house, but when I gathered my things and went to get out of the car, Carlos stopped me by putting his hand on my arm.

"We're not there yet Steph, I just needed to stop for a moment and calm down."

I looked over at him and he was running his hands through is hair and across his face in an attempt to steady his breathing. After several minutes, he lowered his hands, turned to me and said, "I'm really sorry that you had to go through that Stephanie. This is not your fault and I don't want you to feel bad because of it."

I looked at Carlos and laughed. He looked hurt until I said, "Carlos, I didn't understand a word she said to me, so it's hard to be too upset. I could tell by her facial expression and tone that she was angry with you and upset by my presence, but I honestly have no idea why."

Carlos looked somewhat relieved and nodded. He pulled back out onto the road and then said, "That was Lucida's mother. She refuses to believe that her daughter is at fault for our relationship ending. Lucida somehow convinced her mother that I broke up with her because I wanted to see a white girl. When her mother saw you, she started spewing all kinds of hateful things at me and you. I'm relieved that you didn't understand, but I'm sorry that you had to experience that in the first place."

I looked at the pain on Carlos' face and said, "Don't worry about it Carlos. We are friends, we're not dating. There is nothing for you to be sorry about. Friends support each other, so if necessary, I'll stand up to Lucida or her mother the next time I run into them."

Carlos' features seemed to soften at my comment and when we pulled into his parent's driveway a few minutes later, Carlos looked happy to be home.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think. The next chapter will be published soon. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon.