Author's note: Concerning the Jing Yuan banner on HSR, I got him in one 10 pull. In conclusion, my luck for the rest of this year has dried up… BUT! Texalter WILL come home!
Anyways, check the notes at the end, as always.
Zaysik residence/0500 hours.
DRIIIINNGGG! SMASH!
It's been 12 years and I still hate the sound of that alarm clock…
05:00 AM, as usual.
I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to have a nice warm shower.
Today is the day of the Interview, after all. And hopefully today I'll get the job. I mean, it's only a secretary position, right? How difficult can that job possibly be?
I'm planning on moving out from my parents' house after I get this job. It's the next step of life, y'know? I'm already 24 years of age, I can't live on my parents' house forever.
Though that depends on the salary. On the website, the position was advertised for 30k LMD… a year. I can now see why there are not many people applying…
I can probably buy or rent a small apartment.
After the shower, I dressed up in a classic white business suit and a black blazer. Don't forget about the tie.
What's next? Right, breakfast. I'll just buy one at a drive through.
"Hmm? Leaving already, dear?" My mother's groggy voice emerged from behind me.
"Oh, mom. Yes, the interview is at 7, and I don't want to risk being late."
"But it's only 6 AM though?"
"Never an excuse for tardiness."
"That's the spirit!" She gave me a thumbs-up. "Now go out there and excel in that interview!"
"Uhh... not exactly 'destroy,' mom. But I'll do my best." I gently pinched the bridge of my nose and stepped out of the house.
On my way to the location, I stopped by a fast-food drive through to order aa coffee and a breakfast burger.
"Welcome to MyDonna's, what would you like to order?" A feminine voice spoke through the speaker.
"Вы говорите по-урсусски? (Do you speak Ursusian?)"
"…"
"…"
"Да, я говорю на урсусском (Yes, I speak Ursusian)" The voice changes to be more masculine after a while of waiting.
"Okay. Can I get an Americano and a Sausage MacMuffin with an egg?"
"… you asked us if we can speak Ursusian for nothing?"
"Yes."
"…"
And just like that, I bought today's breakfast.
The distance between the company's location and the fast-food restaurant isn't that far, as I came to realize, arriving just 10 minutes later.
I parked on the sidewalk with a little time to spare. I used this time to eat my breakfast before finally entering the building.
It was an average office building. Pretty reasonable so far… every company either starts from here or they start from the founder's parent's garage.
And yes, I did my research on this company before hand when I applied.
L'IberiCompagnie. Or really, 'The Iberian Company'.
It has zero ties, as far as I know, to Iberia itself. One would expect that it was a state-owned company at first glance.
It says that it's a company that specializes in "Distribution of foreign goods in Lungmen", "Research and Development", and "Welfare". It's… okay? Pretty strange focus for a newly established company. But I digress, maybe they have a trick up their sleeve?
Entering the main lobby, it was empty.
No, like, really empty. Not a soul in sight.
"Hello?" I called out to the reception desk.
No one responded.
I walked around the reception desk and found… and empty desk. Not even a computer or chair. You know, this place seems abandoned.
Am I in the right place?!
Just as I was contemplating on leaving, a voice startled me.
"Oi!" The voice yelled, grabbing my attention to the source of the voice, "That's someone else's property." He spoke.
"Sorry, I am here for an interview. But it looks like I've gone in the wrong place." I apologised and walked to the exit quickly.
"Interview? Ohh, you're that Sherry girl, right? No, you're in the right place."
"Ah?" I stopped in my tracks and turned around.
Now having a good look at him, he was a Liberi, what a surprise. He wore a white suit underneath his long coat.
"You're the one who applied for the job right? Uhh… Sherry Zaysik." He smiled warmly a he extends his hand for a handshake.
"Yes, that's me." I shook his hands.
"Great! Right this way." He gestured to follow him to the elevator.
I nervously followed him.
This is it, isn't it?
My first job interview?
Come on, you got this! I've practiced my interview in front of the mirror all night! I can't possibly fail this!
The elevator door opened and revealed a hallway leading to a door.
"This building has ten floors, by the way. If you hadn't notice." He said as we walked, "And here we are, ladies first." He opened the door.
It was an office, his office obviously.
There was a large window behind the desk. And the decorations here are… unique, to say the least.
Paintings, photos of himself and other people, weapons, and a large and detailed map of Iberia hung on the wall.
Oh, and you can't forget the flag of Iberia hanging beside the map and the golden cross above both of them. I think that should be a clear indication on what type of person he is.
"Welcome to home sweet home… okay I don't live here obviously but an office is just someone's second home… right?" He mused with a wry smile.
"… Right… that's very corporate of you." I replied, matching his tone.
"I'm still furnishing it a bit more, hence why it's a bit empty." He explains, "Now, let's get to business! Take a seat." He gestures as he sat down on the desk.
I sat down and made myself comfortable as he took a document from the drawer and began reading it, "Oh, before I forget, let me introduce myself. You can simply call me Valor. Or, if you want to be formal, you can call me ."
"Very well, " I nodded.
He recoiled back a bit, "You know what… I think Valor would be a better way to call me." He said, "Hearing feels weird."
"So… Sherry Zaysik. I've read your resume," He says, "you are fresh from university, with a bachelor's degree in finance and… Sociology? That's a weird combination… why is that?" He inquires curiously.
"Well, Finance was kinda pushed to me by my family. So that I can inherit my father's position in Rim Billiton. Sociology is my interest; therefore, I took on majoring both finance and Sociology." I explained.
"Ah, I remembered. Your father is a top executive at Rim Billiton, right? The originium mining company. Why work here when you can easily get a job there?"
"Well… ahem. I am what is called a 'Originum heirs' along with other children of a top executives in Rim Billiton. We'll inherit our parent's position no matter what. I was told to work here to get experience by… well, that." I can't tell him I worked here because my mom told me to. Truth be told, I want to immediately work in Rim Billiton.
"Very well, then," he looks to my resume, "It says you're a student council president during high school, and during your university years, you were the leader of a student organisation."
"Yes, the Lungmen Sociology Association. I was the president for 3 years." I said as I puffed my chest.
"Hmm… Well, I can say that you're a very intelligent woman, you have leadership abilities, that's great… Infection status?"
"None."
"Good… Well Sherry, You're hired!" He declares, "But I gotta need you to sign this NDA." He slid a paper onto the desk.
"What? Why?" I took the paper and read it, "5 years NDA?"
"Well, the nature of this work relies heavily in secrecy." He shrugs.
An NDA? For the position of secretary? Don't make me laugh… What secrecy either? Do I need to keep his secrets and not reveal it to the public for 5 whole years?
…
I don't want to bother and search for another job… so whatever, I'll sign it.
"Fine. I'll sign it." I sigh as I reached for my pen and signed the NDA.
"Great! Well then, Sherry, you are officially hired! Welcome to L'IberCo!" He claps, "Now, your first assignment is to become the acting CEO for me, okay?"
"Pardon?" did I misheard that?
Seeing my shock and disbelief, he said, "To be honest, I am not qualified or trained to manage such a large company. I can only focus on one operation at a time. Well… that doesn't mean I am incompetent. I just need someone who is more qualified than me."
What do you mean 'large' company? Isn't this a new company?!
"What do you mean by 'large'?" I asked him as I narrowed my eyes.
He holds his index finger up, "You're going to know soon enough." He then stood up and gestured to the door behind me, "let's go."
Without thinking much, I followed him to the elevator, where he pushed the button to go to the basement.
I didn't even realize there was a basement here.
"There's a basement?" I decided to ask him.
"Oh yeah. It's mostly a parking lot though." He shrugs.
After the elevator arrived at the basement, I followed him to his car.
Which was a sports car…
This guy… is he rich or something? Because I cannot imagine a guy who acts like this has enough money to buy this sort of car.
That is unless he's either using investor money or he inherited that money. If it's the former, that's called investor fraud.
I got in the front passenger seat.
"Enjoy the ride. It'll take a while." He pushes a button on a remote and the garage door opens to the outside.
He drove for an hour or two. I was suddenly feeling sleepy during the entire ride despite having coffee and sleeping early.
I was suddenly jolted into a more awakened state when he stepped on the brakes so suddenly and punched the steering wheel.
"OH! Look at this idiot! He fucking overtook me and look where we are now! That's right! Stuck in traffic!" He yelled frustratingly as he honked multiple times. Receiving many more honks as a response, "Fucking hell… Can you believe this?" He turned to me.
"Never been stuck in traffic." I admitted.
"What? Come on, everyone at least got caught in traffic once in their lifetime, right?" He looked shocked, "It can't only be me who gets stuck in traffic nearly every time right?"
"Where are we going anyways?" I held the urge to yawn.
"A place where we'll be meeting our beneficiaries. Well, some of them anyways." He explained, "Want a soda?" He asks, noticing me taking full on yawn.
"Ah, thanks." I accepted the soda he offered. It was a nice cold soda. Never liked sodas but i have to admit, they taste nice.
"So… you're from Iberia?" I ask, deciding to make small talk with him to break the ice.
"Yup. Born and raised." He answers proudly.
"I heard that Iberia is depressing"
"Ehh… depends on what you define as 'depressing' really." He shrugs, "I was raised in rural Iberia and I am happy and have plenty to do."
"Like what?" I ask.
"Playing with friends, exploring the woods, playing in the fields." He then looked to the front as the traffic slowly dispersed. "What about you?"
"Eh? Well… it's your typical city girl life. I had a normal life, before focusing on my education after my family moved to Lungmen." I explained.
"You're not from Lungmen?"
"I'm from Rim Billiton."
"Ahh… makes sense since your dad is an executive there."
"If you don't mind me asking, how are you this rich to the point where you can buy a sports car?" I decided to ask him about this.
"Ehh i work independently… I do some work on the field… networking and… finding new leads on innovative solutions in a fast changing and dynamic environment."
"Uh-huh…" I rolled my eyes, "Why is there no one in the office building? It looks abandoned."
"Uh well… I am not planning on turning it into an office. I'm planning to turn it into a casino of sorts." He said.
"A casino? Gambling is an unhealthy addiction and is frowned upon in Lungmen." I disagreed.
"If it is, why is there a large casino here being frequented by the elites? I just want to make the casinos more appealing to the lower classes y'know?" He retorts.
"That's…"
"And besides, 99% of gamblers quit before they make it big. I mean, it's either a 100% losing your life savings, or a 600% profit." He argues, glancing at me.
"That sounds predatory." I narrowed my eyes.
"Call it what you want." He shrugs, "We're here."
We stopped in front of a giant warehouse. Warehouse number 14.
Once we got inside, there was a table with two people sitting on each side.
"You're finally here." One man stood up, "Took you long enough."
Wait. I recognize them.
"You are… Salvador Brynley and Andrezj Graaf? The owners of Raythean and DWL?" I blurted out.
chuckles on his seat, "We probably are…"
"You remind me of my daughter for a second there… You know she's working in Rhodes Island, Valor?" turned to Valor.
"Hmm? Oh, that pharmaceutical mercenary company?"
"Yes. She's an operator there. I hope the Rhodes Island people can turn her into a fine woman."
"Okay, let's just focus at the discussion at hand." He turns to me, "I want you to meet Sherry Zaysik. My new Secretary and acting CEO of the newly established establishment known as The Iberian Company." He announces.
"Zaysik, huh? The Rim Billiton executive?" asks.
"Bingo." Valor snaps his fingers, "Now, Mr. Graaf, , are we in agreement with or previous deal?"
"We have no problems with your company distributing our products within Lungmen and Yan. But I have to ask you something, why take only 20% of the profit? That wouldn't be very profitable, if I were you." leans in on the table.
Chuckling, Valor, my new boss said, "To be completely honest, I don't expect the company to be profitable at all… except for being a 'front' for all my future operations." Valor grins.
"What are you getting at?" This time, asks as he too, leans in to the table.
"You know what I mean. Money laundering, tax evasions, legal protections, offshore accounts, illicit transactions, bribery, corruption, embezzlement, fraud, racketeering, shell companies, under-the-table payments, hidden assets, money mules, kickbacks, illicit investments, shadow banking, insider trading, black market operations, Ponzi schemes, asset concealment, false invoicing, and financial manipulation," He casually drops a bombshell.
"Sorry, what?!" I couldn't help but speak out.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?!
"Wait, I'm not finished. I also do charity, technological investments and R&D, feeding the poor… uhhh," He started counting on his fingers, "Oh yes. Archeology."
"That doesn't balance things out! Actually, it doesn't sound right at all!"
"Well, Valor, if you want to do those, go ahead, we're not stopping you. But all forms of agreements between us will be under the table. And when you get caught. We won't be there for you." sighs.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"Who's that?" Valor sounded alarmed. The knocking was coming from the door, "you guys go out, you don't want to be seen, do you?"
"We prefer not to. We'll be off then. We'll talk on the phone." Both and stood up and left through the back door.
Valor seemed to put his hands on his belt. And approached the door slowly.
And when he arrived at the door, he opened it revealing a red-haired Sankta.
"Heyyo! Your packages arrived!" She announces.
"O-oh, really? Please send it in then." He moves to open the warehouse's giant door.
Once opened, a truck carrying a big container backs into the warehouse.
"That's… one big package." I muttered.
"Tell me about it." He responded in a similar tone.
"Here you go! Please sign here!" The Sankta approaches us.
Valor signed the document and he received a receipt.
With a bright smile, she red-haired Sankta conluded, "Thank you for choosing Penguin Logistics for your package delivery!"
Valor nodded respectively, "I'll… be sure to use your services again. Now, how do we get it off the truck?"
"That won't be necessary! We'll leave the truck right here, isn't that right, Texas?" the Sankta said, turning to a Lupo who had just joined us.
"Mhm," Texas confirmed with a nod.
"Very well then," the Sankta continued. "We'll be off! Enjoy your package, Mister!" With a wave and a cheerful tone, she bid us farewell. Leaving both of us alone with the package, and the truck, don't forget that.
"What's inside that?" I pointed to the container.
"That, my secretary, is simply step one of many." He chuckles.
Why do I somehow get a bad feeling about this?
Author's note: Boy I do hope there are no papers being leaked about the global elites of Terra having illegal offshore bank accounts! I'm sure that wouldn't happen.
Anyways, Valor is sinking his teeth onto Lungmen with the help of external forces. Who may or may not receive benefits on his actions there. It also seems to reek of Iberian funding.
I sure hope the LGD wouldn't use their overreaching authoritarian prerogatives to SWAT innocent legal establishments.
Comment and like down below to disappear an innocent Islander (Church of the deep sympathizer) Extra points if you shared. (one share = one Church of the deep member dead.)