Jess Jordan sat nervously in her boss's ex-wife's apartment, which was Kendall Roy's make-shift workspace. This home in the sky was stocked with past relics of his failed relationship with Rava. Jess had been working as his assistant for years now, but advocating for herself still made her feel timid. This time was necessary to do so, more than ever. The pressures of her job were starting to get to her. She desperately needed help and was drowning in the responsibilities she had. And as more scandals began to arise from the Royco family, PR was becoming essential to reign in.

Kendall entered the room, unbuttoning his black sports coat. He sat at his desk and smiled.
"Yes?"
"Kendall, I really think we need to hire an intern to help with our social media and PR," Jess said, trying to sound confident.

Kendall looked between Jess's eyes, his face stoic. "And why is that, Jess?"

"Well, as you know, your social media presence is crucial to your success. But I'm finding it difficult to keep up with everything on my own. With an intern, we could increase our output and engagement, and ultimately, increase our revenue. And… you need all the help a positive public image can get…respectfully."

Kendall considered this for a moment. He knew that Jess was an invaluable asset to the company, and if she thought an intern was necessary, then it probably was. "Alright, Jess. You can hire an intern. Maybe make it two. You'll need to make a convincing argument for the budget." He smiled.

Jess sighed in relief. "Thank you, Kendall. I'll get started right away."

Jess didn't want to tell Kendall yet, but she was considering quitting soon and thought grooming an intern or two would leave room for added support when she was finally ready to depart. So, Jess immediately got to work, sifting through dozens of resumes and cover letters from previous open positions. But as she read through them, one, so far, stood out - Sonnie Gold. She had a great understanding of social media, and her passion for the field shone through in her writing and schooling. Jess knew that she had to interview her.

A few days later, Jess found herself sitting across from Sonnie in a coffee shop near Rava's apartment. They chatted for a while, and Jess was impressed by Sonnie's knowledge and enthusiasm.

"So, what made you want to apply for this internship?" Jess asked.

"Well, I've always been interested in PR and social media, and I think it's such an important part of a company's success," Sonnie replied. "I'm really excited about the opportunity to learn more and contribute to Kendall's online presence."

Jess smiled. "That's great to hear. I think you'd be a great fit for the job. Would you like to come in for an interview With Kendall?"

Sonnie's face lit up. "Yes, please! Thank you so much for considering me." They shook hands, and the two departed La Cafe Latte.

Sonnie was excited. She recently had a run-in with a lot of bad luck and was giddy about the opportunity to work for such a huge name in the media industry. She walked in the direction of the subway she needed to take to go home and made her trek to her apartment in Dumbo.

A few days later, Sonnie came in for an interview with Kendall himself at the apartment. Jess was anxious, but she knew that Sonnie was the best person for one of the open positions.

As they sat in Rava's living room, Sonnie seemed nervous as well.

"Don't worry," Jess assured. "You're going to do great!"

Time seemed to be slugging along as they waited for Kendall to arrive.

Ten minutes passed before he appeared, disheveled. "Oh god…" she muttered under her breath as Sonnie's leg shook. Admittedly, Sonnie was worried to meet Kendall face to face, but had she paid attention to the news, she would have understood that terror was more appropriate. the Infamous Roy name should have superseded any attempts at ignorance, but alas, Sonnie was hopeful for a chance.

"Sorry for the hold-up," Kendall muttered as he unbuttoned his sports coat. Dark circles tugged at his sad-looking eyes. A vague smell of stale cologne followed him in. Sonnie eyed her potential new boss as he rummaged through papers on the coffee table before grabbing her resume.
"It's no problem at all," she smiled. They made eye contact for the first time and his eyes flickered between her and the papers before settling on her. Jess cleared her throat.

"So tell me—" Kendall looked back at the paper "—Sonnie, why are you qualified for a PR internship here?"
Sonnie confidently answered his question, impressing him with her knowledge and passion for the subject. The pair chatted about her college experience for awhile, Kendall paying extra attention to the types of extracurriculars Sonnie participated in, such as her Assistantship program in graduate school. This program gave her a lot of good experience in the areas that Kendall needed the most help in. A half hour went by, and his fatigued energy seemed to have dissipated. Kendall grinned and leaned back in his chair, sizing Sonnie up with a gentle smile. "Alright, thank you miss gold. We'll certainly be in touch." He stood up from his chair, extending his hand to Sonnie. She stood and grasped it, feeling the heat from his soft palm and gaze all at once. Sonnie thanked the two of them before walking to the elevator and leaving.
Kendall turned to Jess. "I think she's the one. You can hire her."
Jess smiled in relief. "Thank you, Kendall. I know she'll do a great job."

—-

As Sonnie exited Kendall's outpost, Sonnie walked in a meditative state, contemplating her time at Grad school, which had been brutal. From competitive classmates to downright abusive professors, every day was a struggle.
She was in a highly cutthroat industry, with jobs in her field slowly dying. It was tough launching a career in writing, but Sonnie was hoping, praying, begging a higher power to let this internship work out. She decided if she celebrated tonight, it would manifest the success, and began to call her boyfriend Alec to let him know how well the interview went. He answered immediately. "How'd it go?!"
"I think really, REALLY well." Sonnie squealed. "Do you want to meet me at that speakeasy near Tribeca to get a celebratory drink?! I'll tell you more about the interview there!"
"Ugh, I wish babe…I got another long shift at the hospital tonight. But maybe Friday night next week we can do something? I have a lot of studying to do this week with my attending Doctor at the hospital this week." He waited before blurting "I'm so happy for you!"
Sonnie was bummed. She really wanted to see Alec but was excited at the prospect of seeing him later in the week.
"Thanks, babe! I don't know if I got it for sure but…I got a good feeling! I think Kendall would be a great boss." Sonnie shouldered past a group as she continued to make her trek.
"So cool that you'd get to work with the Roy family. My dad's a big fan of Connor!" Alec exclaimed.
"He's a con-brain or whatever they call themselves?" Sonnie asked, half giggling.
"Yeah! My mom is too."Alec paused before saying, "I'm so proud of you babe."
Sonnie blushed. "Aw, thank you!"
"Listen, I gotta go but I'll let you know about Friday, okay?"
"Okay," Sonnie felt a small twinge of sadness flicker in her heart.
"I'll talk to you soon, bye beautiful!"
"Bye, Alec."
Sonnie paused and glanced around her, deciding she did in fact want to drink even though Alec couldn't join. She searched for her roommate's contact and pressed call, and waited for an answer.
"Sonnie!" Ivy sang. "You caught me at a good time I just finished at the bakery. Whatsup?! How'd the interview go?!"
"Amazing Ives! I want to tell you all about it. I was thinking though… are you around? Do you want to do Drinks at Luxe?" She scanned the street sign in front of her and added " I'm not too far from there!"
"Sonnie, you know I'll be there ASAP! Let me go back to our place and shower off some of this flour and I'll meet you in about an hour." Ivy said.
"Cool! See you there!"

Luxe was a boujee speakeasy tucked away behind a vintage movie theater from 1910. After an almost hour subway ride because of construction issues, Sonnie finally found herself outside Smitherson Cinemas. She made her way into the foyer and began the search for the speakeasy.
It was oddly located. Most speakeasies are, but you had to wiggle your way past the concession stand near the right side of The Theatre to find its door. Worth it though, for an intimate and quaint ambiance. As Sonnie skimmed the soda machine, the door popped, and down the narrow hallway, she went before being greeted by a plush red door. She gently grabbed the handle and tugged it open. A gentle cool breeze of AC and a clean floral smell soon hit Sonnie. She blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the red-hued lighting in the bar. There was one long U-shaped bar that stretched from one end to the other of the speakeasy and a few high-top tables with seats. Besides the couple sitting at one end of the bar, and a small group of corporate-looking people, the place was quiet.
Sonnie plopped herself in the middle, her back to a group of four.

"…just saying why are we here? Isn't this like for peasants?" Sonnie's ear perked up. She swiveled on the stool and noticed a man with dark features and an even darker suit had his back to her while three others crowded onto their side of the table.
"Relax," said the one with his back to Sonnie. "I wanted to pitch something to you guys in an inconspicuous place."
The oldest-looking one stifled a laugh. His grey hair was perfectly slicked back in a neat non-pretentious pompadour. "I thought it was cause you wanted quality time with your siblings... you know, away from REAL people." He patted the table to excuse himself and made his way to the bar to order a drink. He squeezed next to Sonnie on the left and waited for the bartender to return.
"Hey, Con, get me another bourbon, neat." The man with dark features tapped his glass as he turned to face 'Con'
"You got it, Ken" Con said.
"Kendall…?" Sonnie whispered to herself.
Kendall continued to bicker with two other people. Con leaned into Sonnie and asked "Sorry did you say Kendall? You know my brother?"
Sonnie looked into Con's cool eyes, they had a surprising warmth to them you wouldn't expect from such round baby blues. Before Sonnie could answer his first question, he asked "What are you drinking?"
"Oh, I was thinking a bee's knees—"
"Bartender!" Con snapped his fingers, his face twisted in annoyance. The bartender appeared at the opposite end of the bar, wiping his hands on a dish towel, and began making his way toward the two.
"I'm Connor—" he said while extending his hand.
"Sonnie," she smiled and shook Connor's rough palm.
"What can I get you?" The bartender asked.
"Two bourbons, neat, and a bee's knees—"
"Alright fuck you guys, I'm done—" Kendall's voice rang through. There was a hint of humor, but it was dwindling.
"—for the lady," Connor continued. He clenched his jaw and blew out hot air between his teeth. The bartender nodded and began to work.
"Sensitive. bitch boy, beta cuck!" sneered another voice.
"Guys," Connor called the bickering group's attention. Kendall, a smaller man, and a red-headed woman glared at Connor. "Let's cut the fighting, alright? Maybe pick a more appropriate place for this conversation?"
"Oh fuck you con— hey, wait a second," Kendall's eyes met Sonnie's as the bartender placed the drinks on the counter. She quickly grabbed her cocktail, not breaking eye contact. "I know you! Sonnie, right?" He asked as he got up from his seat and plopped himself on the stool to her right. Connor grasped his whiskey cup, took a sip, and made his way back to the two at the table.
"Gotta say you nailed that interview."
He reached over Sonnie, his chest barely touching her shoulder, and grabbed his bourbon that was next to her glass. She felt a sudden flush and hoped the red lights of the bar disguised the heat in her cheeks. She took a sip from her drink.

"Thank you, I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with you—"
"Hold that thought, hey guys!" Kendall waved at the group with Connor. "She just said she was grateful to speak with me today." He said smugly. The red-headed woman scoffed. "Of course she said that, she doesn't know you!"
"Shiv, that's cruel. Am I so hard to know?" Kendall asked.
"Kinda," said the voice who called Kendall a cuck. A squirrely man played with an Olive in his martini glass. "Who is she, your new doe-eyed assistant? I mean fuck she looks like a deer in headlights." Sonnie looked at him slightly agitated. "I'm Roman, by the way. Roman Roy." He gave her a half-hearted wave. She couldn't help but feel like the 'Roy' name drop was implying the status he held.
"Actually yeah, this is Sonnie, Jess's PR intern."
"Siobhan —" the redhead interrupted with an introduction, she stood behind Kendall and began kneading his shoulders. "—sister to Kendall. All I gotta say is good FUCKING luck if this guy is your boss."
"Whoa, whoa, easy now. Don't scare the poor girl before she starts!" He held his hands up defensively as Siobhan stopped massaging him and took a seat on another stool.
Sonnie placed her hand on Kendall's shoulder. He glanced down at her fingers, and then at her eyes. "Wait— sorry to interrupt—" she removed her hand "Are you saying I got the job?"
Kendall grinned and grabbed his bourbon. He placed the edge of his cup to the bottom of his lip and grinned." "Sonnie—" he took a swig "that's exactly what I'm fucking saying" he clinked her cocktail with his cup and waited for her to grab the stem of the glass. "Seriously?!" She scrambled for her drink and the two did a proper cheers before drinking. "Bartender! It's tequila time, 5 shots of azul ultra Anejo" Roman ordered as he and Connor re-joined at the bar.

"Oh I—"
"What? Don't want to get drunk with the boss?" Siobhan asked.
"No—"
"Oh let the poor girl unwind, will ya?" Connor sighed with contempt. "Chumming the water…" he gave Sonnie a sympathetic look "But Shiv's right don't get drunk with Kendall, unless you want an earful and a mouthful." He laughed the last part into his drink. "Con stop. Lawsuit in the making!" Shiv slapped the oldest brother's arm.
Kendall glared at Connor. "He's joking. We're joking," Kendall assured. As he watched Sonnie's face morph into subtle terror. Before Sonnie could say anything, her phone buzzed as the 5 shots were brought out with limes.
It was Ivy:
"Hey, I may not make it at a good time. Damn subway line is closed and I have to walk 10 blocks East to catch the right train. I'll grab some wine though and we can celebrate later at the apartment?"
Sonnie began to write "I ran into that problem on the opposite way in! No worries girl" "Who's that?" Roman asked appearing on Sonnie's shoulder. She gasped and fumbled her phone, which clattered to the tile floor. "Shit—sorry."

"Fuck Rome!" Kendall growled.

Roman reached down and grabbed it, screen cracked. "Oh fuck- Sonnie, dammit."

Her mouth gaped slightly. "I just bought this phone a week ago..."

"I'm so sorry. I was just trying to be an ass."
"Rome— dude— you're screwing me right now." Kendall exhaled exasperated. "Sonnie you come by Monday next week and I'll write you a check for a brand new phone. I swear."
She looked at Kendall wishfully. "Really?!"
"Of course."
"On that note—" Shiv squeezed over handing out the tequila shots— "breaking glass is supposed to be good luck so let's take shots and celebrate your internship—" she stifled a laugh "working with Ken." All the Roy kids and Sonnie held the glass shots. Sonnie licked the fleshy area between her left thumb and pointer finger and began looking for salt. Kendall watched. Connor laughed. "Sonnie, what are you doing?"
"It's a tequila shot, right?"
"This is high-quality stuff. You won't need salt." His tone skyrocketed "higher class," before Kendall raised his shot glass.
"To Sonnie!" Kendall said.
"To Sonnie!" They all said in unison and took the shot. It was smooth and silky with the subtle bite all alcohol has. Sonnie was impressed.
"Ah I gotta take this-" Connor said as he answered a call and stepped out.

"Sorry again about your phone…" Roman mumbled sheepishly. "I'll write you the check—"
"No, I will write her the check. I'm her boss." Kendall stated and ordered another round of shots.
"Woah hey now, Sonnie hasn't finished her cocktail yet. Sonnie?" Shiv asked.
"Yeah?"
Roman and Shiv looked at each other before clearing space on the bar. They balled their hands into fists and looked at Kendall.
"Guys— don't peer pressure—"
"Weeeeee like to drink with Sonnie-" Roman and Shiv sang "cause Sonnie is our mate"
"Don't-" Kendall cautioned half-heartedly,
"And when we drink with Sonnie— she downs it all in eight…seven…" Sonnie looked amused but frantic at Roman and Shiv before understanding what she must do. She grabbed her cocktail and sucked it down fast. The siblings cheered with delight. "Okay Ken I take it back,she can follow instructions which is good for a little intern." Roman smiled as sarcasm clung to his words. The second round of shots were placed on the counter and everyone collected their glass, with two remaining.
Another text from Ivy, but this was hard to read because of the cracks in Sonnie's phone screen. "Are you at the bar?"
"That your boyfriend?" Kendall asked. "Huh? Oh no, my roommate. She was wondering if I made it to Luxe okay." Sonnie typed out a fast response. "Yes. New boss is here, not planned. Socializing and celebrating! Got the job!"

"Okay!" Shiv began drumming the counter with one hand and holding up a shot in the other. "Round two!" 3 sets of eyes were on Sonnie. She hesitantly took her shot glass and grinned "Salute" Sonnie sang as she raised her shot into the air. Everyone tossed their heads back.

"There's still one shot left…" Roman smiled cheeky. "I think Shiv the Shiv should take it," Siobhan smiled lethally and began reaching for the shot until Kendall snagged it and swallowed. He grinned and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "… or Kendall I guess."
"Alright sibs, let's get Con and head out." Kendall took out his wallet and flagged the bartender to pay. "Closing out the Roy tab," "And her bee's knees as well," he shot Sonnie a glance from the corner of his eye and gave her a furtive smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Roy,"
"Kendall, my friends call me Ken." He signed the bill And began to make his way towards the door, his siblings following suit. Roman muttered before he passed Sonnie "We'll get your phone squared away…" then caught up with his brother and sister.
Kendall paused at the door leaving luxe, and held it open for Roman and Siobhan. The two glanced at each other before beginning the walk down the narrow hall.
"Jesse and I'll see you 8:30 Monday morning, Sonnie"
"Sounds good Mr. R—"He held up his finger. "—Kendall," she corrected. He nodded approvingly.
"8:30am." And shut the door.
Ivy again, "When you say boss, do you mean the lady Jess you've told me about or?"
Sonnie bit her lower lip "No, Kendall."
Ivy emphasized her message. "First name basis already?! ?￢ﾀﾦbe careful though, Sonnie. He's a powerful man …"
"Noted…"