Thank you guys for your kind words on the last chapter! I hope you guys like this one as well! Also sorry for any typos- typing this up on my phone was not easy lol!
Tris couldn't help but fidget with her button down shirt and pencil skirt as she followed the secretary down the hallway that would likely lead her to Tobias Eaton's office. She needed to make sure that she looked as good as possible- she couldn't afford any wardrobe malfunctions. That is also why she wore flats even though Christina insisted that she wear heels. Tripping and falling into his office certainly wouldn't be a good look. She knew that if she did get this job she would probably have to start wearing heels more often, but today was definitely not the day to start.
"Here we are," the secretary said, pointing to an open door. "Go right ahead. He's expecting you."
Tris thanked her before walking into the office. She could hear the clicking of the secretary's heels as she returned to the reception area, and she took a deep breath. As she walked into the office, Tris noticed a desk right at the entrance that seemed unoccupied. Behind the desk there was a frosted glass barricade that stretched across the room only halfway.
She realized that she could see the man who she had looked up just a couple of days ago sitting at a desk behind the glass barricade. If she was to be his assistant, she reasoned that the desk at the entrance of his office would probably be hers.
As she looked around, the man looked up from the computer on his desk and waved to acknowledge her, as he stood up. Tris watched him walk around the glass barricade to meet her, and she felt her breath hitch in her throat as she made eye contact with him.
She couldn't help but think that he was even more handsome in person.
"Beatrice Prior?" She simply nodded, as he extended his hand to her. "Tobias Eaton."
Tris reached out and shook his hand firmly, doing her best to keep her composure.
"It's a pleasure," she said. "Thank you so much for meeting with me."
"Of course," he nodded before gesturing to his desk. "Shall we?"
Tris nodded back. Tobias closed the door behind them before leading her to his desk.
Tris felt her heart leap a bit as she watched him close the door behind them, and she immediately scolded herself internally. It was definitely less than ideal that she seemed to have a crush on her potential boss, but it also didn't help that she had been going through a pretty bad dry spell leading up to this moment. After all, she hadn't been with anyone since she broke up with her long-term boyfriend Robert about a year ago.
Tobias sat down at his desk, as Tris sat in the chair in front of his desk. She mentally chastised herself some more about how she needed to stop staring at his jawline, his muscular arms underneath his button down, his dark blue eyes...
"Do you have a copy of your resume?"
"Of course," Tris replied a little too quickly.
Tobias quirked an eyebrow at her, seemingly amused but Tris barely noticed as she reached for a copy of her resume and handed it over to him.
"All right, Beatrice," he said, as he looked down at her resume. "Is that your preferred name?"
"I'm sorry?"
He looked up at her and smiled just the slightest bit.
"Is that what you like to be called?" he asked.
You can call me whatever you want, she thought before immediately getting annoyed at her perverted thoughts.
"Uh, well yes, that's my name-"
"That's not what I asked," he said, his smile growing a bit. "I know what your name is, but I see no reason why preferred names are so taboo. If there's something else you'd like to be called, I have no problem with it. Speak now or forever hold your peace."
"Tris."
He quirked an eyebrow at her again.
"Tris," he repeated, and she felt her heart flutter annoyingly. "All right, Tris. Tell me a little bit about yourself."
Their conversation flowed easily, as they discussed Tris's schooling and work experience. She did her best not to ramble nervously, and he listened intently, nodding and jotting down notes every now and then. She also did her best not to get distracted by the way he was looking at her. There was nothing suggestive about it- just him looking at her in general seemed to be enough to make her nervous. However, she did notice sympathy in his eyes as she explained the gap in her resume. And maybe even admiration, though she didn't want herself to get carried away.
"You seem very dedicated," he commented.
"I am," she said with a nod. "I put my all into everything I do."
He nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Well, Tris, I believe that's all I have," he said, glancing down at her resume in front of him. "Thank you for coming in, and I'll be reaching out to you to let you know within the next few days."
Tris nodded and thanked him, as she stood up from her chair. Tobias stood up briefly to shake her hand before she began to walk away.
Before she could even process what she was doing, she turned back around to face him, and he looked at her expectantly.
"I just want to say one more thing," she said. "I know I don't have the most experience, but I meant it when I said that I'm dedicated to everything I do. I'm a fast learner, and I would do everything in my power to be the best assistant you've ever had."
"Well, I've never had an assistant before," Tobias replied, smiling slightly.
"Oh," she said before trying again. "Then I intend to exceed your expectations."
Tobias raised an eyebrow at this, and Tris smiled a bit. She was just glad that she managed to think of something clever so quickly. She said goodbye to him and walked out of his office, her heart pounding in her chest the entire time.
Tobias continued to jot down notes on her resume as she left the building. But there was one word on the top of the page that stuck out: Brave.
Tris huffed out a breath, as she rolled over in bed. It had only been a few days since the interview, so she knew that she shouldn't feel as discouraged as she did, but she couldn't help it. She had been dealing with rejection for months. Then, she finally got an interview, and she decided to give a speech about her shortcomings.
She truly had no idea if her little speech had been a good idea or not. But she would probably never stop kicking herself if it had cost her the job.
Tris looked at the clock on her bedside table, which read 10:00 AM. She normally didn't sleep in this late. And she hadn't been sleeping- it was more so just laying in bed and overthinking.
The apartment was also quiet since Christina was at work, so she hadn't realized how much time had passed.
Just as Tris sat up from her bed with the intention of applying for some more jobs (just in case), her phone began to ring. She snatched it off of her nighstand and brought it to her ear.
"Hello?" she answered, hoping that she didn't sound groggy.
"I'm calling for Tris Prior," a familiar deep voice replied.
"Yes, this is she," Tris answered, her heart racing in anticipation.
"Tris, this is Tobias Eaton," he said, as if she didn't already know. "I wanted to let you know that i was really impressed with your interview, and I'd like to offer you the position."
Tris grinned silently and brought a hand to her face to compose herself.
"Thank you so much," she said as evenly as she could. "I would be absolutely thrilled to take the position. When would I be starting?"
"How's Monday?"
"Monday is perfect!" she said.
"Monday it is, then. I'll email you the details."
For a moment, Tris realized that he sounded almost as happy as she was, but she decided it must just be her imagination. That, or he was happy to finally have some help. She shook of the thoughts as she thanked him and said goodbye.
As soon as she ended the call, she fell backwards into her bed and laughed with relief.
She had finally gotten her chance, and she was not going to let him down. She was going to be the best goddamn assistant he would ever have.
