CHAPTER 11
When Veronica walked in, she laid her eyes on the woman she had known about for so long, but never thought she would meet. The blonde was just sitting at the table, going through her binder.
The confused woman noticed a chair was already pulled out for her. Her heart raced as she sat down across from me mysterious woman.
What the fuck is she doing here?
she wondered.
Suddenly, the blonde interrupted Veronica's thoughts. "Thank you for meeting with me," she said, with her eyes down, flipping through the binder.
Veronica couldn't stop from tapping her foot against the carpet. "What is this all about?"
This was Veronica's first time seeing her in real life, but everything about her presence was powerful. Her blonde hair, her piercing eyes, the business jacket she wore over a little white cami, the confident smirk she gave, and even the vanilla scented perfume she wore.
Finally, the blonde stopped flipping through the pages and looked up to make eye contact with the nervous woman. "Sorry, I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Camilla, and I am here... to offer you a job."
Veronica furrowed her eyebrows, allowing several seconds to go by. "You're offering me... a job?"
"That's right," the woman replied, taking her jacket off before pulling out a packet. "Here is some information on my company, Sunshine Industries."
"I know about Sunshine Industries," Veronica quickly responded. "I just don't know why they would want me. I've never even applied there."
"Funny you ask; I am the newly appointed Hiring Coordinator for a branch that is opening soon. I was instructed by my supervisor to put together a good staff. After doing all the research I possibly could on you, I have decided that you are the perfect fit for our office."
Veronica shook her head, trying to snap herself out of the confusion. Things were happening way too fast. "But... why me? I don't think I'm even qualified to work there. And it's all the way in New York..."
"Yes, it's a difficult decision to move so far away," Camilla responded, as Veronica looked over the information. "Your future supervisor, if you decide to accept the job, had a difficult time with her decision to move to New York as well. Her name is on the second page, in the contact section. It might look familiar to you."
After scanning the paper, Veronica's entire life came to a halt when her eyes came across the familiar name. She could hear her heart pounding as she realized the true implications of the job she was being offered.
"I thought you might know her. Didn't she work somewhere around here?"
Veronica looked up at the blonde.
Does she not know? She has to know, right?
Camilla looked around, looking ever so innocent. "Wait a second... She didn't work in this office, did she?"
"Yeah... she worked here," the skeptical woman finally answered. "You said she's a Branch Director now?"
"That's right," the blonde answered, nodding her head. "She had some doubts about moving to New York, but luckily one of her coworkers helped convince her. She showed up, worked really hard, brought a bunch of great ideas, and now... she's my supervisor. So, you can see the potential for upward movement if you come to our company."
Veronica's eyes lit up. She was visibly shaking from everything that was just revealed.
She has to know about me! Maybe Jane was talking about me and that's why she found me.
"Veronicaaa~" Camilla playfully called out with the soft voice. "You're being awfully quiet."
"Yeah, sorry! This is just... a lot to take in."
"I know I've given you a lot to think about. Those numbers for the salary and compensations are pretty accurate, but they're not set in stone. Like I said, I just put this together when I got the position so take that into account. However, the address, the company, and the supervisor's name are all correct."
"It all looks great..." Veronica said, staring at the name on the paper. "But I don't know..."
"It would be ridiculous to expect you to make a decision right now. Why don't you just keep this packet and take some time to really think about it. My card is in there, so just give me a call or text if you need anything. I'll be in town for a little while."
Suddenly, Veronica couldn't hold herself back any longer. "Did Jane... send you here?"
An awkward silence filled the room as Camilla stared at the flustered woman. After a deep breath, the blonde responded, "She left me in charge of putting the new staff together. I'm the one who thinks you're the perfect fit."
All of Camilla's answers only left Veronica with more questions. However, what she did gather was that Jane was wildly successful without her, leaving her with cold feet. "I... can't..."
"I beg your pardon?" Camilla interrupted.
"I can't..." the nervous woman repeated. "I'm sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I think it's best I stay here."
Looking unfazed, Camilla began gathering her belongings. "I figured you'd say that. But like I said, take some time to think about it and give me a shout."
As she stood up, she had one final message for Jane's former love. "We all make mistakes in life. Sometimes we don't even consider them mistakes because they were made with good intentions. I would just hope if life gives us an opportunity to resolve a big mistake, we wouldn't just let it slip by."
Veronica's eyes got big as she looked up at the mysterious woman. "What do you mean by that? What are you talking about, exactly?"
Camilla just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I don't know. I think I heard that on a TED Talk. Just thought it might help sway you for some reason."
Though the message was cryptic, Camilla's words started to resonate with Veronica. As the blonde put her hand on the door handle to leave, the black-haired Latina stopped her one last time. "So, how long are you going to be in town?"
"Hmmm... I don't know."
Veronica did a double take. "What do you mean... you don't know?"
"I'm pretty flexible right now," Camilla explained as she opened the door. "Just text me and we can meet up again. Whenever you want... wherever you want."
"Okay..."
With a little smirk, the blonde continued, "It was great to finally meet you," before walking out and leaving Veronica with too many questions and not enough answers.
As Camilla walked out, she noticed Carmen and Ashley staring at her silently. "I'm done now," she said to the young assistant. "You can lead me out."
"Right!" Carmen responded. However, as she started walking, she realized the blonde had stopped behind her.
Ashley was sitting in her chair, which was several feet from her desk. Much to her confusion, she noticed the strong presence of Camilla standing in front of her, smiling.
"Yes?" the brown-haired Latina asked, feeling a bit nervous.
Camilla looked down at her and then looked at the path to the exit. Ashley looked around confused, before realizing she was in the woman's direct path. "Oh, sorry!" she said, before moving out of the way.
The blonde woman just smiled before proceeding past her. Then, as she got to the door, she handed her jacket to Carmen.
The young woman looked at the blonde with a confused face. "But... this is your jacket..."
Camilla let out a slight chuckle. "Do you not have any manners?"
The cute little assistant became even more confused. "Umm... Sorry... This is your jacket, Ma'am."
"I know this is my jacket, silly! I want you to help me put it on before I leave."
"Oh!" Carmen held the jacket up as Camilla slid her arms into the sleeves. She didn't know why she felt so nervous around the mysterious woman.
Then out of nowhere, Camilla placed her hands on the assistant's shoulders and fixed her posture. "Here, like this. Shoulders back and chest out, okay? It makes you look more confident."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Carmen responded, trying to hold her pose.
