Neon

The next afternoon, Jade was standing behind the bar cleaning during the slow time, which had been her entire shift.

Not many people came in at noon.

She hated the afternoon shift, mostly because it was so low on tips, but she had plans with a friend later so she had asked to switch shifts with a coworker.

She refilled the couple of drinks from random people sitting at the bar and listened to their drunken stories of why they were day-drinking.

Then she turned around and began organizing bottles behind the bar when she heard the bell on the door chime.

“Hey,” she hollered before turning around. As she did, she smiled when she saw the two men standing by the door. One of them was Davis.

The other was a tall, oafish-looking man who seemed more like a bodyguard than a businessman.

“Well, you were the last person I thought I’d see today,” she greeted. “Can I get you something?”

“Just a soda with lime, please,” Davis replied as he sat down at the bar. The large man sat beside him, placing a black briefcase on the bar.

Jade poured his drink and set it in front of him before turning to the other man. “And you?”

“Nothing, thanks,” he replied, his deep voice rumbling.

“So, she began, “you had to go back to work like you predicted, huh?”

“Yep,” Davis replied, tapping his glass. “Nothing seems to run right without me nowadays. But actually, I came in to see you.”

“Just needed to hear the sound of my voice again, huh?” she teased as she leaned against the bar.

“I’m actually glad you came in,” she continued, pulling some cash from her pocket. “You left this last night, and I can’t accept it. It’s way too much.”

“Nonsense,” he replied, pushing it back into her hand. “I left it for you on purpose. It had been a long day and your kindness did not go unnoticed.”

“Oh…well, thank you,” she said, smiling softly as she put the money back in her pocket.

“And as lovely as your voice is, that’s not why I came to see you,” he said as he took a sip of his drink. “I have a proposition for you.”

Jade narrowed her eyes. “A proposition? Look, Davis, I like you and all, but I’m not about to become your fourth wife or whatever you─”

“No, no, no,” he interrupted, laughing at her thought process. “That isn’t what I’m saying at all! Besides, I’ve only been married twice, and the second one stuck.”

Jade gave an uncomfortable chuckle before pushing her hair behind her ear. “Oh, okay…”

“I’m the founder and CEO of Champion Acquisitions and─”

“You…you’re Davis Champion?” Jade interrupted, her eyes widening with surprise at the older man sitting before her.

“You’ve heard of me?” he asked.

“Everyone’s heard of you,” she replied.

Davis grinned at her slightly awkward discomfort. It happened a lot when people found out who he was. Apparently, he wasn’t what they pictured.

“Anyway, my grandson is the president of the company in preparation for becoming CEO when I retire soon.

“At least that’s the hope. We’ve had some problems lately with keeping staff, specifically his assistant.”

“And what does this have to do with me?” she asked, her curiosity now fully piqued.

“This is my proposition. I want to hire you as the executive secretary to work directly with my grandson. Hopefully you’re tough enough to straighten him out.”

Jade scoffed before refilling his empty glass. “I’m not a babysitter for some spoiled rich kid.”

“You will be fully compensated. I offer a very generous salary, plus a company-owned apartment and a stipend for your wardrobe and food.”

Jade stared at him in a stupor as the large man beside Davis opened the briefcase and placed a document on the bar.

“This,” the man began, “is an employment contract detailing all of your benefits and the requirements of the job.”

Jade took the paper silently, still in shock as she looked down at the contract. “This…is the salary?” she whispered, looking down at the number of zeroes.

“Yes. Is it not enough? I can─”

“Not enough? Davis, I mean…Mr. Champion…this is more than I make in five years.”

“So you agree to the contract then?” he replied, smiling hopefully.

“I…I’m sorry,” she said quietly, placing the document back down on the bar. “I can’t.”

“What? Why?” he asked in surprise.

“Why? Because I don’t know you. And besides, I’m not qualified. I don’t have a degree or any training.

“I was barely able to graduate high school. I’m not what you’re looking for,” she said softly, ashamed of her past.

“Jade, we have hired a slew of assistants claiming to know what they were doing. All had college degrees. All had the background and the experience and the training.

“And all of them failed. But you have the grit and the attitude and the honesty I’m looking for.”

“This is crazy. You literally just met me yesterday. How could you know that?” she argued.

“I’m an observant man. I saw all I needed to see yesterday,” he answered.

Jade looked at Davis with a weak smile. “You can’t be serious…I’m not─”

“I thought about it all night long,” he responded, patting her hand, which was gripping the bar tightly as she thought. “I need you.”

She took a deep breath, knowing that if she did actually make this work it would change her life forever.

“Okay, fine. I’ll do it.”

“Good,” he grinned, shaking her hand firmly. “I will meet you tomorrow at reception and we will get you all sorted.”

“Sign this,” the large man interrupted, placing a pen on the contract.

“Oh…right,” she muttered, signing her name.

“Now, you finish your shift, then meet me at this address,” Davis said as he got up from the barstool, handing her a business card with an address written on the back.

“But I…” she began, staring dumbfounded at him as he walked out the door, followed by the large grumpy man. “Okay then,” she mumbled to herself, gazing down at the card in her hand.