But Friday, Saturday and Sunday were going to be tourist time. I planned to be a full time sightseer with the obligatory I love NY shirt. I was meeting Stacey tomorrow morning to see the Chrysler building, Bank of America towers, 40 Wall Street and 70 Pine Street. Then we were going to finish off with a Yankee’s game and maybe a night on the town.
Saturday was Delaney, a dance major from Brooklyn. She was a true New Yawker. Sunday was going to be with Lawrence, the gay business nerd from Carnegie Hill. He was in line to run his father’s business someday, if he wanted it.
Stacey grew up in White Plains nearby and her dad grew up in Brooklyn, a die-hard Yankee fan. He got us tickets for the Tigers game. My dad was a Tigers fan and it rubbed off on me. But from now on, if I’m gonna live in New York, I would need to adopt the Yankees.
Stacey wanted out of New York for college and ended up at IU school of business. We hit it off and roomed together the last 2 years on campus. She was a business major and was looking for work but was struggling to find something.
She came in Friday Morning on the subway and we met at The Pearl Street Diner for an early breakfast 8:00 AM. She was not happy about the time but was the kind of friend that would do anything for you, so she showed up with a smile. The diner was only a mile and it was a beautiful summer day, so I walked. (Any excuse to walk down Wall Street).
I wore a pair of tight-fitting cutoff jeans and my I love NY bedazzled shirt as planned. I did a spin in front of the mirror. My butt was tight, my boobs were up, my spirits were high. I would be starting a lifetime of business suits and skirts next week, so my first weekend was all fun and casual. My dark brown hair was pulled back in a pony tail.
Stacey wore a cute little spaghetti strapped sundress. Her sandy blonde hair hung down tight to her cheeks hanging about half way down her neck. She had intense blue eyes and golden-brown tanned skin against a peach and white floral form fitting sundress. We would have some fun today with the New York men, I could tell.
The Pearl St. Diner was a hit. The waffles and fruit were to die for. ” I will be living here, I can tell,” I said after taking my first bite.
“Can I try?” asked Stacey, stabbing a piece with my fork.
“Hey! eat your own.” I protested, sliding my plate away.
“Mmmm,” she sighed savoring the stolen bite of waffle. “Delicious, almost worth getting up at 5:30 for this. Wanna try my French toast?
“Sure,” I said, taking the bite off her outstretched fork.
“Amazing,” I said impressed with a unique flavor, I could not quite pinpoint. “Great coffee, great food. On the list!”
“I’ve never eaten here but it’s on my list too!” she said shoving in another bite. She continued after swallowing, “So, 40 wall street first, 70 pine and then the Chrysler building ok?”
“Sounds great and finish off with Bank of America Tower,” I replied happily gulping down coffee. “I can’t believe I’m living in New freakin” York,” I said grinning like Pennywise.
She grinned back,” This is gonna be so much fun having you here!”
We caught up on family and hit the road. It was a dream come true walking the streets of Manhattan. We got to the Chrysler building around 11:00. Her family dentist had an office on the 79th floor. She got me in to sign up as a patient and we, seized the opportunity to sneak a peek of the view. It was breathtaking.
On the way out, in the elevator, we were happily discussing the next stop when it stopped on 78. “This could take all day if we stop on every floor,” I said jokingly, when suddenly I looked at the sharp dressed lady that appeared as the doors opened, and my jaw dropped. I did a double take… Cynthia Liebert!
My heart raced and my throat tightened. “WTF, Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert and I look like a freakin’ tourist!” I thought to myself. “Arguably the most powerful woman on wall street, my hero. The person I emulated the past six years and would love to work for more than anyone in the world, was right here! This could be my big chance… Say something! But your dressed like a doofus!”
“Cynthia Liebert?” I asked extending a hand as she turned to look at me.
Her eyes quickly looked me up and down and then, rolled at the sight of my outfit. “Yes,” she replied trying to be polite but not extending her hand.
“It is such an honor to meet you. I have admired you for so long. You are such an inspiration. Because of you, I graduated top of my class in finance and now, I’m in New York starting my career…”
“Top of your class… how old are you Miss…” She said extending her hand and looking at me confused.
“Alecia Carmichael,” I said shaking her hand vigorously. “I’m 24 and just graduated from I U with an MBA in finance, I currently manage over 12 million in assets for family and friends. I use six investment models for investment funds that are on par with any in industry. Three of them since sophomore year in high school. I would do anything to work for you. I have admired you and followed your career since I was 13. Please forgive my appearance, this is the last weekend before my career begins and my friend Stacey and I are seeing the sites. I just can’t believe it’s you. You are my hero. (I took a quick breath through the nose as I had not bothered to breath since I started talking.) And your perfume is incredible…”
She gave me another look up and down,” Wow, you are certainly not shy, that’s for sure. I am heading for lunch and just fired my executive assistant. My gut tells me to hear you out. If you’d like to join me, we can talk about you filling that roll. I’m leaving for the Hamptons tonight and you would need to join me for the weekend if you choose to take it. It pays $1500/week flat salary. Interested?” She asked, blue eyes piercing mine.
The interview Monday with Moody would easily result in four times the salary, excluding performance bonuses. But this was Cynthia freakin’ Liebert.
“Yes, I’m definitely interested and available right now.” I said eagerly.
She was about two inches taller than me. (I’m 5′ 7″) Though she was in heals and a well-tailored navy suit jacket and form fitting mid-thigh cut skirt. She had light blond hair mid back length with an overlapping textured look. It was perfectly uniform in color and highlighted her light blue eyes. Her skin was flawless except for a mole on her left cheek. She wore a bold red lipstick with just a touch of barely there blue eye shadow with no sign of blush or concealer. Her perfume was a unique scent that had a hint of spice and a touch of… Honeysuckle? It was very distinctive but not overwhelming.
“Will you be joining us Stacey?” She asked turning to face the doors with her back to us.
I glanced at Stacey and she looked at me with a questioning expression. I quickly shook my head, wanting to maximize my time with Cynthia.
“Unfortunately, I have to meet Matt for lunch. It was a pleasure meeting you. Text me when you’re done Alecia.” She was lipping “OMG… Amazing… You got this!”
The doors opened, Cynthia stepped out and shook Stacey’s hand, “Pleasure meeting you,” she said walking quickly toward the exit. “I’ve got a con call in one hour, let’s make it quick. We’ll eat at New York Central. Do you have access to your resume?”