I was prepared, I had it and my self-made prospectuses for my investment funds. “Yes, I do, and some info on my investment funds. I will forward them to you if you give me your e-mail.” I said confidently.
As we walked, she glanced over at me in my shorts and T and no purse. I had a cell phone in one pocket and a mini wallet with ID and credit card in the other. I pulled out my cell phone and had them e-mailed before we reached the restaurant.
I won’t bore you with details of EBITDA, earnings ratios and market trends, but will sum it up that I made a good impression. She wanted to give me a trial at the job. She warned me this would be a thankless underpaying job, but I would be her right hand and get to learn on the front lines and I would need to start today and be on call 24/7.
Hoping to leverage my position I told her about my interview Monday with Moody and the subsequent meeting with other firms.
“Are you talking to Bill Richards?” She asked smiling.
“Yes Ma’am,” I replied.
“I’m not that old, Sweetie. Call my Cynthia,” She said laughingly.
“I’ll make you a deal. Commit to eight months and I will fix it with Bill that in eight months he can have first dibs on hiring you after I’ve trained you. I promise you’re gold… OK?” She said waiting for a response.
“Done!” I said, heart racing.
She dialed him and told him the plan, and he agreed, disappointed though he was. Then she asked who else I was interviewing with and called the other two companies for me, making the same deal. When she hung up with the last one, she excused herself to the ladies room. We were wrapping up and I need to get ready for the trip. First weekend in town and going to the Freaking Hamptons with Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert!
I quickly texted Ghalib the cabby
Me: I need immediate pick up at the Hyatt by Chrysler and need to look important. Can you help?
Ghalib: 20 minutes away and driving your way. VIP got it.
Me: VIP Tip!
Then I texted Stacey.
Me: Can you meet me behind the Hyatt in 20 minutes?
Stacey: Sure, did it go well?
Me: Yes! Tell you all about it in 20
Cynthia returned and sat down. Her perfume refreshed. I was struck by the natural beauty of her skin. Very little make-up and flawless. She seemed to draw the eyes of everyone in the room. I still could not believe the incredible chain of events that occurred in the past hour.
“I don’t really believe in destiny Alecia, but this is the best I’ve felt about a new hire, ever. An hour ago, I was lamenting the process and convinced I was in for a month of frustration. Of course, if you’re as sharp as I think, it may be a short-lived role… You have the most piercing eyes. They will serve you well in this job. The old boys will be eating out of your hand.” She held up her iced tea, “To new beginnings”
“New beginnings,” I said grinning like a child on Christmas morning.
“Meet me at the Pier Six Helipad at 6:30. It’s a white Augusta A109. We’ll come back Sunday evening and be back in the office Monday 7:00 AM. Bring bathing suit, workout clothes, and casuals. Do you Jog?” She said finishing her shrimp salad.
“Yes, twice a week and tread mill and elliptical three days,” I replied.
“Great, Saturday morning we can start with a beach jog and see how we feel after that. Four miles ok?” She asked and waved at someone one behind me.
“Sure,” I said quickly, trying to wrap my head around all of this and not look too excited.
“Great, we’ll just stay close to the house. They’ll be a few friends for dinner Saturday, but other than that some, beach and pool time and get to know you planning session. Casual dress is fine. We can hit the ground running Monday morning. (She looked at her phone.) Gotta take this, see you at 6:30. Send me the bill, Mandy,” she said to the waitress.
I walked quickly with her and when we stepped out, Ghalib stood next to his cab with a sport coat and tie on. “Miss Alecia, very good to see you, where can I take you today?” He said loud enough to make sure Cynthia heard and opened the back door.
She stopped briefly took a quick look at Ghalib, as she talked, looked back at me and smiled and gave a wink of approval.
She continued on across the street without a look back. I climbed into the cab and as soon as he closed the door, I screamed like a child.
“Ghalib! Do you know who that was?”
“No, I don’t…” he began until I cut him off.
“Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert! The most powerful woman on Wall Street! Guess who I’m working for?”
He grinned, “Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert?”
“Yes! Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert! Thank you so much for coming! Your timing was perfect!
Well done. I need to go home and pack. I’m going to The Hamptons with Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert tonight! Oh shit! almost forgot Stacey. She’s behind the hotel.”
As we rounded the block, I looked at Ghalib’s eyes in the mirror and thought about how deep brown they looked. I felt a tingle down below at the thought of riding his hard-on in my new bed. “Christen the new place properly,” I thought to myself.
The lust in my eyes must have been obvious, because the grin on Ghalib’s face and the acknowledgement in his eyes was unmistakable. My cheeks reddened and I looked away quickly. Stacey was waiting and we picked her up quickly.
“Ghalib, can you take us to my apartment please. (I turned to Stacey) I’m going to the Hamptons for the weekend with Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert!” I screamed.
I gave her the quick run-down and as we approached my apartment building, it hit me…
“Crap! What am I going to wear? She said casual and a bathing suit. What’s casual in the Hamptons? Where can we go for clothes?” I asked Stacey.
“Um… Let’s see… Bloomingdale’s maybe?” She replied looking for approval.
“Sure. Ghalib, change of plans, Bloomingdale’s please.,” I said beaming with excitement.
The afternoon was a blur. Stacey and I picked out two bathing suits, (Bikini and one piece) some jogging clothes and my best guess at “Hampton’s Casual.” Ghalib dropped us at Bloomingdale and picked us up an hour later. We dropped Stacey at the subway, and I returned to the apartment.
It was 2:30, I was full of adrenalin and excitement. When we arrived, Ghalib walked around opening the door for me. He held out his hand and I took it as he guided me out of the car.
“Thank you so much,” I said, giving him a hug without thinking.
His cologne smelled great as I broke the hug and kissed his cheek. I felt a wave of warmth down below at the feel of his firm body.
“I can’t believe, I’m working for Cynthia Freakin’ Liebert!” I said jumping up and down with my hands on his shoulders.
I wanted to take him in and do him in the new apartment, so bad. “Calm Down Alecia!” I told myself. “You don’t screw random guys… just a quickie, I’m so cranked up right now!” I looked at my watch.
“Thank you Ghalib!” I need to be at the Pier Six Helipad at 6:30. Can you pick me up? What time should we leave? I’ll need a ride home Sunday night too…”
“Whoa, take a breath, Alecia, you don’t want to get too excited. You need to play it cool. This is Wall Street, they will chew you up and spit you out,” he said calmly. “I’ll pick you up at 5:30 right here. That will give us plenty of time.”