I Fell For The Boy His Daddy Was A Bonus

Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Hired

Standing in front of the driveway, Scarlett studied her reflection through the glass windows of the Third Diamond Hotel. Seeing how professional she appeared to be, she smiled while turning to Kaleb. She said, “Thank you for the clothes.”

That day was Scarlett‘s interview at the Longhills and Hogans Associates, the best law firm in the city. So instead of going to Liam’s school, Scarlett would take a mode of private transport, arranged by the hotel.

“Good luck, kitten.” Kaleb leaned over and pecked on her lips. Then after, he winked at her and said,” Break a leg… and. You look great.”

“Are you guys married now? Can I call you mommy now?” The couple both turned to Liam, smirking in front of them, his arms crossed against his chest.

Scarlett turned red at Liam‘s suggestion and Kaleb answered the boy, “Not yet, son, but as soon as Scarlett passes the board exams, we will make the arrangements.”

Dumfounded, Scarlett turned to Kaleb, but he just chuckled at her, saying, “We talked about it last night.”

“We did?” She asked, utterly bemused.

Kaleb caressed his chin. He appeared to be digging through his brain, but eventually, he revealed, “You were sleeping back then, so you probably did not hear us agreeing to this.”

Scarlett, “...”

While Scarlett‘s eyes narrowed, Kaleb chuckled. He suggested, “You better leave now. You want to impress Jessica Hogans. I heard she is a lion.”

***

Arriving at the Longhills and Hogans Associates, Scarlett was escorted to a receiving area on the second floor of the building. Several law students were there, lining up for the paralegal job interview.

One by one, each applicant was called and despite arriving second amongst the interviewees, Scarlett was hailed last. When she entered the room, the human resource associate was already gathering her things. Scarlett winced and inquired, “Excuse me, I‘m here for the interview.”

The lady responded, “Oh, I know. Scarlett Barnes. You will not get into this firm. Haven‘t you learned your lesson? Luca James blocked you from every other law firm. You may leave.”

“Since when does Luca James have a say in every law firm? Isn‘t the James and Powel Law firm your competitor?” Scarlett reasoned, her hand turned into a fist at the interviewer.

“Yes, but we don‘t want to associate with someone who has a criminal record,” announced the lady.

“Whoever said that I had a criminal record? If you are referring to the lawsuit that Luca tried to file against me, he never pursued it because he never had a solid case. And what happened to the lines innocent until proven guilty?” Scarlett‘s voice could not help but raise. It had been over a year since the incident with Courtney and a little over eight months since she first applied in the same law firm, yet she was still being treated unfairly.

Her nose flared as she claimed, “I thought that the Longhills and Hogans Associates was a firm that fights for the truth and cast no judgment on those who were accused wrongly. I guess you are no different from the James and Powel Law Firm!”

“Who says we are anything similar to the James and Powel Law Firm? Those egoistic male attorneys are n o match for us, and we certainly are not discriminative!” The HR associate and Scarlett turned to a black

woman who was looking absolutely dignified in a white dress and grey coat over her shoulders.

The same woman narrowed her eyes at Scarlett before turning to the HR associate. “Care to explain what is happening here, Nancy?”

“Um. it‘s nothing, Misses Hogans. This applicant hete failed the preliminary interview, but she refuses -”

“She never interviewed me,” Scarlett pointed out. “And she purposely called me last, made me wait for three hours despite arriving here for the interview second amongst ten applicants.”

“She is lying,” the girl named Nancy claimed.

“Then, there is only one way to find out,” said Misses Hogans. “Let‘s check the CCTV cameras.”

There was silence for a second before Nancy wound up admitting, “It‘s not that, Misses Hogans. Luca James banned her from entering any law firms.”

“Ah! I thought I heard the name right. So it involved one Luca James,” Misses Hogans said. “Since when does Luca James dictate anything in my law firm? Have you forgotten which firm you are working for, Nancy?”

Misses Hogans glanced back down at Scarlett and the resume in her hand. She said, “Follow me, young lady. I’m interested in getting to know you, especially since you upset one Luca James.”

“I say, if you have the balls to piss off the James and Powel Law Firm, then you might just belong in our team,” Misses Hogans added.

Scarlett was still stunned at the turn of events and, hearing a Hogans volunteer to interview her, she scrambled to follow after the dignified–looking lady.

***

“Haha! What a scum!” Jessica Hogans remarked, watching Scarlet‘s viral video. ‘You were standing two square blocks away. There was no way you could have hit your sister!”

“I‘m quite familiar with criminal investigations, including analyzing crime scenes. One of my biggest cases.”

“Isabella Perez. Yes, I remember. I followed that case till the very end. I thought you were familiar. You are Jessica Martin, the woman who put Manuel Perez behind bars,” Scarlett interrupted, overly excited to connect the dots.

“I think it was very admirable of you for taking the case on pro bono and you really fought the Perezes, despite their previous influence in Braeton City.”

“Yes, Martin was my last name until I married my husband.” Jessica acknowledged. “Isabella’s parents weren‘t rich, and I had my reasons to defend those who did not have the power to fight for themselves.”

“I was twenty-one when the court ruled against Manuel Perez, and that case was probably one of my biggest inspirations to become a lawyer. Imagine a new and young attorney winning over a veteran. Not only that, you made it possible for Isabella‘s family to receive justice for losing their daughter,” Scarlett revealed

Jessica leaned back in her seat, and she smiled. She pointed out, “Just because you followed that case, it doesn’t mean that I will hire you… So tell me, Scarlett, why should I hire you?”

“I know the work. I functioned as a paralegal at the James and Powel Law Firm for four years while ! studied law. I am very organized and I take my cases at heart.” Scarlett described. “I know how important the job is and could very well make or break a case. Because, while lawyers face the court, the paralegals do plenty of the legwork.”

Jessica threw in some technical questions next, testing how Scarlett would handle situations within the

office, including associate and paralegal relationships. In each question, Scarlett answered genuinely, all while highlighting her knowledge of the job.

“Do you plan on taking the next licensure exam, Scarlett?” Jessica sought.

“Yes, and hopefully, Luca won’t try to block me this time,” Scarlett revealed.

“Well, if he does, he’ll have to come face to face with one of our associates,” Jessica said before the corner of her lips twitched. “That would be fun.”

Scarlett’s eyes beamed, realizing what Jessica suggested. Her mouth fell agape as she tried to find the words to say, “Does that mean -” NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

“Yes, I’ll hire you, but if we need to defend you against Luca James, just so you know, I don’t do pro bonos anymore. At least it’s because I don‘t have the time,” Jessica explained. “It’s gonna have to come out of your salary.”

Scarlett chuckled. She felt thoroughly relieved that she finally landed a job related to her field in over a year. Tears threatened to fall as she said, “Thank you so much, Misses Hogans. I really appreciate it. You don’t know how eager I am to get back on track in this field of work.”

“I‘ll need you to start on Monday next week. We need people badly. We have many cases in our hands. Is that fine with you?” Jessica asked as she rose from her seat and extended her hand to Scarlett.

“Absolutely! Thank you so much!” Scarlett replied enthusiastically.

***

It was already two in the afternoon when Scarlett left the office building of the Longhills and Hogans Associates. Scarlett wanted to celebrate the fact that she got the job. She did not even need a callback.

The first person who came into her mind was Kaleb, especially since it was his idea for her to apply for the job. She took a taxi and made her way to the Wright Diamond Corporation.

At the reception area, she tried to get connected with Kaleb. Scarlett attempted to call him, but he was not answering. She understood how he must be busy with work.

“I‘m sorry, miss, but if you don‘t have an appointment, I can‘t let you through the Vice President‘s line. You have to understand that we get fired for these things. You could simply be an obsessed fan,” said the receptionist with calculating stares.

Hearing that, Scarlett‘s heart sank. She looked at her phone again and hoped that Kaleb would answer her soon, otherwise she might end up standing there, probably waiting for hours. She gasped, saying, “Maybe ! should just head home.”

“The President is here!”

“Good afternoon, Mister Wright.”

Scarlett’s head snapped toward a figure, walking high and mighty. She gulped, realizing it was the CEO of the Wright Diamond Corporation, Kyle Wright.

His eyes were intense. Like Kaleb, he was towering and well built, but his hair was darker. He exuded dominance and a frightening one at that.

Just as Scarlett was staring at the powerful man, Kyle Wright halted his steps. His eyes landed on her still state. The next thing she saw was Kyle Wright walking straight at her. He probed, “Can I help you?”

The sudden approach of this icy man shocked the receptionists. He was the kind to ignore everyone yet, h e spoke to a stranger.

“Um. I‘m looking for your brother, Kaleb Wright?” Scarlett answered, her voice shaking as she answered.

“What’s your name?” Kyle sought with a frown.

“Scarlett. Scarlett Barnes,” she answered.

Scarlett saw Kyle frown profusely and then he asked, “Your name... is not Beauty?” + “Eh?”