I had to feed him and drag him to school, and there’s such a mean teacher there. I didn’t want to catch her eye and successfully hid for almost two months. But today, because of being late, she caught me and wouldn’t let go until she dumped all the info about school life.»
«So, who’s Alex?» — Matthews clarified, scribbling with a pen in his notebook, as if taking notes on the girl’s story. Anna managed to surprise him with her answer. «My son.»
Then, seeing the men’s faces stretch, Anna clarified. «I mean, actually, he’s my brother. It’s just that our parents passed away last winter, an accident.
I took guardianship of my brother.» Anna said it simply, already used to the situation and her personal story. However, Leonard’s heart clenched for a moment.
He understood why Olivia was crying. The man looked at the girl’s resume again, which looked quite sparse. As he understood, Anna was still a student.
However, instead of finishing her studies, fifth year, she took an academic leave and was now looking for work. Then, as if remembering something important, Anna jumped up and said with fervor. «Alex almost never gets sick, I swear.
Even when the whole class was down with rotavirus, and then wiped out by chickenpox for a month, my Alex was healthy, didn’t even cough.» «And why do I need this information? Are you bragging?» «No, I want to say that I won’t miss work because of the child.» «Well, let’s assume.
Back to your appearance. I might think you fought for a janitor vacancy, but honestly, I didn’t see other candidates in the hallway.» Anna’s cheeks reddened slightly, she lowered her lashes for a moment.
Her shoulders rose and fell from a heavy sigh. «In general, when Mrs. Irene Grayson let me go, after getting a promise to come to the meeting and pay another fee, who knows for what. No, really.
Why does my Alex need to contribute money for a computer lab? He’s only in second grade, informatics is five years away.» Anna was indignant, then, realizing she digressed again, cleared her throat and continued. «In general, as I said, today is not my day.
On the way to the interview, my neighbor called, said Uncle Greg flooded us. I had to drop everything and go back home. Uncle Greg from the third floor drinks, you know? He’s caused scenes before, but this time he outdid himself, our kitchen ceiling swelled up.
And after somehow sorting the problem, calling the service and leaving the neighbor on watch, I rushed to you, but then a car splashed me, or rather not, the taxi door I was in caught my skirt. The car jerked forward, and I fell into a puddle, broke my heel, and tore my clothes. And then right here some man bumped into me and spilled coffee.
I could have gone home, changed, and been late, but I was already near your office, so I decided I had nothing to lose. Dennis, unable to hold back, snorted. — You’re quite the desperate lady, coming to ‘Catwalk’ company, which by the way specializes in beauty, looking like this, and what were you hoping for? Haven’t you heard that people are judged by their clothes? Anna frowned, but Leonard didn’t pay attention to his friend’s words.
— Listen, Anna, why aren’t you looking for a job in your field? The man glanced at the lines of the girl’s resume again, involuntarily lingering on her photo. There she was in glasses and braids, a straight-A school graduate, no doubt. — You’re studying to be an accountant, right? — Unfortunately, they won’t hire me.
Everyone needs experience, and if you have no experience, they pay very little. Some were scared off by having a small child, others said they wouldn’t pay for 2-3 months, like I’d intern for free all that time. And it’s not guaranteed they’ll hire me after the probation period.
And honestly, I can’t afford to work for free. I need to feed and clothe Alex, take him to soccer, and the uniform is paid, and pay for that computer lab, if it comes to that. The girl sighed sadly, then looked at the man pleadingly.
— Listen, I’m a very responsible person, I’ll devote myself to work completely. And I have such a mind, I remember everything, not just how many spoons of sugar you put in your coffee, but all meetings, names, numbers. You won’t regret hiring me.
If not as a secretary, then at least as a cleaner. Leonard looked closely at Anna. Her eyes were big, cornflower blue, hair light blonde, long.
If combed, probably even beautiful. Facial features fine, lips in the shape of a plump heart. She was incredibly pretty, if washed, of course.
And this story about parents and the brother she took under her wing, well, a perfect tale for the Japanese. Maybe Dennis was right, fate knocked on his door, because Lenny needed exactly such a fiancée, kind, sincere, nice, who doesn’t spin in his circles. — You know what, you fit perfectly, — Leonard declared, scratching his chin.
— Yes, — Anna rejoiced. — Yes, — Dennis gasped, freezing in place. Lenny nodded, then, modestly straightening the papers on the desk, added, — you fit the role of my fiancée.
— What? — Anna gasped, recoiling. — What? — Dennis echoed, dropping his phone. Leonard smiled again, trying to make his expression as pleasant as possible.
— Listen to me, please. I need a fake fiancée for the next two-three months, but the main work awaits us tomorrow evening, and then another two weeks. Potential partners from Japan are coming to me, and it’s important for me to impress them as a man preparing for a wedding.
After I close the deal, we’ll come up with something and pretend we broke up, understand? — No, — Anna honestly wheezed. Leonard sighed and outlined the situation to Anna. He even poured her water, seeing the girl was close to shock.
— Don’t refuse right away? — he warned. — I’ll help you. Rent an apartment for you and your brother, fix your ceiling, pay much better than a secretary or mistress, and you must keep your mouth shut, play your role.
Here’s the advance amount. Will it suit you? The man took a piece of paper and wrote a number. Anna’s eyes widened, and the water went down the wrong way.
— This is the advance? — she wheezed after coughing. Leonard nodded. — This isn’t with intimacy? — Anna clarified, blushing deeply.
Dennis burst into barking laughter. Leonard, glancing at her torn stockings again, shook his head. — No, Anna, don’t worry, I just want to show the guests a nice fiancée, understand, and I don’t have time to arrange a casting.
Anna didn’t think long. The amount written on the paper burned her retinas and prevented rational thinking. The girl jumped up and extended her hand.
— Deal! — Leonard suppressed a chuckle, appreciating her funny gesture. He touched the girl’s hand. Her fingers were cool, thin, and tender.
She had no manicure, but Lenny even liked it. He was already anticipating how he’d use the Cinderella story to his advantage. The whole day the man prepared Anna for the meeting.
They came up with their legend of meeting and relationship. Dennis hung around and interfered until Lenny chased him off to work. Then the man drove Anna to pick up her brother.
They stopped for things, and Lenny took them to his place. — My house is big, so there’s plenty of space, — he explained. — And then I’ll rent you housing, as promised.
Alex turned out to be a giggly and smart kid. He liked Lenny, as did Anna. Communicating with the new residents came strangely easy to Lenny.