Chasing After You

“Good morning, Mr. Densmore. It’s such an honor to meet you ... I feel so privileged to have this interview with you ... shit ...” She straightened her skirt. “It’s such an honor to be interviewed by you. I feel so privileged to have finally met you ... no ... kiss ass ...”

She fidgeted in front of the huge black double iron door, fixing her hair. “It’s been a dream of mine to work for Galileo Incorporated. I never thought I would have the privilege to be interviewed by your grace ... your honor ... no ... you don’t call a billionaire ‘your grace’,” she wiped her sweaty palm on her pencil skirt. “What the hell is wrong with you ... don’t lose it ... don’t lose it ... this is your once-in-a-lifetime, chin up, take a deep breath.”

The big, heavy door finally opened. She put on her million-dollar smile. “Good day, Sir.” She stretched her hand to the elderly man who greeted her with a cold stare. “Aubrey-Anne Woods ... I’m here for an interview with Mr. Alistair Jon Densmore.”

The grey-haired man didn’t wince. “The second?”

She had forgotten that the eccentric billionaire preferred to be addressed by his complete name. “Yes, Mr. Alistair Jonathan Densmore II (the second) ... I believe he’s expecting me at 10 ... I’m a bit early,” she chuckled and glanced at her watch that showed it was only 9.45 AM.

The man paused for a moment. “Yes ... of course ... unfortunately, there’s been a family emergency, and Mr. Densmore had flown to the family home in Arodia late last night.”

She felt the ground beneath her shake; this interview had deprived her of sleep for the past few days since she was notified it was going to take place at the Densmore residence. “I’m so sorry to hear that ... I hope everything is alright ... do you know how long until he will be back?”

“He didn’t say ... it might be a few days ... but it might be a few months because Gerald and Petunia Densmore had given birth in Arodia,” he said calmly. Obviously, he had no idea how urgent this interview was for the woman he was talking to.

“Oh,” her eyes widened, “Grandchild! Wow ... that’s fantastic ... congratulations, that must be exciting, a few months?” She shook her head with a smile. “Did he actually say that he was going to be there for a few months? Or was that just an assumption based on his habit?”

The man, who is now assumed to be the family butler, cleared his throat. “He did leave a message for you, Ma’am.”

Her jaw dropped. For a second, she thought she had lost all hope of ever getting the interview. “That is awesome.” She raised both her hands. “Let’s hear it then.”

The butler took out a piece of paper from his pocket and started to read, “In the event that Ms. Aubrey-Anne Woods should arrive at the mansion at precisely 10 AM on Tuesday, she is welcome to join me in Arodia for the job interview that I’m eager to have with her for the vacant post of Head of Business Venture at Galileo, the most important position in my company that requires my utmost attention in recruiting the right person for the job.”

Her mouth was still agape; she couldn’t believe her ears. “Where is Arodia again? How long will it take for me to drive there?”

Benson, as written on the left pocket of his jacket, curved his lips slightly. “Arodia is an island, Miss Woods; one should travel by aircraft to get there.”

“Right ... they have flown there ... you mentioned it earlier.” She closed her eyes and pressed her eyelids tightly. “Well ... can I have the address of the family home there? I need to look at it on the map first, but it’s fine ... of course, this interview is very important for everyone involved ... so ...”

“Actually ... there’s more to the message, Ma’am, if you let me finish ...” he lifted the paper to continue reading. “Please advise Ms. Aubrey-Anne Woods; should she decide that this interview is important enough to be conducted, you may arrange for Mr. Jax to fly her to Arodia and deliver her to me safely.”

“Mr. Jax? Oh ...” she chuckled. “Good ... so there’s someone who can take me there? I feel better already ... great ... who is this Mr. Jax again?”

“He is our very own pilot, Ma’am ... as a matter of fact, I have arranged for Mr. Jax to come here at exactly 10 AM just in case you decide to accept the invitation.”

“What? Today?” She looked at her watch. “You mean now?”

“Yes, Ma’am, it has to be today; otherwise the invitation expires.” he looked at her to make sure. “What will it be, Ms. Woods?”

She thought about it for a few seconds. This must be a test. She had heard many times before how Alistair Densmore tested his future employees with all kinds of tasks before hiring them. He wanted to be sure that this job meant more than anything to them. And if there’s one thing she was willing to do anything for, it was this job. Even though Seth wouldn’t like it.

“Of course,” she laughed lightly. “I’m here for an interview ... I might as well finish what I came here for.”

Benson nodded, and finally she saw him smiling, although it was barely visible; it was there. “Good ... Mr. Jax will be here soon ... he’s never late.”

“How long is the flight to Arodia? Mr. Jax is going to fly me back here right after the interview ... is that confirmed?”

“It usually takes 7 hours to fly to Arodia from Lancaster private airport; as for the return flight ... it will depend on how the interview goes, Ma’am.”

“What do you mean?”

His smile was more visible now. “If it goes well ... you don’t have anything to worry about.”

“And if it’s not?” She furrowed her brows.

“What makes you think it will not go well? I’m sure everything will be fine.”

She was stunned by the remark. The last thing she wanted was to end up on a strange island she had never even heard of after a failed interview for her dream job and not be able to come home. Before she could say anything else, a bronze Jeep Wrangler drove into the driveway.

“I think your ride is here, Ms. Woods.” Benson checked his pocket watch. “Exactly 10 AM.”

Aubrey had heard about how big Alistair Densmore was on punctuality too; everyone who worked for his company must abide by this rule. If she were to be late by one minute for the interview, she would’ve never gotten that message. Rich people do strange things, she thought. This was not an ordinary interview; even from the get-go it already felt like a game she had to play and win.

The jeep stopped in front of the lobby. A man stepped out of the driver’s seat, Mr. Jax. He was wearing below-the-knee pants, knickerbockers, a casual white T-shirt, and washed-out sneakers. He gave Benson a half nod and leaned his back on the side of the SUV with his arms folded in front of him.

“Well?” he slid his sunglasses down to the middle of his nose. “Are we going?”

She didn’t expect the family pilot to be so casual; come to think of it, he was a little rude. She put on a brave face and offered him a handshake. “Mr. Jax ... I’m Aubrey-Anne Woods. I believe you will be flying me to Arodia.”

Jax looked at her funny; he was chewing bubble gum, which made his demeanor seem more brazen. He lazily shook her hand. “It’s gonna be a long ride ... I hope you’re not as pretentious as you seem to be ... any luggage?”

“Excuse me?”

“Hey ... it’s not me you need to impress ... okay? So chill with the courteous bullshit ... I’m Jax, by the way, not Mr. Jax.”

Her chest felt heavy; she had never met a more impolite person than this Jax character. But she didn’t want to be the rude one; she had to stick to her plan. “Well, Jax, it’s surely not very nice to meet you ... but no, I don’t have any luggage since I didn’t plan to fly out to an island today.”

He turned to look at her in the eyes; he paused for a moment. “Mm ... it’s gonna be an interesting ride.” He opened the passenger door for her and didn’t offer her a hand to step up the rather high landing. He watched as she climbed awkwardly with her pencil skirt and hid his smile. “I guess we’re off, ol’ Benny boy ... is there anything else I should be delivering to Neverland other than little princess here?”

Benson took a deep breath. “No ... that is all.” He was smiling a pity smile at Aubrey. “Have a safe trip ... and good luck, Ms. Woods.” he tapped on the windowsill.

Aubrey touched Benson’s hand gently; there was something sincere in the tone of his voice. God knows she needed ‘luck’ for this interview, but she needed a whole lot of other things too before she could get there.