To Color Your Life

"The list of your shortcomings is growing just by leaps and bounds," Mr. Evans started right from the door, "You are also not very punctual."

For that, you need to thank your shepherd dog in a skirt sitting in front of the door! Emily thought to herself but decided not to provoke a conflict. She was not in a position to show her character. She needed work, money and not spoil the reputation of the best friend who vouched for her.

"Sorry, Mr. Evans. I am still having not a good sense of direction in all these departments, I did not immediately find your office."

The man gave Emily a surprised look. Apparently, he expected a different model of behavior from the girl. And she not only capitulated but also admitted her mistake.

"You won't fire me, will you?" she asked him to immediately clarify the disturbing uncertainty.

"Do I already have reasons for that?" Mr. Evans raised an eyebrow, a slight smile was playing on his lips.

"Um, well, I behaved rudely with you and even tried to kick you out-"

"Oh, you're talking about that!" the man waved his hand as if he had already forgotten about the incident, "Well, you didn't kick me out, right? Although, to be honest, if you did that I would be happy. The weather is splendid today. Sitting in the office on such a day is a real crime!"

Are we going to talk about the weather now? Emily was not eager to discuss the weather or his crimes. She actually wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible and get to work. Unlike some people.

"That is great. Thank you for your understanding," she nodded. "You now know that I have a serious job and a good salary, so I will return the debt as soon as I receive the check."

Mr. Evans looked closely at the girl. Emily said everything she wanted and heard everything she wanted too. It made no sense to linger in the office anymore.

"Then, if you will-"

As soon as she was about to leave, the boss continued, "Okay, let's leave the question of money open. At least until the first paycheck. But that is not the reason I invited you here, Miss Hayes."

What then? She didn't really want to know that anymore.

"Sit down, please," Mr. Evans gestured to a chair just off the side of his desk.

Emily approached and sat on the very edge, ready to dash away at the first opportunity.

She glanced at the man furtively. They had met for the third or fourth time, but the girl did not allow herself to look closely at him. He looked better today than he did yesterday. At least he wasn't wearing that fancy jacket. The austere business suit fit perfectly, and it was clear even to a fool that it was made-to-measure.

The dark hair, practically black, was a stark contrast to the gray eyes. And in these eyes there was a look - interested, studying. Such that Emily involuntarily felt embarrassed.

"Do you know that the team in which you have to work is predominantly female?" he began.

How do I know if I haven't made it to work yet? "I guess so," the girl nodded.

"And that means talking, gossip and the something like this..."

Emily frowned. What is he talking about?

"What do you mean by gossip?"

"Please don't interrupt," her boss said strictly, and the girl obediently fell silent. "So, I would not like to advertise our relationship."

W-what?

"Advertise what?! What kind of a relationship?! There is no relationship!" all restraint burst like a balloon pierced by a needle.

"Well, of course there is a relationship! We almost got married. Fortunately, I changed my mind in time. But that doesn't give you the right..."

Emily rolled her eyes. And she thought about him for a second that he was a serious person! God, this guy was incorrigible. Is this a game like that? Only now, when she was working for him, he decided to have even more fun? Have you decided to diversify the gray working days with a new hobby?

"I don't want any unnecessary talks, you know," the man concluded with a serious air.

You don't want? Actually, you did everything for them to happen!

"Mr. Evans, if you didn't want the unnecessary, as you said, talks to happen, you didn't have to invite me to your office. Or do you personally instruct each ordinary employee on his first working day?"

"No, why would all of a sudden I do that?" he widened his eyes, "But you know, not every ordinary employee hits my car and won't let me go to work."

Hell, those arguments were too strong to argue with. Emily looked down and tried to show genuine remorse on her face. The key word is tried. But the effect of her grandmother's acting training worked.

"Sorry," she said, barely audibly. A little more, and a tear would roll down her cheek. Or maybe two, for persuasiveness.

"W-well, it may happen with anyone. Don't be upset." It seemed that Mr. Evans was a little confused. He exhaled and said, "You see, having an affair with a junior employee... It's undignified."

Emily looked up and could hardly resist opening her mouth in shock. With a junior employee? Is it undignified? Oh, you... So she is no longer a match to a big boss? That didn't bother him yesterday! Impudent, selfish, pompous goose!

"Is it?" the girl leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, "You know what? I have a solution. Just appoint me as chief editor. Although no, let me immediately be your personal deputy! Let them gossip as much as they want!"

Mr. Evans blinked a couple of times and snapped his fingers, "Oh, that's a thought! An affair with a personal deputy - that sounds solid! Perhaps we will do so!" He picked up the switchboard and said, "Stephanie, please print me the order about appointing a new deputy. No, no, don't write the last name, I'll write it myself. Yes, and bring it here. Thanks."

He hung up and looked at Emily with a defiant grin. The girl felt herself starting to turn pale. He's a real nutcase!

The secretary appeared in the office a few seconds later, as if she already had an empty order form at hand. Or she was so shocked by the request and printed it out at the speed of light just to see what was happening here. In the eyes of the girl, an extreme level of bewilderment could easily be read.

"Thank you," Mr. Evans said, but the secretary froze at the table and didn't intend to leave, "You can go, Stephanie. The rest I'll figure out myself."

Emily counted the seconds until the last knock of the secretary's heels disappeared behind the closed door.

"You are not serious, are you?" she asked the boss warily. She was no longer sure what to expect from him.

"Why not?" the man shrugged, "Emily Hayes is that full name?"

Emily would have found at least a hundred reasons why that would be a stupid idea, that she didn't even voice them. It was much more difficult to find at least one reason why it would be a good idea.

"So, will you allow me to make decisions in financial issues? Budget distribution and stuff like this?"

"Easy!" the boss snapped his fingers and thumbs up, "Finance is the fun! You will have absolute fun with this. The main thing is not to bankrupt the magazine, otherwise, you will have to deal with the labor department later."

"Ha, great!" Emily jumped to her feet and slapped her hand on the man's table, "This is how I am having fun! Thanks for the offer! Have a good working day!"

Ok, I urgently need to leave this madhouse! Emily became afraid for her colleagues, whom she had not yet seen, since they had to work under the supervision of this madman!

"Well, that's another matter! Now I recognize you," the man laughed and stretched in his work chair, "Yes, Mr. Evans. Sorry, Mr. Evans," he mimicked her, "Miss Hayes, this kind of behavior does not suit you at all. Be yourself."

At this point, Justin Evans looked very pleased. Emily Hayes no longer knew what she looked like.

"Go and do your job, Miss Hayes," he straightened his jacket and settled himself more comfortably in the chair, opened the laptop, "Remember to tell everyone that I was terrible in anger. I have a reputation, by the way. Everyone is afraid of me."

"I'm afraid of you too," the girl honestly admitted and wrapped her arms around her shoulders as if she had a chill. In general, I am wary of the violent madmen, she added to herself.

"That's right," her boss blossomed into a smile, "That's it, go! There is always so much to do in the XXX department!"

"I beg your pardon, what was the name of the department again?"

The man raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Haven't you been in the department to which you are assigned yet?"

Emily shook her head. Thanks to you, sir, I haven't gotten to it yet.

"Division 30," Evans drew three Xs in the air like a Roman numeral 10, "Division XXX of the Pharaoh Publishing."

The man's smirk took on intimidating features, and Emily had a real chill, "Have a great first day at work, Miss Hayes."

The girl left the office completely confused. If before this "briefing" she did not understand what was happening here, now, it seems, she understood even less.

But at the moment it wasn't even what scared her.

Actually what she was now really scared of was the mysterious XXX department which she had never heard of.