She looks down at it, then back up to Samuel, her expression one of gratitude and excitement. “Oh, my gosh! Are you serious?” Lisa squeals out and then immediately contains herself, clearing her throat. “What I mean to say is thank-you for this opportunity,” she says with a huge smile.
Steven chuckles and Samuel smirks. He reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a black Montblanc pen, which he holds out to her. Taking it, she reads over the contract, not really paying much attention to the details because the excitement of landing her dream job is coursing through her. Scribbling her signature on the dotted line, she slides it back to Samuel. He signs his name, then slides it to Steven. Taking the contract, he presses a button on the table. It buzzes lightly.
“You will do great things here Lisa. I can feel it!” Samuel stands, reaching out his hand. The double wooden doors open and Mariah walks back into the room.
Steven hands her the contract. “Please make two copies.”
She nods and smiles warmly at Lisa. “Yes, sir. Welcome to the company, Lisa!” Mariah takes the contract and looks to Samuel. Lisa witnesses the exchange, and she’s not sure if it is intimate or something else. Ignoring it, she smiles and begins to gather up her resume and portfolios, placing them in her briefcase.
“Thank-you so much!” she says, turning to face Steven. She extends her hand. “I’m excited to continue my career here at Elite PR & Marketing.”
He shakes her hand and smiles. “We look forward to seeing what you’re capable of, Lisa.” Mariah walks back into the room and hands the two copies of the contract back to Samuel. Smiling at Lisa, she walks back out the door.
“Here’s a copy for your records.” Samuel hands it to her. “When passing by Mariah, let her know of a tentative start date so we can prepare your office.” Lisa places the contract into her briefcase.
"Thank-you again. You won’t be disappointed.” She smiles, then picks up her briefcase.
“I believe that,” Samuel chuckles, then rests his hands on his hips. “See you very soon.”
“Gentlemen, it was a pleasure and an honor. I look forward to my venture.”
Smiling, she pushes the door open, then looks back at Steven and Samuel. They begin talking amongst themselves so Lisa closes the door behind her. Stopping for a moment, she exhales a breath that she’s been holding. Her smile grows bigger, as she leans against the door.
“Ms. Adams?” Mariah’s voice calls from down the hall. Walking that way, Lisa approaches her desk. “Mr. Clayton asked that I get a potential start date for you.”
Lisa nods and pulls out her smartphone, touching her calendar icon. “I should be able to start two weeks from today.”
Mariah smiles. “Okay, you’re all set. I look forward to seeing you then. Welcome to Elite PR & Marketing!”
Lisa smiles back. “Thank-you so much, Mariah. I look forward to working with you, as well.”
She walks towards the elevator, pressing the down button. Standing and waiting, she looks down at the floor, holding her briefcase in front of her. When the elevator arrives, she steps inside and pushes the button for the first floor. Relaxing against the elevator wall, she lets out a long sigh. “I did it! Holy shit, I did it!”
Lisa squeals, as she does a little tap dance. She gains control of herself as the elevator doors open, exposing her to the sunlight of the reception area. Stepping out onto the marble floor, she reaches into her briefcase and pulls out her keys, sunglasses, and smartphone.
Pushing through the revolving doors, the breeze blows gently across her body as she slips on her sunglasses. Dialing her friend Jill, she leaves her a voice mail: “We’re going out tonight! I got it!” Not saying anything else, she presses END and puts her phone back in her briefcase.
Unlocking her Volvo, she climbs in, turns on the ignition, and turns up the stereo. The Scorpions “Rock You Like A Hurricane” blasts through the car. The grin on her face gets wider. Taking off for home, she can’t wait to celebrate her new career.
FIVE YEARS LATER