Ireland

Erin and I both stared up at the big building with the word's Perkin and Kegler's Productions across the building from her car. "Are you sure this is the right place?" I asked nervously looking around at all the other big buildings in downtown Dublin.

"That's what the directions said." Yes, we looked up the address on the internet to find directions because neither of us knew where this place was.

I sat back in the passengers seat and stared at the busy road ahead blocked in by the busy sidewalk. "I'm really nervous. I didn't think the building would be this big. And if the building is this big, that means the company is big and if the company is big, I shouldn't be here. But I am thankful to the old lady I met at the cafe that I didn't have the respect to ask her name. What if she didn't put in a good word for me because I didn't ask her name! What if she was testing me and that's why she didn't tell me her name. She wanted to see if I would ask for it and I didn't! And I didn't even ask who the assistant job was for. I don't even know who I'm interviewing for! And now I'm making a complete fool of myself by going in there and-"

"Harmony! Stop with the rambling." Erin laughed. She thought this was funny!

"This isn't funny Erin!"

She nodded, "I know, I know it isn't."

I rolled my eyes and looked back up at the building once again,
"What if they don't like the clothes I'm wearing and they judge a book by its cover."

"Well, if you had bothered to ask the lady what field this job was in, you would have known what to wear for this interview." Erin shot back.

I glared over at her, "We went over this last night."

"I know! But I just can't get over the fact that you didn't even ask what the job was!"

I sighed, grabbing my purse and getting out of her car, "Well, I'm going to go find out. I'll see you back at the apartment."

"You gonna catch the bus?"

"Or a cab or the subway, maybe." I shrugged then waved a goodbye over my shoulder as I headed towards the big glass double door entrance of the Perkin and Kegler's Productions building. I opened the doors and a rush of cool, high quality air greeted me. The outside was big but the inside was even bigger. I gawked up at how beautiful it was and how nicely it was presently open. In the center of the lobby, there was a big round front desk with four beautiful woman behind it... all talking on the phone. Two of them eyed me when I came in and gave me a once over before turning back to their conversation.

"How convenient." I mumbled to myself as I looked around in hopes to see a big map lurking in a corner maybe that would have a big star that read, 'You are here' on it. No such luck. I looked around and everyone that was in the building was either busy talking with someone or on the phone. But what I did see was some guy heading towards the elevators. And from my point of view, he looked like he knew his way around the place so I quickly followed him and hopefully catch him before he got on the elevator. "Excuse me, wait up!" I called after him.

"I'm not signing any autographs, beat it kid." he ordered over his shoulder as he made his way to the elevators.

Are you serious? Just as I figured, people here with their designer suits think they're better than everyone else. "Okay, first of all," I began, coming to a halt beside him, "don't call me a kid. Secondly, I don't even know who you are so I won't be asking for an autograph any time soon. And thirdly, I don't know my way around here so I'd appreciate it if you can take the stick out of your ass for 2 minutes and give me some needed directions. Then you can be on your marry way, your majesty." I shot back.

His jaw had dropped as he stared at me then he chuckled, "I'm sorry, did that just come out of you?" he smirked, "Looks can be deceiving--"

"And what the Hell is that suppose to mean?" I snapped, placing a hand on my hip.

"Nothing. It's just... a lion trapped in a kittens body. You got a big mouth for a little kid like you."

I rolled my eyes, "I thought I told you but let me remind you, I'm not a little kid and I'm not a child! And I'd appreciate it if you would stop calling me that."

He started laughing and then put his hands up in defense, "Alright, alright!" The elevator dinged open and he stepped into it and I followed. "I like your spunk kid, so I'm gonna help you out. Now where do you need to go?"

I'm going to ignore the kid part cause he agreed to help me, "Great." I took out the napkin from my purse and read the number, "I think I'm looking for the 6th floor."

"You think?"

I rolled my eyes, "I have an interview for an assistant job and all I know is that it's on the 6th floor." I showed him the napkin.

"Uh oh," he glanced at the napkin before turning back to me, "you said you're here for an assistant job?"

I nodded, worried about his tone, "Why, what's wrong with that?"

He pressed the number 6 button in the elevator. "That's Gerard Butlers office you're looking for." he said it like I was suppose to know who that is.

"...And who exactly is that?" I asked confused.

He sighed, "You got to be kidding me."

"Hey! I'm not from around here, okay." I defended crossing my arms over my chest in a pout.

"Yeah, I noticed." he remarked.

I rolled my eyes, "So who is this Gerard Butters anyways?"

"Butler."

"Gerard Butler."

He nodded, "Right. And second, he's Editor in Chief."

"Of what?" Confused, again.

"You have no clue, do you?" He chuckled.

I smiled innocently, "Not really."

"Okay, so, there's this fashion magazine called Runway and Gerard Butler is Editor in Chief of it. Making Gerard Butler a huge deal."

My jaw dropped, "A magazine-- a fashion magazine! I'm going to an interview for a fashion magazine?" I asked still in shock.

The elevator dinged and the metal doors slid open revealing another beautiful lobby with a smaller front desk up against the opposite wall with a women sitting behind it. All the doors were glass doors with a small fancy R logo in the center of each door for Runway. And in every hall, there were framed pictures hanging on the wall every six feet and most of them-- actually pretty much each and every one of them-- were blown up front covers of a Runway magazine. Everyone who was walking around had nicer clothes on than me, even the guys. A women would walk passed and her heels on the dark marble floors would echo off the cream walls.

"So this is the magazine floor?" I asked, stepping out of the elevator as I continued to gawk over everything.

"Pretty much. This floor is where everything is drafted, edited and published for the Runway Magazine. But all the modeling has it's very own floor all to it's self so you won't run into any models while you're up here."

"I think I can manage." I replied sarcastically.

"Alright, well, I gotta get going or I'm going to be late and I can't afford another write up."

"Wait, you're leaving me here? Deserted in a unknown place?" I asked nervously and I had no intention on hiding the fear in my voice.

He chuckled, "These people won't bite. There's a receptionist for a reason. Just ask where Gerard Butler's office is and they'll tell you."

I sighed, "I guess I can rely on these stuck up people."

He placed his hand on my shoulder, "Hey, just remember, these stuck up bitches weren't stuck up before they got the job. They were just like you."

I rolled my eyes, "Nice try in scaring me but I'll never end up like them."

He nodded, "You say that now." He patted me on my shoulder and headed back to the elevator. I turned around and watched him get on the elevator. "I'll come up once I'm clocked in to check up on things. Then we'll say our goodbyes and never see each other again."

I faked a smile and gave him an enthusiastic thumbs up, "Sounds great!"

He smiled right when the elevator doors closed. My fake smile dropped and I turned back to the lobby. The women behind the front desk was watching me out the corner of her eye and once I started walking over to the desk, she smiled, probably happy to be doing something.

I stared at her smile as I made my way to the desk and once I made it, I pathetically returned her smile with one of my own, "Hi."

Her eyes widened as she replied, "Hi."

"Uh, could you tell me where I could find... Gerard Butler's office."

"I sure can! Do you have an appointment?"

I shook my head, "No, but he might be expecting me. I have an interview at 10."

"Your name?" She asked.

"Harmony Chapman."

She smiled up at me, "He certainly is expecting you. Would you like directions or would you like me to lead the way?"

I wouldn't be able to stand another second of her cheery shrill voice that would make wild animals howl. "Actually, I'm very good with directions, so..." I trailed off, thinking she'll get what I was saying but she just say there smiling, waiting for me to continue. "The directions would be fine, thanks."

"Okay, follow the corridor to your right all the way down to the end."

I nodded, "Thanks." I made my way through the wide hall with other halls attached to it and a few doors. One of the doors had a clothes rack parked up against the wall. A few people passed me, taking me in and wondering who the new girl was but I kept my head high and made my way through the hall until I was at the end. And guess what was at the end of the hall? Another lobby, very small compared to the others, with an average size desk and a couple dark leather comfy looking chairs to sit and wait in. And not to mention more blown up front covers of the Runway magazines hanging on the walls.

I looked around the empty room and found an office door that I assumed was his. I read the name plate on the door and it read, Gerard Butler. The door was closed so how would I know if he's in there or not. No one is here to answer my question so I decided to just knock on the door. I waited for an answer but didn't get one. I even knocked again and still no answer. I dug through my purse to receive my phone so I could check the time which was a quarter to 10. The old lady at the cafe told me to be here at 10 o'clock so I have fifteen minutes to make this interview.

I walked back into the main floors lobby where the blonde girl was and looked around the empty room. There was an archway that lead to another room with two more office looking doors. Right when I was about to go check the other room out, a man wearing a nice expensive suit walked into the room with his nose in some papers, scanning through them.

"Excuse me, could you help me?" I asked a little loud to get his attention.

"I doubt it." He remarked as he walked pass me and down the hall. Just like the elevator boy, too good to help someone out.

"Hey!" I snapped, "What is wrong with you people in the damn fashion industry, thinking you're too good to help anyone out with anything!" That finally got his attention. He slowly came to a halt as he looked up from his papers to glance over at me. Then he snapped the file he was scanning shut, crossed his arms over his chest as he turned towards me with a smirk playing on his lips, indicating that he thought this was quite amusing. "You guys decide on what's hot and what's not in fashion so you think you're high and noble and can pay people to do your dirty work. But I have a newsflash for you, pretty boy." I taunted pointing towards him, "There's more to life, fashion isn't everything."

He nodded, "Yes, it's obvious you feel that way." He commented looking me over.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm sorry, but I have a life unlike yourself!"

The guy was about to say something in return but the elevator boy I met came into the room with a plain beige folder in hand, "I see you two met already." he observed as he passed me and walked over to the guy I was yelling at to shake hands with him, "Hey, Gerard. Feisty isn't she?" he chuckled glancing over at me.

My jaw dropped and my eyes grew a little wider. "He's Gerard Butler? Him? Are you kidding me?" Once elevator boy nodded, I knew I wasn't going to be getting this job. I just yelled at my interviewer which means I just screwed myself by opening my big fat mouth! Damn it!

My eyes shifted to Gerard who still had the smirk playing on his lips, "Let me guess, Harmony Chapman?" he guessed right but I didn't answer him. Instead, I crossed my arms over my chest and continued to glare at him. Since I already screwed things up, might as well show my colors.

"I'll leave you two with your privacy. But first," The elevator boy handed the folder he was holding to Gerard, "Melly wanted me to give you the pics for the April issue."

Gerard held out the old file he was holding towards me as he took the folder from the elevator boy. But I didn't take the file he was handing me. Instead, my arms stayed where they were, crossed over my chest. Once Gerard realized I wasn't going to take his file, he sighed and handed it to the elevator boy who gladly took the file from him to hold.

Gerard opened the folder and started looking through the pictures. He stared at each one of them in concentration and then slowly started shaking his head, "What happen to the outfits we decided on?" he asked looking up from the folder and towards the elevator boy. "These are completely different outfits that I didn't approve to shoot."

The elevator boy shrugged, "I guess Melly wanted you to see the choices she liked, hoping you would like them too once you saw them layed out."

Gerard snapped the folder shut and gave it back to the elevator boy and then snatched his file from him, "Tell Melanie to shoot the ones I approved! If she goes behind my back again, she's fired!" Then Gerard pointed to me, "You, follow me." He ordered turning around and walking to his office.

Wait, he still wants to interview me? Does this mean I still have a shot? I glanced back at the elevator boy and he gave me a weary look before leaving, "Good luck, Harmony." He called over his shoulder. "Love the name, by the way."

I sighed before trudging into Gerard's office which looked like... your average high-class office.

"Sit down." He dictated, dropping the file on his desk which was already covered with papers and files and other things which was very unorganized. Made me believe his grandmother when she said that he was lost without an assistant. Gerard then took a seat in his worn out office chair. I slowly sat down, still looking around his nice office in Aw. It even smelt good, like, a cotton clean smell. My eyes landed on him who was searching in one of his desk drawers for something and was getting frustrated. "Damn it!" he slammed the drawer shut and started looking though a pile of files by his computer. Once he couldn't find what he was looking for, he turned to his phone, picked up the receiver and dialed a couple of numbers. "Tiara, get me William." Then he hung the receiver up and looked up at me, "Now lets get this straight. The only reason why you even have an interview for this position is because of my grandmum. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have given you a second thought. Now, if you would just bare with me, this pathetic interview would be over in a jiffy." He leaned back in his chair, "So, tell me about yourself."

I faked a smile trying so hard not to open my big mouth for an insult, "For starters, I don't like you." Shit! So much for that. Gerard raised his brow and was about to say something but I beat him to the punch. "I'm sorry." I sighed, this is not how I wanted this to go. "I have a Tourette Syndrome where I just shout out insults when I don't mean them. I'm trying to work on that, I really am." I lied with a fake smile.

He knew I was fibbing, "Harmony, my time is very precious and if you're going to waste it, I'd appreciate it if you just leave."

"No!" I sighed, running my hand through my hair, "I'm sorry. It's just, I'm all fired up right now because of you and you attacking me isn't helping either."

He grinned as he lightly rocked back and forth in his chair, "Well, if you're planning on working here, you better get use to it."

Keep your mouth shut, Harmony. Keep your mouth shut. Keep your mouth shut!

"Now, would you like to try and re-answer my last question?" He asked.

"My names Harmony Chapman-"

"Please skip the boring stuff I already know." Gerard rudely interrupted.

I closed my eyes to prevent them from rolling before handing him my resume, "I'm twenty-four. I have an associates degree in Law. This job would look great on my resume."

"Oh, I see. So, you're really not here for this position--"

"No! I am! I'm here for any position that is open." I begged, "At the moment, I just need a job or else I'll be forced to move back home."

"Yes, I noticed you were form The States. Where in The States are you from?"

"California. All my life. I never been out of California until a few days ago when I moved here."

"Why the move?" He questioned.

I shrugged, "I thought I had a job waiting for me here but when I landed, they called and told me the position was already filled." I explained.

There was a soft knock on the door and someone walked in which stole Gerards attention. "Boss?"

"William! Finally." He leaned forward in his chair and started rummaging through the papers on his desk. "Eilis told me she gave you the article she wanted me to read. Where is it?"

I could hear behind me that William was walking further into the office, "Uh, I placed it on your desk." William passed me and started looking through a pile in the center of Gerards desk and pulled out a folder, "Here we are." He handed the folder over to Gerard who took it and started looking through the folder.

Then William turned to me smiling. I gasped and quickly looked away. It was the same William from the cafe' that bugged me for a date. "Hey, no wonder why I couldn't find you at the cafe'. I thought I scared you off."

"You did." I mumbled pulling my purse closer to my side for some sort of protection.

"William, do you know this girl?" Gerard asked watching us.

William nodded, "Yeah, we go way back." He looked back down at me, "What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't." I said dubiously.

Gerard turned his attention back to the folder, "I see I'm not the only one who she doesn't like." He commented. Then he tossed the folder onto his desk, "William, this is not the article from Eilis."

Williams face fell and grabbed for the folder, "Sure it is. I'm positive this was the folder." He reassured flipping through the folder. "Shit." He muttered.

Gerard sighed, "I suggest you go look for it."

William placed the folder back on Gerards desk and nodded. Then he turned to me, "Hopefully, I'll be seeing you around-"

"William." Gerard warned.

William quickly up and left the office leaving me and Gerard alone again. "Okay, Chapman, this is where we depart and never see each other again." Gerard said getting up from his seat and heading for the door.

"Wait!" I called, running after him. "That's it?"

Gerard sighed as he continued to walk with me on his heels, "I have a busy schedule, Chapman. I gave you an interview but unfortunately, things didn't work out so well. I'm sorry--"

"No! Please! You can't just turn me down like that--"

"Watch me."

"Hey, c'mon! Listen," I begged, making Gerard abruptly stop and turn to me. "I know I don't belong here. I'm not like all the girls around here who think their looks are everything, you know. I'm not glamorous and fashion isn't really my main priority but I'm a smart girl, I learn fast and I will work very hard if you give me the chance. You won't be disappointed. I promise. Please. You don't know how badly I need this job." I begged with my puppy dog eyes which normally has no effect on anyone.

Gerard stared down at me as he took everything I said and debated on it. Then he sighed, defeated. "Alright, Chapman, here is how it's going to go. You come to work dressing nicely everyday. Runway is a fashion magazine so having an interest in fashion is crucial. This is the fashion industry so dress like it. No cheap clothing and no casual clothes either unless permission to do so."

"Oh, c'mon, Gerard. I don't need a ball gown to answer phones and deliver coffee." I put in.

"I don't believe I said anything about a ball gown. Look around you, do you see any of the girls wearing ball gowns?" He snapped. "They're wearing nice fashionable but professional clothing like you should be wearing." He gestured towards my purse which was hanging from my forearm, "And matching is a necessary. If your going to use a purse, it needs to match." he glanced up at my sunglasses too which were holding my bangs off my face, "Same goes with the sunglasses. If they're cheap, just hide them in your purse where I can't see them." Then he looked down at my feet and pointed, "And no sandals either, its not professional." He lifted his sleeve on his suit jacket and checked the time on his nice expensive watch. Then he started heading down the hall again which I, again, followed in tow. "I'll give you another chance to impress me. Be here at eight in the morning and if you're wearing a stunning outfit fit for the fashion industry, you got yourself a working interview. Now run off before I change my mind."

A smile grew on my face as I slowed to a halt. Yes! I have a second chance for this job. This time, I won't screw it up. Tomorrow, I'm gonna be here sharply at eight o'clock and I will be kissing Gerards ass the whole day. My future in Ireland rests in his hands.

He suddenly stopped walking and turned back to me, "Oh, and next time you see my grandmum, I'd appropriate if you thank her seeing that she's the only reason why your even considered a candidate for this position."

He wasn't going to be the best boss but I guess I'll have to manage. A job is a job and I'm gonna have to tolerate it, boss included. I faked a smile and turned to leave. I didn't even look back. I just kept on walking towards the elevator.