Personal Assistant

You are in the building of the GamerCave company. The organization that made multiple video games throughout your childhood. The company that made games that you played as a kid.

Serene's heart raced, knowing that the interview he was about to walk into will determine his future. It scared him. If he didn't get the job, he will have nowhere else to go. However, if he did get the job, then that's his future. The rest of his life. Serene felt a lump grow in his throat, not being able to swallow it away. It was as if his brain had completely forgotten how to function the body.

"I can't do this," he thought. "I still have 15 minutes left until the interviews start. I can run out of the building and find another job. I can choose a different career path."

His breathing stopped for a minute. He felt the floor shift under his feet. His vision blurred, making the male not want to move anymore. His stomach turned as if his organs were dancing inside of him causing Serene to feel the need to throw up. His temperature dropped along with the noises in the background. He sensed the urge to fall onto the floor and pretend like he'd had collapsed.

"I can't do this."

11 minutes until the interview. The elevator is attached to the beige wall, gazing at him; telling him to walk already. He felt goosebumps crawl on his pale skin, making him tremble in the middle of the main floor.

"Excuse me," a light voice interrupted the silence that Serene had imagined.

Crap

"Are you in need of assistance?"

A woman walked in front of him. Her light brown hair was pulled into a bun, allowing Serene to acknowledge how well-highlighted her face was. She dressed formally, a dark blue blazer covering her white buttoned shirt. The corner of her rose-painted lips curved, giving Serene a grin.

Serene blinked a few times, his mind comprehending what was just said to him. He gulped before recognizing how silent he had been and finally responded, "I'm here for the interview."

Her eyes widened, keeping her smile on her beautiful tanned face, "You're here for the personal assistant job?"

Serene nodded slowly, hesitant to even talk. He wasn't surprised by the question of clarification. He was a guy after all. It probably looked odd that a male would try out as an assistant, but then again, Serene didn't care. During this time, men weren't often seen in the "beta" jobs. Especially not in the city he was in. Though, he didn't pay much thought to it. He knew what his intentions were for being a personal assistant and he didn't feel obligated to explain it to anyone.

"Do you happen to know where it's located?" he asked, keeping his composure.

"The fifth floor. Room 208."

Serene sent the woman a small grin, nodding her a thank you. He started walking to the elevator, his legs seeming weaker with every step he took. His face flushed with embarrassment, regretting the number of social events he avoided as a kid. He weighed the possibilities: If he had joined at least one pep rally, he probably would've felt a bit more comfortable for a job interview. That's what social anxiety does to you. It keeps you from wanting to be the center of attention. It limits you to a small circle of friends and even then, it won't even let you go out to crowded places.

Before, whenever he was expected to speak, he would need to play out conversations in his head before approaching anyone.

Serene waited near the elevator, watching the doors slide open in front of him. He let out a soft yet long sigh, allowing any anxiety that he kept inside to leave his system. The brunette male walked into the elevator, glad that no one was going to be with him in the small scene.

Throughout the years, he was able to control his anxiety a bit. He had always wanted to be an assistant and with that motivation, he practiced once and a while and all for this specific interview. He knew that meetings will come with being an assistant. He knew he needed to develop his communication skills and that is exactly what he did. As long as he doesn't feel the need to 'wing-it', he'd be fine. Then again, his 'winging-it' habit had always benefited him during speeches and debates during school. It's not like he didn't have trust in himself to make up something on the spot, but it was more of that fact that he felt nervous when doing so something. The idea of having all eyes on you is scary.

Serene pressed the button that was placed on his right, making the silver doors close. The machine he was in started moving upward to the fifth floor. Calming instrumental music played in the elevator, not helping the tension that built up in the male. Turning his attention to his left side, he saw his reflection on the mirror that was placed as a wall in the elevator. He let out a deep sigh, a bit annoyed at how much of a nervous wreck he looked. After a while of freaking out, the doors opened, letting Serene know that it was time to leave the elevator.

People rushed by him, some on the phone and others holding papers. It looked like a busy day.

He looked at the left corner of the wall where a sign was placed. Two numbers were written on a sign with different arrows that aimed at either the left hallway or the middle hallway. The numbers on the sign were the number of rooms that were placed in the hallway. He walked down the middle hallway where the 200's were located. He passed a series of rooms until he got to the destination he was told to go. Room 208.

Serene's hands quivered, raising them to the doorknob to open the door to the room. As he walked in, women were sitting in chairs outside another room. They all glanced at Serene, some shooting genuine smiles, and scowls. The lump in the male's throat crawled back up as he sent back a timid smile to those that gazed his way. He walked towards an empty, cushioned chair that was placed between a brunette that wore a black blazer and a white pencil skirt. Sitting at the right of him, the brunette shook her leg anxiously.

At the left of Serene was a woman with red hair who wore an aqua formal dress. She ignored everyone around her and concentrated on her phone. She wasn't moving around as much as the other females in the room. She seemed more confident, sitting up straight and professionally.

It bothered him too -- that these were the people that would usually intimidate Serene. It wasn't because he wasn't positive in himself, but because these were the people that would somehow go over the top to be the best in the herd. He envied them.

Serene sighed, knowing how hard this interview was going to be. A man competing with a good amount of females. He looked around the room that he sat in and noticed the dullness of the walls. It was nothing, but a small number of chairs. However, there were two doors. The door he used to come in and the CEO's door. A sunflower was placed in a light blue glass cup, sitting on the only coffee table that was at the corner of the room. That was about as decorative as the place got.

The CEO's door opened and a red-haired woman came out, glanced at Serene and her eyes widened as she cleared her throat, "Excuse me, ladies," she closed the CEO's door and smiled at Serene," and man. Mr. Anderson has given me a list of names. If I call you, you may kindly walkout since Mr. Anderson does not want your 'presence to affect his intelligence'. " she said, quoting what the CEO had stated. Serene tilted his head, squinting his eyes at the way the redhead had worded it. It sounded straight forward, but also a bit harsh coming from a professional person.

"He's taken a step to go through all of your resumes and school records. As I said before, if your name is called, you failed to meet his expectations."

Serene heard some girls cry in annoyance and self-disappointment. He didn't worry, though, knowing he had craved this job ever since he was a kid. Playing GamerCaves video games was the only distraction and enjoyment he experienced during his school years. Serene had always felt the need to be apart of the brain that created his childhood. He's always wanted to thank the company in some way and as a kid, it sounded a bit ridiculous and over the top. Though, he took every step he needed to take to get where he wanted to be. Gazing at the redhead that sat calmly on his left side, keeping her eyes on her phone, Serene started to realize he, himself, was someone who wanted to be at the top.

The red-haired woman that walked out of the CEO's office gave her attention to a piece of paper on her hand, reading several names, following with frustration and angry sighs from some of the people in the room, "Sorry ladies, but you didn't meet Mr. Anderson's expectations."

The room emptied and as the last woman walked out, Serene noticed only four have stayed. They smiled happily that they weren't called, boosting the little confidence that they had left. As for Serene, fear caged inside of him. He didn't know how this interview will go out. From hearing it, the CEO sounded more of a strict asshole than anything else.

Sure, it'd be easier now since half the competition was gone, but it's still four girls against one slender guy. Not knowing the questions that will be directed to him made him anxious. He couldn't plan out the conversations like he was used to.

"Payton Izaguirre, you're wanted for the interview."

The brunette that sat at the right of him stood up. Her hands were shoved into her pockets, forgetting that her formal stance was one of the qualities that were recognized. She exhaled deeply, walking towards the room.

Serene huffed, slouching on the chair, hearing the door to the CEO's room close. The beige ceiling was as boring as the walls. He narrowed his eyes, picturing small photos that could be placed in the room that could add personality to the scene. It was a good habit Serene had: being able to see the full potential in something so dull.

"You're here for the interview, right?" an appealing voice disrupted his thought process. Serene turned to his left, seeing the red-haired girl still looking at her phone. Serene wasn't sure at first whether he was hearing things or if someone had spoken to him. However, his attention was brought back again once the woman he stared at conversed once more, "Yes, I'm talking to you." she clarified, not looking up from her device.

"Yes, I am."

"That's interesting. Never met a guy that wanted to work for another man," she took a peek at Serene, a small smile appearing on her pink-colored lips, "Are you gay or something?"

His eyes widened, pale face fading into a light rosy color, "What? No! I'm not- can't a guy just look for a job? This occupation isn't' categorized for just women, you know?" he defended.

She scoffed, looking back down at the technology her tanned hands gripped, "I know. It's just not many guys try out for this profession. They're usually going for the bigger position."

Serene grew irritated by the girls' mindset. He hated the way social norms were placed in the state, or even in a society in general, "Are you saying women go for lower positions than men?"

She laughed slightly, shaking her head, "I'm just saying men seem very sensitive when they are told what to do," she turned to Serene, narrowing her eyes at him, "Especially if the orders are coming from another male."

Before Serene could respond, the door opened, "Serene Ochoa, you're next."

He turned his attention to the lady that walked out, trying to understand why the interview ended instantly. The brunette walked out, smiling and more relaxed than she was when she went in.

"Did I miss something? Why did she finish so fast?" he thought.

"Is there a Serene here?"

Serene glanced at the woman who stood by the door, causing him to stand up quickly from his position, "Yes, sorry. I'm a bit out of it today." he uttered.

He tightened the white tie that his black blazer covered, walking pass the woman, as she smiled at him, "Don't let Mr. Anderson hear that from you."

He swallowed and nodded, stepping in. The air around him got colder, sending shivers down his spine and delivering goosebumps to his skin. The door closed and Serene felt the tension that was thrown at him; he felt how quick the change of mood was once the door closed.

The place was huge. A black office desk was positioned in the middle, in front of huge windows that had no curtains, letting anyone who entered the room view the clear yet noisy city of Batesburg. A flat-screen TV flattened on the wall, in front of the desk, mimicking the richness of the company. The CEO was sitting at the desk, on a leather, spinning chair. He didn't look up to see Serene but instead tapped his pen on the files that he stared at.

"Are you aware you're being timed the moment you walk in?" he spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hello. My name is Serene Ochoa. I would like to try out for the position of being your assistant. I earned my Masters degree in literature and-"

"Did you read the requirements that were needed to become my assistant Ms. Serene?" he interrupted. At this moment, Serene didn't want to be here. He started regretting everything - starting from the point of entering the building. His mind raced with multiple responses, trying to think of a professional way to correct the CEO. Gulping all the wrong answers to the CEO's question, Serene cleared his throat, "Mr."

"Sorry?"

"Sir, it's Mr. Serene."

The CEO looked up, gazing his ocean blue eyes at the male that trembled in the middle of the room, "A man?"

"I'm sorry. Did I sign up for a female job?" Serene responded with a slight chuckle. Serene was laughing for a bit. Internally, however, he was punching himself in the gut about the sarcasm that he threw at the CEO. It was utterly disrespectful.

The CEO raised an eyebrow at the man that stood in front of him. It wasn't meant to come out, the comment. It's a habit. If he doesn't think of the conversation beforehand, he wings it. And when he wings it, he ends up being ironic and unprofessional.

The CEO's lips shaped into a soft smile and shook his head, a bit interested at how Serene responded, "My apologies. Your voice doesn't sound anywhere near to a man. However, as I was saying...did you read the requirements to become my assistant?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you think you're qualified?"

"Yes, sir. I do have the patience, the confidence, the alertness and I can multitask."

"Are you aware you're competing with numerous females?"

"Mr. Anderson, I do notice the number of females that are outside of this room but I am also aware that this job doesn't require female genitals."

Serene, once again, internally, was punching himself in the gut. He couldn't help the sarcasm or the unprofessional remarks. His stomach turned, legs trembling just like they were when he walked into the building.

The CEO scoffed, "You're very blunt, Mr. Ochoa. Although I have had such a lovely time speaking to you, I'm afraid our time is up. Please exit my room." He gazed back at the files on his desk, avoiding anymore eye contact with Serene.

Serene was a bit confused. The interview ended faster than expected. The woman before him had more time in the room than Serene was now experiencing. He thought it was probably because of the comments he let out. He tilted his head to the side, not sure what to do," Sorry? I didn't conclude my qualifications, sir."

"I'm aware, Mr. Ochoa, but it's also clear to me you skipped the part on the website that mentioned you're timed the moment you enter the room."

The door opened and the red-haired woman that had let Serene in the room nodded at him as a sign to leave. He sighed, not wanting to make this any more complicated than it was," I assume if I don't get a call back I didn't get the job."

"That is right so why not use your patience for the rest of the day to see if you got the job or not."