Jason spent the rest of his day learning more about his business plans for the future, building a skill base, and doing some basic planning for things in his life like building a personal brand for himself online on Social Media.
He could not stop. He could not settle.
It was time to head over to the Stores. Jason took the time to go there, and because this time he did not want to stand out too much, he went to a middle-income store, getting some shirts and some blazers and pants. He also got some underwear and everything he needed to get.
Just as he was making his way back from the store, he got a message. It was the message from... Samantha?
[You have been hired. Come to the office tomorrow to sign the documents and get the training to start.]
After seeing that message Jason smiled. So there was no need for the second meeting. Or maybe Veronica just said that to get to have a fake meeting with Jason?
The more Jason thought of this, the more he felt like that was probably the case. She had created the excuse to hang out, just so that she could be around Jason.
Jason laughed when he thought of this, heading home where he met Veronica, in her office, working hard for her business. It was already night, but she was still working. So inspirational.
Standing at her door, Jason watched her work for a bit of time, and then when she turned to him, she smiled, "Jason, I didn’t see you there. What’s up?"
"Thank you," Jason said and then watched her look back at him in confusion.
"Thank you so much for this opportunity you gave me. She accepted me. I don’t know what you did to help me. But I know for certain that you did, and that is something I appreciate with all my heart. So thank you."
Veronica looked at Jason, who stood there, and then she smiled, saying, "I did nothing special for you. It was all you."
But Jason noticed. That smile was one of the few insincere smiles he had seen from her. And it was then that he understood. She must have put in a good work. Or maybe some deal under the table.
Jason laughed when he heard that, saying," You know, crazily enough, there was never any second interview. I wonder why~"
Veronica stared at Jason, keeping her face calm. "Maybe you gave her a really good impression?"
"Or maybe you put in a good word for me. Maybe you sacrificed something and now she took me in either way." Jason stared at Veronica for a long time, before finally sighing as his gaze turned serious.
"Veronica, I promise you right now. I will forever be grateful for everything you did for me. And I will repay you for everything you have done for me. Tenfold, no, a hundredfold."
Veronica’s breath held at her throat, seeing just how intensely Jason felt about this as he stared at her with an intense gaze that she had not seen from him ever before. She had no idea why but she was thoroughly convinced that he meant every word of it. Nodding, she said, "I look forward to that day, then Jason."
Jason nodded, and then walked away, telling her to have a good night. And in the next moment, he turned on his phone, scrolling through his Social Media.
He was going to have to fix it in this next bit of time. But that was exactly the thing. He needed to fix it for his Branding.
It had been more than three months since he had posted anything here. Three months since he had been unfriended by practically 0% of everyone he thought he knew. And now he was going to start over from the bottom. It didn’t matter. He would climb up again and make it.
They had treated him like he was a pauper, like a fallen piece of trash. They had taken to commenting on his posts, asking him if he was actually a Son of the cross family, or if the suits he was wearing in those pictures were real.
He had even been forced to delete all his stuff just because of that. It was also at that moment that he understood that he might never ever use Social Media again. Well, today, would be different. He would finally post something.
[Got a new job. Probably Nothing.]
After reading through it, Jason nodded. It was funny to him because that was what his girlfriend... ex-girlfriend called him. And now he was Nothing, yes. He was still that, but the meaning had changed.
That night Jason slept with a smile on his face, not knowing that his one message that day would soon alert his enemies of his revival.
The following day, Jason walked into his work, walking over to the receptionist, realising that it was not the cute female from yesterday, but a different one for today. It was a male this time. How boring.
Jason looked at him and then he smiled, saying, "I’m here to sign some Documents. My name is Jason. Jason Cross. I’ve been hired into this company."
The man smiled, looking at Jason and then looking at the computer before nodding, saying, "Of course Mr. Jason. I see you in the system. I am supposed to direct you to someone so if you could please give me a moment, I will do that right now."
Jason watched as the guy did some stuff, and then after another while, he finished, thereafter directing Jason to another part of the building. It was the HR department.
Jason was directed to an office, where a man with a prominent mole on his nose sat amidst a chaotic sea of paperwork. The man barely glanced up as Jason entered, muttering, "Oh great, another pretty boy."
Jason stiffened but forced a smile. "Jason Cross, reporting for duty. I was told you would have me on your agenda already?"
The man sighed dramatically. "Sit. Sign these. And try not to mess anything up."
Jason’s eyes darted to the nameplate on the desk: Oliver Porter, HR Accounts Manager. The man’s tone dripped with disdain, and Jason quickly pieced together what was happening. This Oliver didn’t like him—perhaps a petty jealousy or simply disdain for someone new.
Either way, Jason wasn’t about to let it faze him.
Oliver shoved a stack of papers across the desk. "These are your terms. You’ll be starting as an intern, not a full-on salesperson. Three months minimum before we even consider a promotion."
Jason frowned. "An intern? That wasn’t what was discussed—"
"Take it or leave it," Oliver interrupted, his tone clipped. "Oh, and there’s an advance for your wardrobe. You’ll work it off, of course." After saying that, Oliver looked him over once and then smirked, shaking his head. "You need better clothes than those. Nobody will take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously."
Jason’s jaw tightened. He had bought these to look barely presentable, but it seemed this clearly rich guy was making fun of him. On purpose too. Alan’s smug expression said it all—this wasn’t standard procedure. The man was deliberately trying to undermine him. But Jason forced a polite smile, looking over the indicated positions as he took in his surroundings. He was not going to sign this thing. It was a trap.
"Thank you, Mr. Porter," he said evenly. "I look forward to proving myself."
Alan snorted. "Good luck with that." At that moment, Jason looked at him closer, realising that the man who sat across from him, the one with the face that was something like a battlefield with explosions of warts, and battle lines of wrinkles, was currently playing a game.
Luckily, Jason knew how to play too.
Jason has been analysing the man the entire time. He could see that this man’s demeanour was screaming bitterness, frustration and sadness. Jason’s sharp eye had even caught the scattered papers on the desk, the coffees, stains and the slump on the man’s shoulders.
He was someone who probably dealt with a lot of sadness. A weakling who puts others down when he sees them beneath him.
"I see you’re a busy man," Jason said, taking the papers that had just been handed to him and flipping through them. But beneath the surface, Jason’s mind was racing. He had already pieced together the man’s story.
The bitterness in the gaze, the way the lines were curling slightly as he glanced at Jason’s gaze. This was a man who was plagued by the perceived injustice in his life.
And looking at the lack of pictures, and reflective surfaces in the room, along with the awards for being a salesperson, it must be because of the thing that was staring Jason in the face.
His lack of good looks had kept him from rising higher in life as a salesperson, being forced to work in some dingy backroom as a person who signed documents. Even if it was a managerial position, it was still not what he wanted. Funny.
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And now, staring at Jason who was so handsome, and yet dependent on him to enter his company, he was simmering in resentment, wondering just how he could ruin Jason’s life.
Well, Jason had something to say about this. He was not going to allow himself to be run over like this. This was why he had been stalling. To learn more about the man. Once he learned enough, he would see if he could overturn the situation.