Reece
Once I got off the phone with Vanessa, I immediately went to my apartment and packed up all of my belongings to drive to Houston. The job offer came at the right time, because I was actually behind on my rent and there were eviction papers attached to my door when I arrived home. Of course I’m not going to tell Vanessa that. I didn’t want to add more of my issues to my plate of disappointment.
I packed up what I could to take with me, but I still had to get the rest of my things out before the apartment complex decided to put a lock on my door. Maybe I could come back in a week or two since I still had three weeks before my court date. Regardless, I’ll have to figure out a way to pay for the rent and late fees so this wouldn’t go on my credit and I could get another place.
After the three and half hour drive, I arrived in Houston late that night. I was able to unpack and relax before my first day of work at Suds. Honestly, I was nervous about going there, mainly because of meeting Troy. After all of the stories Vanessa told me, I tried not to judge him, but I don’t know if I want to be working for someone that is basically an ass. I have dealt with a lot of men who felt they could control women because they work under them. For me, I’m not going to fall for this man’s antics. Even now, as I was standing in the lobby of Suds, staring at the man who was going to be my boss, I had to admit, he did look good, but I wouldn’t touch him if he was the last man on Earth.
I looked at him, as his hand went through his jet black hair. It was cropped, but was a little long in the front, as he pushed some away from his face. His skin was pecan-colored and smooth. Even from his Suds uniform, he looked as if he worked out. His cocky ass knew he looked good, which was an even bigger turn off for me.
“Is your cousin always so mean?” Troy asked.
“Since I’ve known her.”
Troy gave a wide grin, which didn’t impress me at all. If he’s trying to flirt with me, he’s going to have to try a little harder.
“Are you just going to stare at me, or are you going to show me around the store?”
Jamarcus tried not to laugh as he turned his back to us. Troy didn’t know what to say as he cleared his throat.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
“Cool. It was nice meeting you, Jamarcus.”
He nodded as he continued ringing up another customer.
“Jamarcus seems real cool.” I said as I fell into step with Troy. We were walking down the hall to go towards the exit.
“He is. He’s the best assistant manager I’ve had since I’ve been here, and I have had several.”
He opened the door for me as I thanked him before walking outside.
“Have you been to any of the Suds locations before?” Troy asked.
“I’ve been to the location that Vanessa worked at.”
“As you can see, this location is laid out differently from the Harrison location.”
“I’ve noticed that. The restaurant is in the back and the salon is in the middle.”
“Yeah; but the policies are all the same. We still do the Item of the Month, which you can receive commission on…”
“Wait, wait, wait. Why would I need to know about the Item of the Month? I’m not running the register.”
Troy gave me a cocky grin, which made me a bit irritated.
“Oh, so Vanessa didn’t tell you that you’ll be running the register too. Since I just lost a cashier.”
I gave him the death stare. “You’re joking,”
“I’m not joking. You see Jamarcus running the register, so until you find someone, you have to be a cashier.”
I took a deep breath, ready to kill Vanessa. Of course she didn’t tell me that! She just said I’ll be handling the logistics of the store, not being a cashier!
“Wow, your own cousin just played you.”
“I’m sure she was going to mention it. Eventually.”
Troy laughed. “Whatever. Anyway, let me show you around the facility and then we can go to the office to look over some paperwork.”
I nodded as he walked away from me. I was still stunned about the news he just gave me, but if I have to be both the office manager and cashier, then Vanessa and Mark better be paying me double for doing two jobs.
Once he showed me the facility, we went back inside to the office, where I sat in the seat in front of his desk. He motioned for me to come over so I could stand closer to him.
“You’re not going to be able to see anything from over there.”
“I’m sure I still can.”
“Are you afraid to stand close to me?” He flirtatiously asked.
“I’m not, but I prefer to sit right here.”
Troy gave a cocky grin, which was starting to irritate me. The man might be sexy, but his attitude was very annoying. He’s full of himself, which not going to fly with me.
“Suit yourself. Anyway, everything you need to know about the system will be available on an app which I’ll give you the sign-on for to access. With the app, you can do payroll, reports, and check on the daily sale totals.”
“What about the store bills?”
“That will be in this file cabinet.” Troy said as he pointed to the black cabinet behind him.
“So, who was doing all the paperwork when Rosario got promoted?”
He sighed. “I was, so if you need to ask any questions, then just let me know.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
“That’s pretty much all you need to know, the job is pretty simple.”
“It sounds like it is.”
“Trust me, it is.”
He licked his lips, which made me feel some type of way. One of the things I love about a man is his lips, and Troy definitely has them; but I wasn’t falling for that. He knew what he was doing, so I wasn’t going to play this game with him.
“Troy, if you think that I’m going to be like these other females here, then you’re wrong. I’m here to do a job, not become one of your groupies.”
“Who said that I was dating anyone here?”
I laughed. “You really think I’m stupid? I know all about your after-work, or should I say during work, escapades. I’m here to keep your ass in line, so focus on that instead of mine.”
Troy looked taken aback by what I’d just said. I leaned back in my seat and smiled.
“So, whatever plan you have to get me into your bed is not going to work with me. I’m just here to work, nothing more.”
Troy nodded. “Alright then, Reece. Believe what you want, but it was never my intention to try to sleep with you.”
I gave him an unconvinced look and he shook his head. “Whatever you say, Troy. Now, are there any bills that need to be paid now?”
He shook his head. “They’re all current, unless you want to check the ledger.”
“I would like to,”
He got up as I continued to look at him. Now that I have made my presence known, maybe he can do his damn job. I hope.
***
After going through all of the bills and other paperwork for the store, it was time to get some training behind the register. Nena arrived; she was the person who was going to train me. When she introduced herself to me, I knew the two of us would instantly click. Nena seemed to have my personality, which was a bit shy, but I could tell she could hold her own if she had to.
She pushed some of her curly black hair from her eyes as she smiled at me. “I’m actually glad you’re here. I know you probably don’t want to run the register, but we need the help.”
I smiled. “It’s cool, Nena. In fact, it might not be so bad. How long have you been working here?”
“Two years, which is too long for me, but I’m still in school. I’m majoring in business with an interest in accounting. I have one more semester left.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
Nena smiled. “I can’t wait to quit this place. It’s literally a circus here.”
I nodded. “From what I’d heard, it is, but hopefully that will all change soon.”
“I know Vanessa offered you this job, but why did you really take it? I mean, you seemed like you could be working for a Fortune 500 company.”
I laughed. “You figured that out about me in thirty minutes?”
Nena laughed. “I have a knack for learning people’s personalities quickly.”
“I guess I still haven’t found my purpose in life. I went to college, got my bachelor’s in business administration, got my MBA, and I still haven’t been able to find a job.”
“You have an MBA?! Wow, you really should be aiming higher than Suds.”
“I know, but like I said, I just haven’t found my purpose in life.”
“What do you like to do?”
I shrugged. “I have tried a lot of things, but I never finished them. That’s why Vanessa felt she was doing me a favor by offering me this position. She honestly was, because I have been down on my luck lately.”
“Well, I really hope you find what you’re looking for.”
I nodded. “I hope so, too.”
We stood in silence for a bit until I looked through the windows at the tunnel. Troy and two employees was inspecting the nozzles for the spray waxes. He glanced over to stare at me and I quickly looked away.
Nena glanced at me and sighed. “I’m sure you had an interesting conversation with Troy.”
I nodded. “You’re right; it was definitely interesting.”
“I know the real reason why you’re here, Reece. It’s to keep Troy in line, especially after what happened with Sabrina.”
I sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,”
“How many women has Troy been involved with here?”
Nena looked a bit embarrassed as she took a deep breath. “There have been a couple. Some have left, while some are still employed.”
“Wow,” I mumbled. That I was not expecting.
“Of course no one is suppose to know about it, but it’s quite obvious. Troy is a big flirt. He has even talked to some of the customers who have come here.”
“Has he flirted with you?
Nena looked surprised. “Listen, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” I implied.
She shook her head. “He hasn’t, mainly because I haven’t given him the time of day. I don’t date anyone from my job. Besides, Troy’s not my type.
“Since the company decided to forgo the dating ban, he figured he’s not hurting anyone, but honestly, it only making things worse here. I don’t know why anyone would put themselves in that type of situation knowing how he is with relationships. He despises them.”
“Well, I hope he doesn’t think he’ll get anywhere with me. I’m just like you; I don’t mix business with pleasure. My cousin may had done it, but I won’t.”
“That’s the best way to go. It’s only leads to disaster.”
I smiled. “I knew I would instantly like you,”
Nena smiled as well as a customer approached us. I looked toward the tunnel again to see Troy still staring at me. I looked down at the register, knowing this mission might be harder than I thought, but I’ll make it work. I have to.