The Butterfly Effect

Jo’s POV

Ding, the elevator doors opened so I stepped in with confidence. I was ready! I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this since.. I don’t know...Forever?!...Everything should be fine it’s just an interview.

I am not going to lie, this interview could change my life for good. It can open or close many doors for my business that I worked so hard to grow. But at the end of the day it’s still an interview not brain surgery.

Everything depends, today, on how good I am to sell my business by answering their questions. The usual questions like “why my company? why should we choose you? what do you bring new?” I can answer them even in my sleep ..Yes I have the whole speech prepared, because it’s very important for my company to get the contract with the Court.

“Selling” is something I was born to do, I always find the words to convince you to do what I want. I wanted to be a lawyer, but my parents convinced me that a business career would be more suitable for a girl, so I graduated Valedictorian an Ivy League Business School.

This contract better said this alliance would consolidate my company position in the top five accounting companies and me and my people we deserve this, we worked hard. I can’t let anyone down so I’ve been preparing for this.

Yes, I am prepared. This morning, I dressed up with a pale yellow shirt which I matched it with a navy tailored suit. It fits me perfectly and I look professional. This is my lucky outfit, I can’t leave anything random. Why you will ask? Because “Knowledge and luck are the ingredients for success”, well at least that’s what my mom likes to say. I smiled thinking about her.

My hair is tidied up in a bun and I applied a little bit of make up, not to much, you know just some nude eye makeup, black mascara and some cherry gloss on my lips. I wear black high heels to give me extra confidence, not like I needed, I know I am the best and they would be lucky to work with me.

Ding! The elevator door opened and I rushed out not checking the floor I was in. As I hit a wall in front of me, all the files I was holding, scattered around the floor.

Damn it, who puts a wall so close to the elevator exit? “ Sorry Miss! “ I heard a manly voice. I looked up to tell him not to worry, it happens, but my heart skipped a bit when his icy green glance met mine. He looked into my eyes like he wanted to search my soul and leave a mark.

“ Sorry Miss, are you all right?” He asked again, bending this time to help me gathering the papers on the floor. “ Yes, don’t worry, I managed to say smiling”.

I reached to take the papers, but the moment our hands touched an electrical shock was sent to my body. I manage to thank him again before I left looking for the office I was interviewing.

Wow that was weird, it’s been a while since I was interested in a men. Yes of course, he was not just a man, he was a handsome one with beautiful green eyes.

It took me a second before I realized I was on the wrong floor so rushing back to the elevator, I checked the time, I don’t like to be late. I always leave early and I don’t like people who are late, basically they are saying they don’t respect my time. Just as I pressed the elevator button, the doors opened and there He was standing in front of me, holding a cup of coffee.

I stepped inside the elevator and I noticed he was on the phone so I stayed one step behind him to admire his features. Even if he was leaning against the elevator wall, I could tell he was tall,he had black charcoal hair that was perfectly styled, a nice chiseled jawline and let’s not forget those beautiful green eyes. Without even knowing, I smiled.

Dressed in a tailored black suit with a light blue shirt, I noticed the black thin tie that had a butterfly needle which again made me smile. He looked like one of those men models from the magazine covers.

“Yes, I will be in court all day, but I will call you later to make plans for tonight.” His manly voice said shortly.

I can’t understand what the voice is saying on the other side of the phone, but somehow I feel relieved that it’s a man voice. He run his hand through his hair before replying quickly.

“Yes, I am tired. I left the party last night with a girl, it kept me busy all night, she knew what she was doing. I highly recommend her”, he said smiling... Before I realized what he said, the elevator opened and He stepped out leaving a trace of his flagrance behind. I instantly inhaled it and imagined myself in his arms... Stop it, my inner self snapped at me, it’s not the time to loose focus, eyes on the price.

I checked the time again, I have enough time , so I decided to go to the restroom to freshen up a little bit and give myself a pep talk.

“Josephine Jackson, you got this! Focus on the price. Stand straight, be polite and don’t forget to smile ”I told the girl in the mirror. I washed my hands thoroughly like I did before all my exams and meetings, it helps me focus, I fixed my jacket and went out to search for the office where the interviews were holding. It didn’t take me too long to find the office, the number 100 was written with gold on the big brown door. I stopped in front of it waiting for someone to call my name, breathing through the silence and listening to my heart bits.

After a while the door opened and a man around fifty with grey hair and dressed up as a court officer called for “JJ Consulting”. I smiled before I announced him that I am there on behalf of JJ Consulting.

“You can come with me. Everyone is ready for you”, the Court Officer said politely. I nodded and followed him. As I entered the room, I could feel all the eyes on me, staring at me, giving me chills. I walked confident with my business smile: Game on, I told myself.

“Good morning, Miss Jackson! My name is Judge Quinn. Here are my colleagues: Mr Tanner (lawyer at Tanner& Associates), Mr Miller (lawyer at Miller&Sons), Mr Montgomery( lawyer at Montgomery & Brown) and Mrs Davis (lawyer at Davis& Davis).”

Saying the names The Honorable Judge Quinn was pointing in the direction of every lawyer, who was extending the hand for a shake. I smiled politely and shook their hands but when the judge said “Mr Montgomery “for the second time today my heart skipped a bit. I couldn’t believe that “He “ was in front of me.

The man from the elevator was here, in front of me with his beautiful green icy glaze, ready to question me about my skills. He extend his hand for the shake, not smiling like the others, scrutinizing me with his eyes. I shook his hand wearing my fake smile trying to be professional, but again his touch send electrical shots to my body. I still can’t believe he is one of the people that I have to impress because he is going to decide my future.

“As you are aware, this is an interview to establish if you have the proper qualifications and skills to work for the Court and my fellow colleagues are representing the top 4 law companies in the City and unanimously will choose the person or the company that will work with. I am here to make sure that the whole procedure is a fair and right one. Good luck!” Judge Quinn told me smiling, after that he invited me to sit down and I released a breath that I didn’t know I was holding.

“Miss Jackson, Mr Tanner addressed me “please tell us why should we choose you?” “Thank you for your question, Counselor! I answered smiling.

I remember reading somewhere that was the correct form to address a lawyer. Mr Tanner smiled so I am on the right track. “I am here representing one of the top accounting firms in the city, we have experts that can help you find the accounting irregularities in the cases you have or you want to pursue but we also have the technology to pass the information in real time. We are all passionate about our jobs and educated!”

Answering Mr Tanner’s questions, I could feel his eyes burning my skin, I turned my head for a second to find him writing something in his notes. The next questions were following the same standard pattern and I could see Mr Tanner smiling satisfied with my answers.

Good I was getting cozy in my sit, pleased with myself when Mr Miller approached me. He was looking at me like I was some kind of prey and I suddenly I started feeling uncomfortable. “Tell us, Josephine, how came a young lady like you get to have a successful business? Is it that easy or you have your own tricks? “ Mr Miller said touching my hand intimately.

When that man stroke my hand my mind went blank, I lost focus, I couldn’t find the words to say something, anything.

I closed my eyes for a second, trying hard to find the answer in my mind when I heard a voice. It sounded familiar. I needed to focus on that voice so I can regain control over my body. I still don’t know why I reacted like this but... Focus on the voice, Focus! My inner self was yelling at me.

“Your Honor, I am sorry to interrupt, but I do have a real question for Miss Jackson,” saying this, he looked at me, searching my eyes, trying inside my soul to see if I was ok .” I know that I have to wait my turn, but I realized that it is related with Mr Miller questions and I don’t want to reopen the subject later

“Focus, Jo, focus on his voice, I told myself and all the anxiety disappeared, all the answers to the questions were coming back to my head. I smiled like a stupid girl.

“Let’s hear it, Mr Montgomery! “I heard the Judge Quinn saying. He turned his glaze to check on me, to make sure I was okay. His eyes were asking me if I needed more time.

I nodded softly letting him know that I am ok he can put the question.

“Mrs Jackson, you said that you can send information about the case in real time, can you tell us more?” I heard him asking me

“Thank you for the question, Counselor “ I said smiling but I was actually thanking him for his help and I think he knew that. “JJ Consulting is using an online platform, with a virtual server and as long you have internet access you can access the files instantly.” I told him holding my breath.

He raised his left eyebrow and turned around, letting Mr Miller to continue with his questions. Mr Miller was all professional, his questions were standard and I am happy this time, this old fox didn’t try anything, I made myself a mental note to keep my distance from him in the future if everything works out.

Maybe I missed judge him, will see, time will tell, but honestly Mr Miller gives me weird vibes and I can’t work with people that I don’t like.

I shifted in my chair, trying to get comfortable. It was his turn and I was nervous. My throat was dry and it was getting difficult for me to swallow. He was getting closer to my chair making me to hold my breath. His eyes were looking at me like he was trying to read my mind. “Mrs Jackson how are you planning to deal with you regular clients and Court Cases? “ he asked me seriously not moving his eyes from me

“Counselor, I said smiling. Don’t forget the court is going to be working with a company, not a person! We have seniors accountants who you can choose from, in order to establish a connection, a trusting work relationship. We also have junior accountants who can deal with regular accounts.

“What if I want to work with you directly?” he asked me. His question surprised me and judging by his expression, I think he surprised himself.

“Of course, you can choose to work with me” I answered not realizing that I am blushing, “but like I just said earlier, every one of you will have more than one case, which means will be a lot of files to be verified. Everything is time sensitive, I can’t do it by myself, that’s why is better to work as a team. It’s easy, faster and productive.”

“Miss Jackson, you are saying faster…what are the time frame you think that you can deliver a financial report”, he asked me in a professional manner.

“ I believe that it could be done somewhere between 7 to 30 days, depending on the amount of files that has to be verified.” I bit my lip as I was trying to see of he was pleased with my answers, he smiled at me showing a perfect pair of dimples like he was reading my thoughts

After Mrs Davis questions, Judge Quinn thanked me for participation “Again I am going to remind you that after all the interviews we will take to a vote. It has to be unanimous. We will let you know by tomorrow evening “The Judge Quinn smiled at me gently.

I thank the counselors and the Judge for their time and I walked out holding my head high. Except for that tiny moment, I believe I did great.