: Developing Feelings
4
The interview went very smoothly. Who would dare give Zane Quinn's relative a hard time? They all treated me like some big shot on a secret inspection whose cover had been blown.
I didn't explain in front of everyone; I explained to the HR manager who interviewed me in private.
The HR manager just smiled faintly. "Of course. The company was primarily interested in your abilities."
Even though I was new to the professional world, I wasn't a complete novice. I didn't believe a word of it.
But I did get the position I wanted, even if it was mostly thanks to the boost from calling him "Second Uncle Quinn."
I felt I should say thank you to Zane Quinn.
But I didn't know how to say it.
However, Zane Quinn was the one who sought me out first. His assistant led me to his office.
I was so nervous I didn't know what to do with my hands, standing rigidly in front of Zane Quinn.
Seeing how I was, Zane Quinn laughed. "Have a seat. Did the interview go smoothly?"
I nodded, then sat down across from Zane Quinn. "It went very smoothly. Everyone thinks I'm your relative. Thank you, President Quinn."
Zane Quinn's lips curved into a smile. "Don't you have confidence in your own abilities?"
I shook my head. "It's not that, but I'm also well aware they hired me out of respect for you."
Zane Quinn watched me for a moment, his gaze seeming to pierce right through to my heart.
And as it turned out, Zane Quinn had seen right through me.
"Skill is important, but so are connections. That's just how the world works. You don't need to feel burdened by it."
'Is he lecturing me?'
Zane Quinn didn't seem so intimidating after all, nor was he as strict and cold as Chloe Quinn had described.
I immediately relaxed a lot.
"Okay, I'll be sure to work hard, President Quinn."
Zane Quinn gave a faint smile. "Go on."
I nodded to Zane Quinn, got up, and walked out.
I had only taken a few steps when Zane Quinn's voice sounded again from behind me.
He said, "That outfit really suits you."
I stopped in my tracks, my legs feeling a little weak.
'Was he complimenting me on how good I look in this?'
My face instantly grew hot. I glanced back, gave Zane Quinn a quick smile, then hurried out.
But my heart was still pounding, all because of that one sentence from Zane Quinn.
After that, someone gave me a tour of my new workspace and told me I would officially start work the day after tomorrow.
After leaving the company, I went to find Chloe Quinn.
Chloe Quinn had clearly inherited the Quinn Family's talent for business. She started her own company while she was still an intern—a small firm that produced custom ringback tones for corporations. Since it was just getting started, she wasn't too busy and still had time to hang out and chat with me.
I told Chloe Quinn all about the interview, then asked, "Do you think I should treat your Second Uncle Quinn to dinner?"
Chloe Quinn looked completely unconcerned. "What's the big deal? You call him Second Uncle Quinn, too. It was nothing for him, just lifting a finger. It's not like he set you up with some super important position. You don't need to treat him to a meal."
Chloe Quinn could say that because Zane Quinn was her actual uncle, but from where I stood, I definitely owed him a favor.
So that evening, I called Zane Quinn. I told him I wanted to treat him to dinner and asked when would be a good time for him.
Zane Quinn readily agreed, and we set it for the following night.
Because it was a thank-you dinner, I didn't invite Chloe Quinn.
This would be my first time having dinner alone with Zane Quinn. From the moment I left for the restaurant until we actually sat down to eat, I was a nervous wreck.
But as it turned out, my nervousness was completely unfounded. Zane Quinn was very easy to get along with. Not only did he smile the entire time, but he also shared a lot of advice about the professional world, from which I benefited immensely.
'He's practically my life coach!'
After that, I wasn't so afraid of Zane Quinn anymore. Our interactions also grew more and more frequent. Often, just as I left the office after work, Zane Quinn's car would pull up in front of me. He'd say he was just giving me a ride home since it was on his way.
I even started to think that Zane Quinn and I were meeting up more often than he saw his own niece.
A man like Zane Quinn was, without a doubt, captivating in every way, and I was no exception.
After spending so much time with him, I realized I was developing feelings for Zane Quinn.
