The Unwanted Promotion

LAUREN

“Hi, I’m Lauren Campbell. I’m here for the interview.”

The woman behind the desk, who had been engrossed in her computer, looked up at me, her eyes wide with surprise.

When I first walked in, she barely glanced my way. I had to wait a good ten minutes before she finally waved me over.

I was used to this kind of treatment from my time at Campbell Industry. Her rudeness was just the cherry on top.

“Lauren Campbell?” she echoed, her voice filled with awe. She adjusted her glasses and said, “I’ll let Mr. Black know you’re here.” She hurried off to her boss’s office.

I sat back down and waited. After a few minutes, she rushed out of the office, a big smile on her face.

“He will see you now.”

“Thank you.” I walked past her, noticing her stare. It was like I was some kind of exhibit at a zoo. I shook my head and walked into Mr. Black’s office.

“Mrs. Campbell! I’m Jerome Black, head of the department,” he said, standing up to shake my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” I replied, trying to sound polite.

“I was thrilled when I heard that Mason Campbell’s wife wanted to work here,” he said, his voice filled with excitement. “We couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”

I tried to hide my frown. “Um…yeah. I’m here for the…interview? Here’s my resume.” I handed it to him.

He didn’t take it. Instead, he just grinned at me like he’d won the lottery.

“Interview? I can’t possibly interview you, Mrs. Campbell.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have the job!” he announced, his face lighting up. “And congratulations on your promotion!”

I was stunned.

“Excuse me?” I couldn’t hide my shock. He couldn’t have just offered me a job without an interview, and a promotion? All within the first few minutes of meeting me?

“Oh, don’t worry about a thing! Here.” He pushed a blank piece of paper and a pen towards me. “Write down your desired salary. You’re going to be a great asset to the company.”

He clasped his hands together and grinned, revealing a gap between his front teeth.

“I can’t wait to see where the company will go with the help of Campbell Industry. With you here, I’m sure your husband will be eager to collaborate with us.”

I was speechless. Jerome Black wasn’t interested in me; he was interested in what my husband could do for his company.

I got the job not because I was qualified, but because I was Mrs. Campbell, wife of the powerful businessman, Mason Campbell.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice tight. I grabbed my resume and stood up.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Black, but I don’t think this is going to work out.” ~You son of a bitch.~

“Wait!” He sounded panicked, but I didn’t stop.

I walked out of the office, my heart pounding. I wanted to scream, but I held it in as I got into the car.

“Home, ma’am?”

“Yes, Coop. Take me home.”

This was all Athena’s fault! She was the one who put my name down as Lauren Campbell. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had to go through this.

I stared out the window, a mix of relief and disappointment washing over me. I was glad I wouldn’t be working there, but I was also upset that I was still jobless.

I was back to square one.

Should I keep looking for jobs online, or should I swallow my pride and ask Mason for help?

No. I groaned. I wasn’t going to ask him for help. No matter how hard it got, I wouldn’t do it.

When I got home, I would start job hunting again. I wasn’t going to rely on my rich husband to find me a job.

I could do this. I had done it before.

I unlocked my phone and hovered over Mason’s name, considering whether to text him.

I locked it and put it back in my bag. I decided against it.