PATRICK AND CYRUS MEETING UP-SIDE STORY

*WARNING: I recommend reading this side story after reading up to chapter 18 of volume one of New Purpose. Hope you like the side story.*

CYRUS'S POV

"you have to get an assistant."Glenn said

"what if i don't want one."I asked blankly.

"well your appearance says a whole different story."

"What is wrong with my appearance?"I asked offended.

"well for one the dark circles under your eyes, sluggish movement, and poor posture say a whole different story. It is like You are about to die any second."

"you are overreacting Glenn."

"Oh really," he said heading towards the door.

Glenn opened the door and called in a random employee who was just minding their own business . The poor guy was probably finishing up the work for the day.

"Hi,"Glenn said.

"Ummm hi, "They said looking at the both of us confused.

"Does Cyrus here look a bit tired? Don't lie."

"ummmmmm." they said looking at the both of us obviously afraid to answer.

"Just answer anything Sam, I won't get offended."

"Well,just a little bit." they said avoiding to say anything further,"but you do look awfully tired today ,have you been eating well ,can i get you a drink ,some vitamins maybe or...."

"Okay that is enough,"I said getting offended,"You can leave now."

Sam sighed in relief and left as Glenn looked at me and had a cheeky smile on his face knowing that he had clearly won.

"Okay fine i will get an assistant. Why are you so concerned anyway?"

"I can't just be a kind and caring friend."

"no."

"So i booked a trip to...."

"I knew it!"

"You can't blame me i heard that they have this special aged cheese that only the few get to try."

You really need to control your obsession with special foods that all these restaurants sell to you."

"But it is special, these are once and lifetime opportunities."

"Okay fine,"I said knowing that he could go on and on about how these experiences are special moments in human existence.

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The Friday that followed was just filled with interviews for my assistant. Glenn was there because i knew he wanted to convert my assistant to my babysitter when he was no there.He always managed to worry about me every second even when he acted that all his motivation was because of food. He was not that one-dimensional even if he wanted to paint himself as that.

The interview process was always difficult for me since i was the one who was supposed to remain calm to help the interviewees feel calm and open so that they do not mess up, but i always managed to make things awkward and weird. I would overthink every aspect of the situation. Thoughts such as "what if i have something on my face, what if i ruin their entire lives if i do not give them the job, what if they are The Executive in disguise, or maybe Miranda in disguise.I would admit the last one was absolutely ridiculous and was just paranoia playing tricks on my mind, Miranda could never be in a disguise in Paradise City, she was in Gendwall and i could tell by the footages i watched.

Either way all these things would manage to run in my mind and i end up being the blabbering mess and start way too much unessary questions. It was a good thing that i had never had to get interviewed for a job because i would manage to mess it up terribly. I knew i could not damp all this pressure on my head of human resources since it was more of a personal issue as compared to as a company issues. But if i had the choice i would dump everything on them without giving a second thought.

The number of applicants, as usual, was so many with having thirty applicants with all the same qualifications. It was like having the same resumes being thrown at you with just a difference in the names. That meant we had to get someone who matched my personality better than the rest or at very least would attend such situations for me as a proxy. The sudden decision of getting an assistant never even gave me space to even make a well-planned vetting process so we had to settle for face to face interviews and go with my instincts and Glenn's power to stare into someone's soul and tell if the person had good intentions or not.

As usual we gave similar questions to all of them and it felt that they all had the same recycled answers as if they were all reading from the same script from a popular thread on how to answer job interview questions. I could tell that even Glenn was getting bored from some of the same responses. Shifting throw most of them they all shared the same personality and all seemed like great candidates for the job but i could not click with most of them the way i did with my first employees. They were all very confident but we could feel that it felt very disingenuous ,it felt like it was an act. Also considering that most of them looked like they were already intimated by the office alone really made me question their ability to keep cool when things got hectic in the office. It would be extra stressful having to take care of them when they get anxious while also being anxious.

After shifting through the entire batch Glenn and I looked at each other disappointed. After Glenn managed to get into my mind and convince me that i needed an assistant that moment i felt like that was something i really needed. It also made me feel bad when i had to sent out the same rejection letter considering how all of them seemed really eager to get the job. At the very least i sent them over to some other people i had met who were looking for interns.

That evening I was on X-floor with Glenn, as much as i wanted to check the footages on Gendwall i knew it was not a good time to be doing all that with Glenn behind me. I did not know how to convince him that this was my secret tech liar and all rich people have one. Maybe he knew I was lying and just let it slide. Or i had improved my skills in deceit. We would probably never know.

As Glenn and i spent our precious time playing some random drawing game that made me even more frustrated than when i started, I got a call that I had an extra applicant who just arrived. I saw Glenn's eyes sparkle and i could tell he was extra excited for a new person. He had hope , I also had hope since i never wanted to carry out another interview ever again.

Heading to my office i went over and opened the door and there stood before me shorter than average male who looked like a stereotypical office worker with a dream. His tie was neatly done and his suit looked extra clean. His face looked calm and relaxed but at the same time he looked like he wanted to scream at any moment. he might have even been a serial killer in disguise with the way he looked.

"I am so sorry I am late!"He suddenly said.

"It's cool."

he continued to stand there at a scout's attention pose, i really wanted to push him to see if he would fall like a manniquien but that would be childish of me.Glenn headed over and could tell it was two socially awkward people trying to interact with each other since i was not even sure what i wanted to say.

"You can enter," Glenn said directing him to the seat and he whispered to me, "You can tone down the awkwardness a bit."

We headed towards the table prepared to ask the same question all over again.

"Name?"I asked even when i could clearly see them on the papers he had given to me.

"Patrick Spencer, sir"

"I am Cyrus Mayday and here is my associate Glenn Rinto.You can just drop the sir we don't really do that here,"

"But that is rude sir."Patrick said firmly.

"Okay if it's your choice go on ahead."

"Have you had any previous work experience?"Glenn asked per the script.

"No this is my first application."

"Really?"Glenn asked surprised.

"No."

Even I was surprised there is no one who would have the balls to say that they have zero work experience in that day and age out of fear of rejection.

"You don't think by having zero wok experience would jeopardize your potential of getting a job here?"I asked curiously.

"No, not at all.Plus even if i chose to lie you would tell immediately." Patrick said being extremely honest.

I could tell that even if he was slightly nervous he was keeping his cool and considering that it might have been his first job interview ,he was doing well.

"Outside what is outlined in your resume what makes you think that you are qualified for the job?"

"I am eager to learn and help every way I can especially in such a company that prides itself with being as something that was considered to be impossible being made possible. I also have great organizational skills, great attention span plus I can bake and cook if you ever feel famished at a long day of work." He said pulling out a bag of baked goods.

I looked at Glenn wondering if that was even acceptable to do that at an interview since it was some sort of food bribe. Looking at him he was long gone since he just wanted to see what exactly we're in the bag.

"I can smell freshly baked pumpkin bread."He said intictively i think he even forgot we were doing an interview.

"yes it is."

"But it is not even fall." He said like an eager child.

"It does not need to be fall for me to make pumpkin bread."he said smiling and handing it over to Glenn.

"is this why you are late?"

"yes,sir .I really wanted to stand out in some way,"he said somewhat embarrassed.

"Well as weird as this interview gets i commend you for trying to think out of the box even if it was food involved and your honesty. Now i will ask you one final question."

"Fine."

"Can you start on Monday?"I said smiling

As much as i should have questioned him further I could tell he actually wanted the job. He was eager and he just had a look in his eyes. I could tell Glenn approved of him the moment he smelled the bread. His honesty did paint a good picture with his out the box thinking. Plus if I had to carry out another interview I would honestly scream, I was already tired to death to talk to other people.

"No, sir"He said

"why?"Glenn and I asked in unison confused.

"I can start immediately."he said smiling

"there is no need to impress us you already have the job."I said relived.

"I know sir, I just really want to start immediately."he said smiling.

He was extremely extra but I Liked him,it was a refreshing energy. I knew sooner or later he would get more comfortable at the office and maybe even drop the formality.