I stepped off the elevator to a dimly lit hall. The wood on either side was a rich, dark color. It wasn't a warm and inviting place. I actually had second thoughts about continuing. My professors wouldn't blame me. In fact they may be relieved that the crazy freshman decided against going after an internship already.

It's just nerves. You're just nervous. This will be amazing for your resume when you graduate. You're the youngest candidate for this internship. Ever. Do it, Elysse!

I took a deep breath and pulled open the glass doors to Hexe Legal. I never expected Belinda Hexe's office to be quite so extravagant. As I stepped across the threshold the floor changed from cold linoleum to a warm chocolate colored carpet. The walls were a crisp beige with life sized, black and white photos of models wearing some of RoseMarie's more popular looks from over the years. Large, black, leather couches sat at one end of the waiting area, and an enormous wooden desk sat directly in front of the doors with a set of large, wooden doors the same color behind it. A young, bottle-blonde sat at the wood desk chewing her gum like a cow chews its cud.

I slowly approached and gave a slight smile. Bottle-blonde sighed loudly and appeared annoyed by my mere presence.

"Hi, I'm here to see Miss Hexe?"

"Do you have an appointment?" She definitely had no people skills.

"Yes, I have an interview at two o'clock. I'm Elysse Grimm."

She glanced briefly at an organizer then back at me. Her demeanor sucked. She was definitely not an ideal receptionist. I did not see friendship blooming between the two of us. Ever.

"Sit, she'll see you in a sec." She turned back to the magazine that rested precariously on her knees.

She never pushed a buzzer or called anyone. I had my doubts about anybody seeing me in a 'sec'.

"Super," I muttered.

I spun around and looked for a place to hang my jacket. I found a coat rack that sat lonely and forlorn in a corner. I hung it then slunk to the closest love seat and plopped down. Every move I made the couch made a rather unflattering sound. Bottle blonde side-eyed me each time.

"It's the, uh, couch?" I couldn't help but pose everything as a question to the girl.

I started to think she was intimidating.

"Yeah," she said, going back to reading her magazine.

I sat there for what seemed like hours. It was probably ten minutes. I scanned the room looking for a clock of some sort but no luck. I toyed with the idea of checking my phone for the time, but I did not want to seem impatient. I glanced up as the door to the office opened, and another woman came in. She was older, probably in her mid-forties, and must have been somewhat important because bottle blonde sat up straight and flashed a perfect smile.

"Hello, Mrs. Smith!" bottle-blonde said happily.

"Good afternoon. I know I'm early to see Belinda, but I have to be back in New York by five," she said with a heavy British accent.

"Of course, ma'am. Please go right in." The blonde smiled again at the woman.

I sat there in awe. She was unbelievably beautiful and youthful despite being a bit older. She had flawless, caramel colored skin; deep brown eyes and sleek black hair that had the hints of silver in it. A studded belt over a black top complimented her already tiny waist. The white slacks and red pumps seemed to just go with her.

Suddenly, I felt very under dressed.

Mrs. Smith had such an elegant glide that you couldn't help but watch her walk. She disappeared through the double doors behind the desk. After the doors shut blondy just glared at me I looked down at the coffee table in front of me. I lost track of the time that it took for her to come back out, but she glided out of the waiting area and through the front doors without so much as a ta-ta.

"Blanche!" a thundering voice boomed from a small box sitting on the reception desk.

Bottle blonde jumped in her seat, knocked over the magazine, and spoke into the box that sat in front of her, "Yes, Miss Hexe?"

"Is my two o'clock here?" the voice demanded.

"Y-yes," Blanche stuttered.

"Good, send her in."

"She'll see you now." Blanche glared at me.

I was amazed at how she went from scared receptionist to jerk so fast. I stood and headed to where the booming voice must have come from.

Belinda's actual office was simple, yet so amazingly beautiful. Her walls were light beige and had a few paintings of surrounding neighborhoods on them, but otherwise they were bare compared to the waiting area. Her desk sat in front of a wall of windows. The view really made the office. I could see all of downtown Pittsburgh and across the river. I could only imagine how amazing the blue lights from PNC park and the bridge looked from here.

"An amazing view, no?" Belinda asked when she caught me staring out the massive windows.

"No. I mean yes. It's amazing."

"It's why I picked this suite. I love being on top of everything."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, staring out the windows.

"Sit."

Obediently, I slid into the closest chair.

"Would you like some water?" the tall, stunning woman asked.

"No thanks."

"Water," she said, holding up a tall glass. "They say it's really the fountain of youth. Drink enough and you'll stay young."

"I didn't know that," I tried to sound interested.

"It's a bunch of bullshit," she said.

"Oh."

"There is no fountain of youth. Women chase a fantasy; plastic surgery, liposuction, tummy tucks. Even fancy clothes. They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hours trying to be princesses when they are nothing more than peasants."

I sat in stunned silence. I prepared for questions, an insult on all woman kind, not so much.

"We provide part of the lunacy here," she continued.

"The fancy clothes?" I asked.

"Yes."

I couldn't help myself, I stared at her. Her impeccable, olive skin shone in the sunlight as it came in through the windows, her jet black hair hung in loose curls down her back, and her lips were the brightest shade of red I had ever seen. The high heels didn't negate the fact she was naturally tall. So tall. I felt like such a frumpy hobo compared to her.

She stepped from behind her desk and circled me. She ran her fingers through my sandy blonde hair, stared into my pale blue eyes with her own gray ones. I had never felt so intimidated by a woman in high heels and a dress before.

She didn't say anything, just examined me. I felt more like I a slab of meat set out for inspection rather than an interviewee.

"Why do you want to work here?" she asked. Her eyes never leaving mine.

I took a deep breath ready to go into my spiel. "I have always been interested in law. I grew up with a fascination for the legal system, and when I learned that one of the most prolific female law minds was right here in Pittsburgh, I just knew it was where I would go."

"You are very confident about that."

"I have to be." I replied.

"Why is that?" Her brows stitched together, and she pursed her lips.

"If I'm not confident and don't think I have the position, I'll get down on myself. This way, I'm more positive and determined."

"So you're a go getter?"

"Essentially, yes."

"Good." she said, crossing her arms in front of her.

"I do appreciate that you're seeing me. I know you prefer the interns to be older."

"Normally, yes, I don't consider someone so young for the position, but I think you may have some potential."

"Potential?"

"Yes. I sent for your college records and spoke with a few of your professors. You come highly recommended from everybody. I don't think I've ever heard a collective group of people rave so much about one individual."

"You sent for my records? Do you normally do that?" I asked.

"No, but with your age and the intern application you sent in; I made an exception. I was pleasantly surprised."

"So, do you want my resume?" I asked looking down at the papers in my hands.

"I'll take it for my files, but I already made up my mind," she stated mater-of-factly.

"So, that means I got the position?"

"For now."

I took a deep breath, slowly letting it out, trying to get my stomach to return to where it belonged. Down below my heart. I got to my feet, forcing my legs to stop shaking, and shook Belinda's hand.

"Thank you so much, Miss Hexe."

"Don't thank me yet. I'll see you tomorrow morning at eight. I'll have the appropriate paper work faxed to your school."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Miss Hexe?" a devastatingly handsome man walked into the room his eyes glued to the papers in his hands.

The man was young, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two, tall with brown hair and the clearest blue eyes. I had never seen another guy like him. His flawless features and statuesque frame kept me hypnotized. I was afraid to blink. I was afraid if I closed my eyes for even a split second I'd wake up from the dream, and he'd be gone.

"I'm in the middle of something, Connor."

He has a name! Of course he has a name. Don't be ridiculous.

"Oh, my apologies." He finally looked up, glancing at me. "I wanted to let you know that I fixed the bugs with the website. It should be ready in a few days."

His eyes roved over my body, ending at my face. Our gazes seemed to collide like two Ferraris at high speed. The energy that emanated between us really shocked me. I could feel my heart skip a beat, my breath hitched in my throat, and my stomach went right back to somersaulting.

"That's wonderful, Connor. Thank you," Belinda said, stone faced.

I wondered if she could make any other facial expressions. She definitely had one too many rounds of Botox. All I could do was stare at him though. For whatever reason, I could not take my eyes off of him. He continued talking to Belinda, going through the papers with her while I stood there slack jawed, gawking. He let his beautiful blue eyes flicker to me and linger while he talked with Belinda. He didn't seem to care that I had been standing there like a school girl staring at her favorite ice cream. My face flushed, and I could feel my cheeks burning. The humiliation was evident on my face. He caught me staring and I could do nothing about it.

I stood there for the rest of the time with my eyes glued to my shoes. I didn't dare look up or make eye contact with the gorgeous Connor. I could still feel the heat on my cheeks as he left the office.

"I'm sorry about that, Elysse. Do you have any questions or concerns?" she asked.

"No. I don't think so."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you again, Miss Hexe."

I turned and quickly headed down the hallway, running right into him. In a rain of paper I saw the corners of his mouth quirk up.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," I stuttered, bending down to help him pick up the papers.

"No problem. Accidents happen. You're the new girl?"

"Um, yeah. I start in the morning. It was really by luck I got the position I think." I quickly got quiet. "I'm babbling. I'm sorry; I don't usually babble."

The smile crept back and spread across his face. "It's alright. Babbling happens."

He extended his hand to shake mine. As our hands locked I felt an exhilarating rush run through my body. I quickly pulled my hand away and clasped it with my other. I blushed and looked down. A mixture of embarrassment and hormones to blame. I hoped he couldn't hear my heart pounding. It felt like it could burst through my chest at any moment and land on the floor right there.

"Cool. Well, I'll see you in the morning." His soothing voice reverberated throughout my body.

He flashed a smile, and I couldn't help but watch the graceful Adonis glide toward a door at the end of the hall as I followed.

Blanche had resumed her position at the desk, snapping her gum even louder.

"Bye, Connor," she called adoringly.

I walked around to grab my coat when she saw me and the smile quickly faded.

"Good you're done," she hit a button on the intercom, "I'm taking lunch now, Miss Hexe."

"Fine," the now quieter response came through.

"See you in the morning," I mumbled.

"You got the internship?" she stared at me like I had a horn growing out of my forehead.

"Yeah, I start tomorrow."

"Great," she sighed while rolling her eyes.

I wasn't sure what her problem was. She must have been born a bitch. What other explanation was there? She slid into a little red jacket while I put on my own pea coat. Unfortunately we ended up on the elevator together. It had to be the most awkward ride in elevator history. Blanche stood on one side, I on the other, in dead silence. I made sure to take my time getting off and walking across the lobby, giving her plenty of time to power walk out of the building. She did impress me for half a second. She power walked in those stilettos and six inches of snow like nobody's business. That was no easy task, even I had to give her credit for that.

From the top step, I could see the red hood bob out of sight.