Chapter 6: Danielle's Ultimate Plan

Daryl and Dylan prepared their dinner. They had the table ready by seven o’clock, just right after she came out of her room. She drags a dining chair to sit on, joining his older brothers for dinner.

”You look terrible, li’l sis." Daryl stated while reaching for the bowl of mashed potatoes.

She glanced at him as he puts mashed potatoes on her dining plate. “Thank you, Daryl.”

She just finished taking a quick shower. Hoping she’ll feel refreshed, with her worries being washed away but sadly, it didn’t. Her red damp hair was up in a messy bun. She’s wearing her worn-out gray sweatshirt with her black cotton pants and mismatched socks.

"Are you stressed at work?" Dylan asked, concern visible on his face.

She sighed as she tries to put food on her mouth but she lost her appetite because of tomorrow’s interview. "I have an interview tomorrow with our new boss."

"You mean, the son of the old Mr. Neumann?" Daryl asked. She mentioned it to them over dinner last week.

She nodded and told them about the details of tomorrow’s interview, particularly the rumors about Parker Neumann looking for a legal team intern to train personally. "That's odd. I'm sure he had business or corporate law 101 when he was in college. Why would he even want someone from your department to be his assistant? And an intern at that?" Daryl said, suspicion evident on his face.

Dylan passed the plate of steamed vegetables to her. "Let's give him the benefit of the doubt. He probably wants someone who doesn't know the dirty tricks in the industry. Someone innocent but eager to learn and resourceful. Besides, being in class doesn't mean you're an expert already. The real world is completely different thing.”

"Nah! I think he slacked in his business law subject during college!"

"I don't think so." She interrupted. "He graduated with flying colors in Europe." She stated matter-of-factly.

Daryl's mouth dropped, a steamed broccoli fell on his plate. But he recovered rather quickly as he stretched his back, acting upset. “Then, I conclude that he just wants to hit on you!”

She blushed, her eyes wide. “What?!There’s no way—”

Dylan slightly smacked his younger brother’s head from across the table hearing that ridiculous conclusion. “That’s not something you should say out loud!”

She snorted and started chuckling at what Dylan said. “What? So, it’s okay to think that? And just not say it loud? You’re worse, Dylan."

Daryl was still rubbing the spot Dylan smacked as he talked, “I don’t care if this 'Parker guy’ or someone else hears about what I just said! We have a beautiful little sister!” He told Dylan before facing her. “He can try hitting on you but he will have to face me and Dylan before he so much as tries to touch your beautiful red hair!" He said flexing his biceps.

Danielle chuckled on her throat. Daryl loves working out. But she’ll have to admit that her new boss definitely has the winning card having a perfectly fit body.

She can still remember the sensation touching his washboard abs behind that gray shirt. She blushed at the thought while her older brothers are still talking.

"Knock it off, Daryl.” Dylan shakes his head. "Anyway, he, for sure, has good reasons to make that kind of decision in running the company. I suggest you just focus on your internship and do what's right, Dee." He advised, like a matured guy would normally do.

"Geez, you sounded like dad, Dylan!" She snorted.

He ignored her remark and smiled. "Speaking of, mom and dad said they will be visiting next weekend. I've made plans for that weekend, to give them a tour and made some reservations at Hamilton's." Dylan said referring to the five-star hotel near Central Park. "Make sure you clear your schedules."

They eventually talked about the things they can do that weekend with their parents. But at the back of Danielle's mind, she’s being haunted by the fact that she'll be in a room with her new boss tomorrow.

Part of her is feeling anxious, thinking whether she should apologize for the previous encounters she's had with him or just pretend she's forgotten about it.

This is going to be a long night. It would be better to just fail the interview. She thought and then an idea came to mind.

Oh, I should probably think of ways to just fail the interview! Right!

Danielle came up with the idea of not taking Mrs. Jacobs' advise to be the best version of herself for the interview. She would rather work with the legal team than work for Parker Neumann. She feared not finishing her eighteen-month long internship if she would work for him. Although the idea of working for him would definitely give her resume and employment background a great boost, she might not be able to handle the demands and pressure working closely with him.

But what she feared the most is adding more to her list of embarrassing encounters with him! She doesn’t plan on making a whole book of them!