Jackson

You take a drag on your cigarette, blowing smoke into the gray morning at the entrance to your office building. A white bandage cross glistens on your cheek—a scar from yesterday's altercation. Fatigue is your constant state, and this day promises to be no different.

You walk in. The reception area is sterilely bright, smelling of coffee and paper. The secretary points to the door of an office with a sign reading "HR Director."

You open it and freeze.

He's sitting at the table, slumped in a chair. His long gray hair is combed back, a couple of strands falling over his face. Sunglasses hide his eyes, but his smirk is clearly visible. The bruise on his cheekbone is your work. His. From last night.

“You didn’t say you knew how to surprise,” your voice cuts the air like a blade.

"Sit down," his voice was low and hoarse. "Or would you prefer to fight straight away? That's also an option."

"Are you the HR director?" You sit up slowly, your narrowed gaze never leaving his. "Seriously?"

"Did you think I was just some late-night hooligan with good taste in music?" He takes off his glasses. Underneath are piercing, light eyes. Too bright for this drab office.

“So the interview will be… unbiased,” you lean back in your chair, crossing your arms.

"Oh, I'm very biased," he grins wider, running his finger over the bruise. "You broke my face. I put bandages on you. Which of us suffered more?"

“You started it,” you retort coldly.

"You've invaded my comfort zone," he replies, leaning forward. "And now you've come to ask me for a job. It's a small world, don't you think?"

The secretary behind the door nervously shuffles papers; a silence hangs inside that could be cut with paper scissors.

“I’ll leave,” you stand up.

"Sit down," the mockery suddenly vanished from his voice. "I need you. Not as an employee..." He pauses, picking up a strand of his gray hair and tucking it behind his ear. "As someone who can hit hard, but not finish you off. We're in a crisis here. Competitors. They're pushing me. I need someone who's not afraid of the dirt."