Page 8 of Business Casual

“I’m going to tell you a little about who we are,” he started, taking his seat directly across from me. “Franklin Financial started almost forty years ago. It began as a way to help small businesses in the community. But over the years, it grew—servicing larger businesses and corporations. Now that the board approved my proposal to dive into personal wealth management, we’re shifting from groups to individuals.” He flashed a smile. “That’s our backstory. Now before we get started with the interview, do you have any questions about Franklin Financial?”

“Who is the Alexander Franklin on the website?” I blurted out.

I knew I wanted to ask the question, but I didn’t mean for it to just fall out of my mouth ungracefully.

He let out a chuckle. “My father, with the help of my grandfather, started this company. He’s the CEO. He’s the face of the company. He’s Alexander Franklin. My grandfather is also Alexander Franklin. And then there’s me”—he gestured to himself— “also named Alexander Franklin. Your interview was actually supposed to be with the both of us. But he’s tied up at the moment, so you’re stuck with me.”

I don’t mind…

“Ah, okay.” I nodded. “When they called about my interview with Mr. Alexander Franklin, I assumed it was the man on the website. And then you showed up.”

“Okay, yeah, I can see how that could throw you off,” he laughed quietly.

“It also threw me off since I thought your name was Tre”—I lifted my eyebrows— “Mr. Franklin.”

“My name is Alexander Franklinthe third.The people closest to me call me Tre,” he explained. “But here, my colleagues call me Alex or Mr. Franklin. They call my father Alexander or Mr. Franklin.”

“Oh, okay,” I acknowledged. “So, there are two Mr. Franklins. That’s not confusing at all.”

He chuckled and I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

When the amusement faded away, we were left smiling across the table at each other.

“Before we continue, Ms. Jones, I need you to do something for me.”

“Yes, Mr. Franklin,” I answered, already prepared to pull out references if needed.

“I like it better when you call me Tre.” He took a sip of his coffee before leaning back in his chair. “Can you do that for me? Can you call me Tre?”

“Yes.”

He smirked. “And can I call you Imani?”

“Yes.”

His smile grew. “Good.” He paused. “And I’m trying to be as professional as possible, but about earlier…” he started, just as a firm knock rattled against his door. The sexy smile evaporated as he stood. “Come in!”

I turned to look and the Mr. Franklin from the website walked in. “Hello,” the older Mr. Franklin greeted me as he entered the room. His smile was warm and welcoming as he came over to shake my hand. “I’m Alexander Franklin. I apologize for being late, Ms. Jones. I hope Alex has been taking good care of you.”

Shaking his hand, I nodded. “He has. It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

He walked around the table and positioned himself next to his son. Tre’s demeanor changed as soon as his father shook his hand and took his seat. They exchanged words and I found my eyes bouncing from one man to the other, trying to settle my nerves.

It didn’t feel like a real interview until then.

I looked down at my portfolio and when I looked up, I caught Tre staring at me. Our eyes locked and there was so much intensity that he immediately looked away. Turning his head toward his father, he watched as the older Mr. Franklin shuffled through papers until he landed on my resume.

“We apologize for the hold up, Ms. Jones,” Tre said as if we were no longer on a first name basis. His face was expressionless as he regarded me with impersonal professional courtesy. “It’ll just be one more minute.”

“I’m ready when you are, son,” Mr. Franklin stated, grabbing a pen from his pocket.

Tre didn’t look at me. “Ms. Imani Jones,” he began, pausing for a second as he pulled out one of the papers in the stack in front of him. “You have an impressive resume. You’ve worked with one of the biggest clothing lines in the country and you’ve worked with a fast-food chain, but it looks like this would be your first time working with the financial world.” His eyes flicked up and his tongue ran from one side of his mouth to the other. “What do you think you could bring to Franklin Financial that other social media managers cannot?”

Even though Tre asked the question, because of the way he looked at me, I focused my attention on the older Mr. Franklin. The brief reprieve from staring into Tre’s eyes allowed me to gather my thoughts. Sitting up a little straighter, I felt professionalism wash over me.

“Franklin Financial has been a competitor within the corporate space,” I started. “But as you are moving into the private wealth management sector, you want to be more viable, accessible, and relatable to individuals. I’m not worried about what other social media managers can do for you”—I paused, shifting my gaze to Tre— “and you shouldn’t be either.”

Tre sat back in his chair, a smile playing on his lips. “Oh?”

---