Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
My phone pings, and I look to see a text from Asher.
Asher: How’s the day going?
Me: You must have ESP because I was thinking about you . . .
Asher: Oh, yeah? This I’ve got to hear . . .
I reread that last text I sent, cringing at the way it might come across. Lily and my mom have burrowed so deep in my head that I’m now freaking out that I’m sending mixed signals. It sucks. I’ve never worried about this sort of thing with Asher. I’ve always been myself and said whatever I wanted without thought. Now, I’m analyzing everything.
Me: Well . . . less about you and more about sending you a selfie of my new desk.
Me: I HAVE A DESK!!!!!!
Asher: That’s a lot of exclamation points. This desk must be special . . .
Me: It is! I already got a promotion!
I arrived ten minutes before seven, and Shelby met me at the door. She ushered me into an office and said it was mine if I wanted it. Not a cubicle like I was originally given, but an actual office.
Asher: What the hell? How did you manage that?
Me: Let’s get together and chat.
Asher: For sure!
Me: I’ll text you later.
I put my phone down, eager to use these last few minutes before the all-staff meeting to go over my new position. Instead of being one of five analysts, working little jobs for many accounts, I’m the lead advertising analyst for a new client that Cavendish picked up.
She couldn’t disclose who the account was until after the president, Charles Cavendish, announced it to the execs, but she assured me it was a huge opportunity. One that could lead to a much bigger role, a lot sooner than expected.
The only caveat is that I’m unable to meet the account manager—my new boss—as interviews are still underway. The thought of taking a job before meeting the person I’ll spend most days with is a little disconcerting. What if I don’t like him or her?
I shake off that thought, eager to make this work. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The pay is double what I was originally offered, and the experience is crucial for further opportunities.
It’s an exciting working environment.
My door is open, and I can hear people talking, phones ringing, and ideas floating. It’s exactly what I hoped for.
There’s a knock on my doorframe, and I look up in time to see Shelby.
“How’s it going so far?” she asks, taking a step inside the door.
I offer a smile and motion for her to take a seat across from me. She doesn’t need to ask permission, of course, but it seemed like the right thing to do.
She smiles wide and takes the offered seat.
“So far, so good,” I say. “For the most part.”
She raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “For the most part?”
I fold my hands on my desk and lean in. “I’ve researched my new position as much as I can, and now, I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to be doing.”
I’ve just clicked on random folders and opened my desk drawers a million times, trying to at least look busy for the past thirty minutes.
She nods. “Once the meeting is over, you’ll be watching HR modules for the rest of the day,” she offers. “We’ve also promised Mr. Keller that he could use you until we’re able to fill your role.” She grimaces but quickly schools her face back into neutral.
It’s obvious that Mr. Keller isn’t well-liked around here. I dodged a bullet by not having him as my superior, which, come to think of it, could be the reason some have been prickly toward me. I can’t blame them. He’s not the friendliest of men.
He was tasked with getting me situated in my office. He spent about five minutes pointing out various things and then stormed from the room, barking orders at everyone in earshot. They all seem a little afraid of him, and it’s no wonder.
“They’re ready for the meeting,” Mr. Keller barks from the other side of the door. He completely ignores Shelby, directing his next words to me. “I’d like you to take notes. As head of our division, it’s important for me to remember everything that goes on, and as head of the division, I simply cannot listen adequately and take notes. I’ll have to rely on you, despite the fact you’ve been here for two seconds.”
His disdain is evident, but I don’t let it get me down.
Plastering on the biggest, brightest smile I can muster to the cranky, old man, I nod my head. “I’ll do my absolute best, Mr. Keller.”
The corner of his lip tips up in what looks like more of a sneer than anything else, but I don’t let my smile drop. He practically growls and walks away.
I notice that he likes to use the words “head of the division” as often as he possibly can. Completely unnecessary since I’m not his direct report, so he has no need to enforce his authority over me. But men like him use fancy titles to compensate for other lacking areas.