Chapter 2
938 Words
As the board meeting wrapped up, Ava gathered her notes and quickly headed back to her office. She barely had time to catch her breath before Sophie appeared in the doorway, her expression expectant.
"How did the meeting go?" Sophie asked, though it was clear she was more focused on her own needs.
"It went well," Ava replied, gathering her things. "I'll get started on your tasks right away."
Sophie handed her a small slip of paper with the dry cleaner's address and a claim ticket. "Pick these up first. My lunch reservation is at The Ivy at 1 PM; confirm it and make sure the table is ready when I arrive. Also, my notes for the marketing campaign are in a folder on my desk. They need to be typed up and emailed to the team by 2 PM."
Ava nodded, tucking the slip of paper into her purse and grabbing her coat. "I'll take care of everything," she assured Sophie.
Her first stop was the dry cleaners, a quick taxi ride away. She handed over the claim ticket, and the clerk returned with a beautifully pressed dress and a couple of blouses. Ava paid the fee and carefully placed the garments in a garment bag to keep them pristine.
Next, she headed to The Ivy. She approached the hostess, a young woman with a welcoming smile. "Hello, I need to confirm a reservation for Sophie Lancaster at 1 PM," Ava said.
The hostess checked the list and nodded. "Yes, we have it here. Everything will be ready when she arrives."
"Thank you," Ava replied, feeling a small sense of accomplishment as she ticked off the second item on her list.
Finally, Ava returned to the office with Sophie's dry cleaning in tow. She hung the garments neatly in Sophie's private office before heading to Sophie's desk to find the marketing notes. The folder was right where Sophie said it would be, filled with handwritten notes and brainstorming sketches.
Ava sat down at her computer and began typing up the notes. She ensured every detail was captured accurately, formatting the document to match the company's professional standards. Time flew by as she worked, but she managed to finish typing up the notes and sent the email to the marketing team with a few minutes to spare.
Just as she hit 'send,' Sophie walked in, checking the time on her wristwatch. "Did you manage to get everything done?"
"Yes," Ava replied, standing up. "Your dry cleaning is in your office, the lunch reservation is confirmed, and the marketing notes have been emailed to the team."
Sophie glanced at her, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Good job," she said. "Let's see if you can keep up this pace."
Ava smiled, feeling a mix of relief and determination. She knew the day had been a test, and she had passed. But she also knew this was just the beginning of her demanding role under Dion and Sophie.
Dion and Sophie stood in Dion's office, discussing the day's events. The large windows behind them offered a panoramic view of the city skyline, but their focus was on the new addition to their team.
"She's competent," Dion remarked, leaning against his desk. "Handled the presentation materials well and got everything done on time."
Sophie nodded, but her expression remained thoughtful. "Yes, she did well today. But you know how it is here. We need to set clear expectations from the start. She needs to understand the rules."
Dion crossed his arms, considering. "You're right. Better to lay it all out now than deal with misunderstandings later."
Sophie straightened and walked to the door. "I'll call her in."
A few moments later, Ava entered the room, feeling a bit apprehensive but maintaining her composure. She had a sense that this meeting was important.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, glancing between the siblings.
"Yes," Sophie began, her tone firm but not unkind. "You've done well today, Ava. But we need to make sure you understand how things work around here."
Dion nodded in agreement. "This is a demanding environment. We expect a high level of professionalism and efficiency. Here are a few rules you'll need to follow."
Sophie took over, ticking off points on her fingers. "First, confidentiality is paramount. You'll be handling sensitive information, and we expect complete discretion."
"Of course," Ava said, nodding.
"Second," Sophie continued, "punctuality and reliability are non-negotiable. If we give you a deadline or ask for something to be done, we expect it to be completed on time and to the highest standard."
"Understood," Ava replied, her voice steady.
"Third," Dion added, "be proactive. Anticipate our needs and think ahead. Don't wait for us to tell you what to do."
Ava nodded again, taking mental notes. "Got it."
"And lastly," Sophie concluded, "maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Our reputations are on the line, and we need to know we can count on you to represent us well."
"Absolutely," Ava said, her determination evident. "I won't let you down."
Dion and Sophie exchanged a glance, then Dion spoke. "Good. We're giving you a lot of responsibility because we believe you can handle it. Prove us right."
Ava smiled, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I will. Thank you for the opportunity."
Sophie gave her a nod. "Welcome aboard, Ava. Let's get to work."
With that, Ava left the office, her mind buzzing with the new rules and the challenges ahead. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to meet their expectations and carve out her place in the Lancaster empire.
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