Chapter 11: Thickskinned
576 Words
Ashley initially thought that Robert Smith was just another employee.
She didn’t expect that it’d be this difficult to get to see him.
Since she had already come all the way here, she was definitely not leaving until she met him.
She didn’t say anything more to the staff at the front desk, and instead walked to the resting area nearby and took a seat as she waited for Robert to knock off.
Seeing that she refused to leave, the two female employees began mocking her.
“How thickskinned…”
“President Smith has never been appealed by women. So what if she looks a little pretty? President Smith would never be interested in a woman like her.”
***
Mike went downstairs to settle some matters.
As he walked past the front desk, a female employee called out to him.
“Mr. Mike, this poor and pedantic lady came looking for President Smith. We’ve already told her that President Smith wouldn’t meet her if she didn’t have an appointment, but she’s just being annoying and refusing to leave. She’s been sitting there for two hours, and we’re worried that she’s tarnishing our image by putting up here. Should we get someone to chase her out?”
The employee glanced in Ashley’s direction as she said that.
Jealousy filled her eyes.
Although she appeared poor, she was undeniably pretty.
It upset her.
“Someone’s looking for President Smith?”
Mike looked towards the resting area and saw Ashley. He froze for a moment.
Then, a look of shock appeared on his face.
That woman… wasn’t she Miss Ashley that President Smith got him to check on?
What was she doing here?
Seeing that Mike’s expression changed, the employee at the front desk thought that he was unhappy with Ashley’s hanging around too. She was full of conviction now. “I’ve never seen someone so shameless.”
Mike watched for a few more seconds before approaching her.
He made a phone call.
“President Smith, that Miss Ashley is here at the office. She says she wants to see you.”
The reply was cold and serious, “Miss Ashley, who?”
“Ashley Hill.”
“Her?” Robert was surprised.
“Yes. President Smith, would you like to see her? I heard she’s been waiting for two hours.”
There were a few seconds of silence.
“Bring her up.”
“Yes, President Smith.”
He hung up and walked to Ashley.
He politely called her, “Miss Ashley.”
Ashley looked up and saw the pleasant man in a suit. She was caught off guard. “You are…”
Mike said, “I’m President Smith’s assistant. I heard you’re looking for him?”
Ashley stood up. “Yes, I’m looking for Robert Smith… No, President Smith, to discuss something. Could you take me to him?”
She pleaded with him with eyes that said she was afraid of his rejection. She added, “I just need ten—no, five minutes. I won’t take too much of his time.”
Mike nodded and smiled. “President Smith has agreed to see you. Miss Ashley, please come with me.”
***
As they watched Ashley enter the elevator, the expression of the front desk staff changed drastically.
“What’s going on, aren’t we supposed to chase her out?”
“Mr. Mike actually took her up? Could she really know President Smith personally?”
- Writer
