Delicate

Chapter 6. photocopiers and papers

Adam Robinson had to be the most demanding boss she ever worked with. No sooner had she stepped in the Robinson building than the pile of work got stocked for her.She between scheduling for meetings,having board meetings and all the signing of paperworks she was sure she worked for sixteen hours. Portfolios ,stock reports ,bond liabilities had been the main theme in the board room lately. Graphs and spreadsheets on losses and profits had graced on the department's desks. The last two weeks her life had became a cycle of her bed ,the bathroom and the office. She even had her food in the office.

Apparently Ben had decided to stay longer. She no longer had time for her friends and even her mum's blind dates. She even had to start booking double meetings to stay ahead of her deadlines. The weekends that used to be a holy time for her had to be sacrificed for work.

The only sights and sounds in the sales department were , computer screens, people chatting on phones, messages pinging,emails bombing, phones buzzing and photocopier whirring. There were no longer any office gossips or office affairs. In any case it seemed everyone was caught up in some competition trying to out do each other. Sam had her own plan which was to prove to Mr Robinson that she could achieve whatever she set her mind to.

However one fine morning she got the call. She was in her office tired and cranky when her secretary called.

“What?" she barked. She instantly felt bad. Miss Morris was on jolly woman who had to deal with her bitchy attitudes of late. The pressure was weighing her down.

“You have a call from the head office should I connect it?" the poor woman asked nervously.

“I am sorry Cathy ,please do that," she replied this time her tone a lot more softer. Going psycho on her colleagues wasn't helping her .

“Samantha Williams this is April Johnson, I am Mr Robinson secretary "

“Yes ,how may I help you?"

“Mr Robinson personal assistant resigned."

“Okay?"

She honestly could care less who quit or who continued working. Since he came he had set a frenetic pace at the Robinson Enterprises. Hardly anyone could keep up with that.

“His assistant had worked with his grandfather for a long time he had a clear view of the company's running. With how things are I am not sure I would find someone quite as capable as her. "

Samantha stood and walked to her large windows she didn't reply as she watched traffic. She had heard rumors that the pa and Mr Robinson went way back. They were supposed to be childhood friends.

“Mr Robinson is a brilliant CEO. His workers should share his vision for his company. Any misconduct can lead to severe consequences especially in this fragile states of the company. Any personal matters should be kept outside the workplace."

Samantha wondered what the secretary was all about. If they wanted to poach someone from sales they could just do so. It would mean better prospects for them. Even better than her own.

“I am just the assistant manager at sales,you could just clarify what you are saying,it would easier."

“ Mr Robinson intends to cleanse the company from inside out only the best will stay. We expect new hirings in every department. I can't think of anyone else who would take the task as it is rather hectic. I had you are very good,so would you like to be Mr Robinson's pa?"

“You want me to baby sit a grown man. I can certainly juggle eleventh hour updates of sales but I hardly know anything about being an assistant."

There was a long silence on the other side and for a moment Sam almost had a sigh of relief thinking that the woman had given up.

“ Mr Robinson is a very skilled and smart man. He is a genius in this field and also quite eccentric. He is also an incredibly good looking guy. What he really needs in an assistant is not just someone who knows his schedule by heart but someone with a smart mind and quick decision skills. A few people cannot see him without having a nose bleed. You are the in person he needs."

Well she had a point.

“Working with him could also be a blessing in disguise. Instead of viewing it as a standpoint in your career ,it could easily be a learning opportunity."

Sam was quite for a moment as she looked onto the city's smog.

“One condition though,if working with Mr Robinson is unpleasant I could go back to my old post,also double the pay ." She knew she deserved what she was asking for.

Sam could swear she had the woman sigh of relief when she answered next.

“Welcome to the board. Do you have any questions?"

“When do I start?"

“Tomorrow morning."

“Tomorrow that is fast."

“We don't have the luxury to wait Miss Williams. "the secretary answered good naturedly.

“Okay ma'am"she replied and the call was disconnected. She looked around her office. She had made this space to suit her tastes until it becane her niche. The only good thing she considered about having the PA postion was probably the pay.

Remembering the last time she met the she could not help but shiver. She was convinced that the man was a lunatic,a very good looking lunatic. She sat on her chair as she stretched.

She had started working at Robinson as an intern. She had risen the ranks slowly but steadily her hard work paying off. This is where her work and brain muscle counted more than how short her skirt was or her much clivage she showed. If the company was in a twist she was willing to step in and give a hand. After all she knew what she brought to the table.

She loved sales. It was her passion. Now she felt like she had just ventured into human resource. She loved the high of dealing with investor problems. She now had to deal with her bosses mess .

The evening was going to be a long. Sam looked at her desk that had been buried in piles and piles of papers. She sighed and rumbed her temple's. She set down to do all the work.

She was completely absorbed in her work save the occasional head that popped on her door. When she realised her late it was the whole department was so quiet that the silence rang on her ears.

She packed her suitcase with the essentials. She fiqured Miss Morris would pack the rest for her.