Her Billionaire's Reckoning

22. Workplace dilemma

"Okay," I said, moving to the chair and sitting on it, feeling on edge as I did.

I peeked behind me and Miss Jennings stood there with the same stone-cold expression. On the other hand, Miss Gabrielle in front of me had a warm expression.

Then did I hear about the two differently?

"Please do feel comfortable, Miss Wells," Boss continued. "I recently had a look at your profile, and it seems you've been working very hard for the past four years since you started working here."

"Yes, yes ma'am," my heart skipped a beat as I found myself nodding to her words, hoping the conversation would lead in the direction I hoped it would.

"Well, recently, there has been an opening for the position of manager and I think you are most suitable for that position," she said, and my eyes opened in surprise. "From now on, you have been promoted to manager for a special task. All the team members have been chosen except for the position of assistant," she continued, and I gaped at her.

Finally! All the effort I had put into this company is finally paying off! I am finally getting recognized for my talents!

Now I can finally move into a bigger apartment and maybe get myself a brand-new car!

"I trust you can find someone capable of filling that position?"

"Yes?" I was snapped out of my excited glee. But instead of repeating what she said, she quirked up an eyebrow and I felt like a fool for not focusing.

"I mean, yes, sure. You can certainly rely on me to do a good job," I said confidently.

"Good. All is done then," the boss relaxed back in her chair, pushing a file towards me and I took it. "I hope to see some progress in a week's time."

"Yes ma'am. I promise I won't disappoint you," I stood up with the file hugged to my chest.

"Mhmm," the boss smiled, gesturing for me to leave.

Excusing myself, I turned on my heel and exited the office, carefully closing the door behind me before letting out a "YES!" with my fist punched into the air.

Regaining my composure but maintaining my happy expression, I walked back to my department, all the while humming and daydreaming about how my life is finally changing for good.

I was brought back to reality when someone stood in front of me and wouldn't move. I looked at the person, and it was none other than Christine.

"I heard the boss called for you," she snorted, and I resisted the urge to call her a b*tch queen bee. "You didn't make any trouble, did you. Something good is about to happen to some of us. I certainly hope you don't ruin it, so you better watch your behavior."

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes and walked around her. Today is too good a day to mind people like her.

Walking to my cubicle, I saw that Erin wasn't in hers.

I dropped the file on my desk before sitting down. I opened the file and started going through it.

"COMPANY TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE INITIATIVE." I read out the title on the first page. Slowly I went through all the details, understanding what it was all about and making notes of things I needed to add to it, hundreds of ideas already going through my head.

The project was to end in six months' time, which meant I had six months to prove myself.

'TEAM MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT'

I read the title before opening to the next page. All members of the team were already written, except that, when my eyes fell on the names at the top, my heart sank down in my stomach as I saw what was written there.

The names, Declan Dean and Christine Perry, were stroked out with a pen and right on top of Declan's name was mine written in ink, Kimberly Wells.

I flipped through the file, again and again, hoping that this was all a joke and I would find another piece of paper where someone's name wasn't stroked out and replaced with mine.

"This can't possibly be the promotion Erin was talking about," I let out an audible gasp, my eyes widened as my hands moved to close my mouth.

"Did someone call my name?" Erin's voice came, and I stood up, startled. "Kim, you are back. What happened? And why do you look like you have seen a ghost? Did something happen at the boss' office? Kim! Tell me what's wrong. You keeping quiet is keeping me worried," Erin worriedly bombarded me with a bunch of questions and I stood there, not knowing how to answer her.

How could I possibly tell Erin that the job meant for Declan was given to me instead?

"Oh! And what is that file? It isn't the one I gave you earlier, is it?" Erin moved to take the file and I quickly blocked her from doing it, standing between her and my desk. I held the file behind my back so she wouldn't think of taking it.

Erin stared at me like I had grown another head.

"What's with all the fuss going on here?" Declan said, appearing in front of us.

Why does this guy have the habit of going around doing work hours? Now that I think about it, if he is always going around and talking to other people, how does he ever get his work done?

"You didn't get sacked, did you?" Declan laughed. "You certainly look like you are in some sort of trouble. But don't worry. Once I get promoted, I can put in a good word for you, and maybe you can join my team as my secretary." Declan laughed at his own joke as he turned around and left.

How did I never notice that this guy was a self-conceited jerk?

"You didn't get fired from your job, did you?" Erin looked at me, worried and my expression softened.

"Come," I grabbed her arm with one hand while the other hand held the file. I pulled her away to a secluded place.

It was our resting area, which had a small cabinet and fridge for the kitchen, some chairs and futons and a locker.

I closed the door before turning to look at Erin, who looked worried.

"Erin," I called her name softly. "I HIT THE JACKPOT!" I let out all of my excitement in one sentence.

"The jackpot? You mean you won the lottery?"

"No! Even better, I finally got a promotion!"

Erin's eyes widened in surprise as she let out a squeal, grabbing my hands and jumping around.

"Hey, quiet. There's something more about it," I said in a hushed tone.

"A better salary?"

"No!" I said in a more serious tone. "Look," I opened the file with the list of members, showing and explaining to Erin the names that were canceled and replaced with mine and the vacant assistant position that I got to choose.

"Kim, I am so happy for you," Erin said, almost bursting with tears. "I can't believe the two of us can finally get a rest. Now we are finally getting promoted."

"Yeah?" I looked at Erin, dumbfounded.

I know that as my friend, she is happy for me to finally get promoted. But how does that equal the two of us getting promoted?

"You are choosing me as your assistant, right?" Erin said, wiping what would be described as 'tears of happiness'. "I am so glad to be your friend right now. There's no way we are letting those two bitches getting that promotion anyway, right friend?" Erin said, and I stared at her, the realization finally sinking in.

When the boss said I could choose my own assistant, I definitely didn't think much about it, but now that I am faced with making that decision, how could I choose a less capable member for my team when this is an opportunity for me to climb up the ladder of success?