New Desk
1684 Words
Connie dashed back to the secretarial office and collapsed in her chair.
“It’s over,” she groaned, slapping her head on the desk.
Lora glanced over, “What happened?”
“Mr. Kensington hated the coffee I made and it looks like he was about to sack me before his guest saved me. Do you think they’ll still give me the promotion bonus if I’m fired today?”
Lora chuckled, “It couldn’t have been that bad. How many scoops of beans did you put into the grinder?”
“Four like you told me.”
Lora scratched her head. “That’s odd. It should be fine. Hold on, show me the size of the scoop you used…”
Connie gestured with her hands, “It was about this big.”
Lora’s eyes widened, “ARE YOU INSANE?! That’s the ice scooper! I can’t believe how,” she cut off seeing Connie’s eyes water, “oh, never mind. Don’t let it bother you. I’m sure he wouldn’t sack you over a pot of poison. You should probably go tell Darren though, he likes to know things before the boss blows up on him.”
Connie nodded sullenly and walked over to Darren’s office. She breathed out low and slow and knocked on his doorframe.
“Yes?” Darren looked up.
“Sir, I made a mistake and came to let you know in advance before I get sacked.”
Darren scowled, “What happened?”
Connie swallowed hard and just blurted it all out in one go. “I accidentally used the ice scooper to measure the coffee beans and then Mr. Kensington wanted to scream bloody murder but his guest saved me and now I think I’m about to be sacked. I’m really sorry! I don’t drink coffee so I don’t know how to make it but I’m willing to learn!”
Darren snorted then started to chuckle, “Serves him right. He wanted strong coffee, I hope that was strong enough for him. Hmph. Don’t worry about it. Go back to your desk. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Connie blinked rapidly, “Really? I won’t get sacked?”
Darren waved his hand absently, “No, you won’t be sacked now get back to work.”
His phone rang and he looked down to see the caller ID. “Speak of the devil. Close the door on your way out.”
Connie closed the door as Darren picked up the phone. She couldn’t believe her luck.
Lora smiled, “It wasn’t a big deal right?”
Connie nodded and sat down. Before her seat got warm, Darren called her back into his office.
“Starting from today, you’ll be supporting Jason Smith. Go delegate your current work and come to my office with your laptop. I’ll brief you on your new duties.”
Connie trembled, “Sir, am I being let go after all?”
“No, it’s just a lateral move. Make sure you say goodbye to your friends. You’ll be moving into the office next to the CEO’s.”
Connie lowered her head and went back outside. Jessica watched her curiously, “What’s going on?”
Connie sniffed, “I’m moving to a different position. Darren told me to hand off my work to you guys and I’ll be following him to my new desk. I think… they’re just stuffing me somewhere for a week or two before they give me notice.”
Lora patted her kindly, “Do you know who you are reporting to?”
“Jason Smith.”
Lora jerked at the name, “Jason Smith? Oh honey, good luck… he’s the brother of Mr. Kensington and a social recluse. He must be a character.”
Connie was on the verge of crying. “Argh! It’s all because of that damn pot of coffee!”
Lora sighed, “Well, don’t fret. Maybe he’s not that bad. You never know.”
Connie sighed again, with her luck these days, the chances of him not being a lunatic were slim to none. After reassigning her workload, she packed her things and her laptop and headed into Darren’s office. They walked across the hall and past the CEO’s suite before opening the door at the very end.
The room was similarly set like the CEO’s office except there was an extra desk off to the side.
Darren pointed to the desk, “That’ll be your new desk. Get comfortable. Mr. Smith is still meeting with Mr. Kensington but should be back shortly. You are now his personal assistant so you will be in charge of everything from scheduling to booking travel arrangements. If you have any questions in the interim, I can help. However, you are no longer in my department; you will be reporting directly to Mr. Smith. Any questions?”
Connie had a million but she was sure Darren didn’t have the time to answer them all. “Just one for now: do you have any tips on how to get along with Mr. Smith?”
“He’s a quiet man. Don’t piss him off.”
Connie wanted to faint. What kind of crap tip was that?
“Okay, thanks.”
Darren nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Connie looked around the clean but stark room and got to work unloading her box on her new desk. She hoped that Mr. Smith would be someone she could get along with.
It didn’t take long as she didn’t have much to unpack. Soon she was looking around for something to do. She grabbed a clean towel and started wiping her boss’ desk. It was then that the door opened.
Connie immediately turned around and placed her hands respectfully in front of her, bending low at her waist. “Hello, Mr. Smith. My name is Connie Tran, I’ll be your new personal assistant. I hope that we will work well together.”
“Just call me Jason,” he said while walking around her to sit at his desk.
Connie straightened up to flash her most professional smile but faltered. It was her savior from this morning. No wonder she thought the two men looked similar, they were brothers. She blinked, a little dazed.
“Uh, sir. About this morning, thank you for helping me out and I’m sorry for the awful coffee. I’ll be sure to learn how to make a proper drink.”
Jason started up his workstation, “No need. I don’t drink coffee.”
Connie pursed her lips, “Sir, is there anything you want me to do?”
Jason glanced at her and immediately looked back down, “Not today. Just take it easy.”
Connie walked back to her desk and sat down slowly. She glanced at Jason as he started typing with his long fingers. Opening up her laptop she sent a text to the secretarial chat.
Connie: Guys… I feel like a kept woman.
Lora: ???
Connie: I’m sitting here doing nothing… but I’m too scared to look idle in front of my boss.
Jessica: WTF. Get back here and take your work back!
Connie: Should I?
Lora: Ignore her. You’ll be busy soon.
Connie sighed and glanced at Jason again. She decided to be brave. “Uhm, sir, if we could just have a one-on-one where you can talk about your expectations for me in this role that would help me better support you.”
Jason looked up and met her eyes. “I’ll let you know on a case-by-case basis. I need to get acquainted with my role first and then we’ll talk about yours.”
Connie nodded and shriveled behind her laptop.
Connie: I’m scared!!! Help me!
Lora: What’s wrong? Is he bullying you?
Connie: NO! I just don’t know what he expects of me. I have nothing to do so I’m scared they just placed me here to sit around and then sack me because of bad performance! :*(
Lora: … RIP.
Connie: :*****( Friend!! Don’t be like this!
Jessica: I’ll eat a Snickers bar in your remembrance.
Connie: … you guys…
Connie sighed and started reading online articles to pass the time.
What they didn’t know was that their little chat was being monitored. Johnson and Jason were in their own online chat room.
Johnson: AHAHAHA! Kept woman. You better find something for your little secretary to do or she’s going to think you have the hots for her.
Jason: Don’t you have work to do?
Johnson: Yeah, but it’s fun to talk to you.
Jason: I don’t have time. I need to get familiar with the company.
Johnson: Alright then. But your little secretary reminded me of something. Three women in the secretarial office may try to sidle up with you. Be careful.
Jason: Do you know who they work with?
Johnson: One is sent by our old man. The other two come from rival companies. They’re mostly here to keep an eye on me and watch my moves. I haven’t caught them committing any company espionage so there’s no good reason to terminate them without alerting the ones behind them. I’ve tried to rile them up and get them to fight in the office but they’ve somehow formed an odd clique. I shudder to imagine what is going on in their heads.
Johnson waited for his brother to say something but after a long while, there was no reply.
Johnson: Hello? Aren’t you worried about my purity?!
Jason: I’m working!
Johnson: Oh okay. Well, if you have any questions, I’m just next door. Do you want to grab lunch together?
Jason: I’m going to sign off if you keep bothering me with non-work-related talk.
Johnson: Okay okay! I’m done.
Johnson smirked and got back to work. He had been fighting a war on multiple fronts for years now; his disgruntled father causing grief and the vulture-esque competitors waiting to tear him apart. It was great to have his little brother around to help him. There was a lot of clean-up work to do and for once there was hope of victory.
- Writer
