Under His Wing
1572 Words
Connie sat nervously at her desk. Would Jason be okay by himself? Even though they are in a public space in broad daylight Jason is alone with gangsters who live by their own laws.
Connie looked at the clock, it had been around ten minutes since they separated… should she call the police!? As she nibbled her lower lip anxiously, the door to the office swung open. Connie turned to look.
“Hello. Do you have a moment to talk?”
Connie eyed Kyle suspiciously, he had acted all snooty earlier and now he was putting on a calm gentle air; he was definitely up to no good.
Connie stood up politely. “Can I help you, sir?”
Kyle smiled sweetly, “Just call me Kyle. As you know, I am Jason and Johnson’s brother.”
Half-brother… Connie coughed but didn’t bother to correct him. “Yes, I know, sir.”
“Of course, well I am here to offer you a position in my office. You’re a capable woman and I’d hate to lose you to a different department once Jason leaves.”
Connie frowned at the last statement. She never heard anything about Jason leaving the company but even if he did, the last place she wanted to be with is working for Kyle. That would be career suicide– he was the half-brother of the current CEO and based on the dynamics at the meeting today, it was clear that they were not on good terms. She had to pick her side carefully lest she find herself on the street with a pink slip in hand. Regardless, she had to navigate this conversation tactfully, Kyle was a Kensington after all, and could make her life a living hell.
“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the offer. However, I had been placed in this position by Mr. Johnson Kensington himself,” a small white lie Connie was sure he wouldn’t verify, “I must stay at this post until he reassigns me to a different position but thank you for thinking so highly of me.”
Connie bowed respectfully.
Kyle chuckled, “Don’t worry about that. I’ll see you real soon.”
And with that, Kyle left, leaving a bewildered Connie to wonder what he meant by his last statement. She didn’t have much time to think about it when the door opened again. Jason walked in with a serious expression and went to his desk.
Connie went to get him a cup of water and placed it on his desk. “Thank you for protecting me today, sir.”
Jason nodded then paused as if he was ruminating on what to say. “Of course, you work for me, I should protect you.”
Connie hesitated and wondered if she should ask him about what Kyle said earlier but decided to let Jason catch up on the work that he put off for the meeting. She could always tell him later.
***
After lunch, Connie was enjoying her usual soft-serve treat topped with peanuts as Jason walked quietly beside her. Just as the elevator door opened, Connie came face to face with the HR lady who escorted her to the CEO’s secretarial office a couple of weeks ago.
“Oh hello!” Connie smiled brightly.
The HR lady looked shocked. “I was just looking for you!” Seeing Jason she nodded politely, “Sir, I also have something to tell you as well.”
Jason nodded cooly at her and they all went into the elevator. With others present, the HR lady tactfully made small talk until they were in Jason’s office. Once Jason was seated, the HR lady started nervously.
“I am terribly sorry for the sudden request but we were given orders to have Ms. Tran transferred to the Operations Department for a short stint.”
“No.”
The HR lady and Connie both blinked at Jason’s immediate rebuff.
“Sir, this came from…”
Jason interjected coldly, “She is my PA. If you don’t have my approval, you can’t take her anyway.”
Connie lowered her head and stared at the floor. Connie didn’t want to go to Operations– that was Kyle’s turf and seeing how underhanded he was, she was certain she would be walking on nails over there. It was much safer under Jason’s wings. Unconsciously, her body shifted towards him like a leaf searching for the sun.
The HR lady sighed heavily, “I will let management know you won’t sign off on her transfer.”
Jason nodded and turned to face the computer screen, a silent dismissal. Connie quickly stepped up to smooth things over. “Let me see you out, Miss.”
As Connie walked with the HR lady to the elevator the woman stopped and looked around before whispering.
“Be careful. You’re being targeted. I’m glad Mr. Smith stood up for you back there so make sure you keep close to him. If he can no longer protect you, quit your job.”
Connie looked at her quizzically, “Why are you telling me this?”
The older woman smiled, “We’re all women. If we don’t look out for each other, who will?”
Connie felt guilty. “Will you be okay? I mean, if I don’t go with you to the new position… would that put you in a difficult position?”
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. The HR lady stepped inside as she spoke, “Don’t worry about me. I’ve taken enough heat over the years that this doesn’t even phase me anymore. It’s not a big deal.”
Connie looked at the badge clipped to the HR lady’s floral dress, “Thanks for all your help, Amanda. Let’s be friends!”
Amanda smiled and nodded as the elevator door shut.
***
“Miss Pierce, I kept you around because you are one of the most capable negotiators. Am I wrong?”
Amanda had just returned to report to Brutas. He did not even give her a chance to close his office door before he started yelling.
Amanda took a deep breath before responding. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t anticipate so much pushback from her superior. Ms. Tran is a proficient assistant and everyone was reluctant to let her go during her many internal transfers, it is no surprise Mr. Smith would act the same way.”
Brutas scoffed, “He’s only had her for what, a little over a week? How could he be so attached? I don’t care what you do, I want that little minx in the Operations department by the end of the day. Do your job or I’ll sack you.”
Amanda’s eyes flared as he spoke. The one thing she hated above all else was men who belittled and degraded women. “Sir, please do not call Miss Tran such names. It is inappropriate and punishable by corporate regulations…”
Brutas laughed and jabbed Amanda’s chest with his thick forefinger. “What are YOU going to do? Sue me? This is my company, b***h. Now go do your job!”
The corner of Amanda’s mouth twitched in anger and her hands balled into fists. The rest of the HR department came around the corner of the room to see why Brutas was yelling. Many of the female HR staff who Amanda took care of during her tenure furrowed their brows and wanted to defend her only to be held back by their male colleagues.
Amanda seethed and closed her eyes and relaxed her body. It was only a job. She had over five years of working experience as an HR supervisor, she could find a job anywhere. f**k it.
She took her badge and placed it on the desk beside Brutas and bowed her head slightly, “Thank you for all the years of experience here at Kensington Corporation but I do not believe I am a good fit here anymore. Please accept my resignation effective immediately. If nothing else, I will go to my desk and hand off my work and pack up my things.”
Brutas’ eyes bulged and his lips twitched in anger, “GET SECURITY! I want them to kick her off the premises.”
Amanda snorted as she turned to walk out of the door.
“DID NO ONE HEAR ME!? GET f*****g SECURITY!!!”
The female HR staff followed Amanda closely, “We’ll walk out with you!”
Amanda shook her head, “Don’t be silly, girls. Get back to work and don’t let Brutas see you mingling with me. Don’t be hot-headed like me and quit on the spot. Make sure you have a job lined up before you jump ship.”
A few male colleagues also tried to talk but Amanda waved them off, shaking her head in silent warning. Everyone knew how unreasonable Brutas could be so they went back to their desks quietly. Security came soon enough and they politely followed Amanda around as she handed off her work. Amanda had a favorable reputation at the company and she was familiar with most of the security guards so they gave her special treatment despite her termination.
The HR office was quiet like a tomb. Life had been bearable under Amanda’s leadership but with her gone, the buffer between them and Brutas disappeared; everyone knew life going forward would be difficult.
- Writer
