Meeting
1211 Words
Arias pov***
The meeting moved on, but the energy in the room had shifted.
No one dismissed my suggestion.
Instead, they built on it.
The Vice President of Guest Experience was already outlining new training initiatives while Marketing discussed ways to highlight personalized service across Sinclair’s properties.
I returned to my notes, writing quickly to keep up with the conversation.
Occasionally, Lucien asked a question.
Sometimes he challenged an idea.
Other times, he simply listened.
What struck me most was that he never spoke just to fill the silence. Every question had a purpose. Every decision moved the discussion forward.
Nearly an hour later, he closed the leather folder in front of him.
“I think we’ve accomplished everything on today’s agenda.”
He looked around the table.
“Thank you for your time.”
Almost instantly, chairs scraped against the hardwood floor as executives gathered their laptops and tablets.
Conversations started up again.
“I’ll have that proposal by Thursday.”
“I’ll send the revised projections this afternoon.”
“Safe flight to Chicago.”
I slipped my notebook into my planner and zipped my portfolio closed.
Not bad.
My first executive meeting was officially behind me.
I stood, ready to follow everyone else out, when Lucien’s voice cut through the room.
“Miss Monroe.”
I looked up.
“Yes, Mr. Sinclair?”
He was already gathering his own things, sliding a fountain pen into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
“My office.”
He glanced at his watch.
“Now, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.”
He gave a polite nod before walking out, leaving me standing beside my chair.
The room suddenly felt… quieter.
I became aware of a few curious glances.
One executive paused while slipping on his suit jacket.
Another exchanged a look with the woman beside him.
Neither of them said a word.
They didn’t have to.
I was the new assistant.
I’d been there less than two hours.
And the CEO had just asked to see me privately.
I adjusted the strap of my portfolio on my shoulder and headed toward his office, trying not to overthink it.
Had I forgotten something?
Missed a note?
Was there another assignment?
By the time I reached the executive hallway, Lucien’s office door was already open.
He stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, one hand tucked into the pocket of his trousers, the other holding a tablet as he finished reading an email.
Without turning around, he said,
“Close the door behind you, Miss Monroe.”
I did.
The soft click echoed through the office.
Only then did he turn to face me.
His expression was unreadable.
He studied me for a moment before the faintest smile appeared.
“You handled yourself well in there.”
The compliment caught me off guard.
“Thank you.”
The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable.
It was… deliberate.
“As I’m sure you’ve already realized,” he said, walking around the front of his desk, “working on the executive floor is a little different from the rest of the company.”
“I gathered that.”
He nodded once.
“It also requires flexibility.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.”
“I’m glad.”
He reached for a folder lying neatly on his desk and handed it to me.
“Go home.”
I blinked.
“…I’m sorry?”
“Pack a bag.”
I stared at him.
“A bag?”
“You’ll need enough for four or five days.”
I was certain I’d misheard him.
He continued as though he’d asked me to pick up coffee.
“And don’t forget your passport.”
“My… passport?”
“Yes.”
"You have a passport, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Good."
I looked at him, waiting for the explanation that never came.
Instead, he picked up his tablet again.
“We leave this evening.”
I laughed softly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sinclair…”
“I think I’m missing something.”
He looked up.
“We have business in Italy.”
Italy.
As in…
The country.
Seeing the confusion on my face, the smallest hint of amusement flickered across his expression.
“Didn’t anyone mention that during your interview?”
“I don’t think international travel came up.”
“It was in the job description.”
He folded his arms.
“As my executive assistant, you’ll accompany me whenever business requires it.”
He said it so matter-of-factly.
As though flying across the world on a few hours’ notice was perfectly normal.
“You go where I go, Miss Monroe.”
For a moment…
I simply stared at him.
“Italy?” I repeated.
“Tonight,” Mr. Sinclair confirmed.
"Sir, I started less than 4 hours ago. My desk isn't even set up yet."
"I am aware of when you started, Miss Monroe."
He said it without looking up from his tablet, thumb scrolling once, twice. Dismissive, but not unkind. Just... factual. Like my start time was a data point he had already filed away.
“I don’t even know what to pack,” I admitted with a small laugh. “Everything I own is office clothes from college, and I haven’t even gotten my first paycheck yet.”
For the first time since I’d walked into his office, Lucien looked genuinely puzzled.
“As if that explains anything.”
“It means I don’t exactly have a wardrobe for Italy.”
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he opened the top drawer of his desk.
Without a word, he pulled out a matte black envelope and slid it across the polished wood toward me.
I looked down at it.
Then back at him.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
I slipped my finger beneath the seal.
Inside was a sleek black card.
My name was embossed across the front in silver.
ARIA MONROE
Beneath it…
Sinclair Hospitality Group
I looked up, completely speechless.
“It’s a corporate card,” he said. “Use it.”
I stared at him.
“For… clothes?”
“For whatever you need.”
“I couldn’t possibly…”
“You could.”
His tone was calm, leaving little room for argument.
“You represent Sinclair Hospitality Group the moment you step off that plane.”
I looked back at the card resting in my hand.
“I don’t even know what my limit is.”
His gaze met mine.
“You don’t have one.”
The words hung between us.
“I expect you to exercise good judgment,” he continued. “Beyond that…”
He shrugged once.
“Buy what you need.”
I looked from the card…
Back to him.
This man had known me for less than four hours.
And he’d just handed me a card with no spending limit.
“Your car will be waiting downstairs.”
I blinked.
“My… car?”
“I’ve just asked James to take you shopping and home .”
Of course he had.
“Be back at the office by six .”
He returned his attention to the tablet in his hands.
“We have a flight to catch.”
- Writer
