The New Director
1116 Words
SIX YEARS LATER
I was happy to resume the day's work as an estate lead supervisor at Mercury Gardens and Suites. Olivia had introduced me to her director as her coursemate in business school and best friend who once worked at the defunct Orange Magazine in California as a director.
She had presented me in a good light as a corporate marketer who could speak to and convince both foreign and local expatriates to partner with the company. I didn't have to go through the rigorous exercises of the interview, I simply began as Mercury Gardens professional Agent.
Within a year of being a professional agent I have closed deals with 5 foreign estate companies and 6 nongovernmental organizations. I moved two cadres upwards to the position of a Master Agent which I maintained for two years before climbing to the next level of a junior team supervisor.
Today being my first day at work resuming as a lead supervisor, my first duty was to receive the new director assigned to Mercury Gardens and Suites. I made sure to look my best—like a fashion goddess.
I stood shoulders high when I arrived at the office. My heels didn't fail to click on the tiles, making my presence unavoidably noticable. I glanced at my reflection through the transparent slide glass, my yellow three buttoned suit lapped my shoulders perfectly with my boobs creating a balanced demarcation.
I hadn't taken breakfast but my trousers fitted perfectly on my waist, slightly revealing my curved contour. The excitement of starting a new role in just six years was enough to fill my stomach.
As I walked in Mr Dan, the director who would be leaving today cheered at me in amazement.
“You look gorgeous Karen”.
“Compliments accepted Director”, I giggled.
“I would prefer Mr Dan, Karen as you would soon have a new Director”, he emphasized.
“Till we meet the new Director, you remain our director”, I chuckled as we walked to the elevator with him following by my side.
We got into the elevator and I stepped out on the third floor, where my office was, while Mr Dan continued to the fourth floor which was also the last floor.
Walking into my office, it was the first office on the right wing, it was an open space with a wooden center table and a desktop connected to its processing unit. The Air condition wasn't on but I felt the cozy atmosphere. I walked over the table to the armchair and noticed the smart TV hanging opposite the table.
“You love your new office, don't you?” Olivia echoed from behind me.
“Of course I do,” I breathed out, still looking at the office facilities in bewilderment.
“I hope you don't get to sleep off while working”, she mocked.
I mopped at her for a second but didn't respond. Rather, I checked the drawer by the table to see what's inside.
I understood why she had said that. The first and second floor always had interruptions and lots of activities going on during the day. From the heavy studs and footsteps of the workers and clients to the multiple keyboard tapping sounds.
The third floor where my office is seemed like the distance from the earth to space, leaving all its noise behind and feeling the quiet serenity of space. But I had worked hard to get to this position and wouldn't ruin it by sleeping on duty.
“If you do need anything, you know whom to call”, she mumbled and got out without another glance at me.
I lifted my eyes from the third drawer to say alright but she was gone. I gave a long breath out and sat down. I felt comfortable on the chair with its soft leather massaging my back.
I kept musing about the comfortability of the armchair and my office when Mr Dan opened the office door, poked his face and requested that I join him to meet the new director. I got up immediately and trailed after him.
I joined him before he stepped into the elevator. As we got out of the elevator Dan halted to look at me then said, “You never asked about his name”, and resumed walking to the reception.
“My bad”, I apologized, walking quickly to meet his pace. He turned to face me for a second and mumbled.
“Justin Jones”.
“Noted”, I echoed.
He was already seated at the reception when we resurfaced. He got up the moment he saw us coming and walked towards us stretching his hands for a handshake.
“Pleased to meet you Daniel Derek”, he smiled revealing his blinding set of white teeth.
“Pleased to meet you too Justin Jones”.
His voice sounded familiar. He stretched his hands offering me a handshake. “Pleased to meet you too”, he smiled, holding tight to my hands.
“I’m Justin Jones and you are?” he asked, peering deep into my eyes like he searched for something hidden.
As his hands clung to mine and his gaze pierced into mine, I remembered who he was. I remembered those piercing tender eyes filled with lust that night. As I shook his hands I recalled how gentle his touch were, but he seemed not to recognize me.
“I'm Karen Klein”, I almost stuttered.
To a large extent I wasn't bothered that he didn't recognize me. I was a little excited as it would help me work effectively. Mr Dan led the way to Justin's office and I followed behind till we got there.
After settling into the office, Mr Dan had a pep talk with Justin, handed over important files to him and got up to leave. I also stood up to join him when Justin called out. “Karen Klein, can I have a word with you?”
“You may sit, if you don't mind”, he requested. I resumed my seat not knowing what to expect hoping whatever he had to say would have to do with the company.
“Have we met before?” he asked, those piercing eyes of his flickering from my hair to my lips.
“I'm not sure,” I replied, holding my breath for a second. “Do I look familiar?”
“I’m not sure but we can discuss that over some bottles of drinks outside of work”, he replied and straightened himself on his chair.
- Writer
