Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Morning,” I say cheerily in a soft voice. He is, indeed, on a call. His lips are pressed firmly together, and his brow is furrowed. Okay, maybe I should have listened to the receptionist when she said not to disturb the boss. “Sorry,” I whisper. “I’ll just be outside—well, at my desk.” His frown deepens. Yep. Fang alert. He stares back at me with a narrowed glare. “Okay, bye.”
I turn around.
“I’ll call you back.” The phone slams on the receiver, causing me to jump. “Miss Evans.” He says my name with such disdain.
I turn around, slapping a forced smile on my face. “Morning, Mr. Monroe.”
“Coffee.”
“Hmmm?”
“My coffee. Where is it?”
I continue to stare at him. I can’t tell if he’s joking. His deepening scowl says he isn’t. “I just got in. I wanted to say hello first. Let you know I was—”
“I don’t employ you to greet me. I employ you to get my coffee.”
I’m taken aback by his blatant disrespect. Emotion swells in my chest. “You know what. . .” I open my mouth to tell him exactly what kind of wretched person I think he is, but my mother’s face comes to mind. Having to tell her I got fired on my second day for telling the CEO off would break her heart. Not to mention, it probably wouldn’t go over well with my aunt and her church friends. So, I bite my tongue. “I was. . . just going to ask how you take your coffee?” Poison or no poison.
“I already told you. I won’t repeat myself. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Dismissing me, he reaches for the phone and hits a few buttons, bringing the receiver to his ear. I want to snatch the phone from his hand and beat him over the head.
“Anything else, Miss Evans?”
You suck. “Not a thing, Mr. Monroe,” I emphasize with the same disdain, then turn and walk out.
The next time I enter his office, I take Amy’s advice and don’t disturb him. Placing the hot mug of black coffee with a pinch of cocoa on his desk, I offer him a sweet smile and walk out. I check my personal email—still no job replies—then fire up my computer with a sigh and open my work email. “Is he for real?” I mumble, looking at the mile-long to-do list Theo sent me. Who does he expect to do all this? Me and my twelve clones? I reply back.
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: This List
Mr. Monroe,
When do you need all this completed?
Thanks,
Fay Evans
Executive Assistant to Theo Monroe
I organize my desk while I wait for him to reply. Certainly, he can’t expect me to finish all this within the week. My email dings.
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: Your job
By lunch.
Theo Monroe
CEO, Monroe Investment Corp
I chuckle. He’s kidding, right? He expects all this to be done by lunch? Maybe he just didn’t clarify which lunch.
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: Please clarify
Mr. Monroe,
Can you please be more specific? By lunch tomorrow or the following day?
Thanks,
Fay Evans
Executive Assistant to Theo Monroe
While I wait, I check my phone again. Maybe it’s not connecting to the WiFi. I check my settings when my email dings.
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: Challenge
Is this too much of a challenge for you, Miss Evans?
Theo Monroe
CEO, Monroe Investment Corp
Challenge? Challenge? I’ve been employed here for, like, eleven hours. I barely know anything besides those damn reports he had me go over. Which, I might add, he didn’t even come back and quiz me on. I scan over the first task on his list. Proof the Teller & Teller fiscal reports. Define proof. And the second task? How am I supposed to make a lunch meeting with Greg Bauer at his favorite restaurant when I don’t know who Greg is or his favorite restaurant! It’s like he wants me to fail and quit. And you know what? That’s fine with me. Screw this. I’m a chef, not an executive assistant. A job will come around sooner or later. My mom will totally understand. . .
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: Challenge this
Mr. Monroe,
I think it would be best if you scheduled the meeting yourself. And while you’re at it, choke on whatever fancy lunch you order.
Thanks,
Fay Evans
(Ex) Executive Assistant to Theo Monroe
I go to click send and hover my finger over the button. What am I doing? This is like the restaurant all over again. Sabotaging and bulldozing are all the same. I refuse to let another person force me out of a job. I may not know what the heck I’m doing, but I can learn. I already have the coffee down. If he wants a challenge, I’ll give him one.
Delete. Delete. Delete.
To: T_Monroe@MIC.org
From: Fay_Evans@MIC.org
Subject: Challenge accepted.
Mr. Monroe,
Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to meeting all your needs and completing all these tasks promptly.
Fay Evans
Executive Assistant to Theo Monroe
I click send, smiling at my reply, then re-read my response. Meeting all your needs? I squeeze my eyes shut, smacking my forehead. The door opens, and I twist with a start, finding Theo standing in his doorway.