Watching You

25|Stepping on Toes

Harry's pov

I strode the lift

As I stepped in I put a hand over the slot for the door so it wouldn't close

Someone had nabbed Alexis as soon as she stepped out of her office

The woman was talking to Alexis as she slowly but surely made her way toward the lift

"Yes that sounds great I'm more than happy to come thank you" Alexis smiled

"Awesome I'll text you!" The woman smiled following her still

"Okay!" Alexis slipped into the lift with me I pressed our floor "I'm sorry" she apologized

"It's fine" I really didn't care if I had to wait around while Alexis talked to someone, as long as I didn't have to join the conversation

We walked to the conference room I held the door open for her she smiled at me as a thank you "Good morning everyone!" She greeted she went to take her usual seat (the one to the right of my chair) but it was taken

"Up" I said to the man in her chair he looked at me confused as I sat down so I clarified "get up and move"

He stood up looking between the other members of his team and me he moved too slowly so I took the chair from behind him to prove a point he sat the the end of table I moved the chair back gesturing Alexis to sit which she did pulling the skirt of her dress down crossing her legs then opening her laptop

The meeting started we were discussing the company budget and I didn't recall hiring such ruthless morons they wanted to cut back on nearly everything

No more fresh flowers for the vases in the entrance (bought from George's husband's floral shop), limit the coffee supply to 1 or 2 days a week instead of everyday, get rid of most of the lunch options, and cut back on maternity leave

I could see Alexis making faces

They finished their proposal and honestly the numbers were there but the ideas were laughable

"20,000 dollars plus some saved total per year if you follow these guidelines and cut expenses"

"I'd rather pay the 20,000 dollars" I shrugged

One of the men groaned "sir with all due respect we don't need any of that"

"Let's start from the most ridiculous thing you've said- maternity leave is not up for any kind of debate and it shouldn't be lumped in with flowers and coffee"

"You give 6-8 months of maternity leave while other companies-"

"I said it's not up for debate" I cut him short "who came up with these items?" I motioned down the list

"I did" an older man raised his hand ,who's name I couldn't recall not because I didn't know but because I didn't care

"And do you all agree with everything on this list?" No one answered or even dared meet my gaze I looked at Alexis "what do you think?"

"I think is the stupidest meeting I've ever attended"

"The stupidest really?" The head of the team mocked

"Most unnecessary, ruthless, dazed, and ill willed meeting I've ever attended how is that? Does that fit your lack of tastes?" She bit back

"You don't know the first thing about business" he sat back in his chair

"No? I've worked here going on about a year now accompanying the CEO to all his meetings and reading through nearly all his contracts I know business but what you've presented is not business it's snobby and uncouth this is a million dollar office with luxury jobs you work here to get the great benefits, the coffee every morning, and the hand crafted lunches it's little things like that and seeing those flowers every morning when you walk in that remind you of the fact this is indeed a flourishing million dollar opulent company, and frankly the only thing I'm seeing that can be cut from the budget that would make sense is your job"

I could hold back a chuckle at her response it was spot on as always

"You're only here because the boss fucks you" was his comeback

I cocked an eyebrow "I'm sorry" I stood "what was that?" He didn't answer which was the best thing he could have done

"no? You didn't say anything?" I looked at Alexis "I think your argument was by far the most compelling so we're going with your proposal"

"What was her proposal?" Another man asked

"Head of your division is fired there we are one less salary to pay that's a decent cut" I clapped "next time you call for a meeting to discuss the budget I want an actual list of viable cost reductions not a money hungry cash grab for loose ends"

"You can't fire me" the head man gasped hopping out of his seat

"I already have" I started toward the door signaling to everyone this meeting was over

Alexis stood packing up her laptop "And I'm not fucking anyone I'm just intelligent... but you wouldn't know what that's like" she shrugged "I mean hopefully a 7/11 is hiring around here I'm sure you could help with their budget" she gave him a pitiful smile

I laughed at his red face he acted like he'd buck up to her but he knew better than to actually try that shit "you've had your fun let's go" I called her toward the door

"Fun? But I barely got to hurt his feelings" she stomped

"I dunno he looks as if he wants to cry" I chuckled holding the door open for her we stepped out together

I took her hand as we walked back to the lift "I think I'll leave them floundering for awhile before I promote someone to head of the division"

"I like that idea" Alexis hummed "I think maybe we could put someone in to evaluate then to see who's best... I was also thinking maybe Jupiter could join them she's very intelligent and she is currently working in the billing department"

"Is that the woman you've had lunch with a few times?"

"Yes" she nodded

"Alright I'll look over her credentials"