Behind the CEO

Chapter 4

"Here we are, Ms. Anderson." Julius said to Taylor Anderson once he pulled into her personal parking spot.

"Thank you for stating the obvious, Julius." Taylor harshly replied as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Julius swallowed hard then cleared his throat nervously. He opened his door and stepped out so that he could open hers. When he did, he saw Taylor staring down at her left hand. Her ring finger, she stared down at the ring. Julius couldn't make out how she was feeling. There was no emotion on her face. He wasn't sure if she was happy, sad, upset, or mad. He thought about asking if everything was okay, but decided against it. She was Taylor Anderson for crying out loud, he figured that she'd be alright no matter what.

"Am I taking you to lunch today, Ms. Anderson?" Julius kindly asked then closed the door.

"Mr. Carter will let you know." Taylor said unlocking her phone.

"Yes, ma'am." Julius nodded. "Have a good day." Taylor walked away from Julius without a word. She walked briskly to the front entrance of the Parkwood Construction Co. building.

Taylor opened the glass door and was immediately greeted by the front desk receptionist. "Good morning, Ms. Calloway." Taylor replied as she walked passed the desk to get to the elevators.

Taylor's office was on the fifth floor. She expected to see her assistant at his own desk across from her corner office. Instantly, Taylor frowned but said nothing. She figured that he was getting her coffee or something to that nature. She walked to her office and removed her black blazer. It hung in the portable mahogany wood closet. When she sat in her chair behind her desk, she noticed her assistant walking over.

"Ms. Anderson." Jonathan called breathlessly. Taylor looked at his empty hands and rolled her eyes. It was crystal clear that he was late.

"What time is it, Mr. Carter?" Taylor asked, already knowing the answer.

"Uuhh.." Jonathan felt around his body for his cell phone. He didn't wear a watch, so his phone was very crucial. "Nine fifteen."

"And what time you are supposed to be here?"

"Nine o'clock- well, fifteen minutes before. Eight forty- five!" Jonathan rambled causing Taylor to roll her eyes again.

"You were late to your interview, and now you're thirty minutes late on the first day? You said that you wanted to work and learn from me-"

Jonathan sighed sadly. "I'm sorry, Ms. Anderson, but there was an accident on the freeway so there was traffic-"

"I don't want excuses, Mr. Carter." Sternly, Taylor told him and he wanted to frown and argue. A traffic accident would be unexpected and completely out of his control, but he remained quiet. He needed this job, he had no choice. "I want you here on time. Eight forty-five and not a minute later. And don't ever cut me off when I'm speaking. Understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Jonathan nodded his head. "It won't happen again." He said for a matter of fact. He stood in front of his boss waiting for some type instruction. He felt awkward as his boss just stared at him.

"Well, are you just going to stand here?" Taylor asked rudely. "Or are you going to go get my coffee?"

"Yes, Ms. Anderson." Jonathan said before leaving her office. He rushed over to the lounge break room to make the coffee. As fast as he possibly could, Jonathan made it back to Ms. Anderson office. She was tough to work for but with coffee in her system, it made working for her a tad bit easier.

"What is this?" She questioned as she looked into the cup.

"Medium roast, with french vanilla, five shakes of sugar." Jonathan answered simply and waited for her to taste it. She eyed him before lifting the cup to her lips to sip it.