Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Two: Coral.

With a chuckle, the woman turned around. "Very good, very—oh." There she was. Billie Dean Howard, in all her glory. What was so funny? Did she expect everyone to know her already? Probably. "You are?" That was Billie Dean's company, after all.

Billie Dean eyed Venable up and down. She was the CEO of this company; the business was called after her own name, for God's sake! Who was that redhead asking who she was with such an attitude? The asking was not the problem, but the attitude that accompanied the words. She waited for an answer, eyes avoiding the cane Wilhemina held.

Already taken aback, Venable stood up a little straighter. "I'm Venable. Wilhemina Venable. Your new Human Resources Executive. I assume you knew I was starting yesterday?" Did she? Wilhemina doubted Billie Dean had even actually read her resume.

So, she knows who I am. Billie Dean nodded. "I've read your resume. I asked them to include that information in the e-mail the company sent you, did they include it?" Billie Dean offered a hand to Wilhemina. Venable reached for it, shaking it firmly. She nodded at the question. "Good. It was very impressive."

Breaking a small smile, Wilhemina cleared her throat. "Thank you. Jenny—your assistant—showed me around yesterday."

Billie Dean had to admit she was surprised with how Wilhemina looked; given her incredible resume, she assumed the woman would be much older. Instead, she was sure they were around the same age. "Good. I asked her to. Did you get settled in well?"

Venable, on the other side, had to admit she was surprised Billie Dean seemed to actually know what was going on in her company. She had assumed Billie Dean would be just a pretty face for it all. Once again, Wilhemina nodded. "That's my table." She looked over to the right. "I'll be here if you need anything regarding my department." Venable figured she'd be smart and add that last part, making sure Billie Dean knew she was there to work on Human Resources and nothing else.

"Right. Thank you." Sensing Wilhemina wanted to be left alone, Billie Dean held the documents on her hands a little tighter. "Everyone should be arriving soon."

This time, Venable only nodded as she began getting settled on her table. She didn't want to make small talk with her boss. Billie Dean bit her inner cheek and made her way into the hall. At the end of it, passing the kitchen and the bathroom, there was a more secluded door where her office was. She didn't like being very on display while working on paperwork, scared it could intimidate her employees and make everyone nervous. As she got into her office, Jenny was there sipping on her tea and working on her phone.

"That new woman... not what I was expecting," Billie Dean said as she approached her table and set the documents down on it. Jenny looked up at her.

"Right? She's quiet."

Billie Dean nodded. She sat down on her chair and reached for her coffee. "Way younger than I thought she would be." She took a first sip, and her insides warmed up with the dark liquid. Billie closed her eyes for a second.

"You two are probably the same age," Jenny chuckled.

"Are you calling me old?" Billie Dean teased, and the girl's eyes grew in size as she quickly shook her head.

"No! I—that is not what I meant! I just—you—"

Billie Dean cut her with a laugh. "I'm messing with you. It's alright."

Jenny let out a heavy sigh, laughing softly right after. "I'm still getting used to that humor you've got going on."

"It's my charm," Billie Dean winked teasingly. She took another sip of her coffee, coral acrylic nails taping on the mug. After a second of silence, she spoke again. "Did she wear purple yesterday?"