The 18th Floor

Chapter Three

As I skim through the contracts, he opens his laptop and starts typing as a sombre, but not awkward silence, passes over us.

I get to the last page of the contract and then see what I'm being paid. This is £10k more than what Sarah told me? Surely this is a mistake? This is only a marketing assistant role, there's no way I would be earning this much.

"Sorry, Lucien", I break the silence and he looks up at me, his eyes full of interest. "I think there's potentially a typo with the contract and my pay?", I ask as I hand him the piece of paper and he looks over it.

"No problem, all is correct", he says as he hands it back over.

I need to get better at hiding the emotions on my face because I know my shock and confusion are written all over it as he starts laughing and says, "I'm not sure where or what you have been applying to, but this is completely normal for the skills and experience I believe you have. We have the budget and to be honest, I want to increase the team as quickly as I can. I hope I'm not coming across as desperate but I know what I want, and I want you on the team Cyrene."

I suddenly feel at a loss for words. The conviction and the confidence this man holds right now, he could sell me the clothes I have on my body and I would buy them back. It suddenly becomes clear as to how he's a director at his age.

"Oh, thank you, I guess", I say as I go back to signing the papers, struggling to hide my smile. A few moments later and I've signed everything I need to and hand them back over to Lucien.

"Great, now that the paperwork is completed, I believe you said you are ok for an immediate start?", he questions me, as one of his eyebrows raises. I nod back.

"Lovely, in that case, how do you feel about starting tomorrow?"

"That sounds great." Fuck. That does not sound great I need to do a massive clothing order right now.

"Brilliant", he says. Is it just me or is he beaming?

He carries on, "as you know for this role, you'll be reporting directly to me and assisting on my projects or taking the reins when need be. I know the job title stands as a marketing assistant, but we're a small marketing team in a large corporate law firm. Everyone on the team pretty much does the same thing and I can break down the structure properly tomorrow. As of now, the team is just us two, Abbi who is working from home part-time on her maternity leave and Reid, who is another marketing assistant."

"I'm sure you've done your research on the company, but we mainly deal with high-end luxury real estate companies who need lawyers to approve their builds. Most of our customers are returning and it's only once every blue moon that we would pull in a new client. It means for the most part we're not doing any over the top attraction campaigns, but more focus on retention and why our lawyers are the best."

I'm still nodding, taking it all in. Wow, my first real adult job. Focus on breathing Cyrene, stay focused.

"Reid is in an office two doors down which he shares with Abbi. We share the other side of the floor with HR and then sales are in the floor above. The 22nd floor is still in renovation, which will be our floor hopefully in the next three months where all of us will get our own office. So, in the meantime, you'll be moving into my office here."

My heart stops. In here? With him? Subconsciously, I look around. It's not small, but it isn't exactly massive either.

He notices my eyes follow the space. "Don't worry about the space", he says as if I have voiced my thoughts out loud. "I never liked the coffee table anyway. We can take that out and set up your desk in that corner over there. Get rid of the chairs too and hopefully, that should be enough space for you?"

I'm still looking around, amazed at how quickly he is willing to give up his office space and furniture to accommodate for me before I realise, he's waiting for me to reply.

"Yes, that sounds good, but if Abbi is off on leave, would it not make sense to sit with Reid rather than go through this hassle?", I ask.

His face looks as though it hardens and he clears his voice to speak, "Abbi will be back at the end of the month, so I don't want you unnecessarily moving up and down. And also, I will be the one providing your initial training so it makes sense for you to be in here with me."

"Ok", I nod back at him. He gives me a quick run-through of the type of day I should expect tomorrow and tells me not to worry and that he will ease me in slowly.

"Any other questions?", he asks me. I shake my head and say no, as he goes to stand and walks towards the door. Where is he going?

"Well, it has been a pleasure meeting you today, Cyrene, and I cannot wait to start working with you tomorrow."

He's holding the door open for me.

I unlock the brakes on my wheelchair and make my way toward him.

"Thank you again for the job, see you tomorrow morning."

"See you tomorrow", he replies back with a faint smile. He calls for Simon to take me down, as he walks back into his office, watching me till I get on the elevator with Simon by my side.