My New Assistant

Chapter 19

Fast forward to the new year, 2015. Slade, Lisa, and I had our countdown party at my home because little Slade Junior couldn't travel much. It was great, just the three of us. However, all good things must come to an end. They were returning home to Australia, so I helped load their luggage into my car and drove them to the airport. Just before they were about to depart, Lisa grabbed my hand and pulled me to a corner, leaving Slade to take care of little Junior.

Lisa: I heard everything from Slade. I'm really happy for you, and we both encourage you to move on with your life with Pris

Me: I know. Thank you, Lisa. You and Slade have always been a great support for me

"What are buddies for? Just remember one thing, love..." She signaled for me to lean in so she could whisper something.

Lisa: Make sure you wear a condom if you don't want to have a kid. But if you want to go all out with her, just push it in deep. That's how Slade did it

Me: Lisa! Slade told you!?

Lisa: Aye! He's my husband, after all! I always get an answer from him when I smell something fishy. But don't worry, love. You're a good man! We both know you'll do just fine with Pris

With that, they entered the departure hall. It would be another long year until I saw them again. I waved goodbye from behind the glass panel. I was genuinely happy for them that they had a child. But what was more important was the encouragement from both Slade and Lisa. They knew about our intimate encounters, yet they still encouraged me to start fresh with Pris. It was another sign. I stared blankly at the airport ceiling and sighed.

Me: Mom and Dad, your signs are becoming more and more obvious. Even my friends from far away are saying the same thing. Thank you, Mom and Dad. But I'll let Pris know when I'm ready

It was about two weeks until Chinese New Year; the day I promised to visit Pris's family. I was getting nervous, but I didn't put much thought into it as work was piling up. I had new clients to meet, new deals to close, and lots of new problems. Ever since my assistant left, my paperwork had been piling up again. I even had to stack all the documents on the floor of my office. The pile grew higher and higher until my office, which used to be a big room, became a maze that you had to navigate just to reach my chair. I needed help.

Just before I sent an email, Kelvin came into my office. From the look on his face, he didn't seem pleased.

Me: Hi Kelvin, how can I help you?

Kelvin: Nurgle, we need to talk about Pris. Do you have a minute?

Me: Sure, grab a chair, and don't mind the maze

Kelvin: Nurgle, it's been four months and Pris hasn't met her sales targets. For the first two months, I could overlook it since she was new. But now it's the fourth month, and there hasn't been any improvement

Me: I see, can I ask what steps you've taken so far to address her performance?

Kelvin: What steps?! If she can't meet the targets, she can't meet them! End of story! Money doesn't grow on trees, you know? We need to see the numbers grow

Me: I understand. Remember how the boss always used to talk about improving everyone before blaming them for poor performance? I was hoping you could have shown her what she's doing wrong and guided her, especially since she wants to learn about sales management

Kelvin: I don't have time for this! I have clients to meet, deals to close, and figures to produce!

Me: And yet you have time to come into my office and complain about Pris's poor performance? The time you spend here could be used to educate and guide her, couldn't it?

Kelvin: No. I don't have time for this. She's not meeting the targets, end of story

Me: Fine. Let me talk to Pris about this since you don't want to guide and show her the right way

With that, he left my office with the angriest expression I had ever seen. It was like something crawled up his ass and died in there. Not wanting to make the wrong move, I called my HR manager and explained the issue to her. She suggested that both of us talk with Pris to find out more. That's when I called Pris to my office, along with our HR manager, Lin.

Lin: Hi Pris. Have a seat, please. I understand from Kelvin that you haven't been meeting your sales targets since you transferred to the sales department. Is there anything wrong that you'd like to share with me and Nurgle?

Pris: Yes. I think I'm not suited for sales. Kelvin's approach is too aggressive for me. He's not kind and nice to the clients, and I feel that's the wrong approach. I've decided to be kinder and explain in detail to the clients rather than push for a confirmation sale

Me: I see, there's no problem with your approach. I strongly believe in honesty too. What keeps our long-lasting clients is when we are kind to them and listen to them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you having difficulty meeting Kelvin's targets?

Pris: Yes, Nurgle. And I feel so stressed about it. I don't feel happy being in the sales department

Lin: Should we inform Kelvin about this, Nurgle?

Me: No, let him do things his way for now. I'll have a personal chat with him one day. In the meantime, Lin, I've needed an assistant ever since Athena left. Can I request that Pris be transferred to me? She has done documentation for me before. Along the way, I'd like to personally teach her and improve her sales ethics

Lin: I see no problem with that if Pris is fine with it

We both looked at her, and we could see her eyes widen.

Pris: I... I'm fine with that arrangement. Thank you, Nurgle. Thank you, Lin!

Me: Then it's settled. Starting next week, you'll move to Athena's desk and help me with some documentation. I'll be meeting a client in the afternoon, and you'll come with me to learn the ropes

Pris: Yes, boss! Thank you, boss!

Me: Please, it's Nurgle. The title 'boss' is only reserved for the former boss, if he ever returns

Lin: Don't mind me, Nurgle, but I'd like to discuss something with you

I signaled for Pris to excuse herself and closed the door behind us.

Lin: Nurgle, I know this is bad timing, but here's my resignation letter

Me: Oh my god, Lin. Not you too. Is it because of my work style? Am I too pushy?

Lin: No, Nurgle. You're just as wonderful as the boss was. You're both the best among us here. The main reason I'm leaving is that I'm in a relationship with someone in the office

Me: I see. And may I ask who you're in a relationship with?

Lin: Promise me you won't laugh...

Me: I promise

Lin: Ace

I wasn't laughing. My jaw dropped.

Me: Ace!? Out of everyone in the office, it had to be Ace!? How long has this been going on?!

Lin: Almost a month

Me: Well, I can't stop you from having an office relationship, nor can I stop you from leaving. You have my blessing, Lin. Please come and see me the day before your last day

Lin: Thank you, Nurgle. Ace was right. You're a good and understanding boss

I couldn't hide my shock. Did Ace finally want to settle down? That playboy? I reached for the speed dial.

Me: Ace... you have a lot of explaining to do, dude

Ace: Oh, so Lin told you? Are you free now? Let's have tea and a smoke break

Me: I want mine extra sweet today