A Different Time and Place - A Collection of WoSo one shots.

The New Boss (Press/Lloyd)

 Requested by MelanieShimony

Christen Press had been Brian Hollins Personal Assistant for the past three years. She was beyond shocked one Monday morning to find out that the man she had grown to consider as one of her closest friends and mentor, had dropped dead from a massive coronary event while playing a round of golf on the weekend.

She had stopped to pick up her regular latte just as she did every morning and when she arrived at work, she noticed a heaviness in the atmosphere. Stepping into the elevator, she pushed the button for the 23rd floor home to the offices of Hollins, and Delran. Stepping out of the elevator she found Mr Hollin's Secretary, Morgan in tears. "What's going on Mo?" The secretary looked up at her, "Mr Hollins died yesterday of a heart attack. He was much too young and handsome to go like that." Christen looked at her wanting to make a comment, but choosing not to at the moment.

Christen made her way into her office and dropped her jacket, bag and coffee before making the walk down the hallway to Mr Delran's office. Mr Delran's Secretary tells her to go ahead in, that they were expecting her. She knocked on the door frame before entering and seeing 4 gentlemen in suits around the table.

"Ms Press, please come in and take a seat. I'm sure you've heard the news of Mr Hollins untimely passing."

Christen takes a seat in the remaining chair, "Yes Sir, I'm sorry for your loss. Mr Hollins was a good man."

"Yes, he was. One of the best. We are planning on making an announcement to all of our employees today with regards to his passing. Of course, this means there will some changes in our personnel and structure over the next few weeks. There will be a new Head of the Advertising & Marketing Department appointed soon and we would like for you to take on the position of their Assistant."

"Yes sir, I look forward to continuing to work here and alongside the new Department Head. May I ask when they will arrive? And also, will they be taking over Mr Hollins office?"

"Next Monday and yes, they will be taking over the office. Can you please before the end of the day make sure that the office is scrubbed of any personal effects."

"Of course, and I'll contact Mr Hollin's family and see what they would like done with them."

"Thank you, Ms Press. You may go back to work now."

Christen stands up and makes her way out of the room, down the hallway and back into her office. She sits down at her desk and drinks her lukewarm coffee while going through the mountain of emails which have accumulated in her inbox over the last few days.

As it approaches 11:00 her stomach grumbles and she instinctively picks up the phone to call Brian and ask him what he would like for lunch on the day. She hangs the phone back up and looks at the closed office door down the hallway. She collects her purse and jacket and decides to ask Morgan if she is available to join her for lunch.

The Secretary is more than happy to join her and get out of the building for a little while. They get a table at the sandwich shop a couple of blocks down the street and place their order.

"I still can't believe he's gone." Morgan shakes her head and Christen reaches across the table for her hand.

"Morgan, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, I guess so."

"You were in love with him, weren't you?"

"Yes, not many people knew but we actually dated on and off for the last couple of years."

Christen squeezes her hand.

"I think I'm going to miss his horrible jokes and onliners the most." Morgan laughs at what Christen says, "Some of them were really bad weren't they?" "Yes."