Through The Pain

6 | Office

Cat

After I cleaned up my desk and organized my things the way I usually wanted them to, I grabbed some papers and my notepad to go to my new Boss's office.

Hugging the papers and my notepad in my chest, I stand in front of my boss's office and take a deep breath. Okay, I can do this. I should change that bad impression that my new boss has of me.

I raised my hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I heard a crisp voice coming from inside the office. I take another deep breath. Okay, here I go. I said then opened the door and entered the office.

I silently walked inside the office trying to calm my nerves, which I was successful by the way until I reached the front of my new boss's desk.

Before the arrival of my new boss, my old boss ordered me to find an interior designer to redesign the office. My old boss knows that his taste differs from that of his son.

After having a hard time making an appointment with one of the most famous interior designers, I finally got to meet the 52-year-old designer who founded her design firm and is known for hotel interior design, product design, and office and residential design.

She made a couple of proposal designs based on how my old boss describes his son. But when it comes to choosing one, my old boss leaves it to me.

So, the current aesthetics of the office is my top choice. Though the colors were mostly black and brown, the white ceiling and carpet and large windows make a classic and elegant contrast.

I just hope that my new boss doesn't have a negative say about it.

The first thing I noticed is the engraved black marble desk nameplate. It says, Nathan Vann, President/CEO. So, Nathan was his real name. I used to hear his father call him Nate.

"Good morning, Mr. Vann. My name is Catherine Fernandez and I am your Executive Assistant. I would like to apologize for my absence yesterday. I know my actions are unacceptable but please let me redeem myself."

I said in my most professional way, I know I didn't do anything wrong and I didn't intentionally get 'sick' just so I would have a reason to be absent yesterday but my relationship with my boss is more important than my ego.

I have to establish a good relationship with my new boss and make a good impression because my future in this company depends on him.

"There is no use crying over spilled milk. I would prefer it if you do your job properly than talk about redeeming yourself." My boss's crisp voice resonated inside his silent office but he didn't look up at me.

Okay. Good thing I didn't expect him to forgive me immediately. I was not demanding forgiveness. I just want him to reconsider his impressions of me.

"Yes, Mr. Vann." I just replied. I know that I should not say anymore because it could worsen my situation.

"Here are the papers that needed to be signed. And here's your schedule for the day." I said then put the file of papers on his desk.

This time, he raised his head and looked at me with his intimidating eyes. I was like, 'Oh my God! Did I say something wrong?'

I tried to maintain my composure although I was already panicking inside.

"Are you implying that I should remind myself of my schedule for the day? If that's so, it seems like I won't be needing you anymore."

Damn! I'm dead! I could slap myself right at this moment. I am so used to working with the old boss that I forgot about this. My old boss doesn't want me to keep on reminding him of his schedule for the day. So, every morning, he would rather that I give him his schedule for the day so that he could take a look at it if there is something that needs to be changed or to be canceled.

"No, Mr. Vann. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." I said in a panic tone and took back the paper with his schedule on it, afraid that he could fire me at this moment.

But my new boss waved his hand in the air. "You're dismissed." He said, then lowered his head down to the papers that I gave him.

Although right at this moment, I wanted to explain my side, it seems that it is not necessary. He doesn't seem to be interested in it anyway.

Dismissed. Okay, so that means I am not fired...yet.

I take a step back before I turn around and leave the office.

Nathan's POV

I heard the door of my office open then closed. I raised my head and looked at the door. I felt that something was missing when she came until she left. I cocked my head and pondered for a moment but I can't seem to pinpoint it.

I shook my head. Why am I wasting my time thinking about such unimportant things?

I lowered my head and continued to review the papers that needed to be signed. But I was distracted by my phone's ringing. I looked at it and as expected, it was my dad. Since I just came back yesterday, no one knows my number yet. Not even my best friend Eric.

I picked up my phone and answered. "Dad."

"Nate, I heard Ms. Fernandez is back to work." I rolled my eyes when I heard the reason why my Dad called.

"Yes. Is that the reason why you called?" I asked and didn't bother to hide my irritation.

"Yes, Nate. I was worried that you would fire her on her first day working with you. It is not her fault that she didn't come yesterday. I found out that she got sick after overworking these past few days. She's been preparing everything that you'll need once you take over the company so that it won't be difficult for you to adjust."

I frowned when I heard the voice of my mom. So, the call was on a loudspeaker. I was suspecting that my dad is having an affair with his former assistant but it seems that it was my mom who was worried about the assistant more.

So, instead, I asked, "Are you sure that she is not a daughter that you abandoned when she was a baby. Because the way I see it, you are more concerned about her than me."

"Silly! What are you talking about?" My mom shouted at me.

"Son, Ms. Fernandez is the most efficient and diligent assistant I ever had. So, you must treat her well or others might steal her from you."

"And Nate, you might want to reconsider your impressions of her."

My conversation with my parents focused mainly on them convincing me to treat my assistant well. They were too worried about her as if I'm a monster that would eat her alive.

I even had to remind them that I am their son and not her. Because it sounds to me that they are threatening me to treat their daughter well.

Come to think of it, my assistant was just absent the day I arrived and her reason is acceptable but it just irritates me and leaves a bad impression of her.

But when it comes to efficiency and diligence, I must admit that she was quite commendable even though we haven't started working together. She had done the work for the whole week making my life much easier.

But of course, I will not admit it to my assistant or my parents. I will not make them believe that they won this argument.

After talking with my parents, I continued working. And if I saw it clearly on the schedule that my assistant put on my desk earlier, I have a lunch meeting at eleven.

My father told me on the phone that his former assistant, who is now my assistant, used to leave the day's schedule on the desk for him to look at. Because my father doesn't like to be reminded of his schedule.

So that explains why she gave me a copy of the schedule.

I frowned at the thought that my assistant is still so used to my father as her boss. Should I make her realize that from now on, I am her boss, for good?

A/N: Photo credits to the owner.

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