Page 67 of Loving the Enemy
“Exactly. At the other agency I worked for, we had a young model come in. I believe she was sixteen. She was absolutely a beauty and as sweet as can be. She quickly became very popular, and after aVoguecover and some top couture campaigns, she became an unruly bitch. When that happened, the agency tried their best to put up with her shenanigans, but she became worse and left. Said she would find an agency that would treat her with the respect she deserved. She is one of the top models in New York now, and guess who her agent is?”
“We are,” I reply.
“Damn straight. And it’s because our account managers adapt. They know that with every young model who comes in here their egos will grow until they are too big for them.”
“Laurel, let me ask you something. Why are you a personal assistant? Why aren’t you an account executive or something higher up? You know this industry so well. Surely you have more ambition than to be—and I say this with the greatest respect for what you do—an assistant?”
“I would love nothing more, Zaira, but unfortunately, this industry doesn’t promote a lot. People get into the higher management type of jobs, and they stay, like, forever.”
“Well, you know I was originally not going to make any changes, but now, I think I am. I want you to find me a top-notch personal assistant. Someone like you, without the ambition. I’m gonna create a new position for you as my director of corporate development.
“Your what?”
“Laurel, you have the knowledge I need. I’ve got the education, and together we are going to make Bella Celeste the best!”
“Wow, Zaira, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. We’re gonna do great things together.”
“Thank you,” she replies, and I can see the gratitude in her eyes.
“I think that should do it for today. You get working on my new assistant, and as soon as he or she is trained, we will move you. Also, could you get me the corporate financials for the last three years too, please?”
“I sure will,” she says and gets up to leave.
I am very pleased with my meeting with Laurel and quite surprised by her insider knowledge. She and I are gonna make a great team.
About fifteen minutes later, the information I requested arrives via email. I spend the rest of my day going over them, taking lots of notes as I go along. All in all, I would say my first day at work was a good day.
