Page 82 of His Flash Mate
With the additional table to connect, we changed to an X configuration.Each of us paired up back-to-back with someone else.Marius and Bomir were on the far side.Edi and I were closest to Konni’s office.
My new desk faced the building’s exterior windows, meaning my back was to Konni’s office door and anyone approaching from the main floor.Edi’s desk position allowed him to see everyone coming, including Konni.
While I loved my view, I wasn’t sure I liked having my back to everyone, given the current office climate.However, I kept quiet about it, not wanting to make waves before I even started working with them.
By the allotted time, IT had me set up with a new computer.
Once they left, Edi turned toward me.
“If it’s all right with you, we’re going to treat you like you haven’t already been here the last two weeks and show you the ropes all over again.”
“That’s fine with me.”
Edi took me on another tour of the executive floor and introduced me to each executive.It was so different from the way I’d been treated in the Marketing Department.But then again, my role was completely different.Rather than being an unwanted worker bee under Lianna, I was being introduced as a new member of Konni’s assistant pool, which each executive viewed as an essential extension of Konni.If they needed anything from him, they would reach out to his team, which now included me, first.I felt so valuable, even though I knew I had a long way to go before I could compare to Edi, Marius, or Bomir.
When only the Marketing Department was left, Edi veered toward the break room.
“I know you’ve already met Ms.Stonestock, but I’d like to go through the motions of introducing you again so she understands your new role.”He paused for a second.“She and Drake have been friends for a long time.They grew up together.So they have a closer relationship than some of the other execs.However, it’s not as close as she would like everyone to believe.Ready?”
His use of Drake instead of Konni made me wonder how close anyone was to the CEO.Just how many names did he go by?
“Ready,” I said.
We were almost to Whitney and Shana’s workstation when they noticed our approach.Shana looked surprised.Whitney looked suspicious.
“Good morning,” Edi said.“Can you check whether Ms.Stonestock has time to meet the newest member of Mr.Steele’s assistant pool?”
Whitney’s gaze shifted from him to me.
“I’m sorry,” I said.“I know transferring leaves you in a bind when I was just starting to get the hang of things here.But, I wasn’t expecting the offer, and I knew I couldn’t refuse once Mr.Steele pitched it.”
“Offer?”Shana echoed.
“The IT issues she’s had from the start were her bad luck, but also her lucky break,” Edi said.“Her report skills and time efficiency under tight deadlines caught Mr.Steele’s attention.”He looked at Whitney.“Can you check with Ms.Stonestock?”
Whitney reached for her phone and called Lianna.
“Edi is here with Mr.Steele’s new assistant.He’d like to introduce you.”After a moment, she hung up and looked at us.“You can go in.”
I wasn’t offended by the way they’d reacted.They were probably thinking I’d somehow climbed the tree they’d assumed I was there to climb.Even though I’d come close—if only I’d come!—that wasn’t why Konni offered me the assistant position or why I’d taken it.
Staying close to Konni would help us both.He’d find a mole, and I’d have a layer of protection.
It didn’t mean anything else.I wouldn’t let it.
Edi led the way, knocking first, then waiting—something he hadn’t had to do with any of the other execs once their assistants confirmed we could go in.Only when he heard Lianna call for us to enter did he open the door.
Her polite smile remained in place even when she saw me behind Edi.It was a first.
“Ms.Stonestock, this is Sophia Elmantas, Mr.Steele’s newest assistant.”
“Drake called me as soon as you accepted, Ms.Elmantas.Congratulations.Drake has high hopes for you.Don’t let us down.”
Was this even the same person?
“I don’t plan to,” I said with a smile that hopefully didn’t look forced.
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll leave you to your schedule,” Edi said.
