Chapter 74
I logged on to my laptop and prepared to work. I was worried about Hunter, even though I knew Jason would take care of him. I was also nervous about the meeting, which got closer by the minute. My latest call ended eight minutes before the meeting and I switched my status so I wouldn’t get stuck in a long call. I got some water I could sip on as my throat suddenly felt dry and then I felt like I stared at the clock in the screen’s corner until I felt it was time to log on to the meeting. I made sure I looked okay and logged into the meeting. I was early, so I was alone in the meeting for a couple of minutes. Then another image showed on my screen. The CEO of the company I worked for was a handsome man. I had looked into him a little before my initial interview. He was eight years my senior, had a ten–year–old daughter, and had built the company from the ground up. He had lost his wife five years back and I could not find any negative comments about him from his employees. Not even after working for the company had I heard anyone that didn’t like him.
“Miss Bishop, thank you for taking a meeting with me,” he said and smiled at me.
“Of course, it’s my pleasure, Mr Smith,” I told him. I tried to give him a smile back, but it felt for
forced.
“I have heard good things about you. Your manager tells me she is most happy with your work, and the customer polls show me why. It’s always nice to see new employees hit the ground running,” he said.
“Thank you, sir. I try to do my best.” He gave me another smile.
“You don’t recognise my voice, do y
you?” he asked. I felt my stomach clench. Had he called the helpline?
“I’m sorry, sit. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. He waved his hand and chuckled.
“No, no, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot, Miss Bishop. I realise how many people you talk to. I have called in twice and got to speak to you. The first time regarding the new HR system and the second time regarding the meeting rooms,” he told me. It clicked for me and I gave him an honest smile.
“I remember those calls, sir,” I confirmed.
“There we go. You are most pleasant to talk to, and helpful. You also gave me things to think about each time, without being negative. Our talks made me look into things, and I have come to see that there are areas that need improving. Especially how we spread information. I’m putting together a group, a task force you can say, to look into this and come back with specific ideas on how to improve this. I would like you to be part of that group,” he said.
“I’m very flattered, sir. But aren’t there other, more senior, persons that would be better?” I asked
“There are more senior,” he agreed. “But I don’t think they will be as good a fitt as you. There is an advantage from being new. You have yet to get used to how things ‘always have been“. New employees are often more open to change. What do you say? I plan for the group to work on this for three months and then present the result to me. Afterward, there might be opportunities in implementing the changes you have suggested,” he asked me. I wanted to say yes. It sounded like an amazing role. But I didn’t think my life would let me.
“May I speak frankly, sir?” I asked.
“Of course.”
“I think it sounds like a dream role,” I started, and be smiled at me. “But there are things I need to consider, things that make me hesitate to accept your generous offer.” He frowned.
“What are these things? Maybe I can be of help?”
“Hunter Gardner recommended me to you, so I’m assuming you have somewhat of an understanding that my personal life is… complicated,” I said. Mr Smith had a serious expression on his face and nodded.
“I have
been a client of HopGar security myself. I understand there are things that go on in your life,” he confirmed. It was my turn to nod.
“I was going to talk to my manager regarding this, but I can just as well let you know. The complications have come to head and there is most likely going to be a trial in the near future. It’s going to be messy, and I think a fair amount of dirt will come my way. I wanted to let the company know in case you need to distance yourself from me, I fully understand if that is what you choose,” I told him.
“Don’t worry about that, Miss Bishop. I know Hunter and Jason. If they took you in on a client, you can’t be that bad. Since Hunter, on top of it, recommended you to work for me, I know you are okay. You have the full support of DCF, and of me,” Mr Smith said.
“Thank you,
that means a lot.” I told him.
“No worries. But I can understand if you think a new position will be
too much for you,” he added.
“I am flattered, but yes. I don’t think I could do a position like that justice. And I would hate to do something like this halfheartedly,” 1 confessed.
Chapter 74
“I understand. I’m disappointed, but I am also grateful that you are honest. You just focus to get through the trial for now. Let me or your manager know if there is something you need from us. I will let her know you may need some time off and to give it to you at full pay. Then we can come back to this conversation when things have calmed down,” he said.
We exchanged some pleasantries and then the meeting ended. I just sat looking at the laptop for a “Thank you. That is very generous of you.” He just waved it as while. It was nice knowing I did a good job. Slowly, I felt that my current life was healing a lot of the old wounds 1 had. Not only from Simon, but from the foster system as well. I started to believe that I was actually competent. The only thing I had felt like that about before was baking. But all of a sudden, Hunter was telling me I was a good girlfriend, that he likes what we do in bed, and other places. My manager and the CEO told me I did a good job. It was hard for the little voice in my head to tell me I was worthless. When it tried, it sounded hollow. I heard the front door opening and decided to take an early lunch. Hunter and Jason stood in the kitchen as 1 walked out of the office.
“We stopped and bought sushi,” Hunter told me. I smiled.
“That sounds amazing. What did the doctor say?” I asked and gave him a quick kiss.
was aiming for his
“That the old geezer is an idiot and that he needs to rest and let the body heal,” Jason said and then took a side step to avoid Hunter’s fist that w shoulder.
“Shut up,” Hunter told him.
“It sounds plausible,” I said and Jason laughed.
“He didn’t say I was old. He just told me I needed to slow down a little,” Hunter told me.
“The doctor gave him a time limit. He’s not to work for over two hours without at least a thirty minute break and only six hours a day in total until he gets off his antibiotics. The doctor also prolonged those for five more days.” Jason told me.
“Tattletail,” Hunter growled.
“Don’t shoot the messenger,” lason said, raising his hands,
“Well, that does it. You will work from home. There is no way you will keep to that schedule if you are at the office,” I told him.
“But sweetness, I have meetings,” he argued
“Fine, if you have a meeting you need to be in the office for, you can go to the office for the meeting and then come back when they are done. I trust Clair and Jason to keep an eye on you.” He mattered something I couldn’t bear. “It’s that or I will call Clair and give her permission to make sure you keep to the schedule by any means.” I threatened him. Both Hunter and Jason looked serious and turned a little paler.
“Fine, I’ll work from home,” Hunter decided. I smiled and kissed him.
“Let’s eat,” I said and the three of us sat down at the kitchen island and enjoyed the sushi. Jason said goodbye and I told Hunter he should take a nap. I was cleaning up in the kitchen when I felt his arms closing around my waist. He kissed my cheek from behind.
“Did your meeting go okay?” Hunter asked.
“It did,” I said and told him about the meeting.
“Hmm, did he try to flirt with you? He has|
been o
quite a ladier–man since his wife passed away,” Hunter asked. I laughed.
“Hunter, it was a business meeting. He was very nice and I was flattered that he offered me the opportunity, but there was no flirting,” I said. He huffed and I got goosebumps from the sudden puff of air on my neck.
see how men look at you, sweetness. I do and I usually like it because I know they don’t stand a chance,” he told me.
“Are you saying you think he does?”
“I can admit he isn’t bad looking, he is wealthy and he is a
“But he isn’t you,” I told him. He gave me a big smile,
a couple of years younger than me,” Hunter said. I just shook my head.
“No, he isn’t,” he agreed. I turned around in his arms and kissed him,
“So he is of no interest to me. Now, go and take a nap before you make me late for work.”
