I shut the front door behind me and take a tour.
Everything is wooden. From the high, beamed ceilings to the floor underfoot. The lamp on the table is wooden and the art on the wall is carved from wood. All in different shades that blend so nicely.
The only things not in the warm brown are the plants. Green, bright, and fresh, I start to wonder if they’re fake. I touch a leaf and it darkens. Wow.
I move on to the kitchen and marvel at the still brown countertop but polished marble. I open a cabinet, shocked to find it stocked with cereal. I flip open all of them. There’s food for weeks here.
Excited, I check out the bedroom. There’s a queen-sized bed next to the window. I slide onto it, sighing at the bouncy, soft feel of it. Outside my window, there are trees and a garden of flowers. The air smells like it too. And though I can’t see the ocean, the salty tang is in the air.
I shut my eyes and roll around in bed.
I’m guessing I’d like working for Mr. Easton a lot.
I’m at work early the next day. Julia smiles as I walk in her direction.
“Maddie! It’s lovely to see you.”
I’m taken aback. She didn’t pay me much mind the previous day. But it’s hard not to return her smile. She seems to radiate joy.
“Julia, right?”
“Yes.” She stands and offers her hand.
I can’t help but compare our outfits. Back at home, I have a closet full of skirts and pantsuits. My work required it, and I always looked sharp in them.
Here, I’m unsure what the standard dress code is. And even if I do know, I’m not sure how to get it.
Julia is in a cream blouse and a skirt that cuts off just below her knees. Her golden blonde hair is done up in a bun and she’s light on the makeup.
I think I’m okay in my short-sleeved blouse and straight pants. These are the only outfits I have that look remotely professional. I won’t worry about that now though. Best to get through my day one first.
“You’re welcome.” She starts to rifle through the files on her desk. “So, this is for you.” She hands me a bulky file. “And this too.”
I collect the laptop and balance it on the file. “What are these?”
“They contain everything you need to know about Mr. Easton’s schedule. His meetings, appointments, and travel plans. They’re all in there.” She looks up at me. “He’s usually in the office at eight-thirty. Earlier on some days, but I’m guessing you have…” she glances at her watch. “Fifteen minutes to know what he’s going to do today. You can work on the rest when you’re not too busy. Any questions?”
I blink. “No.”
Julia’s face softens. “I know this a lot. But it’s not so bad working with Mr. Easton. At least you don’t have to deal with everyone else on the floor bugging you about everything.”
I smile at her eye roll. “Thank you, Julia.” I look around. “Where can I set up?”
“Two doors down the left hallway. There’s a conference room that’s rarely in use.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey,” her voice stops me as I start to walk away. “Call me if you need anything.”
I smile gratefully and leave for the conference room.
I set my phone’s timer for fifteen minutes and get to work. Chance’s data is well-organized. Thank goodness for the past PA. They did a good job of keeping his schedule clean.
I run through what he has to do today. Meeting, meeting, a few errands—which I’m sure I’d be running, and another meeting. He’ll be done by six p.m.
Wow.
When I’m done reading that, I flip through the file to understand the subject of the meetings and the people involved.
