I realized my anger was showing and let out a slow breath.Then I stood and handed the flowers to Bomir.“I heard that the ladies' room has a bouquet of flowers.It’s unfair that the men here aren’t given the same courtesy.”
He looked from me to the flowers to Edi, who had followed me from the office and shut the door.Not wanting to be a part of their silent communication, I sat, tossed Konni’s note in my garbage, and pulled up the secretariat emails.
Bomir walked off with the flowers shortly after.
Less than ten minutes later, Edi turned his chair toward me.
“Mr.Steele is asking for me.Do you want to shadow me for this one or sit it out?”
The universe was obviously in the mood to test me today.
“You lead, and I’ll follow.”I stood and ignored the way he glanced at Bomir before heading to Konni’s office door.
As he opened it, I heard Lianna say, “How is a site visit going to help this, Drake?”
This time, Lianna was in the chair across from Konni's desk.He was leaning back in his chair, watching her with a slightly cool expression.
“You brought up valid concerns for marketing the new building spaces.But spending the morning brainstorming a different marketing plan to sell something buyers don’t want doesn’t make sense, and I’m concerned that you think that it does.Steele Corp has always stood behind the quality of its designs and builds.
“Going there in person will help me assess the practical use of the spaces and make adjustments before the construction goes any further.”
Konni’s attention shifted to us.“Edi, reschedule my meetings for today.The ones you can’t reschedule, I’ll do remotely on the way to the Southside building project.Brief Ms.Elmantas on how to set up remote meetings.She and I will leave in twenty minutes.”
Lianna didn’t look happy.
“Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to go together?”she asked Konni.“I’m the one who brought the problem to your attention.”
“Ms.Elmantas is wearing more sensible shoes.Plus, you have an interview with the news station about this build later today.”
I looked from my cute flats to Lianna’s enviably gorgeous and insanely high heels.
“Then take Edi with you instead,” she said.“He has more experience touring job sites and knows the dangers.The last thing HR needs is another liability issue dealing with Ms.Elmantas this week.”
The idea to offer up my shoes to her died swiftly.I wanted to strangle her and wasn’t sure if I was grateful for or resentful of the ten feet separating us.How dare she make it sound like I was a problem when the only thing I’d ever done was my damn job.
“Are you telling me how to run my company, Lianna?”Konni asked in a low tone that contradicted his calm expression.
Instead of answering, she stood and stalked out the door without looking at Edi or me.
“We’ll be ready in twenty minutes,” Edi said, already moving to follow Lianna out.I was right on his heels.
Learning how to set up a remote meeting was easy, but completely unnecessary since Bomir and Marius moved everything off of Konni’s schedule.However, I had plenty more to learn about following the boss off-site.I needed to take notes, pictures, and anticipate whatever Konni needed—which was a smack upside his head for sending me those stupid flowers and giving me unrealistic expectations not meant for me.At least, not in this lifetime and never with him.
My mood wasn’t any better when Konni emerged from his office and stopped by Edi’s desk.
“Status quo as usual.Don’t count on us returning to the office.”
“Understood,” Edi said.
Then Konni turned to me.“Ready, Ms.Elmantas?”
I stood, grabbed my purse and tablet, and said nothing.
Konni frowned but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut as we headed toward the elevators.
Lianna cut us off.
“The news station called and rescheduled the interview for tomorrow.Somehow they know you’re doing a site inspection and plan to be there instead.”
