“I thought I could prove myself with dedication and hard work.Instead, I’ve been given unreasonable deadlines on complicated reports, spoken to rudely, and have had files mysteriously go missing, after which a thumb drive hidden on my desk to ensure my work wouldn’t disappear again also went missing.
“It feels like I’m being targeted, and I’m afraid that, if I stay in this position, it won’t be long before something unexplainable happens and I find myself out of a job for good.”
Gail took a moment to digest what I’d shared, then said, “The CEO’s administrative pool has an immediate opening if you would like to try that.”
“Move directly to the place they all think I’m vying to go?I’d stay where I am and take more proactive steps to protect myself by making additional backups before leaving each day.Non-confidential information, I’ll put on a thumb drive to take home with me, and I’ll work with IT to secure a network backup location for all confidential information.I’ll ask them to notify you each time I save something there.
“As for my work ethic, I have yet to avoid any task assigned to me or fail to meet deadlines given, even though the majority of them have been outside of the scope of training I’ve received.While I hope my continued, consistent task completion and the quality of my work would speak for themselves, I think it’s in my best interest for Ms.Stonestock to review my performance, with you present, at the end of the week so we’re all on the same page.That way, I can make immediate adjustments if she has any valid concerns.”
Gail nodded.
“All right.Let me coordinate with Ms.Stonestock about the meeting, and please do keep me in the loop regarding the IT data issue.Hopefully, they’ll be able to resolve it soon so you won’t need to continue to make additional backups.”
“Thank you.”I shook her hand and left her office, feeling a little better about heading up to my desk.
My phone buzzed in the elevator.
Miranda:Hope the she-bitch stays out of your way today.If you need backup, let me know.Just got my nails done.
Miranda:Also, your admirer wants to know what he needs to do to get through your walls.Do you need anything?A bathroom remodel?A new roof?I think you should take this as an opportunity to score big in a way that benefits you.
I rolled my eyes.
Me:He would need to lose all his money, not be a shifter, and not be looking for forever.I do one-night stands only.
Miranda:Should I tell him that?
Me:Please.
Miranda:On it.Want to meet for lunch?
Me:Yep.See you at twelve.Not the Steele building this time.
Miranda:I’ll send the address and order ahead for us.
Me:Thanks!
The elevator doors opened, and I moved on autopilot, thinking about the conversation with Miranda and wondering if the morning would start with a confrontation with Lianna.
I wasn’t thinking of why I’d spotted Konni downstairs.Which was why seeing him again on the executive floor, walking into the VP of Operations’ office, stopped me in my tracks.
“Are you all right?”
I looked at the woman who was watching me and nodded toward the closed office door.
“Who just walked in there?”
Her friendly expression cooled.“Drokonnen Steele, Steele Corporation’s CEO.”
My lungs froze.
“If you’re smart, you won’t set your sights on him and instead focus on your work performance.Climbing the corporate ladder will be a lot easier than trying to climb into his bed.”
She turned away from me before the slow flush consumed my face, unaware of how backward she had it.
Woodenly, I walked to my desk and sat.Thankfully, no one else had arrived yet and didn’t witness my personal crisis.Panic was making it hard to breathe.
Konni was Steele’s CEO.
