AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I absorb what she’s saying. The question is will Enzo Mancini let me in or keep me out in the cold, stealing my ideas as though they’re his own? “Mr. Beardsman is out today. He’s sick.”
Shelby smiles. “Perfect. That gives you time to get settled here.”
“Am I supposed to move all my stuff from my desk?”
Shelby looks to the dictator sitting at his desk. He nods.
“Yes,” she answers.
Since when does he make these decisions? Shelby is who I report to.
“My assumption is you’ll be spending the majority of your time here.” She looks at Mr. Mancini once more and he nods.
“Okay,” I say, sounding about as thrilled as if the dentist told me I need a root canal.
“That’s what’s so great about you, Annie, you’re so easy.” She stands, straightening her cardigan and blouse. “If you two need anything else, please let me know. I think you two will work great together.” She does that thing with her fingers—bringing them together—and leaves.
The door shuts, and I stare at Mr. Mancini typing on his computer. After a minute, he stops and swivels his chair forward. “Now that that’s handled… I’m having a meeting with Billy this afternoon. You can sit in on it since it has to do with Coddle.”
“Okay.”
His gaze stays on me. Since he has nothing else to add, I stand. “I’ll move my things.”
“Perfect. Thank you for being so accommodating. I think you’ll find you might learn more from me than you did with Teddy.”
I give him a saccharine smile.
I’m not at my desk near Mr. Beardsman’s office for more than two minutes before Jake comes up behind me. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been moved? I think. I have to move to the desk by Mr. Mancini’s office. They’re going to try to find someone to take over my duties for Mr. Beardsman because they want me to work the Coddle account with Mr. Mancini.”
Jake’s jaw drops.
Am I just having a hard time seeing the positive in all this because I’ll have to grab lunch and answer phone calls for the biggest dick in the office?
I wonder if he has the biggest dick in the office?
I give my head a shake. Really professional, Annie.
Jake crosses his arms and smiles. “That’s awesome.”
“I guess so, but I’m still his assistant.”
“You won’t be for long. They’re gonna see your talent and move you up to your own accounts.”
He helps me by gathering my personal items as I grab my purse and coat. I stare at Mr. Beardsman’s dark office and my stomach sinks. This change doesn’t feel promising. It doesn’t feel like the next step in my career. It feels more like the last step before I reach the edge of the cliff. Mr. Mancini doesn’t keep his assistants long. What will happen when he’s ready for me to leave?
* * *
By the twoo’clock appointment with Billy, I’m cautiously optimistic. Other than a few phone calls to him and having his lunch delivered, Enzo Mancini hasn’t been that bad at all. I’ve even been able to get some things done for Mr. Beardsman, so he doesn’t return to a desk full of work. Maybe I underestimated Mr. Mancini’s jerk level.
Billy walks by my new desk and backsteps to look me over. “Something’s different here.”
If I was looking for the exact opposite of Enzo, Billy’s my man. He’s easygoing and funny. Never takes anything too seriously. But that’s like most of the guys in the art department, I guess.
“Well.” I stand and grab a pad of paper and a pen. “I guess I’ve been promoted. Maybe?” I’m still confused myself.
“The fact you get to sit in on the campaign for Coddle is pretty awesome.”
