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Shelby looks at him, pulling a face, but he ignores her, continuing to glare directly at me. With a shake of her head, she turns back to me. “We came to see how you’re settling in.”
I plaster on the cheeriest, fakest smile I can muster. “Everything’s going incredibly,” I say. “I’ve been doing some homework. Between HR modules and researching Diosa, the ideas are already flowing.”
Charles grunts, and Shelby’s mouth pinches together. I can tell she’s embarrassed by his behavior, but I refuse to show either of them that I’m bothered by it.
I somehow manage to beam brighter, and eventually, her pinched expression relaxes into a smile.
“That’s wonderful, Raven. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with.”
“She’s an analyst, not the account manager,” Charles directs to Shelby, completely ignoring me.
I’m done allowing him to treat me like I’m invisible. I get it, I caught him off guard, but he did the same to me. We’re professionals, and it’s time he starts acting the part.
“An advertising analyst worth her weight brings fresh ideas to her superiors, right?” I look directly at him when I say it, and I don’t miss the way his jaw clenches and eye twitches.
He’s not used to being challenged. Well, buckle up, Mr. Cavendish, because this girl isn’t going to be cowed by your obtuse attitude and hoity-toity hotness.
“Well said, Raven,” Shelby offers in encouragement.
I really like this woman. Not only is she kind, but she doesn’t take his shit, no matter who he is.
“Perhaps anassistantto theassistantof Diosa Clothier should worry more about her appearance and less about ideas.”
Shelby gasps, probably realizing that her boss is a walking, talking HR nightmare.
A whooshing sound echoes through my ears as I try to breathe through my annoyance and calmly have him clarify what he’s implying about my appearance. “I’m sorry?”
He motions toward my chest, and my eyes widen. “You have crumbs all over you, Miss Bennett.”
My face heats, but I push down the embarrassment and swipe my shirt, ridding it of the breadcrumbs.
“I’ll endeavor to be more presentable in the future.” I look toward Shelby. “I was unsure when and where I’m to eat lunch, so I ate here so I could continue to work. It won’t happen again.”
“We’ll see,” he says, turning toward the door. “There’s a meeting for the Diosa team in ten. Be there on time.”
He strides from the door, leaving Shelby and me alone. She crosses her arms, watching him disappear around the corner.
“Raven, I’m so sorry. He’s a bit stressed since landing this new client and the growth of Cavendish Group in such a short time.”
I smile, hoping to ease her worry. She’s likely fretting that I’m about to quit, leaving them even more short-staffed. Oh, the trouble this woman probably endures at the hands of her boss.
“No worries, Shelby. I’ve worked with a few men like Charles Cavendish. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Her shoulders appear to relax, and a loud breath escapes her lips. “Well, I’ll work to get him under control.”
With that, she spins on her heels and stalks off after him.
Something tells me he isn’t going to make my job easy, but I refuse to allow him to mess this up for me. He was equally involved in the situation at Silver. I won’t allow him to pin this all on me.
* * *
“Diosa needs someonelike Summer Smith to represent their brand. A rising pop star who’s currently the darling of the media. It’s perfect.”
A man with greasy hair and too-thick eyebrows addresses the room filled with suits.
Since the team that will lead Diosa is not quite assembled, Charles invited the C-Suite to attend a meeting about the campaign so the ball can get rolling. Shelby instructed me when I arrived to take notes for her.
I listen as this new face to me drones on for several minutes about the potential this pairing could have. I write down everything that’s being said and manage to refrain from rolling my eyes when he outlines Summer Smith’s highlights.
