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She snorts unattractively, and I notice she has lipstick on her teeth. “There’s more. Although this next part, I can hardly believe myself,” she huffs.
I wait patiently. It’s probably bad, but I can’t get away now.
Finally, Melody speaks with a note of disbelief to her voice. “It seems that Mr. James made some contingencies to the contract prior to hiring us.” I only look at Melody, confused.
“You’re going to be on the official team, Ramona,” Melody frowns. “As a personal assistant, nothing more. A secretary, really.”
That doesn’t sound so bad, since I’m just an admin now.
“Oh really?” I ask, perking up. “Great! Happy to help.”
Melody rolls her eyes.
“It seems that Mr. James is in need of some administrative support because his assistant is on medical leave for the foreseeable future.”
I look at Melody, wide-eyed and stunned. “Okay sure. No problem.”
My boss rolls her eyes again.
“And it seems that Mr. James himself will be personally involved in all design meetings, so you’ll be assisting him pretty much 24/7.”
Melody utters the words with a slightly curled lip. If she weren’t standing only a foot away from me, I might have laughed out loud at her obvious frustration over this strange request. But then she turns those green eyes to me.
“Is there some reason Mr. James might be requesting you in particular?” my boss asks point blank.
Of course there is, but I stare back innocently, blinking my lashes several times. “No, Melody, but I’m so happy for this opportunity to be involved. Thank you for all your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I can tell that the rude woman is fuming while I’m almost giddy with glee. But I maintain my composure, smiling sweetly and remaining silent.
“Fine, but just know that I’ll be watching you. Don’t screw this up,” she huffs, and with a flip of her brittle blonde hair, my manager turns around and clacks back in the direction of her office. Her cheap smelling perfume wafts behind her, but I hardly care.
I get to work on one of the biggest bids our company has ever won!
I turn to look at Carrie, and it’s clear she’s having the same thought. We both squeal at the same time, intertwining our hands and jumping up and down together. Our co-workers probably think we’re crazy, but that’s okay.
“This is amazing!” Carrie blurts out.
“I can’t believe it!” I say at the same time.
“You get to work on the single biggest project we’ve ever had and you get to work side by side with that sexy billionaire. Quick, have I turned green with envy?” Carrie collapses dramatically into her chair, holding her wrist to her forehead.
I giggle at her antics. “No, you look fine. But I can’t believe this. Did you see how much Melody hated having to include me?”
Carrie and I both giggle at our boss’s expense for another moment.
“You know,” Carrie says a little too casually, “Carlton James is one of the wealthiest bachelors in our city. In fact, just last month, Chicago Magazine named him one of the most eligible ones, too. He hasn’t been spotted with a lady friend in some time.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively in my direction.
I giggle at my best friend, not wanting to admit that I’d come across that very same article when I’d been doing my initial googling on Carlton after our first date. “Yeah, rumor has it, right?” I offer nonchalantly.
Carrie nods smartly.
“I’m just saying Ramona, if he asked for you personally, then you clearly left an impression. Carlton James is known for being notoriously particular about his closest circle, even at work, and girl, it looks like you’re in it.”
I flush crimson at Carrie’s observation, feeling my own excitement build at the prospect of getting to spend so much time with the gorgeous man. For a moment, I wonder once again if he just picked me because of our recent trysts, but I take Carrie’s words to heart: this man doesn’t do anything on a whim.
“You’re really lucky, Ramona,” Carrie enthuses. “But you’re also super sharp with obvious potential. I’m glad Mr. James could see that in your meeting, and you should be proud, girlfriend!”
I smile at my buddy, touched by her kind words and glad for the reassurance. Yes, it would seem he does want to spend time with me, but perhaps also that he wants to see my career grow, too.
“But this project is going to be so much work,” I confess to Carrie with some trepidation. “I hope I’m up for it.”
The other woman chuckles at my doubts. “You’re more than up for it.” With that, Carrie stands up. “I better get back to my desk. I have a memo due to Melody in the next hour which, I’m not going to lie, I haven’t even started yet.”
I shake my head and grin at my friend. “You’re ridiculous. Let me know if you need any help with that assignment.”
