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“I’m free right now.”
“Great. I’ll send you the address. Looking forward to meeting you.”
Chapter 7: Together again
Bernard
“We will need a longer training program,” I said, pausing to switch the phone to my other ear. “And better benefits if we want to keep them from choosing our competitors.”
Quickly, I sat up and glanced out the window at the city drenched in shades of pink and purple. Once the sun dipped below the horizon, plunging the world into darkness, lighting streaked across the sky, a flash of yellow in the darkness. In the distance, thunder rumbled, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose.
“No, you don’t need to worry about the gala coming up. We’re taking care of all of the details.”
Someone knocked, and I spun around, spotting Raymond in the doorway, his tie hanging askew around his neck and a determined gleam in his eyes. He had his blazer draped over his arm when he stepped in, letting the glass door click shut behind him. I murmured something under my breath and ended the phone call.
Then I spun in my chair and pulled it closer to the desk. “I thought you were gone for the night.”
“I’m headed out,” Raymond replied with a quick smile. “Just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
I linked my fingers together and shook my head. “No, thank you.”
Raymond lowered himself onto the chair in front of me and crossed one leg over the other. “One of your former housekeepers asked me for a job.”
I tilted my head to the side and studied him. “If you’re asking for a recommendation, I won’t give you one. With the exception of Mrs. Montgomery, who had to leave suddenly due to a personal emergency, I haven’t had a good housekeeper in a while.”
Raymond scratched his chin. “I don’t need a recommendation, Bernie. I’m just letting you know in case you have any issues.”
“Why would I have any issues?”
Raymond shrugged and placed the blazer over the back of the chair. “Because she was employed by you first.”
“Are you looking for my blessing? Because you’re not going to get that either. A word of advice, Raymond, I wouldn’t hire any of them. They’re not good at their jobs.”
“I have a different set of requirements, Bernie,” Raymond told me with a quick smile. “Thank you for the concern though. Have you given any more thought to the gala?”
“What about it?”
“I have the perfect date in mind for you,” Raymond replied before straightening his back. “She’s an old friend who comes from money and knows her way around the press. She’d be perfect.”
I leaned back against the chair and folded my arms over my chest. “Why do you care so much about who I bring to the gala?”
“You’re the one who’s always saying good PR is important for the company,” Raymond pointed out with another shrug. “I’m trying to apply your philosophy.”
I stared at him and said nothing.
While Raymond had not been my first pick for CEO, he’d long since proven himself in the position, bringing his insight and experience to a company that needed it. Unfortunately, my dislike of him hadn’t gotten better. If anything, it had gotten worse. Whenever we were in the same room together, I always had a strange feeling in my stomach.
Like my CEO was biding his time to push me out.
But I knew I was being paranoid.
Raymond hadn’t done anything to warrant my suspicion.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied after a brief pause. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I need to get home. Mary is keeping an eye on my new housekeeper, but I want to evaluate her myself.”
Raymond nodded and rose to his feet. “Of course. Here’s hoping this one works out, eh?”
I nodded and stood up. “Yes, let’s hope so.”
