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He should thank theold man; he thought sardonically as he dragged a white t-shirt overhis head and reached for a pair of sweatpants. If it hadn’tbeen for his horrific childhood, he would never have had the driveand determination to succeed.
*****
She was nervous. Shehad to admit it. She’d been up most of the night trying to comeup with a story to pitch to the press. The failing airline had beenin the news several times before with one flaw after another. She’dread an entire report that had been sent to her by Hillary and haddecided on her approach.
For her firstday, she’d rummaged through her wardrobe and picked the perfectoutfit. The red and black pantsuit with a thin black sweater would bejust fine. She’d decided on diamond studs and a thin, goldchain with a cross she’d received for her sixteenth birthdayfrom her Dad.
She thought it washer lucky piece of jewelry and a reminder of the man she’d lostso tragically. She was shown into an office larger than the one she’dshared with Gavin when she had her own company.
“Is he here?”She asked her friend as she looked around.
“Breakfastmeeting at Elena’s.” Hillary murmured, referring to thetrendy restaurant a block away. “How do you like the office?”
“What’snot to like?” She took in the steel cabinets, the small tablewith the coffee pot, cups and creamer. Her desk was huge andeverything was the latest brand.
“Ready to meetthe rest of your staff?”
“My staff.”Pressing a hand to her generous breasts, she laughed shakily. “Howmany?”
“Ten people.”
Her dark brown eyeswidened. “Ten?”
“It wasfifteen, but one left- the woman you’re replacing, and theother four were fired for incompetence.”
“Oh, shit.”Walking over to the desk, she sat down in the chair taking a deepbreath. “I’m suddenly feeling pressured.”
Hilary went over tothe cabinet to program coffee and very soon the enticing aroma filledthe room. “Do you still take it black?”
“Yes. Thanks. Ihave something ready to send about the airline, but I need to run itby him as he requested. Thanks, honey. What now?”
“Your staffwill be introduced to you during the course of the day.”
“How did theyget along with my predecessor?”
“Like a houseon fire.” Hillary grinned at her.
“Great.”
“You’regoing to be fine.”
She took a sip of thecoffee, her eyes widening. “This is-“
“The bestcoffee you ever tasted?” Hillary smiled at her friend’sexpression. “It hit me that way when I first came here. Drinkup, honey, it’s time to get to work.”
*****
“Your morningmessages are on your desk along with an urgent one from the CFO.”
“The board?”
“Are waitingfor you in the conference room. The refreshments are already set upready for the meeting.”
Nash nodded and,without breaking stride, went into his office.
“Is Ms. Simpsonhere?” He sat down and started going through his messages.
“She came in atseven and was introduced to her staff.”
