When I got to my desk I put my purse into the bottom drawer and logged into my computer. I looked quickly over my inbox checking for anything urgent. Nothing looked urgent so I opened the first and read only the first sentence when I heard Mr. Walkers' voice through the speaker.
"Ms. Anderson I need to see you in my office."
"Right away sir."
I replied before standing up and hurrying to his door. I knocked twice and waited for his ok before entering. I'd made the mistake once of not knocking and I'd stumbled upon him and one of the office interns in a very uncomfortable situation.
This time though he was sitting behind his desk looking frustrated and angry. God this guy and his anger issues. I tried my best to put on a good fake smile as I stopped a few feet inside the office.
"You wanted to see me?"
He bobbed his large head a few times before starting into another of his rants.
"Yes. I've got a list here of a bunch of reports and documents I need done. That damned kid had the nerve to tell me I need to 'step up' or I'd be fired."
My eyebrows knitted in confusion not sure what kid could fire him. But I didn't wonder long.
"Who does he think he is? He gets handed the company on a silver platter and now he has the nerve to threaten me? That boy doesn't know the first thing about running this company. He's lucky I worked for his father or I wouldn't put up with this kind of treatment..."
His speech continued but I tuned it out. It was amazing how out of touch he was with reality. The 'kid' as he'd called him was our boss and CEO Mr. Nate Jensen. And while it was true his father had passed it down to him that was where the truth ended.
In reality he was regarded as one of the most brilliant business minds in the country. He'd taken over the company a few years ago and while it had done well under his father, under his leadership it had flourished.
In fact he had been the person who inspired me to go into business. Originally I'd moved to San Francisco to study art and design but it quickly became apparent to me that I didn't enjoy it a much as I thought I would.
After that I started looking into other fields and found an article about Me. Jensen and his unbelievable achievements. He wasn't much older than me so I began to wonder if I could become an entrepreneur myself so I switched my degree and applied for a part-time office job near the school.
After graduation I applied here at Stonebrook for an entry level position and had spent the last few years working my way up. Now though I wasn't sure where to go from here. I had been promoted a few months back to Mr. Walkers' personal assistant and although I was learning a ton the man was a nightmare to work for.
He was drunk more often than not and he was exceedingly narcissistic. He thought very highly of himself and loved when people stroked his ego... or other things. But when people tried to point out his flaws and lack of work ethic, like our boss had apparently done, I got to listen to one of his 'look how important I am' tirades.
He was still ranting and I noticed his face starting to turn the reddish purple it gets when he's extremely upset so I figured I'd better start paying attention again.
"Can you believe that? In a meeting with the other executives he had the balls to ask me what I contribute to his company. HIS company? That boy is barely old enough to drive let alone run a multimillion dollar company. Not to mention too stupid. I was the one who made this company what it is and now he waltzes in and acts like he owns the damn place."
Technically he did own the place, I thought but figured I'd better keep that comment to myself. As much as I hated him Mr. Walkers could fire me.
"And this list he gave me is ridiculous. I have so many things to do there is no way I'm going to have time to do it. I'm a busy man you know I don't have time to be his little errand boy. And sense there's no way I have the time to get this done I need you to do it. He wants them done by tomorrow morning. Just fucking ridiculous. Does he just think I had nothing to do all day so I could do his work?"
I bit my lip in frustration. He obviously didn't see the irony in that statement. After all he was bitching that he couldn't do Mr. Jensen's work and yet he was currently telling me to do his. I swear he never listened to the words coming out of his own mouth. Not to mention I manage his schedule and he was, in fact, doing nothing today.
Sighing I knew I was better off doing it than arguing and the sooner I could start, the sooner I could leave.
"Of course I can help with that sir. Could you please forward me the list and I'll get started on it right away."
"Yes, yes of course" He said as he dismissed me with a wave of his hand and went to forward me the email. I breathed a sigh of relief, even if I did get a lot of work dumped on me. I was happy just not to have to listen to his tantrum anymore.
He was still muttering to himself as I left his office, but at least his face wasn't red anymore.