Claire manage to settle into her new position perfectly, without any run-ins with Mr Moore, the CEO of the company, for which she was grateful.
She worked hard to earn her spot, working about 80-hour weeks. She was still trying to work on her projects, struggling to delegate some of them due to their importance of them, and she now has a new set of responsibilities. In a sense, Claire was doing two jobs in one and she was yet to find a way to manage the workload and delegate the work as needed.
It's been already three weeks since Gary left, and it hasn't been an easy three weeks. Claire's mum was still deteriorating, her dad was still struggling to keep himself together whilst at home, and Claire wasn't able to be around as much due to the workload. However, she was very keen to save all the money she could and according to her calculations, it would take less than six months to get her mum an appropriate treatment. Claire hoped with all her heart that her mum still had those six months in her.
Her head was in turmoil as she walked into the elevator. It was only 6 am and she had at least an hour of silence left before the first employees will arrive. She already held some forms in her hand, checking for any mistakes.
To her surprise, the elevator stopped on the second floor. She shifted to the back as someone walked in and stood beside her in complete silence. They pressed the button and the elevator continued up. Shockingly, the elevator stopped again on the tenth floor and as the door opened, Zoe stood outside, her eyes opened widely and she froze.
"Hi, Zoe." Claire welcomed her before looking back down at the forms in her hand.
"I'll take the next one, Claire," Zoe said sheepishly. Claire looked back up at the closing door in confusion but didn't pay much attention to it. She shook her head and returned to the forms spotting at least three errors that the accountant has made.
When the elevator stopped again, it was on the floor of the Contracts and Services Department.
She walked out of the elevator and started to make her way towards her office when the second elevator door opened.
Claire looked around to see Zoe.
"Claire!" Zoe ran towards her.
"What's wrong, Zoe?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"Thank goodness!"
"Zoe, are you alright? You look as if you've seen the ghost."
"Well, I was worried that you were in trouble seeing as you were in the elevator with Mr Moore."
"What?" Claire's eyes widened. "Was that Mr Moore?" She looked back at the closed elevator door.
"Claire! How are you so clueless?"
"I didn't pay attention. I was checking the forms when he stepped in. I didn't even notice his face!"
"I thought that you were in trouble! And you didn't even notice?!"
"There was a mistake on the form and I was too focused on it to notice. It cannot be that big of a deal, right?"
"I've heard that he fired someone a few weeks ago because they've used the same elevator."
"And why would you tell me this?" Claire looked paler. "Now, that's all I'm going to think about. Besides, I was there first. If anything, he should've waited for the next one." Claire huffed. "Actually, why are you in so early?"
"I was hoping to catch you before the investor meeting later today. Can you run through the presentation with me? I'm so anxious and I'd love some feedback."
"Come to my office in half an hour and let's have a look. I'll just try to sort this out." Claire waved the form.
"Claire…" Zoe started with hesitation.
"Yeah?"
"Would you like me to sort it out for you?"
"What? Why?"
"I can deal with the accounting. It's not a trouble for me."
"But why?"
"Because you are overworked and instead of delegating you to take on more responsibilities."
"So, you've noticed?"
"Come on, Claire." Zoe smiled reassuringly.
"Alright, Zoe. If you wouldn't mind I'd appreciate you sorting it out for me. I've counted at least three mistakes in it and I still haven't reached the middle."
"Sure thing. I'll brew us some coffee first, what do you say?"
"You're a lifesaver! Send me your presentation and I'll try to make some notes on it and we can review it in a few minutes."
As Claire made her way into her office, on floor forty-two Mr Moore walked into his own office.
"Pattison, do you know that girl I asked you to research?" He turned towards his assistant who was already pouring him fresh coffee.
"Yes, sir. I'm afraid that there's no online presence for her. I am trying to use local CCTV and facial recognition to find her."
"Well, I'm going to make your job simple. Floor 36."
"The Contracts and Services Department?"
"Someone there should be able to recognise her, I'm sure."
"Yes, sir." Pattison nodded.
"Drop off the budget forecasts this morning to the head of the department and ask then?" Mr Moore turned his computer on. "I think it's someone new. Gary left a few weeks ago. What a disloyal bastard." He huffed angrily.
"Yes, sir. I can check the name as soon as I get to my desk."
"No need to. It's Miss Thompson. I have been keeping an eye on her reports."
"Really?"
"Quality control."
"Understood."
Pattison left his boss' office and went to his desk, printing the budget forecasts out.
At 7 am he made his way to the 36th floor, which had maybe five people in by now. He made his way to the head's office.
"Good afternoon, sir." Claire stood up to welcome him.
"I've brought some forms for you to analyse," Pattison said looking up from the papers. He froze as he recognised Claire instantly.
"Oh, thank you. What are they?" Claire stood up and walked around her desk.
"Budget allocations for the next term."
"Exciting." Claire started looking through the forms. "Departmental cuts? That's charming."
"We are preparing for an expansion, hence the cuts."
"Who should that be reported to?"
"Myself would suffice." Pattison smiled.
"I'm sorry, I don't think we were officially introduced. I'm Claire Thompson."
"Mark Pattison. I'm Mr Moore's assistant."
"Oh, a pleasure to meet you, Mr Pattison." Claire shook his hand. "When would you like it back by?"
"By Friday morning?"
"No problem. I'll get right on top of it. I had some spending forecast prepared just yesterday so I'll see where I can allocate the funds and whether I can make any further cuts. I might be able to get it to you by the end of the day if that's okay?"
"Thank you. The sooner the better." Pattison stared at Claire as she walked back to her desk and started writing some notes.
"Is there anything else I can help with?" Claire asked with a warm smile.
"No, that'll be everything. Thank you." Pattison walked away.
Pattison hurried straight back to Mr Moore's office.
"And?" Mr Moore asked.
"I think I found her," Pattison said unsurely. "Sir, I believe that it is Miss Thompson from the Contracts and Services Department."
"Miss Thompson?"
"Yes"
"It can't be." Mr Moore said decisively.
"But sir…"
"How long has she been leading the department?"
"For three and a half weeks, sir."
"How is the department doing?"
"It's hard to tell as it weren't even four weeks but it does seem that they are currently ahead of the forecast."
"How far ahead?"
"Nearly £100million ahead, sir."
"That's more than Gary ever managed during our top season." Mr Moore straightened out in his chair. "So, you're telling me that the woman I've bumped into on several occasions has been right under my nose?"
"I'm afraid so, sir."
"She's been here for nearly four weeks and I'm only finding this out?"
"Actually, Miss Thompson was internally promoted. She has been here for about five years now. She started as the junior designer."
"Five years to move from junior to the head of the department?"
"Yes, sir. Miss Thompson has been outperforming her colleagues for the last five years."
"I see." Mr Moore leaned back into his seat, lighting up a cigarette. "Let me know what she comes back with in regards to the budget. I have a call in ten anyways."
"Of course, sir."