"Hey ma" Veronica opened the door to her mother giving her a hug and exhaling feeling her mother's comfort.
They both walked to her living room. Veronica lived in an apartment it was a decent size, some rooms bigger than the others which she liked and wouldn't mind calling it home.
"Hey, my sweet Ronnie how are you doing baby" Her mother Renee was a widow after Veronica's father died due to his low health while also having diabetes.
Her mother never re-married again; she was completely heartbroken.
Veronica sighed "I'm alright ma it's just a lot has happened in the two days, and I just want straight blunt motherly advice." Renee nodded her head at her daughter " of course Ron but what happened at the meeting was it anything to do with your promotion I know how long you have been wanting that sweetie." Her mother said as she held her hand tightly while speaking to her daughter.
Veronica rolled her eyes making her mother confused.
" First off, the meeting had nothing to do with the upcoming promotion matter fact none of them even spoke to me" Veronica said sighing as she held a sad look.
Renee listened to her daughter telling her every information leading up to the topic of Ahmad Tate, as she would sometimes squeeze her hand whenever she felt her daughter getting even more upset.
"And now the guy I said some harsh words too is my boss and I'm scared he might have a grudge against me and ruin me." Veronica exhaled, happy she had her mother to talk to, offering a smile.
"Listen baby I know working in a company can be hard especially when some companies act like it's a man's world there. All I can say to you sweetheart is just give them hell show them how much of a great employee you can be. Your father always said the way to earn somebody's respect is by forcing them to respect you."
Veronica raised her eyebrow at her mother quite skeptical that her mother didn't say that right.
Her mother did a dramatic sigh " oh you know what I mean. I'm trying to say that with you being a great employee they would have to notice you because of how good you are, no complaints, you just get the work done. Only a sad person would find a way not to respect or try to bring you down to the mud."
"Do you understand that, Ronnie." Her mother grabbed her chin making her look at her. " Don't forget I'm always here for you no matter what."
Veronica nodded, giving her mom a great hug, really appreciating the advice she had given her, making her happy that this was her mother.
She practically felt invincible.
—————-
But then reality had hit her
Tons of files and paperwork were placed at her desk never ending. For the last 3 days she had been running up and down trying to cater to Mr. Tates satisfaction, However, that man was practically a devil to Veronica he liked things being down a certain way and if he doesn't approve, he would make her start again.
Just yesterday as usual Veronica gave her work to Felix to double check her work and when he casually gave it back to her with no hassle, she was curious but not that curious enough to double check the work.
She handed it to Mr. Tate and sat at her desk focusing on the next task. That is until she heard the door slam open, making her jump and look at her new boss glaring at her.
"WHAT IS THIS" he yelled slamming the paper down on the table " Veronica was so shocked at his tone towards her that she didn't even know what to say until she looked at the paper seeing food stain fingerprints as he flicked through all the pages.
"Are you eating while on the job" he said while his nose flared up. " NO" she said immediately defending herself knowing exactly who it was. She snapped her head towards Felix as he was just on the phone to a client looking as innocent as ever.
Before she could even speak, she heard " Do it again start all over I don't care this looks like something a toddler would do. I don't care how long it takes you just be done before the shift is over."
" But what about the rest of the files" She looked at Ahmad as he looked at her with so much annoyance.
" You can continue those on the weekend I expect it to be on my desk by Monday 10 am bright and early."
She watched as he walked away though she was quite upset she would have to restart two hours of all her work, but she already knew who it was and was planning to get them back with revenge.
——-
It was a Saturday morning and Veronica was halfway through the work. She slightly smiled hoping this would all be done by Monday, and she would be able to get in his good books. She was also annoyed at herself for not checking the work after Felix just handed it to her so calmly, she knew for next time.
Knock knock
She made her way to the door, opening it up for Imani, standing to the side letting her in.
"Hey Ronnie, how've you been I've been missing I have no one else to work with or even gossip with" she pouted at her friend while also giving her a hug.
Veronica went back to her floor continuing with her work. As Imani walked in, she looked at her in shock.
" Don't tell me this is the work you have been given goodness Ronnie, when is this due."
"Monday" she said nonchalantly
"MONDAY, it doesn't even look like you made a dent to these paperwork's normally you always have a free weekend off because you are that quick."
Veronica pointed to the desk showcasing the other paperwork she had completed while giving her a shrug
"Do you need help with the work together? We would hopefully be able to finish this on Sunday.
As Imani made her way to the paperwork she watched as Veronica shook her head.
" No, it's ok I wanna be able to look him in the eye and tell him I did all this myself. I'm extremely confident in my work and I don't want him to look down upon me if I told him I had help from a co-worker."
"Veronica, I respect you so much and adore you, but I also wonder why you always put up with this. You've been working there for 2 years since you were 24 and all I ever saw you do was push to show how much you deserved to be picked or you deserved to have this job. I sometimes wonder why you don't find another job"
With a sigh she put her pen down and looked at her friend.
" Imani if I had always complained or did a shit job I would have been easily fired. Yes, I know it looks hard but other people have it worse than me. I have been working there for 2 years while others work 5 and are probably still in their position now. I know what I'm worth and that promotion is so close I can feel it.
So, If I have to kiss ass, I'll do it because I'm not gonna let Mr. Tate have another reason for disliking me or even talk down upon me." She finally said while continuing with her work.
Imani looked at her friend with a new view and could only just look at her friend proudly, she kind of felt bad about mentioning her to quit her job but shook it off.
"Well," Imani clapped "while you do that, I'm gonna cook us some dinner because I know you have not eaten and it's soon becoming noon." Imani said as she made her way to the kitchen to cook for both of them. Veronica really enjoyed her friends cooking and enjoyed her friends' company in general.
After Imani had made her famous chicken stir fry with some honey BBQ wings on the side. Veronica took a break and enjoyed her girl chat with Imani catching the gossip of the outside life and work life enjoying a glass of wine with her friend.
————
After Imani had left around 8pm Veronica had a sudden idea to get Mr. Tate to not want to chop her head off. She sat on her computer and searched up the number to his company. Where she spoke on the phone to his previous assistant who worked there.
Getting all the notes on how he likes his coffee, how he likes his office organized, and how he likes to know how busy his day is going to be.
————
As Veronica placed his coffee just how he liked it in his office she heard what she could assume to be her bosses' footsteps.
"What are you doing in my office."
"Good morning Mr. Tate I was just putting your coffee on the desk to get you ready for the week. Would you like to know your timetable for today."
Ahmad was quite intrigued, but he wouldn't let it show and nodded his head wanting her to continue.
" Well for starters I have completed all the paperwork you asked me to do to while also highlighting and leaving notes on the pages you would need to tend to mostly. I also printed out a timetable next to your computer to show you all the meetings you will have. But don't worry I'll also remind you myself and will also be accompanying you to get some notes down and to see your interest whatsoever you please. Which reminds me you have a 10:30 appointment with a Mr. Robert, co-founder of Roberts and acres."
Veronica stood there waiting for his response and trying to read his expression seeing if he would give anything away.
Ahmad made his way to his desk and sat down while Veronica moved away from the desk standing opposite him. She watched as he tasted his coffee, and she could have sworn she saw his eyes widen a little bit.
"How did you know how I liked my coffee, desk arranged and to know my timetable beforehand" He was genuinely curious but didn't wanna show her how impressed he was."
" I called your assistant from Gallington and asked her what your likes and dislikes were to make your life easier."
"You mean to make your life easier." He said while he laid back in his chair looking at her.
Veronica offered a small smile and began to leave until she heard "Well done Miss Calhoun, I must admit I'm impressed you did your research."
"Thank you, sir, and with that she walked back to her desk smiling to herself. Well In her mind she was doing the happy dance that he even completed her work."
When she looked up, she saw Felix giving her a glare, making her wonder what his problem was. She would have reacted, but her boss's office was right behind her desk and the office window was glass."
As Veronica was typing away on the computer, she saw Mr. Tate walking out of his office with the paperwork she had given him and his office bag. He stopped to look at her. She scrunched her face in question. " Well, aren't you coming with me to the meeting?" He said impatiently
Veronica quickly glanced at the time saying 10:25 and when she looked up, she saw him walking off without her. She quickly grabbed her belongings and quickly tried catching up with him to the elevator. It was very silent as she could feel the elevator going down to the 15th floor.
As the door opened, she saw him look back at her and
Heard him say " so far I read the first section and I must say you really know what you are doing" and with that he walked out of the elevator.
Veronica smiled happily, happy that he wasn't even looking at her but also because he had completed her work twice in the last 30 minutes. She started to feel even more confident and made her way with him to the meeting.