It took 15 minutes for Mr. Stone to come into the office. I couldn't help but notice that he still looked pretty sad. It still left me wondering why. We got into the elevator and he told me we were headed back down to reception. That was when I decided to ask him why he seemed so sad. "Excuse me, I know that you don't know me, but if you don't mind me asking, why do you seem so sad?" I asked him as politely as I could, not wanting to offend him on my first day working here.
"Oh well, I just wanted the job as his assistant, but I should have known he would pick a pretty girl over someone like me. He uses me as an errand boy. Mr. Stone do this... Mr. Stone do that," he said through gritted teeth. I could tell he was upset.
I followed him out of the elevator and up to the reception desk. One of the ladies stopped us and inquired, "Hello, how can we assist you today?"
Mr. Stone motions toward me, "We would like an official hire packet and badge made, please." he says softly as he smiles at the lady behind the counter.
"Oh my gosh, another hire!" she exclaims with a soft smile on her face. "So what is her job?" she asks.
"She will be Mr. Albertini's new Personal Assistant," he says as he smiles back at her.
"Oh, and how did a pretty thing like you land that job? Doesn't he always opt for older, as he doesn't want to be distracted from work?" she asks with a surprised smile on her face. I knew she was looking for information. Perhaps she had a crush on her boss.
"I just interviewed him for the job, and he offered it to me. That's all." I replied because she didn't really need to know everything that had happened between me and Lorenzo. She pulled out a folder from under the desk. On the folder, it says Welcome to Albertini Industries, where the best of the best are found. I couldn't help but think it sounded a bit cocky to have it in an incoming hire folder. But then again, what do I know? I watched as she pulled out a camera as well. She asked Mr. Stone to hold a simple square of white fabric behind me so she could take my photo for my badge. Once he had it up, she held it up in front of her face and told me to smile. I smiled at the bright flash as she took the photo.
She pulled out all of the tax paperwork I needed to fill out, along with the bank paperwork asking if I had a bank account. I told her I did and filled out the paper completely with all of the necessary information for my direct deposit. She explained all of the rules related to paychecks and all other information and guidelines she was required to inform me of. After she was finished, I thanked her as she handed me a badge with my photo on it. I noticed it had my name and job title on it. Now I officially belonged to the man and had a badge that proved it. I walked quietly behind Mr. Stone as we walked towards the elevator to take me up to the top floor.
I clutched the folder tightly against my chest as I waited for the elevator to take me to my destination. As the door opened, Mr. Stone told me to flash the badge to Mrs. Stevenson at the reception desk and she immediately buzzed me in. We walked right back into his office, and I wondered where my office would be.
I noticed right away that he was talking on the phone, so I waited to speak with him until he ended the call. "So I assume you have completed all the paperwork necessary to begin working here at my company?" he asks, his smirk running across his face. "Now you have to fill out all the paperwork required for you to work directly for me. But first, let's just see your new office so you can put that folder away, he said while standing up." Turning toward the right, I had the horrible feeling my office was behind glass. He could watch everything I did, and I did not like it one bit.
However, I decided not to tell him that, so I smiled at him and said, "Perfect!" He gestured to me to the desk, running a finger along its top. He smiles back at me and then turns and heads back into his office. Placing the folder on top of the desk, I follow him. I can always put the folder away later.
"Mr. Stone, why don't you head out and get something to eat? Chinese sure sounds good to me and you have my card, so put it on that, and don't forget to get yourself some lunch as well." I heard my new boss order him, and I smiled knowingly as I knew he hated doing this kind of thing for him.
He returned the smile before turning around and leaving the office. What a sweet little man. Though I knew he wanted more out of his life than to be Lorenzo's errand boy. I felt sorry for the man, but I really needed this job to stay away from the man of my past. "Now I'm going to talk about some rules you should follow from now on, Mrs. Jennings," he snaps.
"Rules?" I asked annoyed already. Why does everything he says sound like an order?
Yes, Mrs. Jennings, this job is very demanding, as I am a very demanding man. First of all, you'll have Sundays off since I don't work most Sundays and I can complete my work on my own when I do. You will also have one evening completely free from 7 pm to 11 pm once a week. You must attend all meetings and take notes from each one. Because we live together, we arrive and leave together. This will allow things to run more smoothly. You are not to disturb me while I'm working unless I ask you to." He ordered with an arrogant grin across his face.
I swallowed hard. "So basically I do whatever you like, whenever you want, wherever you want?" I asked with a lump in my throat. What did I just get myself into?
"Precisely."
My heartbeat was so fast as I realized how much freedom I was giving up by taking this job. At the same time, I started wondering just how much he would be willing to pay me to be his PA. "Um, Mr. Albertini, may I ask how high my salary is for this job?"
He sent me a devilish smile as he said, "Your compensation will total $5,000 a week, paid directly into your account every Friday. This amount is paid to you for making yourself available to me in every way." My jaw dropped as he stated, "You will make yourself available to meet my every need." Wow! My eyes popped out. That's a whopping $20,000 a month!
"That's a salary of $240,000 per year, Ms. Jennings. As I said before, I care about you and want to take care of you. The promise I made to you has been kept, and I have made sure you have cash flow at your disposal." He spoke clearly. "You will also be assigned a company car, complete with a driver, should you need one. I hope you enjoy it here ... with me." The way he spoke left me gulping for air; it was almost as if he owned me now. But I could tell he had been generous enough to pay me well for the service.
When Mr. Stone came back with lunch, I was so grateful because I hadn't eaten breakfast since I slept in. He handed me a dish of Lemon Chicken, which I learned was one of Lorenzo's favorites. The dish also contained Fried Rice, Chow Mein, beef and broccoli, and an egg roll. We all ate lunch in the conference room, and I ate silently as I thought about the changes in my life since Lorenzo became the boss. I owe everything to him.
"After lunch, I have a few meetings that I am able to excuse you from; these meetings are unnecessary, and instead you will learn how to be a successful PA from Mr. Stone here. He has been in this profession for some time. I am confident that he will be happy to show you the ropes." he said as he looked at Mr. Stone.
"Yeah, I can do that," he replied, sending me a small smile.
"Okay," I replied quietly.
"After my meetings, I'll come pick you up and get you so I can take you home," he said so authoritatively that it made me gulp air. I nodded back at him. I wasn't feeling up to saying anything back. This kind of irritated me because he assumed he could just do whatever he wanted with me now that I was working for him. That he expected me to become such a willing subservient slave wasn't right.
After we finished our lunch, I watched him leave and go back to his office. He picked up the phone dialed a number and spoke rather angrily into the receiver. After hanging up, he walked out of his office and into the elevator, leaving me in the hands of Mr. Stone.
"So shall we begin?" he asks as he turns around and watches me in silence.
"Yeah, sure."
"Well first, I think we should set up your office space," he says as he walks toward the office. He sat down in my chair, making himself at home. It looked like he knew the office well.
"Uh, if you don't mind me asking Mr. Stone, what exactly do you do here?" I asked as I walked into the office myself.
He turns and smiles at me, "Well, I am a PA for another high-level executive here and Mr. Albertini uses me for his errands since I never make a mistake. He dislikes mistakes, and he does not like repeating himself, so don't make him do that. He hates tardiness, so never be late for anything." He says giving me a few pointers on my new boss, even though I already knew most of what he just told me. I didn't think the last one would be an issue. This is because I lived with him and I also arrived at work with him. I also left the office with him.
"Thank you for everything Mr. Stone," I say softly as he moves so I can settle down into my chair. There was a full view of Lorenzo's office as well as mine from his. Obviously, he would know everything I do at work, but I figured that's just how he liked it.
"Well, I must be heading back to my own job. First I want to wish you luck here. Mr. Albertini is not the easiest boss to have. But he does care about his employees," he said as he stood up to leave the office. I waved at him and settled into my newly appointed office. I didn't care if he saw everything I did; I was determined to make the most of this job. I felt it was the thing that would lead me to freedom. I was also hoping to use this opportunity to learn everything I can about business so that when the time comes, I can move on to another boss.