Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
It’s just after eleven, and I haven’t yet been told when I can take a lunch break. People have been coming and going since the meeting, but I figure I can’t just walk off on my first day.
Thankfully, I’m smart enough to have thought ahead and brought food. I pull out the sandwich and stuff it into my mouth. I’m eating it so quickly that I hope nobody sees me. I’m unsure of the protocol here. Can we eat at our desk? Is there a cafeteria?
Worse than not knowing what’s allowed, I definitely don’t want to scare anyone off on the first day with my less than proper food shoveling.
As I’m just about to swallow my last bite, and I’m wiping crumbs off my shirt, Shelby and Charles—no, Mr. Cavendish—walk by. Neither spares me a look, and for that, I’m grateful.
They stop just past my door, and I wonder if they’re aware that I can hear every single whispered word.
“Not acceptable, Shelby. She just graduated. Past internships are not enough to have prepared her for this account. I won’t have it.”
“With all due respect, Mr. Cavendish, you don’t have any other options.” Shelby’s tone is sharper than one would expect, being as though she’s addressing the CEO of the company.
“What about Liz Montoya? Or Persephone Adams?”
I bristle when it becomes obvious they’re discussing my qualifications, and he clearly finds me lacking. Is this because of my lack of experience or what occurred at Silver?
“Liz was just put on Mr. Lawson’s new accounts, and Persephone . . . well, let’s just say she’s a complete idiot. Incapable of following directions if her life depended on it.” She sighs. “Charlie, listen to me. Experience doesn’t always equate to talent. Raven Bennett is talented. Her references are glowing.”
Charlie? It doesn’t suit him at all, but then again, I don’t know him. Having one’s tongue down your throat does not equal familiarity.
He grunts. “Who are these glowing references?”
She begins rattling off the list of references I supplied, which is an impressive list if I do say so myself.
“All right,” he says.
“Megan Hall,” she continues. “Frank LaBlanc.”
“I said, all right,” he snaps. “You’ve made your bloody point. Let’s get this introduction over with, shall we?”
My hand darts out, swiping away every last crumb from the desk as I pull the notepad toward me. Once that’s in order, I grab the bottle of water to the side and quickly take a sip, hoping to wash down any remaining food I have in my teeth. I’m just swallowing when Shelby walks through my door with a brooding Charles Cavendish on her heels.
I straighten in my seat, trying my best to look thoroughly enraptured by the notebook containing my chicken scratch.
“Raven, I’d like to introduce you to our CEO, Charles Cavendish.”
I stand, doing my best to act as though this is the first time I’m meeting him. I extend my hand, willing it not to shake. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cavendish. Raven Bennett.”
His eyes narrow in on my proffered hand, and I thank God that Shelby isn’t paying him any attention and, therefore, has not noticed his icy demeanor toward me.
Eventually, the ass takes my hand in his and offers a too-firm shake. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Bennett,” he says through his teeth.
Shelby looks at him, pulling a face, but he ignores her, continuing to glare directly at me. With a shake of her head, she turns back to me. “We came to see how you’re settling in.”
I plaster on the cheeriest, fakest smile I can muster. “Everything’s going incredibly,” I say. “I’ve been doing some homework. Between HR modules and researching Diosa, the ideas are already flowing.”
Charles grunts, and Shelby’s mouth pinches together. I can tell she’s embarrassed by his behavior, but I refuse to show either of them that I’m bothered by it.
I somehow manage to beam brighter, and eventually, her pinched expression relaxes into a smile.
“That’s wonderful, Raven. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with.”
“She’s an analyst, not the account manager,” Charles directs to Shelby, completely ignoring me.
I’m done allowing him to treat me like I’m invisible. I get it, I caught him off guard, but he did the same to me. We’re professionals, and it’s time he starts acting the part.
“An advertising analyst worth her weight brings fresh ideas to her superiors, right?” I look directly at him when I say it, and I don’t miss the way his jaw clenches and eye twitches.
He’s not used to being challenged. Well, buckle up, Mr. Cavendish, because this girl isn’t going to be cowed by your obtuse attitude and hoity-toity hotness.
“Well said, Raven,” Shelby offers in encouragement.
I really like this woman. Not only is she kind, but she doesn’t take his shit, no matter who he is.
“Perhaps an assistant to the assistant of Diosa Clothier should worry more about her appearance and less about ideas.”