“Victoria Harron, is it?” Mr Andrew Larsen growled irritably from behind his massive executive desk in his equally large corner office. “Let’s get one thing straight right now. HR hired you because of your looks to improve my client’s overall quality of visits. I told them no because I need a competent and qualified assistant but apparently I was not listened to. Which means more work for me. So if you plan on keeping this job I suggest you show me that there is at least a little competency and smarts behind those gorgeous green eyes of yours by doing what I ask. Now get out of my office and get to work. There’s a to do list for you to complete by the end of day out on your desk. It should be simple enough for you to manage.”
Victoria hesitated for a moment. The highly trained recent graduate in her wanted to refute his claims and argue her merits. In that same moment she also knew that arguing would be pointless and he probably wouldn’t listen to her anyways. So she did an abrupt about-face in her killer stilettos and left the room. First day on the job and her new boss had all but thrown a two week’s notice in her face because she was pretty. His words, not hers.
He wanted proof she would be an amazing assistant, she knew she could provide that. Just give her the day.
The paltry to do list she found on the desk just outside his office left her wondering if he had even looked at her resume or if he had simply seen her picture and drawn all his conclusions from there.
A half hour later, with the sorting and filing he had left on her desk done and the few fluff calls handled and Victoria wondered if she should bother him or wait a bit longer before facing him. She had even reorganized the mess of a calendar she had found on the computer. It wasn’t even connected with Mr Larsen’s. How was she supposed to know when she could schedule meetings and clients? With a shrug she stood. She might as well start off honest with how long it took her to accomplish menial tasks like the ones he had assigned her.
He looked up, irritation covering his handsome features as she stepped inside holding the list, and sighed, “I don’t have time to show you what to do. Take an early lunch and I’ll find someone to teach you.”
Victoria waited until he stopped and actually looked up at her. “Is there anything else you need done?”
Irritated and impatient he snapped, “Just do what’s on the list.”
“I did, Mr Larsen.” She stayed calm.
The surprise on his face was almost comical. After several seconds of somewhat awkward silence she decided to take some pity on him.
“Mr Larsen I’d be happy to do more if you have something else you think I could handle.” Her slightly teasing reproach shook a smile loose from his stunned look.
In an instant his disarming smile morphed into a look of challenge. “Alright. Let’s see how much you can handle.” Victoria paid careful attention as he quickly rattled off a long list of things to do. “Update me on your progress before you head to lunch.” With an abrupt nod he summarily dismissed her.
Victoria reigned in her triumph to a small acceptable smirk. As she closed the door she popped her head back in, “And in terms of looks sir, you might want to wonder if that’s why they hired you.”
An odd happy tingle sparked through her when he laughed. “Thank you Miss Harron. I’ll be looking into that promptly and seek to prove otherwise to you.”
“A very sound idea Mr Larsen.” She agreed as solemnly as she could, even though a smile did crack through.
“Please, call me Andrew. I have a feeling I am not going to have to fire you.”
With a laugh of her own Victoria closed the office door and sat down to make the phone calls he’d mentioned first.
Focused on efficiency she barely noticed the time until she looked up from a spreadsheet she was proofing to find the clock on the wall showing it well past one. Hurriedly she placed all her papers inside the top drawer of her desk and approached the office door. Once again she hesitated before going in. And yet when she did, she opened the door with exaggerated flair.
“Mr. Larsen!” She proclaimed. “I have come to make my pre-lunch progress report.” After a slight pause she amended, “Sorry I meant to say Andrew.”
“And have you finished your new list?” His expectant look caught her off guard.
“I…no, not yet.” She admitted, a little anxious.
He relaxed back in his chair and shot her an endearing crooked grin and her heart fluttered. “Oh good. I was worried I’d have to give you a raise.”
“Well if you want to give me a raise I won’t stop you. I just noticed it was after one so I figured I should fill you in before I headed out for lunch.”.
Andrew’s gaze shot quickly over to the clock on his wall. “When did it get to be so late?” He lasered his focus back in on Victoria. “What if I ordered us both some lunch and you can go over what you’ve managed to get through and ask any questions you have for the rest of your list.”
Taking a seat on the opposite side of the desk Victoria sat back and nodded. “That sounds like a great idea. I would suggest sharing your calendar with me so you are aware of any new meetings and I don’t double book any.”
He nodded as he turned to his computer screen. She quickly hid a thrilling shiver that shot down her spine. With that smile on that face of his, she was going to have to be careful and stay professional.
