43- Grow and shine
He smiles as he glances down at his restless tot. “Can I have that?” he asks referring to my half emptied bottle of water.
I quickly hand it over.
He puts it in Alexa’s hands and immediately, the toddler is occupied with wrinkling the plastic. “I understand you,” he says. “And I’m surprised at all. Grady takes quite a while to warm up to people and can even sometimes, just remain completely closed off. This is one of the reasons why I hired you. Because of your youth and easy going personality, I am hoping that perhaps you’ll be able to lighten up the air around there.”
Well, you’re not the one getting slowly killed by frostbite, I think to myself.
“The second reason why I hired you is to bring some fresh perspective into his projects. From what you know so far of his schedule, is there any part of it that you would like to improve upon? If there is, then perhaps you could bring this up with him, and if he appreciates your suggestion, then that will most definitely break the ice between you too. The way to Grady’s heart is work and solely work.”
I consider his suggestion. “Well, he has an event in Breckenridge on Friday; the annual security conference. He has to give a short presentation about cyberattacks, via package delivery, and I was thinking that perhaps he could incorporate a short demonstration during his speech to increase its impact? There are going to be a lot of companies and potential massive clients at the conference.”
He nods in agreement. “That’s pretty good,” he says. “So bring this to his attention.” I hesitate, a small breath sifting through my teeth.
He studies me. “You have to bring it up to him,” he stresses. “This is the surefire way to melt the ice between you two.”
“What if he doesn’t respond positively?”
“Then you try again, and again until he eventually does. He’s your boss so although, I am rooting for you, the heights that you climb here will depend on your resilience and proactivity.”
I nod promptly, reminded that the CFO isn’t my personal therapist.
His baby throws the bottle across the table and that becomes his cue to leave. “Gotta get back to the wife,” he says and rises to his feet. “And on a final note, I’m certain you’ve done well thus far because despite how withdrawn he can be, he’s incredibly vocal about bad performance. He hasn’t said a word of complaint to me about you, so I’m sure you’re handling your tasks properly. However, you need to build a rapport so that you can truly be a great assistant to him, and through that, find opportunities to grow.”
Yes, sir,” I reply.
“Also, make some friends,” he says. “It’s not good to be too alone over here as there are many tedious and long hours coming your way. You’ve just been CFO certified so say hi to some people and they’ll be very happy to welcome you to a conversation.”
I give a quick glance around the room. “I will, sir,” I respond with a smile. He takes his leave.
I wave to Alexa, and soon they are gone. Then I take the time to think hard about what he has just advised me on.
On my way back home from work later that evening, I stop by Jodie’s diner for a quick meal, and to catch up with her. I also share Daniel’s suggestion on how to tackle my boss with her.
She then gives me her advice on how to ‘truly break the ice’. It’s a pair of bright blue lacy lingerie she had picked up a few days earlier. “This is all you need,” she says. “Wear this into his office, and you’ll have all the attention you need from him.”
I snatch the package to inspect it, but roll my eyes at her devilish suggestion. “Fix the problem that sex created with more sex. You’re a genius aren’t you?”
She fights to take the gift back at my sarcasm, but I eventually succeed in leaving the diner with it. The next day, I wear it to work beneath my cobalt blue suit, and there is just something about its decadence that makes me feel just a little bit more empowered and sexy.
He arrives right on time at 8 AM, and once again walks past me without a word. I rise to sound my usual greeting and his response is a quiet nod.
I don’t sit back down, but of course, he doesn’t notice. He shuts the door to his office as usual and I’m left to wallow in the silence of the massive reception. I pace the front of the door for a good twenty minutes before I finally find the courage to go in. Inhaling a shaky breath, I knock on the door and do not give him the chance to pretend that he doesn’t hear it.
I walk in and of course, he only spares a brief glance to check who has come in uninvited. When he sees that it’s me, he continues right on with whatever he’s doing with his desktop.
“I haven’t yet had the chance to ask how you like your coffee in the morning,” I say as I approach his desk, my gaze on the paper cup that he usually brings in himself.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says.
I try my very best to calm my annoyance at his snobbery. I place the folder on his desk and open it up. “Here’s the schedule for the conference at Breckenridge tomorrow and the lineup of speakers. I’ve also included the companies that will be present and the best potential prospects as major clients. The names of the CEOs that will be in attendance are also here.”
He doesn’t respond which is my cue to leave, but I’m not going to back down this easily. So I begin to circle his desk.
At my approach, he lifts his head.
I don’t dare meet his eyes as I come over to his side, slightly bending over to point out what I want his attention on from the schedule. “Here’s my recommendation for—”
“Step away,” he says.