Classy and Rich

Classy and Rich
"Here we go, Sam."

Tom said excitedly while his wife leaned her head outside the window to look at the tall building owned by the Smiths.

"Wow, this is really nicer than I thought. We must be living under rocks, right babe?"

Taylor turned to Tom, who chuckled right after her words.

"Nope, that is because we are not much in the business world like Mr Bridge. Otherwise, Sam... do you need help with the painting boards?" Tom asked from his driver's seat, his words snapping Samantha's mind back to reality.

"Oh no, thanks, but I will manage. You two shall have a safe trip then."

She smiled softly as she abruptly opened the door and took her two paintings with her.

"Good luck, twin. Until we meet."

Tom winked at Sam and waved to her, along with Taylor, who was friendly till the end.

Samantha waited for their car to drive off before she could brace herself and go into the Smith building.

She gasped as she got into one of the luxurious elevators to Paul's department.

The Smiths' building was super nice, with a live screen outside that displayed each and every sample of the products the Smith Group dealt with, including the super fancy cars which were probably expensive.

"Good morning, sir. I am looking for Mr Smith's office." Samantha asked one of the employees passing by her, who wore a similar blue uniform like the security guys who welcomed her at the company's entrance.

"Do you have an appointment?"

The man asked seriously, and Sam only gave a slight nod with an easy smile curled on her lips.

"Cool. His office is right there by the corner, where no one is really passing. Not even a fly. Good luck."

He smirked and went on his way, leaving Sam stunned.

"I know Paul is worse than Damon, but is he that bad? His employees are scared of him?"

Samantha mumbled as she followed the directions which led to Paul's office.

She only knocked once before she was let in by a firm voice from inside.

"Shit!" She uttered loudly as she walked inside, glancing around the place which looked fancy. Even she wondered if heaven looked exactly the same.

Sean lowered his head from his seat, as Paul raised his eyebrows at the woman probably gasping at seeing his workspace for the very first time.

"Don't embarrass me, child." Sean whispered, even though Paul also caught his words since they sat across from each other.

"I am sorry for that and for being late. It was quite a hassle to get these paintings from my apartment, but yippee! I got them."

She grinned and clutched the covered paintings to her legs as she walked to sit by Sean's side, placing both paintings carefully on the floor.

"I told you it was a bad idea."

Sean added as he met her soft glance.

The two of them turned and looked at Paul, whose serious gaze was focused on them, a ballpoint between his fingers.

"I will only forgive your lateness for now, Miss Stone, all because Sean had nice tales to share."

Paul teased to make the atmosphere gentle, and it worked indeed as they all smiled at that.

"Thanks, Mr Smith, and here is all I have drafted for this deal."

She handed the document to Paul, who nodded as he took it, meanwhile Sean looked quite impressed with the very same file in his hands as he filled the pages.

Sean's task was simple, to bring fresh new talents for this project, and he knew he chose right when he chose Samantha, the most humble young person he had employed to join his team.

Sean had also asked Samantha to come up with new ideas to add to his original proposal, and it seemed like she had followed his instructions and even done extra.

She waited a full ten minutes to get feedback from Paul and her boss, whose face wore a satisfied smile.

“Nice, this is refreshing, Miss Stone. This is why the landlord and I thought of using Sean’s Art Studio to make this project impressive to our customers. Although, I must advise you not to exaggerate your drawings too much. Keep it classy and rich,” Paul said with a stern gaze.

Sam nodded at his words and turned to her boss.

“Yeah, I promise that we will deliver only the best to the Smith Group. To tell you a secret, this is the first automotive project I have ever worked on, and thanks to your talents, child.”

Sean playfully caressed Sam’s cheek, and she laughed at his actions.

“No, this is all you, Sean. You have earned your way to the top, and I must thank Mr. Smith for granting us this opportunity before you retire soon.”

She replied with a serious expression at the thought of Sean leaving his company for retirement.

Well, who would be in charge of everything in his absence? Wouldn’t his company close down because it needs a legendary leader? This was what ran through Sam’s mind every time she heard him mention retirement.

“I had no idea you were retiring soon. This would actually disappoint my father because he is very much in love with the antiques and every piece of art you have ever displayed,” Paul said with a long breath while swinging in his chair.

“I know, son. Perhaps he should also focus on fresh minds like this one. He could never go wrong with her. I assure you that I have taught her every single thing about the business I am in.”

Sean’s face lightened at the sight of Sam smiling at his compliments.

“Did you really teach me everything?”

She arched her brows, and the old man shook his head with a teasing smile plastered on his lips.

“Everything but my tricks. You better figure those out on your own,” he said joyously.

Paul watched Sean and Sam get along so well. A sense of relief washed over him as he now knew that at least Samantha had a place where she felt and acted more like herself. He had never seen her this way, even with them or her friends. It proved to him that Sean had taken her in as one of his daughters, not just an employer-employee relationship.

“The deal is yours, Sean. You can sign the contract while I glance at these paintings.”

Paul shook hands with Sean and Samantha and pushed the contract forward.

“You can just shout if you want some things fixed,” he added as he rose from his chair and bent near Sam to uncover the paintings so he could have a look at them in order to choose for David.

“Allow me to help you there.”

Sam helped Paul and made sure the boards were aligned next to each other, the pieces of art blending together.

“I bet the old man would take one for himself, so I will pay for the two of them. He will prefer this one for Violet.”

Paul looked genuinely impressed by what he saw, and Sam was just as delighted, along with Sean who was signing the contract.