Thread: Next Time, Read the Fine Print. (Sync & Darkest_Fate)

As she took the offered coffee, Vivienne had to force herself to not smile at how hard the girl was trying to be what she thought she was expected to be. That was a lot of I thinks right there. Vivienne suspected that Paige would be wondering just how she landed the role, given her apparent lack of marketable skills. And the clothingso very clear at least some of it was not her own. The nose-ring was cute, but not suitable for professional activities a stud would be fine while the girl was at work. These things could be sorted out. Thank you, Paige, she replied quietly but firmly, soothing but not losing any authority in doing so. The cup was hot, and she sat it down on the desk next to her her secretarys desk, as it was, which was where theyd bumped into each other. Vivienne had been unintentionally and unavoidably delayed in getting to the office this morning, which had allowed Paige the time to meet the secretary Kitomi Tanaka, a porcelain-skinned Japanese woman whod already been briefed about Paiges appointment and arrival find out what Vivienne liked and get the coffee. Vivienne had walked up almost right behind Paige, close enough that shed heard the mumbled comment. Kitomi smiled faintly and nodded a greeting at the CEO, but otherwise remained silent she wasnt overly thrilled about this new role that Paige had filled, given it was outside the companys HR structure, but it wasnt a company appointment either, so making the company pay for it would be wrong the secretary would just have to wait and see how it worked. It had, in part, been Kitomis off-hand comments about Vivienne burning herself out that had led to this role being created, after all. For now, Kitomi was, and would be, polite and professional in her dealings with Paige. For a moment, Vivienne just looked over Paige and took in the girls appearance. She saw a young girl who looked to be somewhat uncertain in this environment, probably felt similarly, possibly a bit overwhelmed. After all, she was just out of High School had a few part-time jobs to get her through school, no doubt grades were good but not spectacular, as were her prospects. But there was something about the girl that had convinced the CEO to give her a try, so Vivienne had gone with her instinct. She picked up the cup and nodded towards her office. Walk with me, Paige, she instructed in a clear, firm voice, then turned and headed towards her own office. She opened the door, waited for Paige to enter, then closed the door behind the pair. The office was not huge by stereotypical CEO standards Viviennes office was probably no larger than the size of half a tennis court but it was still big and well-furnished, with a large desk for Vivienne to sit behind, several bookshelves filled with manuals and periodicals and reference materials, a large leather couch, a small table with a few chairs places around it, a large flat-screen TV mounted to one walland the obligatory bar-fridge tucked into one corner with a small sink next to it and few glasses set on a shelf above it. Take a seat, she added, gesturing to the chairs opposite the CEOs desk as she walked around it to take her own chair, the coffee cup placed on a precisely-located coaster near the keyboard. Vivienne waited for Paige to sit before speaking again. Firstlywelcome, she began, allowing a little formality to fade and be replaced by some warmth. She was again struck by how cute and innocent Paige looked, but this time there was the added knowledge that there would be a lot of alone time for the pair of them. She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a manila folder, then pushed the folder across the desk to Paige. Im looking forward to working with you as I hope you are with me. This has the potential to be veryinteresting, for both of us. She paused, then nodded at the folder. In the folder is a copy of the paperwork we signed last week, including the employment agreement, your salary package and benefits, taxation information, and so on. The envelope contains your company credit card its a secondary card to my own, so while Ill encourage you to use it, if you go overboard Ill know. Vivienne leaned back in her chair and cast an appraising look over the young girl. Im sure youre wondering just what it is youll be doing in this role? She gestured to the cup of coffee sitting on the table. Little things like that. All the small, personal things that I very likely need but dont have the time to do myself. Do some shopping for me, make sure my travel arrangements are set, make sure I eat and drink well, take care of my dry cleaningall those little, personal things. Try to anticipate what I might need or want, and make sure I have it. She gave the girl a warm smile. For now, thoughtalk with Kitomi, make sure were both set to fly out tomorrow, then go out and get yourself some business outfits. Therell be at least one formal dinner that youll be accompanying me to this week, so make sure youre dressed for that as well. Dont forget that next week were flying out to Germany for a week-long conference check all that out with Kitomi, too. Anything youll need to travelget it now. She stopped, reach for the coffee and sipped slowly at it. Good coffeethank you, she complimented sincerely, her pale blue eyes meeting Paiges blue-grey ones. Anything you want to ask me?