For the most part, Meredith is fine to work with. She’s straightforward with her instructions, always thinks one step ahead, and has her shit together. It’s easy to see why she’s an executive assistant. Her organization skills are next level.
The hours are longer than expected, not that Meredith forced me to stay back. I just thought it would be smart to catch up on work when no one was around. The office is large and always chaotic, with people in and out of meetings. Plus, there is always some celebration in the kitchen, which I don’t mind so much because it means cake.
Late hours mean leaving here close to dark. Thank God Mom gave me the car back because, without it, I’d be riding the bus late with strangers.
Two weeks pass, and things become more routine and less daunting. Colleagues’ names aren’t so hard to remember anymore. Most of them are older college graduates with degrees. They are nice enough but being the youngest is always hard, like I needed to prove myself.Story of my fucking life.
Josh, from IT, invited me to one of the events in Malibu next week. I suspect he has a thing for me since he keeps asking me out to lunch. He’s cute, sure, but workplace romances or flings seem like a super bad idea. Eric made sure to inform me of that the day I started work. It came with a spiel that started something like “Suits are the devil’s playground ….”
It’s Monday morning. According to Meredith, it’s the monthly board meeting, so she got in early to start preparing. She gave me a list of tasks, all of which are manageable and nothing too out of my comfort zone. As I sit at my desk with my head down, Monica, one of the ladies in finance, pops by to say hello.
“You ready for the meeting?”
I glance up and smile. “I’ve prepared everything Meredith has asked me to do.”
Monica shakes her head with a grin. “No, I meant, are you ready for the meeting? He’s back.”
“Who’s back?”
“Hunter,” she whispers while leaning in. “But people call him Mr. Cash.”
“Oh, I’m not going to the meeting.”
“Of course you are. Your name is listed as an attendee.”
Confused by what Monica says, I open the document with the attendee's list and see my name. I don’t know how I missed it before, probably because I was so busy doing other things.
“You’re right,” I mumble, followed by a wave of panic. “I’ve never met Mr. Cash.”
Monica nods with a knowing smirk. “Well, aren’t you in for a treat then.”
Without saying another word, Monica leaves, prompting me to rush to Meredith’s office, which is beside Hunter’s. Mr. Cash.Shit, what do I even call him?
My knuckles tap on the door, then Meredith looks up.
“Um, Meredith, you never mentioned me having to attend the meeting,” I mention, trying to hide my panic.
“Mr. Cash only requested it this morning.”
“Oh, he did?”
“Yes,” Meredith answers, removing her glasses to wipe them, only to place them back on again. “Is that a problem?”
“Uh, no,” I mumble.
I turn back around, wondering why I’m so nervous, but I manage to busy myself with work until it’s time to join everyone. Thankfully, I wore a very presentable blouse and skirt, yet I decide to wear my blazer, not sure what a board meeting attire should be.
All the things I need are in my hands: Laptop, notebook, pen, the agenda printed out, and my phone. Taking the deepest of breaths and giving myself a much-needed pep talk, I walk to the boardroom to join everyone.
Inside the room, four men are already sitting at the table. Monica quickly enters, smiling at me before taking a seat. I look at her in a panic, not sure where I’m supposed to sit until she motions with her head to move toward the back of the room.
Meredith enters next, taking a seat right at the front, which is next to Mr. Cash. She glances at me from the front before making her way toward where I sit.
“You’ll be responsible for recording the minutes of this meeting. Try to record as much as you can,” she instructs, straightening her shoulders. “The meeting will be about three hours. Please help yourself to the refreshments, beverages, or anything offered during the meeting.”
My mouth opens to ask a question about the minutes, but she walks away as quickly as she walked over here.
The boardroom fills up within minutes, with almost all seats taken apart from the important one at the front. About twenty people are in the room, making it far less intimidating than before.