“Er, yes, Charlie?” I call out, unable to keep the tremble from my voice. What the hell has happened to me? I’m sure that I used to be seriously cool, once upon a time. Now, I’m a freaking mess.
“Where are you? I need to have a meeting with you when you have a moment.”
“I’m just hanging up my coat. I’ll be out in a minute. I’ll meet you in the conference room.”
He pauses for a moment but eventually leaves, closing the door with a click behind him. I breathe out deep, trying to calm myself down but that was a bit too close for my liking. I might have fucked around in the past, and there may well have been times when that involved people that I work with, but I’ve usually kept it out of the office, it’s only happened now and that’s because I haven’t been around much, and never when I could get caught.
“That was close,” Lexi giggles, not really sensing the same magnitude of this as me. “You better go.”
I nod frantically and check my appearance all over, making sure that I’m okay. Whatever Charlie has to say to me probably won’t be good, so I want to at least look professional.
“I’ll… be back in a bit then,” I gasp out.
“Don’t worry, I will be working hard when you return. Good luck with your meeting.”
All the way to the conference room, I feel a bit like I’m walking to my doom. I’m pretty sure that Charlie sensed what was going on and he’s going to kick my ass. Or even worse, get my father to do it.
I open the door anxiously, peering inside before I step in, but I’m surprised to see a smile on his face.
“Hi, Charlie, what’s going on? Is everything alright?”
“Take a seat, Isaac. We need to discuss what’s going on.” I do as he commands and smile at him, hoping this will help smooth things along. “Things have been a lot better recently, don’t you think?”
“Er, yes. Things have been good. I have made things a little smoother…”
“Yes, your father has been pleased with what’s been going on recently. He’s noticed the change in your attitude. Having you here in the office more and actually taking a managerial role, has made a massive difference.”
“Right, good… so this is a good meeting? That isn’t usual for us, is it?”
“No,” he laughs. “I suppose not. But I’m going to be honest right now, it isn’t all good.”
“Ah, of course. That makes more sense. I’m okay with that, I understand that so much better.”
“It’s Lexi. Your father is pleased with your behavior, and the progress you have made, but he asked you to find a reason to fire your PA to get someone in who he deems more appropriate. He stands by that.”
I roll my eyes and snort with angry laughter. I almost forgot about that with everything that’s been going on. “I haven’t found a reason to fire her yet, have I? I can’t f
ire her over absolutely nothing.”
“We all know that you aren’t trying. You might not want to fire her, but you need to.”
“Charlie, Lexi is the best personal assistant that I have ever had. I am not firing her.”
Charlie bites his bottom lip thoughtfully, trying to find the right words to say. “Isaac, you are not the owner of this company, your father is, and unfortunately because of that, his word needs to be the final one.”
I huff with irritation, knowing that ultimately Charlie is right. Dad will get his own way in the end, no matter how hard I fight. But then, if Lexi goes, it might be time for me to leave as well. The only reason that I have had any passion for this job recently is because of her. If she goes, that passion would die as well. That might be the kick in the ass that I need to start living life for myself … who knows.
“Look, Charlie, I will tell you now that Lexi isn’t going anywhere. I need her. She’s doing a fantastic job. I wouldn’t have been able to do all of those things without her, the progress is down to her. My father is being narrow minded. No one else cares about how she looks. He’s just old fashioned. We haven’t lost clients because of Lexi, have we? Since she’s been here, it’s got better for me and the company. Now, I know that you are in a difficult position here, going between me and my father, but that’s where you are. So, you are going to have to tell him that she’s not going anywhere. She is staying here, remaining as my PA. I need her.”
Me and Charlie stare one another down for a few moments, to see if either of us are going to back down. I know for sure that I’m not, not for anything in the world.
“Right,” he sighs. “Well, I suppose I better let you get back to work then.”
“Thank you.” I rise up from my chair. “And I will let you get back to yours.”
I smile to myself as I leave, glad to have won that battle. I’m sure the war will rage on for a long time, but for now, I have a victory under my belt which I will take with me. Fucking hell, that’s two quick escapes in one day. Let’s hope this luck continues.
Chapter Thirteen