If my boss wants to talk to me, that takes precedence over everything else.
Cathleen Dickerson is the person who gave me this job. She was the one who encouraged me to pursue a degree in business and once I earned it, she promoted me by making me her junior assistant.
I’ve worked up the ranks since then, always with her encouragement and support.
“She didn’t say what it was about?” I ask for clarification since Sheryl isn’t quick to offer every small detail of her exchanges with other staff.
“Nope.” She moves closer to my desk. “I’ll call her and ask if she has a minute to see you now.”
I push back from my desk and stand. “I’ll run up to her office and see if she’s around.”
Sheryl gives me the once-over. “I love that pencil skirt on you, Olivia.”
I glance down at the black pencil skirt and white blouse I’m wearing. It’s my go-to outfit whenever I can’t decide what to wear. “Thanks, Sheryl.”
“Do you need me to take care of anything while you’re gone?” She points at the dying flowers.
“No.” I usher her out of my office with a brush of my hand against her elbow. “You can email Steph about the new bra line that’s launching in the spring. Tell her I’ll drop by with samples later this week.”
“That I can do.” Sheryl turns to look at me. “Have I told you lately what a great boss you are?”
“Twice today, but I’m listening.” I laugh as I start down t
he corridor toward the elevator. “By the way, you’re an amazing assistant, Sheryl. I’ll be back right away.”
“Take your time,” she calls after me. “Have fun up there with the big shots.”
I laugh even though I hope one day, I’ll have an office on the top floor of this building.
***
Lowering myself into one of the chairs facing Cathleen’s desk, I wait while she shuts her office door.
My heart is thumping out a beat that I can feel in my toes even though I know I haven’t done anything to warrant a warning. The smile on Cathleen’s face when she saw me approaching her office was reassuring.
She ushered me past her assistant without a word.
“Sheryl told me that you stopped by my office,” I finally speak as she rounds her desk to take her chair. “I thought I’d come up and see what you needed.”
“Two tickets to Alexander Donato’s opening night.”
“What?” My eyes widen as my pulse picks up even more. “I think I misheard you.”
“You didn’t.” She leans back in her chair. “From what I’ve heard, the man has been following you around Manhattan.”
If he has, he’s damn good at hiding it. I haven’t seen him since the day he popped into the boutique in Tribeca and handed me the flowers.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I say genuinely, wondering if this is indeed what she came down to my office to talk about. If it is, I’m disappointed. I was hoping it was about my stellar work.
“I’m joking, Olivia.” Her lips smooth into a smile. “I heard that he was in the building looking for you a couple of weeks ago before he showed up at the Tribeca boutique.”
“I helped him with something,” I offer. “He just wanted to thank me.”
“He was here earlier.” She glances at the closed door of her office. “He spent some time with Gabriel.”
Gabriel Foster. He’s the man in charge.
He’s the CEO of Foster Enterprises. His family owns Liore Lingerie, as well as several other clothing companies.