Page 10 of Part of Me
Although, on this occasion, I experience a nagging feeling rise up within me. Luke’s fidgeting earlier comes back into my mind. If I didn’t know him as well as I do, then I wouldn’t think anything of it. He quickly covered it up, but I know him. I know that there is no possible way that he could have known what Deana was going to offer me today, so maybe he is just thinking that we may have less time together?
“Want to have an early night?” Luke asks, distracting me from my thoughts. I smile and stand up from my chair. As I walk over to him, he takes my hand in his and leads me up the stairs to our bedroom. Yes, that’s all it is. He’s just worried about us spending more time apart. There is no way that it can be anything else.
Chapter Eight
It’s Wednesday morning and I am currently standing outside Deana’s office. I feel nervous as I knock on the door and wait for her to call me in. She does so a few seconds later, and I quickly enter.
Leyla isn’t here yet, so at least I don’t have her staring daggers at me. I close the door behind me and turn to see Deana is sat at her desk, looking expectantly at me. Deana set up her company, Deana’s Delights, seven years ago. It has taken her a few years to become established, but now that she is, business is booming.
“Good morning, Charlie,” she greets me.
“Morning,” I reply as I walk to her desk and take a seat.
“So, have you made a decision?” she asks me, getting straight to the point.
“Yes. I would like to accept the position, please.” I hear the slight wobble in my voice. I need to come across more confident if I am to have Deana put her faith in me. I make a mental note to work on this.
“Fantastic. I have had the new contract printed for you,” she says as she hands me several pieces of paper. I take them from her and give them a glance. My eyes fall on the salary, and I have to stop myself from saying anything. This is nearly ten thousand pounds more per year than what I am getting now. “Once you have read over it, sign it and bring it back to me. I would like to get the ball rolling with this as soon as possible.”
“Okay.”
“Once the contract is signed, we will make a formal announcement within the company via the direct emailing system we have that goes out to all of the employees.”
“Right.” I realise that I should be giving more than one-word answers, but the sight of my new salary has rendered me incapable of saying anything else.
“There has also been a development over the course of the last twenty-four hours, which has resulted in Leyla leaving her post earlier than planned.” My head snaps up at this information. “This means that I need you to start your new position tomorrow rather than on Monday.” My eyes widen at this news, but Deana takes no notice. “If you have any questions about the contract then please don’t hesitate to contact me through my emails. In the meantime,” she says as she stands up and gathers some paperwork together. “I have a meeting that I need to attend in the next five minutes.”
“Of course,” I say, standing with her, contract firmly in my hand. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. If you can read over that during the course of the day and have it back to me before you go home, then that would be great.” I nod at her, and she holds her hand out for me to shake. I do so and don’t fail to notice the beautiful rings that adorn her fingers.
I leave her office and make my way down to the ground floor. I decide to use the stairs rather than the lift, just so I can gather my thoughts together. I still can’t quite believe that this is happening, especially as I have no PA experience.
As I exit the stairwell and return to the main lobby, I feel Maggie’s eyes on me. She looks suspicious and she has every reason to. I clutch the contract close to my chest. I will be so glad when I can finally tell her what is happening.
As I round the reception desk and take my seat, I place the contract in the top draw of my desk and feign innocence as I turn my computer screen on. After about two minutes of feeling Maggie’s eyes burning into me, I chance a glance her way. She is sat with her long legs crossed, arms folded across her chest and her gaze is zeroed in on me. I sigh and swivel on my chair to face her.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“Something’s going on,” she ponders. “It’s written all over your face.” I gulp as I try to calm the blush that has creeped its way up my cheeks. “Spit it out, Char.”
“I can’t.” I don’t want to lie to her anymore, so I figure I should just be as honest as I can.
“Why the hell not?”
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
“By who?”
“Deana.” I see her eyebrows raise at this little nugget of information.
“Deana?” I can almost see the cogs turning in her brain.
“Please, Maggie, I don’t want to keep this from you, but I have to. I promise that everything will be out in the open soon.” I turn back to my computer screen and am about to start typing when I hear Maggie gasp.
“This has something to do with Leyla, doesn’t it?” she asks, and I squirm in my seat. “I’ll take that as a yes.” I continue to look at my computer, but Maggie’s brain is clearly in overdrive. “Oh my God, have you been offered Leyla’s job?” I let out a small groan at Maggie voicing the secret that I am meant to be keeping. “Holy crap. You have, haven’t you?” Her voice has risen several notches and I do a sweep of the lobby with my eyes to make sure that no-one has heard her.
“Will you keep your voice down,” I say in a hushed tone. She is practically jumping up and down in her seat, waiting for me to confirm her thoughts. I simply nod my head, and the next thing I know, she is throwing her arms around me.
