Page 85 of Drama Queen

“You’re too sweet, Lily. You’re a fast learner. You’re going to do great. You can always call me if you need me.” She smiled.

“Helga was the first person I talked to and hired when we opened our hospitality business. We started as a bed and breakfast and then blossomed into what we are today. She is the face of how we want to treat our customers and patrons. Helga was one of the first to suggest wall schemes for each floor. She suggested every floor change we’d made over the years. And we merged my father’s company and mine to turn it into what it is today!”

“Helga, thank you for being the face of Brennan Hospitality Corporate. The third floor will be dedicated and named ‘the Helga floor’. That change will go into effect next…” Ethan trailed off as he looked around, then back to me.

“Next Friday, sir,” I added after fishing out my notes. I was now an essential part of the business.

“I get the third floor named after me? That’s so honorary! Thank you for celebrating me and my time here, but I see a beautiful stack of donuts, and I’m starving. So, let’s eat, be merry, and celebrate! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your family.” Helga was now in tears. I handed her a few tissues to wipe her face.

Later, Helga pulled me to the side. “I have something special for you. You may never need it, but it’s an emergency pack for if the power ever goes out on our floor. As you know, the only way in or out is through the elevators. Other than the service stairs and fire escape route, those doors only open when the fire alarm is pulled. Either way, I wanted to ensure you were always cared for. Inside is a fire extinguisher, a blanket, an inhaler, a battery-operated mini heater, and a backup battery that always needs to be plugged up. I have marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Everyone needs a s’mores day! Plus, you’ll stay warm if there is a power outage. It rarely happens, but if it does, you’ve now got this.” Helga hugged me as she rummaged through the box of necessities.

“Helga, this is amazing. I feel like we should hand one of these out to all the offices. This is incredible.” I returned her hug, and it was soon time for us to all head home.

“You deserve this. You worked hard for this position.” She nodded toward Ethan, who raised a glass and lightly tapped it with his fork.

“I’d like everyone’s attention, please.”

We all looked at Ethan, trying to determine what the next announcement would be.

“As we all know by now, Ms. Lily Buchanan has been training with Helga. She’s a fast learner and a great asset to the company. She is now the VP of HR and Labor Relations. Let’s officially welcome Lily to the team!” Ethan said as Braxton stepped off the elevator, holding a huge bouquet of flowers. I immediately burst into tears.

“Little sister! I’m so proud of you for making it big so fast! However, did you land this job at your age?” he teased.

“Hard work and determination,” Helga said before I could say anything.

Ethan

December

When I returned homefrom a business trip, I found that Lily still hadn’t moved into her new room across from me. While that could be normal in some situations, I hoped she read the entire contract before signing it because it stated that she would always be on call, and during the holidays and peak seasons, she would stay in the building. That was why I paid the administration and top-level associates' room and board.

When I walked into the office, I found Lily buried under weeks of paperwork—drooling on the latest hire’s documents.Was I overworking her?

I indeed hoped I wasn’t. “Lily, good morning. I brought fresh coffee, donuts, and the key to your room, which is still vacant. And looking at your clothes, I’d guess you haven’t left the office in almost three days. If I remember correctly, you only work nine-to-five, not nine-to-nine, Sunday through Saturday.

“I’m so sorry! I wanted to get done early, so I could move in this weekend. I stayed late and did much of today's work yesterday. I’ll get tomorrow's work done today, and then I’ll be ahead,” she said. She was working herself too hard, but I got it.

“Again, princess, we’re closed on the weekends. You can work from your room if you’d like, but this area is closed for business until Monday at nine a.m.—or ten if you get here a little later.” I smiled, hoping she would take the hint to get out of here, so I could do some extra work of my own. I know, pot calling the kettle black, but it made sense to work while nobody was there. Sure, I could do it in my room, but it felt right to do it here.

“Oh, can I finish these last few files and then go? I don’t have anything up there yet, so it’s bare,” she asked, forcing another excuse.

“It’s fully furnished. I can even have my assistant find you a few outfits if you’d like?”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll finish these last few files, go to my apartment, get the okay to move out, and move everything over. I just need to look at what I can bring.” She smiled.

“You don’t need to bring anything but your clothes, Lily. Well, I guess makeup and things that you need day-to-day, but as far as furniture, if there’s something you need, let me know, and I’ll have it ordered for you. On weekends, you can go to your apartment, home, or wherever if you want to get away. We put this in place to ensure we all have a safe place to go after working long hours,” I explained, hopefully correctly.

“That’s so sweet of you, Mr. Brennan. Your girlfriend or wife is lucky!” she peeped before correcting herself. “Oh shit. I forgot to include all the possibilities. Or your boyfriend or husband. Or multiple partners. Oh my god, I’m fucking up again,” she rambled as she blushed, turning fire-red.

“I’m single, Lily, but thank you.” I shot her a smile and winked.

“But you’re so successful and so handsome. Of all the men here, you’re the only one with the husband mentality. I feel like you’d be an amazing husband, sir,” she exclaimed, then froze with a deer-in-the-headlights look before returning to her paperwork.

“Thank you, Lily. You’ll make a great wife or husband one day, too. I’m getting this inclusive thing down.”

“You’re so silly. Alright, I’ll let you get back to work,” she said, immediately returning to inputting data. I wasn’t even sure what she was working on. Within three hours, she had everything loaded up, and she walked out the door.

Finally, quiet!I chuckled, the office was finally silent. I peeked over to the big screen and noticed a weather alert. Shit. What was going on now?!

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