Page 329 of Savage Bosses

“Sure,” Helen said before staring at me. She walked out, leaving the two of us in silence.

“Where are my manners? Good morning, Porsha.”

“Good morning, Cierra. You seem tense.”

“I definitely am. It’s just 7:50, and it’s already hectic. But, please, sit down.”

I obliged as Helen sat down as well. She took another deep breath before speaking, “I know you are excited to start your first day at Oxford.”

“I am. This is my dream job, so I’m grateful that you’re giving me this chance. I surely appreciate it.”

Cierra sighed again, which had me on edge. I didn’t know what was going on, but based on her attitude, it had something to do with that phone call earlier.

“I’m glad that you’re excited, but there’s some news that I have to share with you.”

Now, I was getting nervous as I leaned forward in my chair. Whatever it was, I could take it.

“I just got off the phone with Henry Broussard, who is the owner of Oxford. Well, I thought he was the owner. Anyway, turns out he was in a ton of debt months ago, so he sold the company to an international corporation to pay for it. The company decided to keep Henry as the face of the company, but they had their own plans in mind and decided to sell the company altogether.”

I gave a confused look, wondering what all this meant for the company and for my new job. “Wait, you’re telling me another company owns Oxford?”

“Yes.”

“And I’m assuming Henry is out?”

“Yes.”

“So, what about our jobs, including mine, since I was just hired?”

“This won’t affect our jobs, for now. The new owner does not want to do any cuts, so Henry assured me that everyone’s jobs are intact.”

“There’s a but, isn’t it?”

“We won’t know who the new owner is until later today. The new owner is a tech guru, so this will be his first rodeo with dealing with a publishing company.”

“And you feel as if he doesn’t know a clue about publishing.”

“Exactly. I fear that once he gets in here, he will start cutting jobs and no telling what else. I just wished Henry would have a given a heads up to people, especially me, since I’m the CEO here. If I still have a job.”

“I’m sure you will, Cierra. Like you said, this new owner will not know what to do with a publishing company, so he will want to keep you around.”

“We’ll have to see how things will go for the next few weeks. All I ask of you is to make a good impression on the new owner. I know you have what it takes to be here, that was the reason why I hired you. But since you are the new kid on the block…”

“I would be the first one ousted if he decides to do cuts.”

“Exactly.”

I sighed, realizing my dream job may soon go up in smoke. I really would have to do my best to keep this job.

Once Cierra finished our conversation, she took me to HR to complete my new hire paperwork. The excitement I had before was quickly diminishing because I didn’t know what to expect. I guess I’d have to enjoy it while I could.

After doing my paperwork, Cierra showed me my office, which I really wasn’t expecting. I thought I would be seated in a cubicle, but I guess that’s a small perk to working for a small company.

I thanked Cierra for everything before setting up some of the items I brought with me. I knew I’d have to get more items to spruce up the space, but for now, I only had a picture of myself and my parents, a small plant, and a pink coffee mug with a red heart on the front. That mug had been with me since college and had gotten me through various moments in my life, so that mug was a keepsake for me.

I stared at the small window near the center of the room and walked to it. I looked outside, inhaling the sweet scent of citrus and smiled. Whoever had this office before must have loved the scent because it was overpowering the small area, but it did calm my nerves, so I didn’t mind.

I was walking back to my desk when my cell phone rang. I forgot I had it on the ringer as I quickly retrieved it from my tote bag. I noticed it was my mom as I answered it.

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