Page 53 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
Don’t think about how he uses those things.
Also too late.
Or how he’d use them with you…
I shake myself. Unicorn. Unicorn. I need to think about a damn unicorn! Glitter. Pink. Clouds.
Yes, that’s better.
No. Actually, not. Total mess.
I’m not getting these images out of my head anytime soon.
In the afternoon, I’m in the kitchen with Sally. She’s still nervously fidgeting, which is probably just her personality. I won’t mention it—I'll accept her as she is. If I stay calm, maybe she’ll relax too over time.
“And what exactly are your duties?” she asks, adding, “I mean, I just screen all the calls, take care of emails, make coffee, and take care of visitors.”
“Oh, it’s quite a lot,” I begin. “For starters, I manage the calendar and appointments. I plan, organize, and coordinate all of Gabriel’s meetings, conferences, and events. I also make sure he’s prepared for every situation. If appointments overlap, I prioritize. I research, discuss with him, and make decisions when needed.”
“Oh, that sounds exciting,” she murmurs, blowing on her tea to cool. I stir mine, enjoying the little clink of the spoon against the cup.
“Yes. For example, guests may have allergies or special preferences. If someone’s vegan, histamine-intolerant, diabetic, or avoids certain foods for religious reasons, I arrange alternatives so Gabriel can provide a smooth, pleasant reception.”
Sally nods.
“Of course, this also includes any information he needs for specific subjects, depending on the client. Then there’s communication management, where you largely support me.Emails or calls that you filter ahead, I handle or discuss with Gabriel. I can also draft emails for him, so he just has to read and approve. Communication with lawyers or employees is part of it too. Preparing presentations.”
Pretty much anything that takes work off his plate.
“Usually travel planning too. Right now, he booked the flight to Rome himself, but eventually I’ll handle all travel—hotels, flights, the works.”
“The works?”
“For example, when the driver takes us to the airport, or which items are allowed in the suitcase. Some countries prohibit certain items. And we need to be careful with expensive items like luxury watches, purchase contracts or receipts. Those must always come along to avoid extra customs fees.”
“Even if they belong to you?” she marvels.
"Oh yeah. If you can’t prove they’re yours, customs might think you’re planning to sell them for a profit. That can get really expensive. Some countries will even put you in pre-trial detention without blinking. Switzerland’s very strict about that."
Sally swallows.
"But researching hotels or nice places is often requested too, in case you’ve got time to actually see the country. At the very least, you’ve got to be prepared. Or if you need a vaccination,otherwise you might not even be allowed to travel. That has to be planned ahead."
I love those kinds of challenges.
"But the customs of a foreign country are also important. Are you supposed to tip? Which traditions and customs are so different from ours that we might accidentally do something wrong and get arrested or even deported? In Singapore, for example, it’s illegal to chew gum. Tourists have it confiscated. That can cause problems at the airport."
"Chewing gum?" she asks in disbelief.
I nod and explain: "You need a prescription for it. Singapore got tired of gum stuck everywhere in the streets. That’s how they got it under control."
"Unbelievable..."
"Or in Malaysia. It’s illegal to wear yellow there. It was considered a symbol of the opposition movement Bersih. They used yellow as a symbol of democracy back then—I think it was in 2011." I pause briefly. "Technically, it’s only banned at protests, but you should still be careful since it’s seen as a political symbol. That includes jewelry, shoes, bags, buttons—anything really."
"That’s intense."
Yeah, it really is.
