Page 1 of My Grumpy Sweetheart
CHAPTERONE
BAILEY
“Could you repeat that, please?” I asked, my voice a weird mix of shaky and high-pitched. I couldn’t have heard correctly, could I?
“Of course, Mr. Sullivan,” Mr. Silva, the head of marketing and my boss’s boss, said. Well,technicallymy boss’s boss’ boss, but ever since Olivia had quit to move across the country, the position had been vacant, so I’d been working with him on quite a few projects. Every single person within our department had applied to fill that position, though, and there’d been plenty of external applicants, too. “I’ve been watching you closely for the past few months — and especially the past few weeks — and I’m happy to offer you the position as Head of Social Media Marketing.”
I had heard correctly.
Oh my god!
“Yes!” I shouted, a wide grin spreading on my face. “Of course, yeah!”
My heart was beating a mile a minute, and I realized I’d jumped to my feet in excitement.
Fuck. They certainly weren’t promoting me for my professionalism.
While my face was probably burning a bright red, Mr. Silva just looked at me indulgently, the smile never leaving his face. “Don’t hold back on my account; that enthusiasm is exactly why we promoted you, Bailey. Can I call you Bailey?” He laughed. “I figure since we’re going to work a lot more closely, it’s more convenient.”
“Sure, Mr. Silva.”
Apart from Mr. Silva, I was on a first name basis with everyone in our department, anyway. With everyone in the company, really. It was just a lot more friendly and familiar, and I hated this fake, stuffy, and often forced professionalism. I could wear a turquoise oversized hoodie and be perfectly professional at the same time, thank you very much.
“Call me Joaquín.” He shook his head, his silver lined hair not moving a fraction even though it looked like he hadn’t used any product at all. It was kinda hot. Then again, Mr. Silva – Joaquín – was kinda hot. You didn’t have to be into silver foxes to appreciate him. “Anyway” — he browsed through a couple of documents strewn on his desk — “I was thoroughly impressed by your work and your work ethic. I’m not going to lie, when Olivia recommended you as her successor, I was a little apprehensive. I’ve seen your work, which, again, is impressive, but I’ve also seen your less than professional looking appearance and the way you’re constantly chatting with people from all departments.” He shook his head, his hand fumbling with his glasses. “But I’ve since come to the realization that you are the right candidate for this position despite those traits I’ve seen as flaws but because of them. You chatting with colleagues from different departments? You know about everything that’s going to come our way. You’re making teaser graphics way before I even know we’re gonna need them. Your way of clothing? The people on this new Social Media clock thing seem to love you for it. And…” He kept searching for something, his eyes roaming the papers. “Yeah, here, according to Olivia, you’re the one who created that account in the first place.”
Joaquín looked up from his documents, smiling widely. “I’m really looking forward to working with you. I really enjoyed working on the promo tour for Eliot J. Rhodes with you. Your input was invaluable, and the links show your Social Media campaign worked like a charm. Here’s a copy of the updated contract for you, and I’m sure you’ll be happy to see the position comes with a…significantpay raise since you’re still on a junior salary.”
I was still in all kinds of shock as Joaquín shoved a stack of papers in my direction, but my hands had a life of their own and quickly grabbed my contract.
Significant pay raise?
Sign me up!
I could… rent a bigger apartment or move to the city — though it probably was an either-or thing. Either get a bigger apartment in Stamports or move to NYC into a shoebox sized apartment.
My eyes flew rapidly over the page, skimming the contract, gathering the most important parts like PTO, sick leave, salar…holy shit!
Joaquín chuckled. “Told you,” he said. “You can take the contract home, have a look at it, and bring the signed copy back to work tomorrow. We’ll announce your promotion as soon as we have the signed contract, and you can start your new position as early as next week.”
I nodded, standing up to head out of the office, but I couldn’t help but turn back to Joaquín with a smirk. “One last question.”
“Sure.” Joaquín furrowed his brows.
“My new position doesn’t mean I have to change my… less than professional looking appearance, does it?”
It took him a second, but then he started laughing wholeheartedly.
“No, Bailey, it doesn’t mean you have to change your appearance. Wear whatever you want.”
Now it was up do me to chuckle. “You might regret saying that.”
I winked at him and quickly left his office before he had a chance to change his mind.
Outside his door, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and shaking hands.
Holy fucking shit. Like… seriously. Head of Social Media Marketing for Greenfield Publishing at twenty-seven? My mom would be so proud.
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