In Love With My Personal Assistant(6)

James's eyes narrowed. He held her gaze for a moment more before his face relaxed.

"I'm not angry, Jennifer," he said calmly. "I just really need someone  who can take your place with this stuff as soon as possible. I need you  free to work on more important matters with me, okay?" He searched her  eyes with a creeping smile across his face.

"Good. You can head back to your office when you're finished with that,"  he nodded towards her drink and stood. "I have some phone calls I have  to make. I'll send you an email about the changes to this week. If you  can update my calendar and send it back, I'd be so thankful."

Jennifer nodded and watched as James pushed away from the bar. He headed  towards his desk casually and picked up the phone immediately. As he  sat down, he began to punch in a number. He turned in his seat away from  Jennifer, leaving her to look at the tall back of his chair. His  shoulders and upper back was still visible over the top, but it was  clear that he was asking silently for a bit of privacy.

Turning her attention to the drink, Jennifer tried to finish it quickly.  She couldn't gulp it down like James had. She was never a fast drinker  with anything. Ever. The liquid was cold and the champagne floated in  her stomach and on her mind, helping to ease the little residual unease  that had remained throughout her conversation with James.         

     



 

Something was unfolding here that she hadn't previously seen. All this  time she thought she accompanied James as nothing more than his  sidekick. He rarely mentioned her hard work, let alone the dedication  and loyalty she clearly displayed for his business and image.

All the nights that she stood in for Katie, or even filled at the last  minute-they were all things she felt James thought she was just expected  to do, no questions asked. She didn't think he would remember much  about it. After all, they were nothing more than a day in the life for  him. It was all a part of the job.

Jennifer had treasured the little surprises. That's what she called  them, the fruits of her labor. When she filled in for James, it was a  joy for her, another wishful hope that maybe James would see the work  that she did for him and come around. She treasured each and every  event, like the Yankee Stadium silent auction they were invited to last  year. The duration was only as long as the game and all proceeds went to  national charity funding research for terminal childhood diseases.

Katie was supposed to attend that one too, but Jennifer couldn't  remember what her story was for missing the flight. Was she stuck in  Barbados or Hawaii? It didn't matter. She flew first class business  class to New York to catch the game and they returned late at night.  Just thinking about it made her cheeks warm with pink.

Jennifer took another large gulp from the cup and sat it down. She  hadn't finished it, but that didn't matter. She heard James begin to  speak on the phone and quickly made her leave of his room.

If he wanted her to hire someone soon, she'd likely have to conduct a  preliminary round of phone interviews that day and meet with someone  face-to-face on Tuesday. She had never really known James to rush into  things, but he seemed to have a plan for the future which involved her  immediate attention. A smile tugged at her lips and a familiar feeling  of dedication swelled within her. This is what he paid her for.





Chapter Four

Playing Pawns





James glanced over his shoulder as he heard Jennifer take her leave. One  quick glance towards the bar told him she was just in a hurry to leave  his room to grant him privacy. He grinned. Jennifer was an incredible  woman, but one also very easy to read.

"ETA is one hour and 39 minutes," a voice rang into his ear from the receiver.

Relaxing into the chair, James cradled the phone to his ear and frowned at the information. "You left late?"

"Yes."

James took a deep, steady breath. He should have seen that coming,  actually, but he didn't. He had hoped Andrew would have listened and  gone ahead with the plan.

"All right, well, like I said, thank you for agreeing to do this," James said in a weathered voice.

There was silence before Andrew responded. "Sure thing. I just don't  know if it'll take two weeks. I still don't understand why Jerry  couldn't look at the new selection."

"Jerry's busy keeping schedule with Seogen and Carnal. When he found out  that we weren't going to win the contract, he contacted me  immediately," James paused, "I told you this. Jerry could do it, but he  was a little concerned about falling behind. If he does, you'll probably  have to step in and help him keep track. That's why I suggested two  weeks, but I hope it won't be that."

"Well, like I said. I love Colorado so you're really not twisting my  ankle here," on the other line, Andrew paused for a moment, "I would  just prefer a little more than a couple hours' notice for trips like  this in the future if possible."

"Of course, of course," James cooed. "So remember, I need you to just  walk through the new locations they've suggested. Maybe take some  videos? I trust your judgement."

"Sure thing."

"Sounds great," James said his goodbyes and then ended the phone call.  No sooner than the line had closed, he began a new call. This time, it  was to Jerry.

"Jerry, how's it going?"

"Pretty good. We're right on track. I'm actually even a little ahead of  schedule. Are you still sending Andrew? I told you I had everything  under control down here. I'm actually waiting on word back from the  realtor regarding two possible locations for Seogen's second office."

James nodded into the phone, "Andrew's on his way. I just wanted him to  focus solely on our office so you could be free with the other two  contracts. What can you tell me about potential new hires under the  contract with Seogen?"

"Well, they're really interested in keeping as many of their own people  on board with this as possible, which is to be expected. But we just  listed the position on their website, announcing the expansion and I've  already received notification about two very promising applicants."         

     



 

James nodded and looked at the fingernails on his right hand. He  inspected them closely. "At this rate, how long do you think it'd take  to finish an office for Seogen?"

"We're right on schedule, James," Jerry said again softly. "Do you want  to try and push for at least Seogen's first office to be operational a  week ahead of schedule?"

James chewed his lip. No, what he needed was for Jerry to get behind.

"How's the hiring going?" James asked instead as he reached for a pen to move between his fingers.

On the other end of the line, Jerry let out an awkward chuckle. "I'm not doing the hiring, James. That's HR, remember?"

"I've been thinking that it might be better for you to at least pick a project manager and SEO specialist, don't you think?"

Jerry didn't bother holding back a scoff. "James, that's what HR is for."

"And I understand where you're coming from, Jerry. Believe me, I do.  It's just that Seogen is a big client for us. HR can find someone that  can do the job. That's great. But we want someone who can work with  you," he eased back as he said his bit, trying to gauge whether or not  Jerry was going to take the bait. In the growing silence that followed, a  smile tiptoed across James's face.

No man wanted to be stuck with a self-proclaimed expert in any field. In  their line of work, the men they would likely be interested in would  have incredible resumes almost as impressive as the ego that came along  with it. It happened. Confidence was always a good thing, but somewhere  down the line it was usually corrupted and gave way to full-on egotism.  That, James could handle. His smile continued to grow. He needed to  clear his schedule to make way for his number one girl.

"I know some men who could probably give me a good lead," Jerry finally  answered. Atta boy, James smirked. "But what about moving costs and  potential bonuses to reel them in?"

"Authorized," James said smugly. He heard Jerry smirk on the other line, as if he were in on it too.

"You know this might set me back some."

James was grinning now. "Really? Are you sure?"

"If you're talking the way I think you are, yes. I'll need some serious  one-on-one time with the talent to make a good decision."

Frowning, James tried to keep the smile down and from telegraphing  through his voice. "Well, do you think we'd end up pushing the deadline  at all?" He paused for a moment. "I think a couple of days to get this  settled, no more than a week will be all right when it comes to the  timeline."

Jerry took a deep breath. "Finding a great hire can take three months, James."

"Can you do it in one? HR is going to take care of the salary workers. I  just think I might like someone I know to personally take care of our  senior analysts and project manager." James felt like he could sense  Jerry nodding in agreement on the phone.