Becoming Theirs

I spent too much time getting ready this morning. It’s my first day and I want to look perfect. I need to look professional so people will take me seriously and not see me as someone who has everything handed to her. My uncle convinced a few people at his company to hire me as an administrative assistant because I needed a job right out of college and, unfortunately, I chose nothing that was lucrative. I was always told to study what I love, but that doesn’t really pay the bills. Unless you are going to teach, majoring in history is pointless. My goal was to work in a museum, but there wasn’t any opening in that field close to home.

“How can I help you?”

“I’m a little late but I’m Austen Maxwell…”

“Say no more. We were expecting you. Here is your badge and HR is down the hall and to the left.”

I took my badge and thanked the receptionist and headed towards Human Resources. I’m familiar with the layout of the office building because of my uncle, but I don’t want to draw attention to that because people are going to judge me once they see me or find out who I’m related to.

I lightly knocked on the door of the first HR office I came to and was thankful that it was Lisa’s office. She looked up from her desk and smiled once she saw it was me.

“Austen, I’m excited you’re here. Welcome to the employee side of the company.”

“I’m excited about getting started.” I tried to sound excited, but I’m more nervous than anything else.

“You already know that your position is administrative assistant, but you were told what department or who, correct?”

“Correct, and it doesn’t matter where I end up.”

“Good, because you’ll be in acquisitions, and you’ll be the assistant to both Ezra Weston and Brooks Everette. They’re the Directors and handle different sectors. Mr. Weston oversees the public sector, while Mr. Everett oversees the private sector. We plan to hire another assistant, but that may take time. We were lucky that you came along.”

“I’ll try my best. Is there any training?”

“You’ll learn as you go. You have a meeting with Mr. Everett in ten minutes, and then you’ll meet with Mr. Weston. They’ll go over their expectations and show you the things you’ll need access to. You’ll also need to fill these out and give them back to me before you leave today.”

She handed me the tax and benefit forms, and I quickly tucked them into my bag.

“If you’re ready, I’ll walk you to your desk and to Mr. Everett’s office.”

I followed Lisa to the elevator and watched her push the button for the 8th floor and we rode the elevator in silence. I’ve known Lisa for years. She started off as my uncle’s secretary and worked her way up to the director of human resources, but it still felt awkward, mainly because I can’t stop thinking about how she may see me now since she knows my uncle had pulled some strings.

I let out a sigh when the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. I’ve only been on this floor once, the layout mimics all the other floors, but I don’t know who occupies the offices.

“Here is your desk, and Mr. Everette is the first door on the left down that hallway, and Mr. Weston is the first door on the right.”

“Easy enough. Thank you for walking me.”

“Not a problem. I hope you have a good first day.”

I waited until Lisa walked away before I put my bag under my desk and walked to Mr. Everett’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” I heard after a few seconds. His voice sounded a little annoyed, so I cautiously stepped into his office.

“What do you want?” Yup, he is annoyed.

“I’m Austen, the new secretary, and we have a meeting.”

He looked at his computer and then back at me.

“You’re early, but I guess that’s better than being late. Please take a seat,’ he gestured toward the couch and chairs to the right of this desk.

I chose a chair because I didn’t want to sit too close to him, especially since he chose the couch. I’m not familiar with Brooks Everett or Ezra Weston. They have only been with the company for a few years, and I didn’t come around much when I was in college.

“You’re Ms. Maxwell?” His voice was laced with disgust.

“I am.”

“Your uncle is chair of the board?”

I rolled my eyes and confirmed that he was. My uncle used to be the CEO before retiring and becoming the chair of the company’s board of trustees.

“Don’t be disrespectful, Ms. Maxwell. After all, this is a favor,” he said with a smirk.

I don’t know what his problem is, but I will not sit here and take this.

“I’m not sure what I did, but you will not talk down to me. I’m here to help you, and I will not let you disrespect me by trying to make me feel inferior. I won’t hesitate to file a complaint about a toxic work environment.”

He nodded and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

“I like you,” he said with a small laugh. “I don’t need a yes, man. I need some who is willing to call out my bullshit and to voice their opinion.”

“I certainly can do that.”

Brooks Everett is a very good-looking man and looks like he doesn’t play around when it comes to work.

“Your job will be to make sure my days run smoothly. I will depend on you to make sure I have what I need when I need it, and even though you will juggle mine and Ezra’s schedules, I still expect you to be caught up and on time with everything that you’re responsible for. I don’t tolerate tardiness or unfinished projects. Do you have questions?”

“Will you be providing me with a list of things that need to happen daily, or is that something I’ll learn as we approach each day?”

“There are a few items that have to be done every day, but once you settle in, I hope you won’t need direction and you’ll be able to understand what needs to happen outside of the repetitive daily tasks.”

I guess that’s fair enough.

“Have you met Ezra?”

“I have a meeting with him after I’m done here.”

“I’ll make the rest of what I have to go over quick, so you’re not late. I’ll provide a document with what I’m telling you by the end of the day, and if you have questions, you can email me.”

I nodded my head, so he knew I was following along.

“You are to dress in business attire. You reflect not only this business but my department. I do not tolerate gossip, lying, or nosiness. You are essentially on call when you’re at home. Sometimes I have business trips that are in different time zones, and you need to be available. Anything that you hear in meetings, or anything that I talk to you about, is confidential and is to leave our office. Any of these are grounds for termination and I don’t care who you are related to.”

Ouch. There it is. I knew it was coming, and I knew he would bring it up.

“Do you have questions?”

“No, but if I do, I will email them to you.”

“Great, you’re free to go. Do you know where his office is?”

“Yes, Lisa pointed it out when she walked me up here.”

Mr. Everett nodded. “I’ll reach out if I need anything.”

I nodded and escorted myself out of his office and hurried across the hall to Mr. Weston’s office.

His door was already open, and he was talking to another woman, so I lightly knocked on the open door.

They stopped their conversation and looked over at me.

“You must be Ms. Maxwell,” Mr. Weston stated.

“Guilty.” Both men are very good looking and I’m going to have a hard time keeping my mind focused.

“Come in. I’m Ezra Weston, and this is Claire Johnston. She works for accounting.”

“It’s nice to meet you Austen,” Claire said with a smile.

Claire is picture perfect. She is blonde, with blue eye, and she has big boobs. Three things that I’ve learned attract guys, and it seems like Mr. Weston isn’t immune to her charms.

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Thanks for bring this by Claire.” Mr. Weston sat the papers on his desk before looking back at me. “Please have a seat.”

I can tell that he is already different from Mr. Everett. His voice is more soothing and friendly.

I took a seat in front of his desk and waited for him to get situated.

“You met with Brooks, correct?”

“Yes.”

“How did that go?”

“It went well, not a lot to share.”

Mr. Weston nodded as he finally took a seat.

“I’m sure he already went over not being late and finishing tasks on time.”

“He did.”

“Did he go over after hours and confidentiality?”

I shook my head no.

“Figures. He always leaves that for me. Anyway, your help may be needed after-hours and you may be required to travel and work weekends. Is that an issue?”

“It’s not. I have a very flexible life.”

“Good to know. We also require you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Whatever you come across, whether it’s in the office or in private, you may not discuss it with anyone. If it’s work related, you will know who you can give details to. You’ll have a lot of access to our private life, and we expect you to keep help keep it private.”

“That will not be an issue.”

My uncle didn’t tell me it would be this strict. I understand not wanting other people to know certain things, but to force someone to not say anything is on another level.

“Do you have questions?”

“What time do you arrive at work?”

“I arrive at seven and Brooks arrives at eight.”

“Can you email me a list of things you need to be prepared daily so I can have it ready for you when you arrive each morning?’

“I only require coffee and most of the time I make it in the break room, so don’t worry about that. Brooks is the one that may require more of a morning set up.”

I nodded, letting him know I was listening.

“Are there any events coming up that I need to be aware of and start planning?”

“You’ll see all that once you sit down and go through your email. Do you have any more questions?”

“I don’t, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If I need anything, I’ll let you know. Until then, spend the morning familiarizing yourself with our calendars and be prepared to join us for our afternoon meetings.

I thanked him and to shut the door behind me and I let out a sigh as the door clicked. This is going to be a hectic week and I’m going to have to keep my mind out of the gutter working for two hot bosses.