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Mr. Kane
So he expected me to fail. That was cute. He had me getting the coffee and working working on projects impossible to mess up for my entire career with the company. I’d prove I was worth more than the kick line no matter what it took. Design meant more than my annoyance with my lousy boss. I would not give up on my dream. Design was proof I was my own person.
Growing up, home was more like living on the street. Edible food was scarce, and my mother’s fragile mental state took its final blow when Henry was killed. Mother was a hoarder, and our family home went from cluttered, to messy. To uninhabitable, to finally dangerous before I escaped college bound.
My phone notified me my ride was waiting, so I made my way out into the chilly Fall air without breakfast. I didn’t want to be sick with nerves. On my way out, my phone vibrated again. I fished it out while I ran down the stairs.
Raph: Thinking brunch? I can pick something up.
Lia: Sounds great. I’m headed to the office now, so give me 45 minutes.
Raph: See you soon.
The car dropped me off at my building, and I scurried inside, knowing I didn’t have as much time as I thought.
The challenge in front of me was exhilarating, but there was a lot of balancing involved to keep everyone happy. I could and would adjust and make it happen.
I hope I’m ready for this.
Before I could even boot up my computer, I read a yellow sticky note on my monitor telling me to head straight for Mr. Kane’s office. Where the note was likely meant to intimidate, it made things easier since my timeline had been shortened. Take that, Derrick.
I strode down the bland hallway from my work station to the management offices and knocked on Derrick’s door. After a moment, he called me in.
I stepped into my boss’s office and stood across the large desk, waiting for his attention. He was glaring at the computer, making himself look important, no doubt. I sat while I continued my wait. When he finally looked up, a sneer curled his lip.
“No coffee?”
“The note said to come as soon as I got in,” I said.
“Jeans? Do you think this is Casual Friday, Amelia?”
“No, sir, I don’t. But I’m meeting with Mr. Teresse for a tour of the project site. I mentioned that in my email last night.”
“That’s no excuse.”
I bit my tongue and waited for him to get to whatever he needed to get off his chest.
“I want to make sure we’re on the same page, Amelia. The client may work with you, but the contract is still for Design Everything. I will need to approve your design plans before they go to Mr. Teresse.”
I nodded, looking at my lap, using every scrap of poise in my body to withhold my annoyance.
“The work you’ve done for us so far this year has been fine, but it’s hardly qualified you for a project of this magnitude. I’ll be frank. I’m not comfortable with it.”
“I understand, Mr. Kane.”
My level of irritation rose. Derrick hadn’t seen what I was capable of because he never challenged me, or never bothered asking. Since they hired me, I have done mock ups for almost every major client. I’d spoken up about it some time ago, but was told I wasn’t ready. I needed to pay my dues.
The meeting yesterday had been a golden opportunity to show what I could do. I would show Derrick what I was made of, whether he liked it or not.
“Good. Please send me an updated copy of your plans for review. After I look them over and approve them, you can have them sent over to Mr. Teresse.”
I nodded again and moved to stand.
“I’ll take a coffee with cream.”
Of course you will.
When I made it into the break room, my phone buzzed with an incoming call.
