Page 14 of Devil In A Suit, Vol. 2

Chapter 6

As I stroll into work, I flash my ID badge and a wide smile to the normally stone-faced security guard who sits at the desk in the lobby. I, along with hundreds of other King Advertising employees, rush past him day in and day out, flashing badges but barely making eye contact, much less exchanging pleasantries.

“Morning!” I say, giving him a bright smile and direct eye contact. I recognize that I sound like a Disney princess, all bright and chipper with little cartoon birdies on my shoulder, but multiple orgasms will do that to you, apparently.

“He— ahem — Hello,” he replies. I’ve caught him off guard with my cheerful demeanor, and even he can’t maintain his crotchety facade. He manages to crack just the hint of a smile, though it drops quickly as soon as he remembers himself.

I ride the elevator up to my floor, still grinning from ear to ear.

When the doors open on my floor, I squeeze through the crowd, most of whom barely move for me, and I still ride the wave of optimism as though nothing can touch me.

Basically no one is going to harsh my mellow today, dammit.

“Patsy wants to see you,” Jessie says as I approach my desk.

“Did she say why?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Nope.”

Patsy is our resident HR woman, and my blood instantly runs cold. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure what Jared and I have done in his office is in flagrant violation of the company’s sexual harassment policy, if not potentially illegal (surely indecent exposure applies to your boss’s office). Am I about to get a super awkward talking to? Will there be cops waiting for me when I get in there? I gulp and try to look nonchalant as I drop my bag at my cubicle and head towards human resources.

I find Patsy in her office at the end of the hall and give a tentative knock on her already open door.

“You needed to see me?” I ask.

She glances up from her computer screen, her reading glasses sliding down her nose. “Oh, Quinn. Yes, actually. I wanted to let you know that you’re being reassigned.”

Not again, I think, though what reason could Jared have for demoting me from my already basement-level position? Bumping me off his desk was awkward enough. Am I about to get assigned to the mailroom?

“Yes, Alec has been promoted to Junior Account Executive, and you’re getting a promotion of sorts into his old job,” she says.

Holy. Shit.

“I’m going to be J— Mr. King’s assistant?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” she says. “Now I know you didn’t apply for a transfer, but he requested you specifically. And it’s definitely a step up. Alec wasn’t just an administrative assistant. You’ll answer phones and handle Mr. King’s schedule, of course, but the role is really an apprenticeship with Mr. King himself. You’ll be assisting him on campaigns and sitting on meetings. It’s a wonderful opportunity and can be a steppingstone to a nice promotion if you do well. You were the obvious choice, of course. Your work on your desk has been impeccable since you got here. I assume this is a role you’d like to take on?”

I study her face for a moment to see if there’s any hidden knowledge behind her eyes, because this is a big opportunity. This is the mentorship role I was looking for when I took the job at King Advertising, I just didn’t think I’d get it in quite this way.

And if this woman has even a hint of our extracurricular activities, it doesn’t matter what opportunities Mr. King offers me, my career will always be tainted by the gossip. But from the way she smiles serenely at me like a kindly librarian over the top of her reading glasses, her un-manicured fingers tucking a strand of gray hair behind her ear, I know we’ve been careful. No one knows.

Yet.

But it’s a good reminder to remain discreet. I plan to earn this job and every other promotion I get in my career. No matter what happens with Jared, I can’t let any of that get in the way of my goals, or even let it appear to get in the way of my goals. Damn right I’ll take this promotion, and I’m going to impress every single person in this building with what I can do.

Patsy tells me the position begins immediately, and that I should pack up my cubicle and move on up to the executive suite as soon as possible.

And that’s just what I do.