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‘I’ve been watching you,’ she said, continuing down the hall towards her corner office. ‘I was impressed with your work on the Toby Andrews campaign.’
‘Thank you,’ rasped Sarah, trying to suck in a lungful of oxygen without being too obvious. ‘It was a great team to be part of.’
Where is this going? Am I packing my bags or is she offering me a job? I cannot read this woman!
‘Exactly.’ Marisa turned abruptly. Sarah only just managed to pull up in time to avoid barreling into her. ‘It was a team effort, and you played your part. Your input was considered and relevant to the brand and the market. You spoke up when you had something to say, and you supported your team members appropriately.’
Marisa whipped back around and continued her journey to the end of the hall. She reached her office before Sarah could reply, again holding the door open for the younger woman to step inside.
‘Sit.’ Marisa gestured to one of the two leather armchairs sitting opposite her shiny six foot long, mahogany desk.
Sarah drew in as deep a breath as she dared, trying to calm her heart rate to a normal rhythm. Marisa was impossible to read. Had she dragged her into her office to tell her to pack her bags, or had she done enough to impress the marketing mogul?
‘Have you enjoyed your time at Universal?’
‘Completely.’ Sarah leant forward in her chair. ‘It was my goal to secure this internship when I started my degree in Sydney. I knew it would give me the necessary foundation and experience to position myself within the industry.’
She winced internally.I sound like a complete toss.She eased herself back against the chair.
‘And you feel you know where that position is?’ Marisa had no time for beating around the bush. She expected her staff to be completely up front.
Sarah’s pulse quickened. ‘Absolutely. Here, at Universal.’
She held her gaze as Marisa pinned her with all-seeing slate-gray eyes. After what felt like an eternity, she gave the slightest nod. ‘I agree. I will be recommending you to Human Resources for the permanent position in my team in the New Year.’
Relief threatened to cut the oxygen to her brain and send her crashing to the floor. She wanted to scream and throw up all at once. ‘Th-thank you, Marisa. I’m so—’
‘Yes, yes.’ She held up her hand. ‘No need to gush. You’ve earned your place here, Sarah.’
She swallowed the rest of her sentence, pushing her hands under her thighs so she didn’t do something embarrassing like try to reach across and hug her boss. Not that she’d have a hope of reaching her across the width of the desk, but she preferred not to risk it all the same.
‘Are you taking any leave to return to Australia over the holiday period?’
Sarah barked out a laugh, quickly slapping her hand over her mouth. Her in Australia for Christmas? That would be hilarious. Listening to her mother and brother reinvent her father as a caring family man now he was dead and buried and not able to remind them of the ugly truth. Seek out the only man she’d ever loved so he could tell her he still didn’t want her?
No thanks. There was nothing for her in Australia.
‘I’ll be staying in the UK.’
Marisa narrowed her eyes. ‘You don’t miss your family?’
She pursed her lips, considering how best to answer the question. Marisa had asked about her family, not her Christmas plans and she’d be sure to notice if Sarah dodged the subject.
‘It hasn’t been the same since my father passed away.’ She forced a smile. ‘And I have my heart set on experiencing my first white Christmas here in England.’
Far away from all the memories that still managed to haunt her.
Marisa held her gaze a moment longer before a slight sniff seemed to indicate she was satisfied her newest recruit wasn’t about to run back to Australia in the middle of an important campaign with a bad case of homesickness. Sarah released the breath she was holding, hopeful she’d cleared up any doubts Marisa may have been harboring.
‘The office will close for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, a reward for everyone’s efforts during the year.’
Sarah suppressed a smile, knowing Marisa would probably work right through the break. She was an absolute machine, but she was a great boss. She dug her nails into the palms of her hands in an effort not to squeal. London had started to feel like home, and now Sarah could embrace her new life as a reality, and not just a crazy fantasy.
Marisa opened her laptop. ‘I’ll expect you back here on the fifth of January.’
‘Of course.’
‘I’ll have HR find you a new desk before we break for Christmas. It will hardly do for you to return to the intern’s quarters.’ She gave Sarah a wink and pushed her chair back from the desk, signaling the end of their conversation.
