18. Chapter 18 #3
Francis’s lips curled in distaste. Although they were often distant both literally and figuratively in my day-to-day work, it wasn’t the first time I’d found myself thinking that my boss was one of the few people who didn’t like Kylan.
Despite being one of the “bad guys” acquiring our precious agency, he was almost universally liked.
Either that or people were very good at pretending.
He knew how to turn on the charm though.
I know that better than anyone .
Clearly Francis was immune though. “Yes, thank you, Kylan. Now I’m going to assume all of you assistants are eager to move into an agent role.
Our optimistic new leader here has convinced me not to open the position externally, at least not yet, and to give you four the chance to fight for the position first. You have two months.
In that time, you will need to persuade us you can do this job and do it well.
Our agents are top notch here, and they don’t just learn on the job.
You need to be top notch on Day 1. Spend your time in the next two months well.
If you’re not already co-agenting some projects, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage.
” At this news, my heart sank. Of course I hadn’t started doing that yet, as I was still so new.
Two of the other assistants smirked, while the other newer one looked about as happy as I did.
“But as Francis said, you have two months,” Kylan said smoothly.
“You can do a lot in that time. If you work hard. Many of the agents are already great mentors to you, from what I’ve heard.
And I’ll be here to support you and the agents, as well as the leadership.
I’m rooting for all of you.” He flashed an encouraging smile as his gaze traveled to everyone around the large table.
I thought his eyes paused just slightly when landing on me, though I might have imagined it.
After Francis concluded the meeting indicating they would be sending the job posting and interview process details via email shortly, I rushed back to my desk, eager to read all the information.
This was my chance! The chance every agent assistant was always waiting for.
But was it too soon? Before I could sink into self-doubt, Sofia came over and pulled me into her office.
“Annie, we are getting you that job,” she hissed. I had never seen a more determined look on Sofia’s face, and she was one of the most driven people I’d ever met.
I smiled and looked at the open door as I sank into a chair in Sofia’s office. “Should I close your door?”
Shaking her head, Sofia sat down at her desk. “No need, this will be quick. I just thought you might need to know you have my full support. ”
“Thank you. It means so much,” I said, my voice trembling a bit. I’d known Sofia only a short time, and she was already such an amazing friend and colleague.
“Seniority isn’t everything. Don’t let that issue get to you, Annie. You have what it takes.”
“Well, it’s not so much seniority I’m worried about as lack of experience, knowledge …” I floundered. “I—you know, the stuff I just haven’t had time to acquire since I’m brand new.”
“We’ll get you there. I’m not worried. At all. This job is yours,” Sofia said breezily.
Our heads both turned at the sound of heavy footsteps. Kylan strode into the room noisily, wanting his presence known. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear.” He didn’t look pleased.
“Really, you couldn’t?” Sofia raised her eyebrows, and her lips were curved into a slight frown, unlike her usual lightly flirting expression around him.
“Well,” he said, clearing his throat. “This agent opening isn’t anyone’s to claim. Ann—uh, Ms. York will have to work just as hard as anyone else to get this position. Probably much harder. It’s rare for a brand new assistant to be promoted to agent so soon. Nearly unheard of.”
The gentle ticking of the clock was suddenly the loudest sound in the room.
“But not quite unheard of, right?” Sofia asked, her tone deceptively calm as her gaze narrowed. “After all, you went from college grad to owning and acquiring agencies in, what, four years? Clearly some people can move up the ladder quite quickly.”
I wanted to high-five her, especially as I noted Kylan’s grimace as he shuffled his feet.
Instead I inhaled slowly. “I’m aware I’ll have to work harder than anyone else,” I said quietly.
Before he could respond, I added, “But I’m up for the challenge.
I can’t wait for it, actually. It’s why I joined the agency. ”
Sofia smiled at me, and even Kylan’s stoic expression started to curve into a grin until he caught himself. He covered his face with his large hand, pretending to yawn instead. “All right, good luck to you,” he said gruffly. “Sofia, I’ll get in touch later about the client dinner.”
Once he was safely out of the room, Sofia let out a bark of laughter. “That man is wound so tightly sometimes, and then other times he just morphs into the most easygoing, charismatic guy … so confusing. But I think I like that about him, you know?”
Fortunately she was turned toward a window away from me and didn’t seem to be expecting an answer. I probably couldn’t have given her one because, well, what did one say in such a situation?
“Yeah, I like that too, everything about him actually, well, more like I used to love him, but now I—”
So stupid, stop it, Annie.
“So anyway, we’re going to make this work.
In a few months, you are going to be the newest agent, and I’ll be the brilliant agent just next door,” Sofia said, spinning in her chair back toward me.
“Can Sayaka handle book club for a while? The more time we can put into mentoring you, the better. Get ready to eat, breathe, and sleep agenting, Annie.”
“I can ask Sai and Hakeem. She’ll probably roll her eyes but say yes.” I couldn’t stop smiling if I wanted to, but of course I didn’t want to. “Curious, what’s in it for you—to put so much effort into helping me, that is—other than just being an awesome friend?”
“Hmm, good point. I’d actually lose a great assistant if you’re promoted. Maybe I should rethink this …” She grinned as I threw a stick of gum at her.