Chapter 1 - Akim #2
After a week of chaos, meetings, and paperwork piling up, I felt like I was going insane.
After our Friday morning briefing, I grabbed my coffee and stood by the window looking out.
I wasn’t made for this. The paperwork was getting me down.
I now knew the client's expectations and what had to be done.
Yet, there was so much to get around to; one of us wasn’t enough. I heard my office door open. Swirling around, I was ready to send whoever it was straight to hell. I needed time alone. But to my amazement, my three brothers all stood there staring at me.
“Guys,” I huffed, walking toward them. Relief flooded me as I smiled. It was good to see them. “Am I glad to see you!” I added, fighting the urge to hug them and beg to be relieved of this awful place.
Alexandr smiled at me as he held out his hand. “We had to come see for ourselves if you were still alive,” he said jokingly.
Anton and Abram walked past us to the wall-to-wall window. “Stunning view,” Anton said, glancing back at me.
“It’s the only benefit to being in hell,” I huffed as Alexandr and I joined them.
Abram bumped into me lightly as he spoke. “It can’t be all that bad, man. There are many pretty ladies on the lower floors. Have you even ventured down yet?”
“I have a briefing with them every morning,” I huffed as my three brothers laughed. I was the only one who was still not hitched. I have told them a million times, I didn’t intend to get serious. My work was my wife.
“What’s up, Akim?” Alexandr asked. “You look down. I’ve never seen you like this. It can’t really be all that bad, can it?”
Turning away from them, I walked to my desk and flopped down in the chair. “Look at this. It’s mountains I can’t climb,” I spat, waving at the paperwork on my desk. I felt like a pressure cooker about to explode.
“If that’s your biggest hurdle,” Anton added, coming closer. “Then simply get a PA.”
Looking at him, I wondered when he became the man with ideas. “Maybe,” I replied hesitantly. “But remember the rules of the alliance. I’ll have to use one of the Chernykh staff.”
“They can’t all be bad,” Abram chipped in. “They seem friendly and harmless enough. Take one of the women from the lower levels, you already know.”
“It’s not that,” I responded, lowering my head and breathing in slowly.
It’s that none of these women will be able to do what is required. It took me a day or two to get into it. I need someone who knows their way around the industry. A woman who can handle long hours. One who loves being around stubborn clients, and has a flair.”
Alexandr walked to the door. “So, advertise, and I will get the permissions needed. Maybe they know someone like that at another one of their operations,” he said confidently.
Nodding, I replied softly. “I’ll think about it. You guys want some coffee?”
“Unfortunately, we have to head out. We just wanted to come to see how you are doing. You will be fine, little brother. Stay strong.” Alexandr said, opening the door.
I said goodbye and watched as they left. Turning my chair to face the window, I decided to give it a go. I started by sending an internal memo stating that if any current staff felt they could do the job, they could come and see me. I also sent out a memo to the corporate offices asking for a PA.
Iosif or his brothers may see it this way.
They might be uncomfortable, but I knew Alexandr would always have my back.
Besides, I couldn’t do this by myself. I was drowning.
Heading out, I stopped on the third floor.
I didn’t know any of the employees by name yet. But I did know their job descriptions.
Entering the manager's office, I stopped just inside the door as I spoke. “Have you received the memo?”
He got up so quickly that he almost threw over his glass of water. “Yes, I have,” he uttered.
“Please interview the candidates that come in and make sure I have someone by Monday,” I added.
“Yes, yes, no problem. I will get you the most qualified PA who knows all the ins and outs,” he assured me as I walked out.
I took two boxes of files, notes, and client profiles home to do over the weekend. I didn’t mind hard work or long hours. But the little personal life I had was now nonexistent.
By Monday morning, I was in a storm. I barely slept six hours over the weekend. This week, I held two presentations, and I was far from ready. I placed the boxes in my car and headed to the office. I hoped that the third-floor manager had managed to get someone.
If not, this would be the week I was going to resign and leave the country. My brothers would understand, but the rest. Well, of them, I wasn’t as sure.
It was the first time since I took over that I was late. I parked in my usual spot underground and took the elevator to the top floor. I left the boxes as I would send someone to get them once I had my coffee and signed the documents that came this morning for a bid we placed.
One of the accountants stepped onto the elevator on the fourth floor. He was mumbling something about the new hire. I was so focused on what I had to get done, I didn’t have time for this discussion.
Storming out of the elevator, I didn’t even see the woman sitting before my office door.
The fourth-floor manager stood waiting at the reception desk.
The woman behind the desk rose and held out a stack of notes.
“Not now,” I breathed out after collecting my messages from the receptionist. The manager nodded and left in a rush.
Turning to the left, I wanted nothing more than to get to my office. Have a cup of coffee and sign the real estate papers. The accountant walked with me towards my office, still mumbling. I was almost there when I caught sight of her.
Her dark caramel eyes filled with passion instantly pulled my attention. Her dark blond hair was tied up with two strands decorating her shoulders. Something inside me shifted. Feeling my breath catching in my throat, I knew I had to get past her quickly.
Remembering the accountant at my side, I turned, chasing him back to his office. I was struggling to pull my eyes from her. Realizing I was staring, I felt angry at myself. Needing to get out of her presence, I stormed into the office.
The coffee could wait. I headed straight to my desk.
One thing at a time, I reprimanded myself.
Grabbing the documents from the receiving tray, I pulled out my pen.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the movement in the front part of my office.
Looking up, I studied her as she stood by the desk in the front section.