Chapter 2 #2
“Perfect,” she practically purrs, surprising me with both her excitement and refusal to give me any real direction.
“I’d like all the videos you create to go into an online gallery so that they’re easily accessible as well.
I want to be able to see what you’re doing to ensure that your trial period works for both the store and our audience. ”
“Of course,” I say, nodding. I don’t know what else to say. Is she trying to micromanage me or not? I’m kind of confused by her.
Jonna gives me the information I’ll need to upload videos, the social media passwords to begin training algorithms for different platforms, and then leaves me again.
Taylor is helping customers as I pull out a few things, and I have no idea where to leave my bag. Shrugging, I hide it behind the counter before taking a walk around the store for myself. Using the cool lighting, I take some photos, record a voice over, and lose myself in my work.
After a couple of hours, I hide away from everyone to put videos together, and begin uploading them to the shared folder Jonna has. I also post content to the different social media platforms, and upload updated photos to the store’s website and Google searches.
I’m starving when I come out onto the main floor, trying to decide if I want to take my lunch. I have no idea how anything works, and nothing has been explained to me.
“Hey Taylor?” I ask, noting that she’s not busy.
“Oh, the witch has come out of hiding,” she mutters. “What do you want? I hope you’re actually working.”
“I just finished uploading a bunch of videos and images that I took,” I say, shaking my head. I pull out my phone and shove it into her view, annoyed that she’s being such a bitch. Flipping through the different clips, I show her that I’m not being lazy.
“That’s what you’ve been doing?” Taylor asks, surprised.
“It’s what I was hired to do,” I correct. “Jonna wants me to overhaul the content that’s on the internet to help increase traffic to the store.”
“Where the hell did she find you?” she asks. “I’ve been asking her to update things for ages.”
“Well, that’s what I’m doing. I answered a job post, like a normal person,” I say. “I don’t really love your attitude, Taylor.”
“You disappeared and I had no idea where you were. What was I supposed to think?” she huffs.
“Is there something you need?” I ask. “I’m working, just like you are. I don’t have anywhere quiet to go to edit. I can get distracted easily by things, and I wanted to focus. Is there a certain time we can go to lunch?”
“Yeah, you missed it,” she says, picking up a notebook to point at a time schedule.
“I just got here, give me a break. I don’t know how anything works,” I sigh.
“Lunch is posted here, you’re done for the day in an hour. That’s really all you need to know. Since you’re here, stand here and watch the door so I can use the restroom,” Taylor says, dancing from side to side.
I can recognize that dance anywhere. I guess I’m watching the register.
“Alright,” I agree, taking her place. I have a decent idea of the layout of the store, even though I know nothing else. It’ll be fine if someone walks in.
Jonna walks across the store once Taylor leaves, her eyes narrowed on me in confusion.
“Why are you at the register?” she asks. “I have cameras everywhere in case you’re planning to rob me blind.”
“Then you also know that I’m relieving Taylor so she can use the restroom,” I tell her. “Are there any rules you need me to follow? I have no idea how things work, but I’m enjoying all the different items sold here. It’s making it easy to make content.”
I want to make my boss happy, I really really do.
Jonna stands tall as she growls under her breath, and my hands curl so my nails dig into my palms. I don’t immediately notice designations for women all the time.
My mind tells me I’m less likely to be mistreated by them, so I’m more willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe I’m wrong for this direction of thinking. Jonna is definitely an alpha, and is almost six feet tall. It feels as if she takes up more space than she should. My nails help to center me, the pain keeping my anxiety from running away with my sanity.
She smells like a very potent cleaning solution, and it’s overwhelming as it floods my senses.
I have alpha pheromone spray I may need to pull out of my bag to help me breathe.
Her presence is overwhelming now that she’s not pretending to be nice.
My professional skills are creative. I may like to be a wallflower, but the world can’t forget I exist if I want to be taken seriously.
It’s a very confusing place for me.
“I suppose I should have explained a few things,” Jonna says.
“You are expected to go to lunch and also cover whoever is working the register. I had to do it since I had no idea where you were. Please check the notebook behind the counter for when you’re going to lunch in the future.
You get half an hour. Also, I expect to be able to find you. ”
“I was upstairs in a corner, I needed a quiet spot to put together videos,” I explain. “It’s hard to do this in the open since it makes me look rude for having my head in my phone. Tomorrow, I’ll be using my laptop for things. Is there a more appropriate place for me to work?”
Jonna deflates a tiny bit at my explanation, and I take a deep breath. I’m fucking competent, dammit.
“I can set up an out of the way desk for you,” she finally says.
“Thank you,” I say. “I’ve uploaded videos to the shared folder you gave me, and I also posted content to social media. It takes time to get them trained, which entails consistent posting so the algorithm will push posts out.”
“That’s all gibberish to me,” Jonna admits. “I hired you because I don’t know much about how this works. I didn’t think you’d disappear to do it. You’re an omega, right?”
“I am,” I reply, nodding. “I work best behind the scenes, and I’m not disappearing because I’m not doing my job.”
“I’m back,” Taylor says breathlessly, hurrying back to the register. I gaze dispassionately, glad that I’ll be done with my first day soon. “I thought I was going to explode. I was desperate, Jonna.”
“You’re fine,” she mutters. “It’s been quiet today.”
“It has,” Taylor agrees. I can tell she’s a beta by her muted scent and the way she talks to others. This girl has a lot of opinions, and the privilege of not having to keep them to herself.
“Hopefully, that changes soon,” Jonna grumbles. I can understand that she’s upset, but this store isn’t on a busy street. It needs to be discovered by people.
My boss leaves again, and I shake my head as I lean down to grab my bag.
“If you happen to need me, I’ll be upstairs again,” I tell her. “I was going to wait to work on this until tomorrow, but my laptop has programs on it that I need.”
“Okay,” Taylor says, watching me. “Why are you so nice?”
“I’m a professional,” I say. “I really want this job to work out, which means I’m going to continue to do my job without causing any issues.”
Ignoring her pursed lips, I turn and find a quiet corner to work, paying attention to the time so I can leave on time.
My stomach is growling, and it reminds me that Dad wanted to have dinner with me.
My laptop is in my lap as I sit in a dark corner, and I hold my phone behind the screen so I won’t get into trouble for texting.
My job does entail that I use my phone, but I feel as if I’m on thin ice here. This position isn’t set in stone since I’m here as a trial, and I have to work twice as hard to prove I deserve to stay.
I didn’t think I’d initially mind it, except the pressure is heavy to be at the top of my game. It’s beginning to hit me that none of this work is my own if she decides not to keep me.
Me
Hi Dad, I almost forgot about dinner and I’m starving. Any ideas on where you want to go?
I don’t expect him to get back to me soon.
If he’s holding practice, I’m sure he doesn’t have his phone.
Content that I messaged him, I go back to stitching together photos into a video on my laptop.
This is what takes me the most time for content.
I’m glad I’m ending the day with this, because my brain will resemble Swiss cheese by the end of this.
Glancing at the time, I realize the last hour flew by and I’m officially done. Checking my phone, I find a message waiting for me.
Dad
Practice is running long. I’m not sure what to do, Cae. I didn’t think this would happen. I don’t want to ask you to come to the rink. Should we do a rain check?
I love that he’s giving me the space to choose, knowing my feelings on this. Leaning against the wall, I drop my head back. The sting of pain doesn’t help me make a decision either way.
Figures.
Packing my things up without replying, I get up off the floor and walk downstairs. Jonna owns the store with her husband, but I haven’t seen him at all today.
Until now. He’s standing with his arms crossed over his chest, talking with Taylor. When she glances at me guiltily, I have a feeling this isn’t going to be good. Fuck.
Am I getting fired on my first full day here?
“Miss Carlie,” Mr. Hoffman says, getting my name completely wrong.
Pressing my lips together to hold back the correction, I nod as I walk over.
“Hello, sir,” I say. “It’s nice to meet you officially.”
“I wish I could tell you the same,” he grunts, his eyes raking over my body. “Taylor here tells me that you’re difficult to find?”
“Since I’ve been exploring the different areas of the store while taking photos and video taping, I’m sure it feels like that,” I reply. “My job is to make content, not to make sure that Taylor knows where I am at all times.”
I don’t think this is going to work out. I’m both micromanaged and let loose to roam at the same time. It’s stressing me out. Long term? I foresee a lot of headaches in my future.
“You’re mouthy,” he complains. “You were so nice and sweet in the interview.”