10. Daniel
10
Daniel
The weekends always pass too quickly, especially when they’re filled with Michelle’s arts and crafts camps and ballet classes. Her instructors tell me she seems happier. I’ve noticed it, too.
Michelle is more confident and her laughter lights up her face, filling the house with familiar comfort, like when Maddie was still around. As much as I try to keep my attention on Chloe as a professional, I can’t help but think she plays a big part with the positive shift in Michelle. They had another FaceTime date over the weekend, this time over a quick lunch. Michelle’s voice becomes cheerful every time they talk . I listen in the background and chuckle under my breath at their conversations.
It’s Monday. Strutting by Chloe’s office, I notice she isn’t in yet. I wonder if our conversation about her lunch date made her leave. She was visibly upset and the way she defensively spoke to me…I wouldn’t be surprised if she quit.
I still don’t regret telling her she deserves better, even if I didn’t use those exact words.
Are you worried, Daniel?
Had I been too hard on her? Was it too much to ask her work from my house? Yelling at her for taking lunch? What if… what if she actually did quit?
My mind flashes multiple images at once. The colorful dress she wore on her first day, her red scarf, her casual appearance during FaceTimes with Michelle.
Get a grip, Daniel.
I shake it off. She’s just your Assistant. People come and go at will. If she decides to leave, it’s her choice. Ms. Chen will find a replacement for me in no time. Unless she can’t.
No other applicants? That has to be a mistake.
I walk over to the window behind my desk before settling into my chair. In the reflection, I see my navy three-piece suit—the most color I've worn in the office in four years. Maddie was my sunshine, with an incredible ability to command a warm presence in every room she entered. Whenever things got tough, she was the steady anchor, always knowing what to say and coming up with brilliant, innovative ideas for the company.
But when she died, a part of me died with her. My will to smile just vanished. We painted the building black, mirroring the emptiness I felt inside. I started wearing only black or gray suits and my interactions with the staff were a direct reflection of my mood. Maddie's absence left a void that nothing could fill, the strange feeling somehow tugging at my stomach now.
Fine, I lied.
Chloe is the best assistant I’ve had, so if she doesn’t show up, I might actually feel like I lost something good.
More importantly, Michelle would lose a friend, and I don’t know how she’d react. She doesn’t have a lot of friends.
I open my laptop. The earlier I get to my routine, the better.
Today, I’ll start my day with motivational speeches from top CEOs and speakers. Maddie used to say that motivational speeches and affirmations with the team helps the team be the best they can be and start the day off with a positive attitude.
Those days were great. I listen online when I can, but I just don’t have it in me to do it with the staff.
“Good morning, CEO!” The speaker’s voice reverberates in my headphones. “I’m thrilled to be able to talk to you and contribute to what I know will be an amazing day.”
I twirl in my chair and shut my eyes.
“You’ve been given a great deal of responsibility, and I know you live for and can handle the challenge.”
I relax and listen to her continue.
She goes on, “Consider your goals for the business and the legacy you wish to leave as you begin your day. Always keep in mind that each choice you make, each discussion you have, and each interaction you have with your team can help you get closer to realizing that vision…”
I drop the headphones on the desk when it finishes playing, feeling more motivated than I have in a long time.
A pop-up flashes at the top right corner of my computer screen. It’s tagged local gossip. Instead of closing out of the speech, I accidentally click the notification.
Shoot. I hate opening websites like this.
My eyes catch the headline.
“CEO of Andrews Enterprise, Daniel Andrews, makes the list of worst employers by Glassdoor.”
What news channel wrote this? I’ll sue them! I scroll to the bottom, skipping the libelous labels, only to meet the name of a faceless blog.
Where the heck is Chloe?
The time on my watch reads 7:57 AM. She should have been here by now. Involuntarily, my finger scrolls it back up.
‘Several employees have reported Daniel Andrews to be arrogant, thoughtless and cruel.’
My jaws hit the floor, my mind races. Which employees?
I might be walled-off, but never in a lifetime have I mistreated a staff member. Where’s all this coming from?
I flick the post upwards. There’s a picture of Chloe, her date, and me standing in the alleyway.
What the —.
I was saving an employee! Who on earth wrote this story? On a swift impulse, I pick up my phone, dialing the number to our public relations department.
After several beeps, the person on the other end answers
“Paul.” I grit my teeth. “I need you in my office now.”
“On my way.”
Less than two minutes later, Paul enters. He’s a burly guy whose personality doesn’t match his build. He’s soft-spoken and calm, with an entertaining personality.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews.”
Of course, I did. I slide my phone to him. “Tell me you’ve seen this, and you’re working on it.”
He reads the piece out loud.
My blood boils as he does. “I didn’t ask you to read it. I asked if you’ve seen it?”
“No,” his brow furrowing.
“Do you have any idea what damage this might cause to the company? I don’t care what they label me, but I won’t tolerate posting false images to support their claims, especially at the brink of the Nexus event.”
“Where’s Chloe?” He asks.
“Heck, if I know.”
“She can write a statement explaining the situation that led to this. That should help curb the attention off of us and keep Nexus at bay. I want you to scrub this off the internet, even though it probably already spread like wildfire.”
I drum my fingers against my desk. This is why I don’t get close to my staff—to protect what’s left of my sanity and Michelle’s.
Chloe strolls in. “Hey, Paul.”
She grins. “Is that a new social media challenge?” She doesn’t wait for a response. “By the way, blue looks good on you.”
I’m so angry that I just now notice Paul’s blue button up shirt.
Paul looks at me as if he just got caught doing something naughty, then back at her. He mutters a soft thanks. “I should get going,” he adds and walks off.
“Hi, Daniel. It’s such a nice morning…and wow —you’re wearing color. Am I missing something?”
I grit my teeth. “Chloe, read the room. Can’t you tell something is wrong?” I respond, my voice tighter than intended.
Her face falls. “What’s wrong? Is Michelle okay?”
“I just need you to understand the seriousness of our business," I explain, my tone softening. "From now on, please stick to our office dress code and try to keep distractions minimal, especially during lunch.
She stiffens.
“Do we have an understanding?”
Her eyes begin to swell with tears. I continue.
“I knew it would be difficult since the moment you walked in with your yellow blazer, and I should have probably dismissed you then.”
“You just don’t stop, do you? Where is all this coming from?” Tears gather more in her eyes.
“You continue to create problems. The accidents since you started and now this article.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Tears drop from one of her eyes, and I immediately get a grip of myself. I’m lashing out at the wrong person. My company is always under scrutiny, and each situation pushes me to the edge.
She scrambles out of my office, and I sink into my chair.
Not again, Daniel.