Chapter 27 – Andrea
TWENTY-SEVEN
ANDREA
Several Days Later
Ihung a picture of Everly on my brand-new office wall and nailed a custom nameplate at the center of my new bookshelf.
Andrea Stone: From Sweet Seasons Barista to CFO
I’d bought it back when I was still steaming milk behind the counter, telling myself it wasn’t delusional to dream bigger.
Back when the CFO title felt like a fantasy, not a possibility.
“Where do you want this bookshelf, Miss Stone?” A mover asked.
“Um, can it go in the parlor room?”
“You got it.”
“Thank you.” I fell back onto my sofa and gazed at Central Park.
As I was drafting out my schedule for the rest of this week, Mr. Cross walked into my office.
“I think I’ve allowed enough time for you to transition,” he said. “I need you to pack my things for our upcoming conference, preferably by the end of today.”
“What?”
“Suits for every dinner on the agenda, new pajamas from my tailor since he just called about those, and well—I’m sure you know how to pack for a business trip,” he said. “You need to pack as well since you have to attend.”
“I’m sorry…” I shook my head. “I thought I was the CFO now.”
“You are,” he said, gesturing to my nameplate. “Obviously.”
“So, why are you asking me to do assistant things?”
“Because I don’t have a new assistant, Miss Stone,” he said. “And until I do, you’re still mine.”
The words slid under my skin before I could stop them.
“No…” I shook my head. “I’m not.”
“You are.” He nodded. “Until I find the time to replace you.”
“I can speed up that process by helping.”
“You’re not in HR,” he said. “I’ll handle that. Trust me.”
“I don’t.” I stood up. “I don’t trust you, and I should’ve known this was too good to be true.”
“How many minutes do I need to allot for this next argument?” He glanced at his watch. “I’d prefer if we didn’t go past nine.”
“I can’t be your assistant and the highest financial officer in the company, Harrison.”
“You becoming CFO doesn’t put us on a first-name basis, Miss Stone.”
“You can’t keep doing this to me.” My chest ached. “Like, do you not see how ridiculous you’re being?”
“I doubled your salary,” he said evenly. “I didn’t double your authority.”
“I don’t have time to pack for a conference that’s a week away right now,” I said. “I have a full schedule of meetings.”
“I signed us up for the additional corporate tier.” He completely ignored my comment. “That starts tomorrow morning, so I suggest you do the math on the flight and when you need to be at the private airport this evening. Oh, and…
I couldn’t hear the rest of his words.
All I could do was glare at him with utter rage running through my veins.
After this conference, I was getting a lawyer.
I’m done. Forever this time.