His arms are still folded over his chest, and his frown is no less frightening. "Obviously."
"It's been ages since you came down into the bowels of business. Are you willingly escorting Sam around, or has she bullied you into doing it?"
His eyes go cold as steel, and she laughs, "Dear boy, I'm joking. Sam was just telling me how she's looking forward to joining my team. She's even coming down here on our level." She looks at me, "How did you put it? Get firsthand feedback on what's happening so you can report accurately to the boss?" She winks at him, "I dropped off The Wizard earlier. I'm sure she'll give you excellent feedback tomorrow morning."
"She said it was too small. No need to even give it a go."
"Is that right?" Janet nods, "Well, well. Guess we know what category she falls under then."
"Expert," I announce, and he looks at me, wearing the expression I need. "Bastian, please escort me to your other departments. I want to meet them all before the end of the day."
Janet follows us to the elevator. "You're introducing her to everyone? What for?"
"Oh, did I fail to mention I'll be meeting with each department each day? You're not the only executive in the building, and you're certainly not the only pulse to check."
As Sebastian enters the elevator, I turn around and wave to the women. "See you all tomorrow. I can't wait to get started."
Janet stands stoic as the doors close on her kingdom for the last time.
On the ride down to the next floor, Bastian says, "That went over like a ton of bricks."
"Yep, about how I thought it would."
On the next floor, we're greeted by a middle-aged, well-dressed woman who walks out all smiles. She greets us, "Sebastian, what a pleasant surprise. It's been ages since you stopped by personally." She waits for him to take the lead.
He says, "Penny, I'd like to introduce you to my new P. A., Sam Mathieson."
I hold out my hand to shake hers, and she grins, "It's very nice to meet you."
"I look forward to working with you on Sebastian's behalf."
She nods, "I as well."
"I'll be in contact with you to address yours, as well as your staff's concerns, and to relay any of Sebastian's ideas directly."
"Oh," she cuts her eyes at me. "Does that mean we won't have to…." She stops, uncomfortable with the words she was about to say.
"That's correct," Sebastian states. "From now on, Penny, all department heads will communicate directly through Sam."
She smiles at him, relieved.
I continue, "When Sebastian and I are here at the office, I'll visit personally, and when I'm not, I'll call to check in with you. My door is always open, though."
Sebastian's eyebrow rises, cautioning, and I realize that would be disastrous on more than one level.
"Well, not literally. But I am only a call or text away."
She laughs, "So the penthouse is off limits to everyone?"
"Yes," he states, "including Janet."
She steps forward and says, "Team, allow me to introduce Sam. She's replacing Chad as Sebastian's P.A. and will be my direct contact to our Big Book Boss."
A round of spontaneous applause breaks out.
In the elevator, on the way down to the next floor, I bump him playfully. "Big Book Boss, huh?"
He smirks, pleased with the nickname.
