write down all
suggestions for improvement. I had absolutely no ego when it came to work. I
was like a sponge wanting to soak up as much knowledge as possible. All of the
people in the meeting had been with the company a lot longer than me, and I
wanted to learn all that I could from them. We were notified at the meeting
that the big meeting with Jameson, originally scheduled for Friday, was
postponed for two weeks. I noticed a new face that I had not yet been
introduced to. She was absolutely beautiful and I noticed her flirtatiously
glancing at Joshua throughout the entire meeting. Samira saw me looking at her
and rolled her eyes. I guess she doesn’t like her . After the meeting
Joshua introduced me to the gorgeous woman.
“Sarah, I would like you to
meet Natalia Wittendale, she works in our London office.”
“Oh, Joshy,” she playfully hit
his arm, “I think I’m more than just someone who works in the London office.”
She held his arm, giving me a look to let me know that Joshua was her
territory. Joshua winced and looked extremely uncomfortable.
Who the hell is this?
I forced a smile and extended my hand.
She hesitated, almost
sneering, staring at my hand as it is was covered in dirt. Finally, she gave
me a very limp handshake and dropped my hand just as quickly as she touched it.
“So, Sally, where are you
from?”
“It’s Sarah .” I
gritted my teeth as I corrected her. What an arrogant…
“Oh, my apologies.” Her
voiced dripped with saccharin.
Why is she being so nasty?
“I am from just outside New York.” I didn’t want to
waste any more time talking to her. “So nice to meet you Natalie, but I must
get back to my office to make these corrections.” I started to turn to go back
to my office.
“It’s Natalia, ” she
glared at me.
I stopped and looked at her.
I narrowed my eyes and forced a smile. “ So sorry ,” and I walked away.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a smirk turn up the corner of Joshua’s
mouth.
A few minutes later Samira
came to my office with three huge files and closed the door.
“Don’t let her get to you.
She’s been pining after Mr. Hunter ever since he broke up with her.” She
plopped the files down on my desk.
Ohhhh, the ex-girlfriend!
“Mr. Hunter would like for you
to work on these. He will be in shortly with instructions.” Samira hesitated
and then continued on, her eyes bright and full of mischief. “Ms. Wittendale
has heard a lot about you and is seething with jealousy. Like I told you, Mr.
Hunter has never brought anyone with him who was not a partner on one of
his long business trips. And the fact that you flew privately with him? I’m
sure she can’t stand it!” Samira was grinning from ear to ear and she made me
giggle.
“Samirah, why are you so happy
about this?”
She quickly composed herself.
“Oh, I am sorry. That was wrong of me.”
“No, no, don’t apologize. I
just want to know why it makes you so happy.”
“Ms. Wittendale treats anyone
who is not one of the Hunters, or a partner, like dirt. She acts as if she
can’t be bothered to even speak to anyone else. She is very rude and
condescending. I think every person is valuable and no one should be treated
any better than anyone else.”
I could see that she was
visibly upset.
“I agree with you completely
Samira.” I leaned in to whisper to her. “I don’t think she likes me very
much,” and I winked
Edited by Anil Menon and Vandana Singh