Chapter 4

After the contracts were duly drawn up, they were given to the women to read and sign. They were told to return to the CRHO office.

The contracts were individual, and they did not know what each contained.

Sarah was the first to enter the CRHO office, and when she left, she had a happy expression on her face.

- See you in eight days, Miss Green. - she says to Saphira, already in a professional tone. Saphira would be her superior.

That didn't sit well with Saphira, but she would sort that out when the woman started to work.

She got up and walked into the office. Caroline Jackson was sitting at her desk, and although the office was smaller than the CEO's, it was impressive.

- Miss Green, please be seated. Have you signed the contract yet?

Saphira sits down and hands the Director the contract.

- Yes, Mrs. Jackson.

The director takes the contract and sees it is duly signed and initialed.

- Perfect.

She hands the contract to the secretary, who photocopies it and gives Saphira a copy. Then, with a bow, she withdraws, leaving the two alone. The director takes an envelope and delivers it to the CEO's new PA.

- Inside's everything you need here to start your work—the keys to your office, which is immediately adjacent to Mr Dixon's office. The offices are connected by a door for quick access. You have been assigned a credit card with a monthly credit limit of $1000. The monthly balance on the card will be $1000, whether or not you spend the entire amount. I advise you to keep the invoices for three months because if you need to justify expenses, it makes it much easier. You can use that card as you want. It's yours to spend, but make sure to have money on it because it's with this card that you will buy the coffee or other things Mr. Dixon orders. - The woman looks at Saphira's simple dress. – Don't get me wrong, your clothes look great on you, but the role of PA requires contact with many important people. I advise you to use the card and buy a more professional wardrobe. There are other things there that you will see later. Now, go to the first floor and look for Mr. Sparrow. He's waiting for you to take your picture and prepare your company card. I hope you enjoy working with us. Mr. Dixon is a very demanding man and does not tolerate failures or delays, even if justified. With his stringency, he got where he is now, being so young. Good afternoon, Miss Green.

Saphira felt it was her cue to leave, and with a bow, she left, looking for the elevator and going down to the first floor.

Sarah must have been there already. The smell of her perfume hovered in Mr. Sparrow's small office. He was a man who looked no older than 30. He wasn't handsome, but his laughter and friendliness made him attractive. When he sees Saphira, his eyes widen.

Good afternoon, Miss. Don't get me wrong, but I have to ask you: Has a girl like you ever considered being a model?

Saphira lets out a slight giggle and blushes.

- No, Mr. Sparrow.

- If you, someday, are ever interested in trying…

- Mr Sparrow, forgive me. The only photo I have come to take is for the card.

Billy Sparrow coughs and blushes.

- Sorry. I didn't want to seem too cheeky. It's Mr. Dixon's new PA, right?

- Yes, I am. My name is Saphira Green, - she says, holding out her hand.

- Billy Sparrow, but you can call me Billy. Sit down and relax. - he said, picking up the photo camera connected to the PC.

He takes 3 or 4 photos, then invites Saphira to choose one.

- This one – she says, pointing to a photo – but they are all perfect.

The man swells with the eulogy.

- I'm a company photographer. I do advertising work, but I have the honor of being the photographer who accompanies Mr. Dixon at company parties or campaigns, in addition to, of course, making these cards – he says, handing Saphira the finished card.

She takes the card, drops it into the envelope she was carrying, and, with a bow, leaves the small office to go to the motel.

When she finally sits up in her bed, she can finally breathe.

She had landed a better job than she could have dreamed of, and she was looking for one for only two weeks. The salary was very good and had one more zero than the previous one. The icing on the cake was the extra $1000 monthly to buy clothes. She no longer had to wait to have a more professional wardrobe.

Dumping the envelope onto the bed, she checks the contents:

First, it was a state-of-the-art phone, still unopened in its box, which she needed to charge and make it work before bed. From now on, that's her professional phone, and she needs it to work 24/7.

Second, the keys to her office door and probably drawers or safes.

Third, her office credit card with the firm's logo. $1000 more for her to spend.

Fourth, her worker's card. Under her photo was “PA (SB) Saphira Corson Green.”

Fifth, her new professional notebook.

Sixth, several closed letters containing passwords to access the PC, intranet, and internet applications where she would work.

The seventh thing surprised her the most. One envelope contained the CEO's address, house key, and card to access the apartment complex, indicating that it was "only used to pick up the CEO for business trips or emergencies."

She didn't like carrying the CEO's things. It was a responsibility that went beyond what she was used to, but she was now a PA, putting her at that man's service 24 hours a day.

Saphira looks at her wardrobe and sighs. She takes her new card and thinks:

“Would it work before my first day at the job?”. She sighed, packed everything on the bed into the envelope, and hid everything behind the headboard. She didn't feel very safe there.

She grabs her handbag and goes after a clothing store.

She will have to spend some of the money she still has in the bank to buy new, professional clothes, even if it means cutting back on food until her first paycheck.

It was getting dark, and she didn't feel very safe in that place, so she called an Uber and went to the nearest shopping center, where she quickly bought some clothes and fabrics.

She wasn't a seamstress but would try to make something more professional with better-quality fabrics.

When she returns to her room, she leaves her clothes ready, takes the envelope, puts the things in her handbag, and goes to bed while she tries to turn on the phone.

Tomorrow will be the first day of a new life.