Chapter 6

- Can I speak to Mademoiselle Éloïse? This is Christopher Dixan. - He looks at Saphira, who glares at him. - Mademoiselle Éloïse, Comment vas-tu? Je voudrais te demander une grande faveur. Non, ce n'est pas un cadeau pour ma maman. Mon nouveau PA n'a pas de garde-robe digne d'assister à certains événements. J'aimerais que vous l'aidiez à choisir des vemtements. Ne regarde pas les dépenses. Environ 12 ensembles. Chaussures et sacs aussi. Ce sera là après le déjeuner. Merci beaucoup Mademoiselle. Toujours un plaisir de faire affaire avec vous. (Miss Éloïse, how are you? I would like to ask you a big favor. No, this is not a gift for my mamma. My new PA doesn't have a wardrobe worthy of attending certain events. I would like you to help her choose some clothes. Don't look at expenses. about 12 sets. Shoes and bags too. She will be there after lunch. Thank you so much miss. Always a pleasure doing business with you.).

Saphira knew French, and her mouth was open as she watched the CEO.

- Sir, there was no need for that. I could go shopping at a store in the mall.

- No. This way, I'm sure you have the right clothes for the right occasion. Do not worry about a thing. The bill came directly to me. All you have to do is grab the things and take them home. As I said, your normal clothes are good for day-to-day work. Keep a set in the office for eventualities.

- Thank you very much, sir. I do not know what to say.

You don't have to say anything. The clothes are part of the work, so it's normal for the firm to pay.

Saphira didn't think it was that normal, especially since it was a black credit card the CEO had slipped into her hand.

Let's continue. Thirdly, romantic relationships between staff are not allowed, so I appreciate you avoiding these matters within the company. As my PA, I have to maintain respect and an example. This doesn't cover whatever friendships you create, but it does avoid contributing to the low productivity of other employees.

Saphira nod. She needed that job. She wasn't going to get into any trouble.

- Finally, I see you live in a low-security motel. This cannot be. As a PA, you can access classified information and the company cannot take risks.

- I want to rent an apartment, but everything is so difficult. I hope to get one when I start getting my paychecks.

- We can't wait that long. He opens the card folder again and writes down a number and address on a sheet of paper that he hands to Saphira. – Contact Mr. Sousa. He is a construction entrepreneur who emigrated from Portugal many years ago. He is there to help you find an apartment fast.

She picks up the sheet and reads. But don't rest easy. How would she come up with money for an apartment so quickly and eat for the rest of the month?

Sebastian looked at his watch.

- The board meeting is about to start. Leave things in your office and follow me, please.

When Christopher enters the conference room, followed by Saphira, all eyes turn to the woman.

He sits at the head of the table, and she sits at the desk behind him.

All the directors were present, but the only people Saphira knew were the CRHO and his secretary, who smiled at Saphira, and she nodded back in greeting.

- Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Before starting the meeting, I want to inform you that, as I still don't have a PS, my PA did me the favor of doing this work today. She will sit on my right in the future, fulfilling her role in this company. – He turns to the woman and says – Miss Green, I want to introduce you to the C-levels of this company. These are Mr. Goodwill, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Mr. Mayer, the chief legal officer (CLO). Ms. Williams, the chief operations officer (COO). You already know Mrs. Jackson, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Mr. King, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Ms. Brown, the Chief information officer (CIO). Mr. Miller, the chief technology officer (CTO). Mr. Moonlight, the Chief compliance officer (CCO). Mr. Appletree, the Chief security officer (CSO); Mr. Knox, the chief information security officer (CISO); Mrs. Sharma, the Chief data officer (CDO)… - He continued to introduce the rest of the members, but Saphira was already dizzy and couldn't remember anyone's name. She makes a mental note to look at the company's organizational chart. - Chief strategy officer (CSO).

- I'm pleased to meet you all. My name is Saphira Green. – she says, getting up and bowing to everyone.

The directors' secretaries looked at her and talked between them. She would try to get to know them as soon as she could.

The meeting finally started to relieve the stress of that exhausting presentation, and she was taking notes of subjects and phrases that she thought were important.

When the meeting ended, it was almost noon. All matters in all departments were caught up, and Saphira was truly impressed. That was a big company, with many hundreds of employees and very important customers.

She takes the flyers and orders Chinese food for the CEO when she enters the office.

When the food arrives, she goes to the lobby to get it and, making her way through her office, enters the CEO's office, knocking lightly on the door first.

- Mr. Christopher, your lunch has arrived.

- Chinese? – he asks, sniffing the air – I feel like eating Chinese food today. Good choice.

He gets up and goes to the bathroom to wash his hands. Then, he goes to the conference table at the back of the office and sits down. Saphira pulls four boxes out of the bag and hands the CEO the chopsticks.

He frowns as he watches her toss the bag into the trash, and Saphira looks at him in confusion.

- Miss Saphira, where is your cutlery?

- My cutlery? I don't understand Mr. Christopher.

- Didn't I tell you to order food for both of us?

She gets flustered, and says stammering.

- You have... I don't... What I mean to say is that I have my lunch. I take it from home.

- Oh yes? So get it so I can see it. Sit here and eat. You know well that we must get to know each other for this professional relationship to work.

Saphira is uncomfortable but gets her lunch box and takes out the cheese sandwiches.

- Miss Saphira, you must be kidding me. Is that your lunch? – He growls.

He gets up and opens a cupboard. From the inside, he takes out two disposable plates and two forks. He places one in front of Saphira and the other in front of him. He holds out his hand and passes her a fork.

- Next time, order lunch for yourself too. Now, let's share this one. Save those sandwiches for lunch.

Saphira was completely red. In her previous job, they only spoke to her to give orders or harass her. Once, the director invited her to dinner, with the excuse that it was a business dinner, and she had to run away after the Director had grabbed her by force and kissed her.

Her position was different there. She was treated as an essential person. Even though she was embarrassed, she was impressed and grateful to God for putting this work into her life.

They ate silently, and when they were finished, she set the table clean and threw away the boxes and plates.

- Mr. Christopher, would you like me to bring you some coffee?

- Yes, thank you. There's a machine and capsules in the kitchen. Bring me a long coffee, please.

She leaves and searches for the kitchen. One of the secretaries informs her that it's next to the photocopying room, and she'll get the coffees.

Taking advantage of his PA's absence, Christopher calls Sousa and explains that he needs him to find an apartment with one bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom not far from Central Parque for his PA.

- Mr Dixon, an apartment in your desired area will not be cheap.

- How much on average?

A studio can cost between $1000 and $1800, and as you can imagine, the cheaper, the smaller. A one-bedroom apartment goes between $2000 and $5000.

- We've known each other for a long time, so I'll tell you this: find an apartment with one bedroom, up to $3000. When my PA sees it, if she likes it, tell her it's $2000. The rest, live it for me.

-I'll do my best. By the way, this week, I received some bottles of green wine from my land. I'll send you some. I know you like it.

- I really appreciate it. Thank you for your attention.

As he is about to hang up, Saphira returns with the coffee.