“You smell lovely!”
“Thank you! I got it yesterday for my birthday. You know, my partner only buys me the most expensive, luxury perfumes. If you knew how much this one cost,” Angela laughed.
“Your husband has great taste. This scent is fabulous.”
“I was shocked when I saw the price online,” her forced laughter painfully echoed in her colleague’s ears.
“Come on, I’ll show you around! I’ll introduce you to everyone and tell you everything you need to know. Are you nervous?”
“Me? Are you joking? For me, work is fun. I came here because I was bored at home. I can’t wait to make this company thrive with my ideas.”
“Great. First, we’ll go see the CEO, she’s already expecting you.”
The businesswoman, in her late fifties, impeccably dressed in a tight pantsuit, received her newest employee with cool restraint.
“Hello, darling,” Angela wrapped her arms around her boss’s neck.
The company director stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do, waiting for Angela to let go.
“Welcome, I hope you’ll enjoy working here!”
“I’m already having a great time,” Angela said excitedly. “I told the secretary that I have tons of ideas. I’ll share some of them with you over lunch.”
“Great,” the embarrassed CEO replied quietly.
“I saw you got a new car,” Angela ignored the awkward silence. “It’s a cute little thing. We’re getting two ourselves. You know, one car just isn’t enough for us. But I was thinking of getting the next model up because it’s more comfortable,” she said, trying to sound important.
The seasoned businesswoman nodded without flinching, desperately looking for her secretary’s gaze.
“I’ll introduce you to your direct supervisor,” her patient colleague guided Angela further.
“I won’t have a boss.”
“Yes, you will. We’ll go see her now. You’ll need to do what she tells you.”
“Just so you know,” Angela began in a firmer tone, “I only have a boss on paper. In practice, I don’t. We’re very close with the CEO, and no one here will boss me around. I already told you, I’m not working for the money. See this bag?” she held up her purse. “It costs more than a year’s salary for most people.”
“Hanna specifically asked me to bring you to her.”
“Fine, but let’s not take too long. I already arranged with the CEO, or as I call her, Sara, that we’ll have lunch together.”
“My dear Hanna!”
“Welcome!”
“Could you leave us alone, please?” Angela asked sweetly but with a superior expression, turning to the secretary.
Once the door closed, Angela turned to Hanna, continuing in a mocking tone.
“She thinks you’re my boss! My God…” To emphasize her confidence, she placed her purse on the desk.
“Well, I think I am,” Hanna replied, laughing.
“Okay, I know, on paper, you’re the big BOSS,” Angela snorted obnoxiously. “We can play that game if you want, it doesn’t bother me,” she continued, unable to stop herself. “By the way, I’m leaving a bit early today. I’m stopping by the car dealership to finalize some details because I’m buying two cars, you know, like Sara’s. Just the newer, bigger model.”
“Well, in that case…”
“Now, you’re probably wondering why someone with so much money is working at all!”
“Honestly, it’s none of my business. I don’t understand this whole thing about being my subordinate only on paper. I asked Sara to hire someone because I can’t handle all the work on my own. And I need someone who will work hard. Why did you apply in the first place?”
“So I wouldn’t be bored! I want to channel my excess energy while expressing my creativity.”
“Why don’t you start your own business or do some volunteer work? Why sign with a company that needs productive employees? Plus, Sara told me you really needed the job.”
“I don’t know, but she’s my friend and your boss. I guess you’ll have to accept whatever she says,” Angela replied, her face flushed with irritation.
“Are we going to lunch?” Angela asked as she knocked and entered the office.
“I’m sorry, but I never have lunch with employees,” Sara replied coldly. “I’m very particular about maintaining a certain distance. It’s been my practice for years, and I don’t plan on changing it.”
“Our husbands are business partners, I’m not really an employee.”
“Your husband begged mine to get you a position here. Out of respect for our long-standing relationship, I agreed because I know what situation you’re in. You are just like any other employee here. We all work for our paychecks. I understand, it must be hard for you to be someone else’s assistant. Trust me, I sympathize. But you need to decide whether to stay or go!”
“I’ll stay, of course, no problem, really. I’d love to work with Hanna, she seems very nice…”
“Great. And let’s get something clear: although I like your husband, we are not friends, and we won’t be hanging out.”
Angela stood silently, feeling utterly defeated by the polite but firm rebuke.
“By the way, I love your bag,” Sara delivered the final blow with a smile. “I almost didn’t notice it’s a replica. Did you get it in Turkey?”