Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” Haisley called back as she hustled to the elevator.
After the ding and the doors opened again, she stepped off. Another receptionist sitting behind a giant desk emblazoned with the company name in big, gold letters pressed the phone to her ear and jotted a message while waving her into a nearby chair.
Crossing one leg over the other, Haisley managed a tight smile as the butterflies dive-bombed her belly.
An imposing, broad-shouldered man in a tailored charcoal suit strode toward her, hand outstretched. “Ms. Rowe?”
When his gruff bark cracked through the quiet opulence of the lobby, she shot to her feet and plastered on her most confident smile. Despite the graying at his temples and the faint lines around his eyes, he carried himself with a robust vitality. Clearly, this man was a doer. If that was their corporate culture, she should fit right in.
“Mr. Benedict?” She shook his hand.
He gave her a cursory once-over, then nodded. “Welcome aboard. After our phone interviews, it’s good to meet you in person. Welcome to Benedict Land Development.”
“Thank you. It’s great to put a face with a name. I’m thrilled to be here—and back home in Louisiana.”
He sauntered past the reception desk and motioned her to follow before he turned toward a maze of workspaces. “Come with me. I’ll introduce you to a few key players and show you to your desk. The rest of the team can fill in the blanks as you get settled.”
Haisley fell into step beside him, her kitten heels clicking against the gleaming floors. Along the way, Mr. Benedict pointed out various workgroups. Each stopped to give her a polite smile before resuming their work. She did her best to commit their names and locations to memory.
“In that corner, next to the window, is your desk. You’ll have an assistant once we hire someone. I thought you might want to be part of the process.”
“I would. Thank you.”
“The rest of your team—Angela, Curtis, and Blake—is looking forward to your fresh perspective and the experience you gleaned in LA.”
The trio glanced up, offering tepid nods of acknowledgment. Clearly, she would need to earn their respect. She’d been there and done that when she’d first arrived in LA. She’d eventually win them over.
“Mila!” Mr. Benedict hollered as they veered down a hall lined with offices.
“You bellowed, husband?” A lilting feminine voice drew Haisley’s attention toward the open door of a nearby office.
A petite, polished woman about a dozen years the boss’s junior emerged with a warm smile, blue eyes crinkling at the corners. Dressed in a smart blazer and slim-cut trousers, Mila Benedict projected a friendly, effortless elegance.
“I’m showing Haisley the ropes.” Mr. Benedict’s intimidating edges softened as his wife sidled closer. “Mila, this is Haisley Rowe. Haisley, my wife, Mila.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” The woman enveloped her hand in a gentle squeeze, her delicate ring finger adorned with a huge, glimmering diamond. “Hopefully, you’ll breathe some fresh life into our branding.”
“That’s my goal, Mrs. Benedict. I’m excited to get started.”
“Oh, please, call me Mila. The last thing we need around here is more formality. Isn’t that right, George?” She sent her husband a teasing glance, laughing when he huffed. “Why don’t you get settled in, then we’ll debrief you on everything. I’m sorry to say we’ve got something of an emergency on our hands, so today will be a bit of a fire drill.”
“In my last position, change and chaos were constant. I’m used to it, and I’ll contribute in any way I can.”
George grunted, then doubled back and began leading her toward the open room full of desks.
Frowning, she called to Mila over her shoulder, “Let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll convene.”
As the woman nodded, she and Mr. Benedict rounded the corner. Was he that impatient for her to get started? Or was he always dismissive of his wife? The politest way to describe his demeanor during their interview was brusque. Just now, he’d all but tugged her away. The whole thing felt borderline rude.
No wonder the job had come with such great pay. Her new boss had a reputation for being an asshole. Haisley suspected he’d earned it.
“Tell me something, Miss Rowe,” he muttered as he stopped in front of the coffeemaker tucked in the corner and began brewing a cup. “Coffee?”
“I had a cup at home, thanks.”
Mr. Benedict sighed. “What do you think this company’s greatest social media challenge is?”
She hadn’t expected to be put on the spot so soon, but she’d already given this question a lot of thought. “I see a couple of areas of opportunity for you. First, the average person doesn’t have a great opinion of land developers and real-estate moguls in general. I mean, everyone wants to be rich, but no one likes people who are rich.”
He barked out a laugh. “That’s true, but—”