TWO WEEKS' NOTICE

by Whitney G.

  Cynthia headed to my door right after him, coughing. “Three months max.”

  I quickly rewrote the short list and made sure I placed it in Preston’s hand before leaving his office. I wasn’t completely sure, but I thought I felt him staring at my ass as I walked out.

  I overheard Cynthia laughing as I returned to my office, and an idea suddenly hit me. Cynthia and the stylist were best friends. I’d seen them laughing over lunch on several occasions, and they always glared at me whenever I walked by.

  No wonder his suits are always late. They're trying to sabotage me.

  Livid, I pulled up my job description and called George to make sure I was interpreting the “chief of staff” clause correctly. When he assured me that I was, I took the elevator to the lobby and waited for her to arrive with this week's wardrobe.

  “Good evening, Miss Lauren.” She smiled at me as she rolled the rack inside at exactly seven o’clock. “I was telling the driver that it’s been great to finally have a consistent EA around here. I was also telling him how it’s unfortunate all the designers and tailors are so late these days, you know? Must be a red-carpet season.”

  “Save it,” I said. “Save all of your bullshit for someone who will believe it.”

  “What?” Her eyes went wide.

  “Don’t play dumb.” I rested my hand on the rack. “Do you know that as Mr. Parker’s executive assistant, that I have the power to hire and fire his auxiliary staff without asking for his input? That you are a part of that auxiliary staff?”

  “No.” Her face went white. “No, I didn’t know that.”

  “Well, now you know. Nonetheless, since I'm not petty like you, and I'm not allowed to fire your best friend upstairs, I'm going to do you a favor.” I glared at her. “I'm going to give you another chance. From here on out, you’re going to deliver his suits in the morning, not the evening. You're going to allow me to look them over and approve them so we can see him in something other than Tom Ford all the time since you strike me as the type of person who probably has a payoff with a clerk at that store.”

  She looked away from me, confirming my theory.

  “I thought so. As of today, you're going to be the best stylist and runner he's ever had because you're not going to make his executive assistant, who is levels above you, look bad anymore. Are we clear?”

  She nodded.

  “I need you to say it.”

  “I won't make you look bad anymore.”

  “Thank you.” I reorganized the suits on the racks, moving the ones I liked best to the front. “I heard about the employee betting pool, so how much longer do you think I’ll last?”

  She looked down and shook her head. “I'd rather not say.”

  “Why not?” I asked. “If you're bold enough to attempt to sabotage me, you can at least tell me how long you think I’ll last here.”

  “One more month. Three months tops.”

  SIX MONTHS LATER ...

  SEVEN

  Preston

  HIRING TARA LAUREN is officially the worst thing I've ever done.

  “Hiring Tara Lauren is officially the best thing you've ever done, Preston.” George passed me a binder. “At least, she was, and I really appreciated her while she lasted.”

  “Um hmmm.” I flipped through a report and pretended to read.

  I hadn't been able to get my daily work completed up to my standards since Tara started working for me. Everything about her was a distraction, and I'd lost count of how many times I'd envisioned her bent over my desk with her ass up, begging me to fuck her deeper.

  The hardest working executive assistant I’d ever hired, she was good at her job, and with each passing day, she became even better. Despite her lack of hotel experience, she’d caught up in no time. As opposed to my other assistants who simply waited for me to tell them what to do, she was always ten steps ahead of me. She studied all the tiers of my hotel brand to the letter, and she could recite the mantras and amenities better than some of the people who’d been working for me for years. She was even changing the culture for my top staff—firing and hiring people who she thought would help me best.

  Still, there were three things about her that drove me absolutely insane. One, she had a smart-ass mouth, and unfortunately, the sarcasm that dripped from her seductive lips only made me want her more. Two, she couldn't whisper worth a damn. At least she acted like she couldn't whenever she was muttering about how much she hated me under her breath. How much she thought I was an “asshole.” Three, she had a tendency to refrain from wearing panties under some of her dresses, and I couldn't help but notice every time. On those days, I insisted she come into my office every half hour for small tasks so I could get a front seat view.

  “Her hiring came at a pretty good time, too.” George’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Her performance gives me hope that we’ll be able to really nail someone who’ll last nine months or even a year next time. She really was good.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” I looked up at him. “Why are you saying that she ‘was’ a good hire? As in past tense?”

  “Because I just got a call from The Greenwich Firm—you know, the place where most of your previous executive assistants end up going. He asked me if I could give her a good reference before she came in for a final interview today.”

  “And what did you say?” I clenched my jaw, livid that she’d gone on a job interview behind my back.

  “Well, I told him I’d have to call him back since I was heading up here with you, but I’m pretty certain that it’ll be a great reference. Unless I’m missing something?”

  “You are missing something,” I said. “Miss Lauren has a non-compete clause in her contract.” In addition to some other clauses I’ve added...

  “So? Your other assistants did, too. It was never a problem when they wanted to leave.”

  “Well, it is now, so don’t give her a reference. Ever. If they ask you why you can’t give one, have them call me.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me,” I said. “I think it’s time that we start implementing all the terms in our employee contracts. We need to set the tone and make sure people aren’t using this as some type of launching pad for another job from now on.”

  He shut his folder. “Do you want me to tell her that she’s wasting her time by going on all these interviews, then?”

  “How many has she had?”

  “At least five that I know of, so far.”

  What the fuck? “Five, George?”

  He shrugged. “I get what you’re saying about the new enforcement, but maybe she didn’t read the fine print of her contract.”

  “The non-compete clause isn’t in the fine print,” I said. “It’s on the second page in bold black ink, along with a lot of other basic terms. I’m sure she read it.”

  “Her interview is at three o’clock, Preston.” He looked at his watch. “It wouldn’t kill you to tell her that she doesn’t need to go across town for it.”

  “She never told me she had an interview, so actually it would kill me.”

  He rolled his eyes and stood up. “Thank you for reminding me how petty you can be.”

  “You’re very welcome.”

  “I’ll be back in an hour with the Von Strum files,” he said. “It’ll take us all night to go over them, so I’m going to get some lunch.”

  He left the room, and I immediately sent Tara an email.

  SUBJECT: NEW MEETING Today

  Miss Lauren,

  I will be going over the Von Strum files with George at three o’clock today. This is the most important deal I’m about to pursue, and you’re required to help.

  Preston Parker

  CEO & Owner of Parker International

  Her response didn’t come back immediately like normal.

  I refreshed my inbox seconds later. No answer.

  I waited a full five minutes and scrolled down to her name in my phone.

  Before I could hit call, she walke
d into my office wearing an olive colored dress that perfectly hugged her curves with a pair of nude colored heels that made me envision her wrapping her legs around my waist.

  She’s definitely not wearing panties today ...

  “I’m finished with everything on today’s short list,” she said, placing a folder on my desk. “I’ve added some things I think you should say during our first meeting with the Von Strum family. Two of those words are thank you. I’m also preparing to set up your upcoming travel notices to your closest friends and family, but I can’t seem to find a list.”

  “That’s because I don’t have any family members to update.”

  “No one?”

  “No one.”

  “Okay, then ...” She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but she held back. “I also finished reading over the proposed amenities list for the new Harrison Hotel and gave you my thoughts. Is there anything else you need me to do before I take a late lunch?”

  “I sent you an email.”

  “I didn’t open it.”

  “Now would be a good time to do so, Miss Lauren.”

  “I think later would be better, Mr. Parker,” she said, mocking me. “Is there anything else, except that, that you need me to do?”

  “I would like some more coffee.”

  “I’ve already sent someone out for that.”

  “I would like my schedule updated to reflect all of next week’s meetings with Sonoma. I want it color coded.”

  “I did that this morning. Anything else you’d like?”

  I would like you to cancel that goddamn interview.

  “No.” I tapped my fingers against the desk, thinking of all the ways I was going to handle this shit over the next few weeks. “Have a great late lunch.”

  She smiled and headed to the door. “I will.”

  EIGHT

  Tara

  A few days later...

  “MISS? MISS, YOUR COFFEE is ready.” The Sweet Seasons barista made me look up from my phone.

  “Thank you.” I grabbed it and took a sip. Then I shook my head and gave it back. “This is one hundred and twenty degrees at best. I need it to be one hundred and fifty-five. Oh, and I can barely taste the caramel in that, can you add a bit more?”

  “I’ll remake it right away,” she said. “Are you still buying the coffee for everyone who is currently in the store like you’ve done all month?”

  “Absolutely.” I handed her Preston’s credit card. I waited until she remade his cup, and then I ordered a fresh cup of my own before getting back into my town car.

  I was shocked to have an empty errand list this morning, and I was arriving to work an entire hour early so I could nap at my desk. I wasn’t sure why I ever thought that this job would get any easier to handle, why I thought I would ever get used to this man’s demands, but I was clearly wrong.

  Last night, Preston called me at midnight to nitpick my report for over an hour, and although I was pissed at his intrusion on my personal time, I’d shamelessly held my vibrator against my clit the entire time he spoke. Even though I was currently using him as a muse for sex every night (since he’d ruined my social life), that was the only positive thing I could say about him. Well, that, and the meaner he was, the more jobs I applied to during my breaks.

  Why haven’t I gotten a single job offer from any of my final interviews yet? It’s not adding up ...

  “We’re here, Miss Lauren,” the driver said, opening the back door for me. “Do you need me to do anything for you?”

  “Can you take this coffee up to Mr. Parker’s office, please?” I handed it to him. “Set it on the glass warming tray we bought him yesterday. Make sure it’s set at his favorite temperature.”

  “Of course.” He laughed.

  I made it upstairs to my floor and stopped dead in my tracks.

  “Michael?” I spotted my boyfriend sitting behind Cynthia’s desk. “Michael, is that you?”

  “Long time, no see huh?”

  “Not exactly. I called you the other night.”

  “At three in the morning, Tara.” He shook his head. “Have you not noticed our new relationship pattern over the past few months, or are you okay with how it’s going?”

  “I have noticed.”

  “Oh, really?” He crossed his arms. “So, why don’t you find it strange that I have to come to your job extra early, just to catch a glimpse of you?”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry.”

  He didn’t respond to that. He just looked me up and down—admiring my fitted black and grey dress, then he looked around the lobby.

  “I stopped by your new apartment before coming here. It’s one hell of an upgrade from where you were before, you know?” He smiled. “What’s the monthly rent on that place? Five thousand?”

  “Nine thousand, but I’m only paying four. I get a huge discount because of my boss.”

  “Yeah well, speaking of your boss, can we—”

  My cell phone sounded, and as if I was on alert, I answered the call before he could finish his sentence.

  “This is Tara Lauren of Parker International speaking,” I said.

  “Miss Lauren, this is Daniella. We have Mr. Parker’s suits ready for a nine o’clock pickup as you requested. As you know, I’m only coming in that early for this reason, so will your representative be on time?”

  “Yes, she will be.”

  “She better be.” She ended the call, and before I could put my phone away, it rang again.

  “This is Tara Lauren of Parker International speaking,” I answered.

  “Miss Lauren, this is Raymond Oliver with Buvette. I apologize for calling you so early, but I saw that you recently changed Mr. Parker’s breakfast order. I wanted to make sure that it was correct before asking the chef to make it.”

  “It’s correct,” I said. “One almond croissant with butter, two crepes, and whatever egg dish was featured in GQ last week. He wants to try it, but don’t overdo it on the pepper. His doctor doesn’t want him to have too much of that.”

  “As you wish, Miss Lauren. I’ll have it to his office soon.”

  I ended the call and stared at the screen, waiting for the next call that always came in like clockwork.

  The second the time changed, Preston’s town car driver called my phone.

  “Good morning, Simon.”

  “Good morning, Miss Lauren,” he said. “I’m calling to let you know I’ll be arriving at Mr. Parker’s door in five minutes, as he wants to arrive to work early today. Is there any urgent news I need to report?”

  “Not at this time, Simon. Thank you for calling.” I ended the call and returned my attention to Michael. He was pacing the floor, letting out long sighs every few seconds.

  “I’m really sorry about that,” I said. “What were you saying?”

  “I was saying that I don’t think this is going to work out.” His words were cut and dry. “I can’t take this shit anymore.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “We haven’t fucked since you got this job, Tara. Every time we sit down to dinner or something as simple as lunch, your boss—or someone connected to your goddamn boss calls and you drop everything and start running.”

  “I do not drop everything and start running,” I said. “I’m just trying to make the most of this opportunity and save up as much money as I can. You know I don’t plan to work for him forever.”

  “You said you were quitting last month when you worked one hundred and twenty hours in a single week. And let’s not forget about five days ago when he called you at two in the morning to read him a damn email, as if he was blind and couldn’t read it himself.”

  That was the first time I used my vibrator against his voice ...

  “You also claimed that you were done last week when he made you stay at work until three in the morning, asking you to rewrite the same report twenty times.”

  “Look. I know my boss can be difficult.”

  �
��No, your boss is not difficult, Tara. He’s an asshole. I know it, you know it, everyone in fucking New York knows it.”

  “Okay, fine. He’s an asshole. I think you’re being unfair about this, though. It’s not like I haven’t been trying to get another job. No one has called me back despite all the interviews, so it doesn’t make sense to quit until I have something else set up.”

  “With your salary, I think you have more than enough money in the bank to find something within the next three months, Tara.” He looked into my eyes. “I don’t mean to be blunt or give you an ultimatum, but I have no choice. It’s your boss or me.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me,” he said, stepping closer. “Your boss or me. Choose.”

  Before I could give him an answer, my phone sounded with Preston’s signature ringtone.

  “Can you hold that thought for one second?” I asked, stepping into my office to take the call privately. “Hello?”

  “Is there any reason why the Dawson files weren’t delivered to my condo this morning?” Preston asked, his voice deep.

  “It’s because there were too many typos, so I asked them to redo it. You’ll have it this afternoon.”

  “What about your notes on the Anderson presentation?”

  “I printed it last night, and it’s with Simon. I figured you’d want to read them on your way to work since you have eight newspaper articles to get through.”

  “Hmmm.” He hung up in my face, as usual, without saying anything else.

  If there was anything that infuriated me about him the most, it was the fact that he never said thank you, never even implied that he was grateful for my work.

  My phone vibrated with an email from him seconds later.

  SUBJECT: YOUR ANDERSON Presentation Notes

  Hopefully, this version of your notes will have the proper spelling of “annuities.” Otherwise, I’ll need you to redo it, preferably with spellcheck. (You do know that all the computers in my company have this feature, correct?)