Continued from Part I....Last week, we were introduced to Danielle, a young woman working for a demanding boss, Eva. In part II, we hear Eva's perspective....
We wasted nearly ten minutes getting through building
security. Danielle of course wasted even more time getting the elevator door to
work.
“First time pushing a button?” I snapped. Danielle’s
slowness wasn’t helping my nerves.
“I’m trying Eva.” Danielle complained as the doors finally
slid open. The quiet in the elevator bothered me, my mind going back to the
last time I had seen Ms. Jessica Collins. It’d been my birthday. She brought me
a present and I tried not to cry. I played with the clasp on my bag, letting it
open and snap shut. The sharp sound kept me focused. There was nothing Jessica
Collins could criticize about the presentation, and anything she found fault
with I could pin on Danielle. That’s what assistants are for. I had disliked
Danielle as soon as she walked into my office. The girl was a fresh graduate, a
too-cheerful face and bouncing walk betraying her enthusiasm and naiveté. Her
resume was good though, too good. Her portfolio even better. But Danielle
wasn’t right for this industry. Planning exclusive events in this city took boldness
that this girl, with daisies embroidered into her blouse, couldn’t stomach. So
I hired her on the spot. She’d do the work, I’d get the recognition.
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The elevator opened directly into the office. Glass walls
and metal sculptures gave the space a stark, modern look. The minimal
surroundings only heightened Jessica’s presence. She rose to greet us, her
form-fitting white dress made her look like one of the sculptures.
Danielle stuck out her hand. “Jessica Collins? Hi, I’m
Danielle. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, I’ve heard a lot about
you.”
Jessica raised a single, elegant eyebrow. The wrinkles
around her eyes made her look distinguished. “Only good things, I hope?”
“Oh yes, of course. You were a financial analyst that
helped transform three different businesses into Fortune 500 companies. Now
you’re an executive here at-----“
“Congratulations, you googled her.” I glared at Danielle.
She shut up. Jessica said nothing, though I could feel her watching the
interaction closely. I took a deep breath and spoke directly to her. “Jessica.”
I shook her hand lightly, not wanting to linger. “Let’s talk about the event. I
have some samples to show you----“
“You skin looks clear Eva. What are you using now?”
Jessica interrupted. I blinked and tried not to think too deeply into the
backhanded compliment. Jessica motioned for us to sit in the chairs across from
her desk.
Danielle pulled out the portfolio. “So, this is a party
for the CEO of your company, right Ms. Collins? And we---Eva---was thinking
about incorporating some photographs of him into the design for the event.
Here’s an example---“
“You must be doing well at the company?” Jessica asked.
“The party you planned at Riverfront was spectacular, I heard.” Her voiced
dripped with sarcasm when she said spectacular. As if she ever thought I could
create something that warranted the term.
“It was.” I was determined not to play her game. I kept my
eyes on Jessica’s nails. Clear polish, the edges trimmed into a perfectly oval.
“You’re up for a promotion I understand.”
“How did you hear about that?” I asked. What a stupid
question. Of course she knew.
Jessica pretended to look at the samples in the portfolio.
“Just because you refuse to speak to me doesn’t mean that I’m not informed
about your life. Why do you think I requested you for this event?”
“I got that job on my own, mother. I don’t owe you
anything. Not anymore.” I hated that my voice cracked. Out of the corner of my
eye I saw Danielle looking between Jessica and myself. I hadn’t told her
Jessica was my mother.
“You’re getting very excited Eva.” Jessica—I refused to
call her mother anymore, said calmly. That calm voice drove me crazy. “Your
assistant wants to continue the presentation.”
“Forget the presentation. Why did you call me down here?
You wanted to remind me of all the ways I’ve wasted my talent, my beauty? You
want to tell me again how much of a drag it was to raise your own daughter?” I
was shouting now. My careful self-control lost. It was always the same with
her. I got my purse and went to the elevator.
“Eva. You’re being unreasonable right now----“
“Don’t pretend you care about my career mother.” I said
tearfully as the elevator opened and I stepped inside. I let the door shut on
Danielle’s face and collapsed against the wall, tears already ruining my
mascara.
To be continued.....
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