Mason

"Um...Mr. Zolar...hi," Daphne said as she stepped out into the hall. It looked like she just moved here. The apartment was empty, I didn't see any furniture. "Can I help you with something?" Her soft voice brought me back to why I was here.

"You didn't leave a phone number or email address on your application."

Her cheeks turned bright red and she looked down at her bare feet. "Yeah, um, sorry about that. I don't exactly have a phone," she mumbled the last part.

"Why not?" I asked, although I probably shouldn't pry.

Daphne's cheeks got even redder before she answered. "Financial difficulties."

I could barely hear her, her voice was so soft. I felt my cheeks turn a shade darker. It was stupid of me to assume everyone had a phone.

"Well no matter, you'll get your phone and laptop tomorrow," I told her.

"What?" She asked. Oh. I never got around to actually telling her what I came here to tell her.

"You got the job."

"I did?" she asked with a grin on her face.

"Yes. You start at 9:00 tomorrow."

"Thank you so much Mr. Zolar," she beamed, but I grimaced. I didn't like her using my last name. I don't know why, but it bothered me.

"You can call me Mason," I told her and left. I'd have to do something about the furniture issue in her apartment, but all the stores were closed for the day by now. I don't know why I cared. I had never cared about my old assistants' personal lives. Well really, in a way, it is business. I can't have my assistant have a crick in her neck. It would be inefficient. Yeah. That's what I'd tell myself.

I drove home which actually wasn't too far from Daphne's apartment. Only ten minutes which was good because I was tired. I'd had a long day listening to these "interviews". Daphne's was the only one I actually paid attention to. I could tell by the way she composed herself that she was serious about the job and didn't just want to get in my pants. I mostly knew from the minute she walked in that she would be the one I hired, but when she said she cared about the job, that solidified it. I didn't want someone who would hate being here and complain all the time. Daphne wouldn't be like that. I could tell.

____________________________________

Daphne

Today was officially my first day of work. I woke up nice and early to get ready and got there a half hour early. I couldn't help it, I hated being late. In fact, I obsessed over being on time. The fact that I didn't have a phone to constantly check had been bothering me so much over the last few days, but I was getting one today so now it would be fine.

The lady at the front desk who's name I'd learned was Amy told me that Mr. Zolar, I mean Mason, was waiting for me in his office. I hurried up and knocked on the door. I heard a muffled "come in" so I opened the door and stepped inside.

"You're early," Mason said when he looked up from his desk.

"Sorry, I'm a bit of a time freak and I'm always worried I'm going to be late."

"Don't be sorry, it's a good thing. Please, sit."

I sat down and Mason went over the specifics of my job which included answering the phone and emails, scheduling meetings, setting up for meetings, and taking notes at meetings. Once all of that was out of the way, he gave me my company phone and company laptop. I thanked him even though he said everyone was given one, I still really appreciated it.

Mason called Amy up and she took me on a tour of the building. There were twenty-seven floors so it took a while, but I took notes on where everything was so I would be able to remember. When I got to my new office, which was right next to Mason's, there was a list of tasks waiting for me.

- Answer emails

- Set up a meeting with Blake Chandler of Chandler Enterprises

- Answer phones

- Meeting in conference room at 3:00, have waters and meeting agendas ready by 2:45

I started off by setting up a meeting with Mr. Chandler and I added it to Mason's schedule for next Tuesday at noon. Then I answered emails and phone calls until it was time for lunch. Mason had given me a company credit card earlier, but I felt guilty using it so I just ate the apple I had brought with me and used the time to figure out my phone and laptop.

After my forty-five minutes were up, I went back to emails and phone calls until 2:15. At 2:15, I went to the conference room on this floors where most meetings would take place. I put out the pre-made meeting agendas, one at every seat, and filled glasses of water.

Mason came in at 2:30 and wasn't surprised to see that I was done early. He just chuckled as if he found it amusing.

"You'll sit next to me," he said and directed me to a chair. I sat down and set up my laptop to take notes. This meeting would be on the shorter side, but it was still a good chance to prove myself.

I diligently took notes, making sure to keep them neat and orderly. The meeting lasted about an hour and I had taken notes for every last second. I made sure to get down every single thing that was said or decided upon. Mason looked at my notes at the end of the meeting and gave me a nod of approval.

I gave a relieved sigh and returned to my office for the last hour of the day. After about a half hour, my door opened and Mason walked in.

"You did good today," he said and I smiled.

"Thank you!"

Mason turned to leave but I still had something to say.

"And Mason?" he turned back to me. "Thank you for this opportunity."

"You earned it," he said and I think I might have even seen a hint of a smile.

I walked back to my apartment with a smile on my face and the pain in my feet barely registered. Today had been a great day. I was going to be ok.

I walked into my apartment and had to double take and make sure I had walked into the right one because this apartment was furnished. I looked at the number on the door and sure enough, it was mine. But where did all of this furniture come from? Should I be worried?

Eh, who cares. I'm not sleeping on the floor tonight! I must be dreaming because today had been the best day I'd had in years.