Keep On, Keepin' On

"Now we are seeing a definite increase in the product sales. As we continue to raise the price- subtly- we hope we will still see the same amount or even more of customers buying the product. Of course, we always have the three backup plans if raising the price doesn't go so well. Please, everyone, turn to page 56. Now, this talks about the advantages and disadvantages of discreetly rising the price of a product. Let's start with the advantages, as you can read here-"

I let the voice of the lecturer fade out of my ears as I gazed outside the tall skyscraper's windows. The sun was at its highest peak of the day as it shone down on the inhabitants of New York City.

It has been only two weeks. Two weeks since Elijah left the office. The atmosphere has changed, it is a lot less stressful for sure. But I miss having his presence in the building. I miss him walking me to my car. I miss him commenting on my outfit. I miss him.

We didn't even have a proper goodbye. When he first told me the news, I was silent for about a minute before his phone rang. Whoever it was, had to take him away. Elijah had apologized before walking out my door. The next morning I was expecting to see him, he did say he wasn't leaving until after work. However as I opened my email, I got sent one from him.

Elijah talked about how he had an offer for Apple and would be leaving for a year and that he had left this morning. The email was sent to all of the employees. He didn't send me a personal one or even a text saying he was sorry or at least something. But nope, nothing. Also in the letter, he said in a couple weeks, a substitute for him will be arriving. There was no other information.

The person, whoever it may be, is supposed to be here at 3 today.

I glanced at the clock on the wall behind the lecturer, 2:27.

"Okay, everybody," the lady clasped her hands together, making me flinch in my seat. "We were scheduled to be done by three, but I heard your company has a new CEO, well a substitute anyways. I will be sending each of you an email with the information we did not cover. Any questions?"

The lady glanced around the room at all the employees. Most of them were finishing up taking notes or gathering their stuff.

"Well okay then, the email will have my contact info, if you have any questions or comments. Please enjoy the rest of your day." The lady gave a bright smile as the twenty of us hauled out the door and made our way back to our desks.

As I hauled into the elevator and got prepared for the long way back up, my phone went off. As well as everybody else's in the elevator. I glanced down at my phone. A message was sent from one of the receptionists down in the lobby.

CEO is here. All employees working above the 30th floor, please make your way to the 10th floor. The party room has changed into a presentation room for the day. It is possible not everyone will be able to fit. If you can't, you can meet the CEO at another scheduled time.

Everyone whispered amongst themselves as we exited the elevator. Another buzz on my phone prompted me to look once again at the screen.

Miss Owens-

As you were, and currently still are, Mr. Carter's personal assistant, you will have the pleasure of meeting the new CEO in the meeting room at 4:30 along with several others from managing. Thank you-

I'm still Elijah's personal assistant? He's all the fucking way across the country.

I stepped back in the elevator and made my way to my office.

___________

I finished up sending the files to the financial branch and took a sip of water. I glanced at the time on my computer screen.

4:15

Well, better head off now.

The meeting room was on the 65th floor. Like any other meeting room you see in the movies, it had one long wood table in the middle with about 20 surrounding chairs. Two of them on either end of the table.

Multiple women and men were getting settled down in their seat and getting ready to meet the new substitute CEO.

I sat about in the middle between a two older woman. I opened my notebook and got prepared to take notes if needed.

After five minutes, all seats were filled except for one at the end of the table.

I heard several whispers of "where is he?" and "where is she?".

It had just now crossed my mind that we don't know whether the new CEO is a man or woman.

As more whispers of the new CEO floated around, the black double doors behind me opened. I glanced around saw the new CEO.

They walked to the seat, pulled it out and sat down.

"Hello. My name is Sawyer Mason."

Everybody, including me, said hi in unison, prompting Mr. Mason to smile.

Unlike Elijah, he was clean shaven and looked a bit older as well. He had deep black hair that was graced with a few graying hairs. He almost had the same body shape as well, but you could tell it aged with him.

"It is good to meet you all, I am very close with Mr. Carter, so I am already familiar with the business. I would love it if you would all introduce yourselves. Not that I don't know you, I have all your files." He smiled, showing his pearly whites, which induced a few chuckles from the table.

He gestured to his right, "Let's start here."

The middle-aged man spoke up. "My name is Jerry Kin, 41 years old."

Mr. Mason smiled at him and looked to the next person, who was sitting next to me.

The lady sat up straight, "Hello, my name is Rose Erwin. And I am only 35 years young." She gave a flirtatious smile to Mr. Mason, he only smiled.

And here we are, less than five minutes after meeting the new CEO, do we have people head over heels for him. Though I couldn't go wrong with their feelings, he was quite handsome.

Mr. Mason cleared his throat. "Well I'll let this be known, I am 49 years old. But no romantic relationships within the workplace, let's keep this professional."

"Who said we have to be in a relationship?"

Wow.

Rose perked up in her seat and bashed her eyelashes at him.

Mr. Mason hung is head for a split second before raising it back up and taking a subtle big breath. "Please, Ms. Erwin. This is a professional environment, let us keep it that way. This answers my question as to why Mr. Carter left for a couple months, unprofessionalism."

An older gentleman that was sitting on the other side of the table. "Sir, if I may."

Mr. Mason nodded.

"I thought Mr. Carter had to leave for a full year?"

"Well, the deal he is trying to make shouldn't take more than a couple months. I really don't know why he would say he would be gone for a year, but maybe he also turned it into a vacation."

I shifted in my seat. I wonder why he chose to be gone that long.

"Let's continue with the introductions," Mr. Mason added. He glanced at me and had a warm smile on his face.

"My name is Kyla Owens and well, I am 25 years old." *

Mr. Mason nodded slowly. He must've thought I was doing the same thing Rose did.

"Wait, that's not what I meant by that, I was just telling you my age," I hurriedly spat out of my mouth.

He chuckled slowly, "That's okay, Ms. Owens. No worries."

"Okay, good. I was Eli- I mean Mr. Carter's personal assistant. I am guessing I am yours?"

He nodded. "You guessed right. I have a couple things I need to go over with you, but we will wait till after the meeting has ended."

I nodded, smiling and he glanced over to the next person, waiting for their name.

The meeting lasted about 20 or so minutes. People introduced themselves, Mr.Mason gave a quick biography of himself and talked about his plans for the company for the next year, that was pre-discussed with Elijah.

I was now currently at Kate's desk chowing down on some donuts she had picked up before work.

"So," I said, with still a half a donut stuffed into my face,"What do you think of the new CEO?"

Kate licked her fingers that had raspberry jam on them,"He seems nice. I wonder if the company will change now that he's in charge."

"Been wondering that myself too."

I took another bite of the donut as I heard the elevator ding. I glanced towards it and saw Mr. Mason walk out.

"Shit." I muffled out as I tried to clean up my face.

"Well, hello girls." Mr. Mason smiled down at both of us.

"Hi, sir." We said in unison.

"Donuts? May I have one?"

"Yeah, of course." Kate piped up.

"Thank you." He reached down and grabbed the classic glazed donut and took a bite out of it, provoking a low growl from him. "Delicious. You should bring these every day, Kate."

"Well," she blushed. "Maybe not every day."

"How about once a week?"

"That sounds like a better idea."

"Great." Mr. Mason smiled at her and then looked in my direction. "Kyla, could you please be in my office in ten minutes."

"Of course, sir."

"Great." He smiled once more at the both us before walking into his office.

"What time is it? My phone is dead?" I asked Kate, attempting to turn on my phone.

"Almost five." She said reading off her computer.

"What time do you get off?"

"5:30, you?"

"Seven," I sighed.

Kate and I conversed and made plans for the weekend to hang out until it was time to see Mr. Mason.

I knocked on his door. "It's Kyla."

"Come in," his muffled said.

I entered his office, no drastic changes happened, thankfully.

I sat down on the leather chair and waited for him to talk.

"Alright," he said, peering his eyes off his computer screen. "I am meeting two important gentlemen this evening, I would love for you, my personal assistant, to join me."

I smiled. "Of course, what time?"

"Let's see, at six. I would prefer you wear something nice."

"Of course. I would need to go home though."

"That's alright, you may go now. I'll have my driver come pick you up ten minutes before, is that okay?"

"Yes, definitely. Do I need to bring anything?"

Mr. Mason rubbed his chin. "No, I just need you to be there."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll see you in about an hour."

"Okay, goodbye."

With that, I sat up and walked out of his office to go prepare for a dinner with the new CEO, Sawyer Mason.

_____

Thought I bailed on this story, didn't you?