I watch her go without chasing after her, because I’m no prince charming and a woman like Calla…
She deserves someone better than me.
Chapter 8
Calla
“Miss Becker,could I see you in my office, please.”
My boss, Mr McAvoy, doesn’t phrase his request for me as a question, but rather a statement, sending a bolt of unease through me.
“Of course, sir,” I reply with a winning smile, watching as he turns his back to me, retreating back to his glass seventh circle of hell –I mean his office– simply expecting me to follow like a good little lap dog. I hate that he has this authority over me. I hate it as much as I hate bad manners and the rain. With a passion. But I do love my job working in real estate; getting to view pretty houses that aredefinitely notin my tax bracket before anyone else and give clients a glimpse into their forever home.
The fancy dinners I get to attend (free bar!), paid for luncheons and flexible hours are a plus too.
Even if my boss and his nephew are a complete set of entitled twats, it’s a pretty comfortable job I have to admit, and the one I’ve been able to hold down for the longest time. I’m pretty proud of myself for that achievement.
Standing, I gather my notebook and pen, tucking them into the crook of my elbow as I smooth down my mandatory uniform black pencil skirt. I shove my chair beneath my desk and trot to follow my boss, my heels clacking loudly against the marble flooring.
“Am I getting fired?” I mouth silently to Carmenas I bypass her cubicle.
She shakes her head, trying for a vote of confidence, but honestly, I’m not so sure.
I’m good at my job, I know that.
I’m a good conversationalist – a skill which is like gold dust in this field – polite, friendly,approachable. Talking comes to me as easily as breathing, which in turn allows me to form a foundation with my clients before I’ve even shown them around the property. A little bit of humour to break the ice, patience, and a friendly smile, goes a long way in my opinion.
Other pros:
I’ve never been pulled up for not wearing my mandatory uniform of a blouse and pencil skirt.
I always make sure there’s never a shortage of coffee pods in the staff room (that one’s kinda for my own benefit too)
I can work an excel spreadsheet like a badass.
That last one took me by surprise too.
On the flipside, I’m sometimes late in the office. Okay, actually scratch that,mostof the time I’m late getting into the office on a morning.
Today was one of those days… but at least I didn’t come inhungover! That’s a win in my books, because I’ve definitely trudged into this very office, large sunglass covering my eyes, one too many times to be socially expectable.
So, maybe I am getting fired.
Strangely, I feel a little upset at the thought, a lump filling the base of my throat.
Working real estate isn’t what I had in mind when I left school at sixteen, the world seemingly sitting at my feet, but this is where life has led me so I’m making it work as best as I can.
