Amy made a show of looking affronted. “Why, Nyah, it’s my job to look. I’m Mr. Evans’ PA as well when he’s in. What if he wanted to call me in to take a memo or place a call, or I dunno, sit in his friend’s lap?”
“Well, I wouldn’t dream of getting in the way of such important work. Buzz my phone, though, if it looks like they’re getting up to leave.”
Amy backed out of my doorway, nodding and adjusting her elegant, gold-rimmed glasses. “Keep watching—will do, boss.”
At that exact moment, the door to the VP’s office opened. Amyturned as she walked away and offered me a pantomimedHere they comeexpression.
Randall entered alone. “Nyah, dear, that was you coming in.” He strode over and hugged me.
I gave him a brief one-armed hug. “How long has it been—a month?”
“Three,” he said, stepping back but gripping my hand in both of his for a second. “That’s how long it’s taken to close the deal on the Kowloon site.” He took the seat opposite my desk and gestured for me to sit as well. “How was your weekend? Filled with laughter from your young man, I hope.”
“A little lonely, as a matter of fact,” I said, succumbing to a rare bout of openness. “Lucas is off at summer camp for a month and a half.”
“I wish I’d known,” Randall said, his bushy grey eyebrows rising. “You could have come to the mansion and treated it like a spa weekend. Perhaps next week?”
I looked down at my desk, embarrassed by the offer. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly. I have so much… catching up to do.”
The Evans family’s wealth overwhelmed me. The hundred-dollar tip on the day I met Randall had seemed exorbitant at the time, but now I realized that was loose change to a man like him. And so was a weekend of hospitality at the hands of his household staff.My Fair Ladywas a hoax; people from their respective social circles could never be comfortable rubbing shoulders.
“Anyway,” I said, changing the subject, “what brings you to the hotel this morning?”
“A surprise,” Randall said, holding up a finger. “And a favour.”
“I sense they’re related.”
“Your senses, my dear, are finely tuned as always.” He pushed himself to his feet, and I followed suit. “I have appointed a new Vice President of Operations.”
“That is a surprise.” Not exactly a welcome one, either. It meant I would no longer report straight through to the board of directors.
Randall held up a hand before I could respond further. “Don’t worry, it’s only temporary. I need you to break him in for me—showhim the ropes, if you will. Then, when he’s ready, we’ll take him on at Headquarters, and he’ll be out of your hair.”
“And that’s the favour,” I said. “He’s new to hospitality, I take it.”
Randall smiled warmly. “You’re an astute young woman, Nyah. But I knew that the day I met you.” He motioned for me to accompany him.
“May I ask, sir,” I said, touching his arm to stop him before we stepped out of my office, “why didn’t you choose somebody…?” I paused, realizing that whatever I said would sound like I wanted the job myself. Which, of course, I did.
“More qualified?”
“I’m sure you had many good candidates.” If he’d advertised the role, I hadn’t known about it. This reeked of cronyism, unfortunately. The guy was undoubtedly from Randall’s country club. Probably a tennis coach or a gardener.
Randall placed a calming hand on my arm. “Nyah, I’m going to ask your indulgence. Just for a month or two. I take a close interest in your career—I always have—and I hope I’ve earned your trust.”
I sighed, mentally chastising myself. “Of course, sir.”
Randall promoted on merit, and I knew it. When I was ready for my next role, he would tell me.
“Perhaps you should meet him. Then all will become clear.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Even if the guy was a gardener, I would find a way to get the best out of him. How hard could it be?
Randall led me out and tapped on the neighbouring door. “I left him making a phone call,” he explained, turning the handle. “Just tying up some loose ends on his old position.”
A voice came through the crack in the door. “Look, Marcel, I have to go, but I’m telling you, Paramount has just signed an outdoor filming contract with the city. You need to find out who’s producing, get the cast list, and get them the hell into the club.” There was a frustrated response on the other end of the call, then the man signed off. “Fine. I’ll call if I hear anything else.”
Randall pushed the door open.
