The CEO's Secret

3: The Decision

April 2009

C H A P T E R T H R E E:

T H E D E C I S I ON

There was a fussiness in Katie's stomach that she could not shake as she stepped off her train that morning. She was early, too early, but after a restless night she figured getting up and ready for work a half hour before she usually did would calm her a little.

It was the day Colin's father, Jeffrey, visited the company and inspected Katie's work so far. All she could think about was making a good impression in order to secure her job. She was surprised at how full the office was already when she stepped out of the elevator and onto her floor. What was not surprising at all to Katie, was Colin's absence.

Although he was supposed to be the CEO of this company, he certainly did not act like it. Katie had learned this in just over a week of working alongside him. He turned up to work late by over an hour most days and left early if he felt like it. Colin's lunch breaks, when he took them, were also much longer than anyone could possibly need for lunch but that was none of Katie's business.

Carrie would pester Colin a lot about his lack of time keeping but he would brush it off sweetly whenever she brought it up. Katie decided that having two women nagging at him about being late would be too much so she stayed away but still observed everything from afar.

Colin was expecting his father since the first day Katie started. He knew the exact day he would be coming for a visit, but his plans the night before did not coincide with his commitments the morning after, meaning he would have to prioritise his great night out partying over his meeting.

It was 9.15 when Carrie began to reassure Katie that this meeting was only going to be a casual one and that Jeffrey Anderson was as kind and well-mannered as his son. Her words did little to make Katie feel better but she only smiled at the older woman and thanked her for the advice given.

Once Jeffrey arrived, both women greeted him at reception. It did not take very long for him to ask the whereabouts of his son. Katie noticed how stern his expression was at the mention of Colin. But Carrie tried to make excuses for him, a failed attempt at covering up the real reasons he had for being twenty minutes late.

They decided to give Colin another ten minutes to turn up but then Jeffrey started the meeting with Katie alone.

"So, I'm glad to finally meet you Katie. Carrie seems to be a new woman with you around to help her."

"It's nice to meet you too Mr. Anderson." Katie shook his hand when he reached out for hers from across the table before he gave her a polite smile.

"Look Katie, I want to keep this meeting short and sweet. I'm aware that you're working great so far but I'm still a bit unsure about whether or not you're the best fit for the job. I mean, you have next to no experience, which is something vitally needed for this job. Something my son has forgotten about." Jeffrey said the last part more so to himself than Katie but she could not close her ears or unhear it.

"I understand Sir." She did not know how to react, was she getting fired already? Many things went through her mind then. "But I do think I am capable. I am dedicated and sure enough that I can say I will try my very best at whatever you ask of me in this job."

Katie could not tell them about her other job and all the experience she had there, because they were nothing but bad experiences. Her old boss's reference would have been as good as none, which is why she decided on the latter. Although she wanted to make Mr. Anderson aware of her experience in order to keep this job, Katie knew better.

Jeffrey could see how her hopeful expression gradually fell from her features and turned to that of a concerned one. Then suddenly, he thoughts of a plan.

"Listen, I think this may work out for now. But on one condition."

"Yes?"

"You will have to work between helping Carrie as a PA and also help with the summer Gala we're throwing. It can be very stressful I assure you but if you can get through it, we will extend your contract."

The offer did not seem too bad once Katie began to think about it. It meant that even if she could not stay after the Gala, she would have some experience when she looked for a new job around the city. Either outcome from the deal would have positives to it, although she found staying was probably the more desirable right then.

"Do you think you could do that Katie?"

"Of course." She beamed at the older man. "I would be delighted to accept your offer Sir."

"Good." Jeffrey couldn't help but warm to the young woman already. Maybe it was her optimism and confidence, she was determined and he liked that in a member of staff. "I'm happy to hear-"

Just then, Colin came through the door, almost stumbling in his step. At first, Katie did not take any notice to how much tension filled the room in the short time since Colin made his appearance.

"Sorry I'm late." Colin muttered, not his usual confident self.

"What good is your apology when the meeting's over." Jeffrey replied, rather gruffly before turning to Katie and forcing a smile although he was in no mood once he took one look at his son. "Thank you, Katie. I'll be in touch to organise your role in the planning committee soon. I wish you the best."

"Get outside now." Jeffrey growled in a low tone to his son in an attempt to stop Katie from seeing him this angry.

"Hi." She mouthed out to Colin as Jeffrey walked out the door. Colin only gave her a small smile but it did not reach his eyes.

Katie found herself stuck in Colin's office then, not knowing where to look as she tried her very best to avoid listening to the conversation unfold outside the huge windows. The blinds were only pulled slightly so she still had a good view of the angry father and the irritated son.

"Almost every single time I turn up here you're late. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I'll try my best to not let it happen again Dad, what else can I say?"

"Why were you late?"

"My alarm never went off." Colin lied easily to his father who stood in front of him, eyeing him up with aversion and clear distaste.

"You're lying. Did you even shower? I can smell the alcohol from here."

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

"This isn't high school anymore Colin, snap out of it and realise that this job is very important and serious or else you'll find yourself working behind a counter at Wendy's in the next few months." Jeffrey was beginning to grow tired of Colin's senseless excuses. When would he learn?

Jeffrey stormed out of the office after another minute or two of lecturing although he knew Colin was not listening. As soon as he re-entered his office, Katie jumped up from her seat to leave, feeling a more than a little awkward then.

"Good morning Colin." She mumbled as she walked by him, noticing then how different he looked from up close. His eyes were blood shot and his hear was dishevelled, like he had not touched it since he got up out of bed that morning. Despite Colin's terrible run in with his father just seconds ago, he couldn't help but smile to feel a little better at the sound of her calling him by his first name.

"Morning." He croaked out before she was out of earshot.

Katie entered her office where Carrie was sitting down at her desk.

"So, how did it go?"

"Better than expected actually. Mr. Anderson made a deal with me that I'll be working until the Summer Gala with both you and the planning committee and if that goes okay, he will extend my contract." Carrie could see the contentment appear on the young woman's face when she spoke.

"That's great to hear Dear."

"I'm really happy with how it worked out."

"Is Jeffrey gone already?" Carrie asked.

"Yes, um, he left just a minute ago."

"That's strange, he usually says goodbye."

"He seemed a bit... angry with Colin so maybe that's why he left so quickly."

"Oh, I see. What's new eh?" Carrie rolled her eyes as she flicked through pages that were on her desk, looking for something between the words.

"Is he usually always like that when he visits?"

"Most of the time yes. He's constantly at Colin to try and step up but he never seems to listen. Jeffrey made this company what it is today, he still works all the time at home and visits almost every week to check up on everything. He's a busy man despite Colin being the CEO."

"I hope Colin is alright-"

"Don't worry about him Dear, he's brought all of this on himself. The only person who can change it is Colin. Remember what I told you the other day Katie, you have to be hard on him sometimes or else he'll never learn."

"I understand." Katie smiled before getting on with her work for the morning.

*******

"Okay I have two mochas here," Katie put the two drinks on the table in the break room for her two co-works, Shannon and Dylan, to take. "A Frappuccino and two lattes. Patrick? Where's Patrick, I have his americano right here too."

"I think he's doing something out at reception." Shannon said before taking a sip of her coffee.

"I'll bring it out to him."

"Thanks Katie." Her co-works almost chorused as she left the room, balancing three cups in her hand.

"No problem guys." Katie said over her shoulder. "Here you go Patrick."

"Who's the extra coffee for? Carrie's cutting down."

"I thought I'd bring Colin some."

"I see. Thank you!" Patrick smiled at her before she headed for Colin's office.

She knocked at the door, not knowing why she was nervous to speak with him. She blamed it on the awkward confrontation between him and his father earlier that she witnessed, trying desperately to brush it off before she entered his office. Katie entered as soon as she heard him say 'Come in.' but was surprised to see him actually working on his computer.

"Hi." Katie said shyly as she sat down on the chair facing him at his desk.

"Hi." He did not look away from his screen until he noticed she took something from her bag and placed it on his desk.

"It was my turn to do the coffee run today and while I was out I thought I'd pick you up something."

"What's this?" he sniggered, looking down at the folded piece of wrapping before him.

"It's a double cheeseburger from McDonalds. I got you an espresso too." Katie gingerly pushed the coffee cup closer to him then, hoping he would take what she had brought him.

"Yes, I can see that but why?"

"Well, I thought you needed them. They help me when I'm hungover." Colin couldn't help but laugh at her honesty.

"How did you know?"

"How could you not know? Would be a better question to ask." Katie said humorously, smirking at him as he began to drink his coffee.

"Okay, okay. So maybe I'm a little hungover."

"A little?" she laughed aloud. "You turned up almost two hours late, looking terrible- sorry to offend- and smelling of drink."

"The one day you're close enough to smell me is the day I come in hungover. Jesus Colin, get it together."

"Me smelling you is the least of your problems right now. It's funny how that's the only reason you think you should be getting it together." The entire conversation was light-hearted and easy, comforting for Colin.

"You're only here a little over a week and you're already beginning to sound like Carrie." He grinned before taking a bite of the burger she brought him.

"I'll take that as a compliment even though I know that was not your intention."

"This is delicious." Colin said, changing the subject. "I haven't had one of these since middle school."

"So, rough morning huh?"

"It has been, until you walked in." he openly flirted with her but she knew better. Colin joked around like this with Carrie also.

"Oh be quiet." She rolled her eyes at him. "Your hangover should start to disappear in no time once you finish that burger and coffee."

"I'm not sure anything will cure this hangover Katie." He massaged his temples then.

"Trust me, it's one of the most important things I learned through college." This made Colin's chest vibrate with warm laughter.

"What did you study exactly in college? I forgot to ask."

"Didn't you read my resume?"

"I may have scanned through it a bit, yes." He lied.

"Is this you wanting to get to know a member of staff like the last day or are you just being nosey now?" He looked at her with a small smile on his face, with his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"The sass! Carrie has taught you well I see."

"I studied business and marketing for four years."

"You probably know more about all of this stuff than me."

"An eighth grader would know more about business than you." Katie said, daringly.

"Don't forget I am still your boss."

"I'm just checking where the line is so I don't cross it again. I'm kidding, seriously. I've learned the hard way a degree isn't really much without experience."

"So how long ago did you finish college?"

"I graduated when I was twenty-two, so nearly two years ago."

"You went a whole two years without getting a job?" Colin was puzzled. His question led to a long pause as she tried to lie her way out of this.

"Yes... well I had the odd job here and there but that was it."

The pair talked for another while until Katie realised the time and said she had to get back to work. It seemed almost every day she would end up in his office, having small chats with him despite them taking up too much of her work time. Carrie noticed how Colin had warmed to the young woman so quickly and every time she saw them together, they seemed to be friendlier and friendlier with one another.

Jeffrey rang Katie a couple days after his meeting with her and told her when and where she would have to meet with the planning committee. As soon as the call was finished, she instantly felt nervous for the day she had ahead of her tomorrow. Although she knew what floor the conference room she needed to go to was on, she did not know anyone who would be there and it made her anxious just thinking about it.

For the time being, she pushed it aside, let out a deep sigh and got back to work until the workday was almost at an end. Carrie had left work early that day to attend a hospital appointment with her husband so Katie could not share her worries with her close co-worker.

Although she joked around with Colin, their conversations together never led to anything with much meaning. She could not vent to her boss about the work she had to do. Katie packed up her things and was putting on her coat when Colin knocked on her door.

"Hey Katie, how's everything?"

"I'm fine thank you Colin, is there something you need?"

"Would you be able to file these reports for me? You don't have to do it now, I left it a little too late in the day."

"Oh, it's okay. I have time." She took them from him, their hands brushed off one another's for a split second, causing Katie to look up at him and pause for a moment."

"So you're actually sticking to doing some work around here since your father's visit huh?" Katie had begun filing the paperwork and only spoke when she noticed Colin remained in his spot at the door.

"I guess so-"

"Hey man, what are you doing in there? Oh- well hello there." Before Katie could have a conversation with Colin, another man who looked familiar had appeared at the door beside him.

"Hey David, I thought you were waiting outside for me?" Colin asked.

"Yeah. I was getting a little bored, just thought I'd come in and see what was taking you. I hope you don't mind."

"David this is Katie, my PA." Colin introduced his friend.

"Your PA's PA actually." Katie smirked at Colin as he laughed at what she had said. David clearly did not get the joke but took her hand once she held it out for him to shake. She was surprised when he pulled her closer and kissed her on the cheek causing her to blush.

"Hi Katie, nice to meet you again."

"Again?"