J – Justin
Her assistant was bustling around the room, fixing her flowers, straightening the awards adorning her credenza. A duster tucked under his arm as he practised his speech in his head. He spun round as he heard the familiar brisk walk, echoing through the office.
'Good morning Willie are you aging backwards because I swear you look younger every day.'
'I've heard that one.' She replied, not looking at him as she dumped her coat and bag on the chaise. He swooped to retrieve it and had it neatly hanging on a hook before she had even sat behind her desk.
'Messages?'
He handed her the small pile of papers he had in his hand and rocked back on his heels. He stood in front of the desk, his body physically squirming as he tried to find the courage to ask what he needed to.
'Why are you still here?' She didn't look at him, instead flicking through the pages he had handed her.
'I have to ask you...I need a...favour.' He waited for the eyebrow to creep up, she did not do favours. Sure enough, he saw it rise up her forehead.
'A raise?'
'No.'
'More benefits?'
'No.'
'A Kidney?'
'No.'
'Dear God, just ask, I don't have all day to play your guessing games.'
'I need to finish early today.'
She leaned back, eyeing him, her arms came to rest on the side of her chair as she crossed her legs. 'I'm sorry, I don't understand your request.' She responded sarcastically.
He sat down, pulling the chair close to the desk. 'Please Willie. It's this...boy, my charge if you like. He's going through some things, he needs a friend. He's just a kid and he's got issues he can't talk to his family about. He needs someone who's been there. He needs someone like me.'
Willie bit her lip, trying not to smile and show affection for the young man in front of her. Composing herself, she pursed her lips. 'Don't make a habit of it.'
He smiled, 'Thank you Willie.' He jumped up and ran to leave the room.
'Wait!' she called; he halted. 'If you do half as good a job with him as Marc did with you...he'll be fine.'
Justin smiled broadly at the rare compliment from his boss. He had come to work for her three years after she had gained control of Mode. After two years he was slowly becoming as important to her as Marc had been.
The 21 year old nodded his head in appreciation and walked backwards from the room. Willie smiled as he retreated. She never thought she would say this...
...but it was good to have a Suarez in the office.