I wake up at two in the afternoon. I finally have the day off. I told Tiffany Friday I will be taking the entire week off. Which means everyone gets a break. I have worked my staff to the bone and they need a break. I have the entire week to myself. The realization that Juan is married hits me as I glance at the clock. I never take time off, but I don't think I can walk pass his empty office any time soon. My list comes to mind and #1 is lose weight now is the best time start. Time to do some research if I'm going to have surgery I want the best surgeon money can buy. I make my way to my study and Alicia and Jacob are nowhere to be found. Good I really didn't feel like reliving the conversation we had last night. I switch my computer on and check my blackberry there are no missed calls only emails. I see an email from Tiffany marked urgent.

From: Tiffany Black

Subject: Issue Overseas

Date: January 1 2013 10:15am

To: Victoria Mason

Boss,

Just received a call from China we have a problem with the last shipment. It was not received. It was scheduled to arrive on 12/31/2012. How would you like me to handle this? They were very upset.

Tiffany Black

Assistant to Victoria Masson, Mason LLC.

So much for my damn vacation. I need to hire a second in command. Shit falls apart when I'm not around. China has been a thorn in my side since I refused to sell shares of my company to a leading Communications company there. She should be able to handle this. I thought she would be able to handle issues hell I wanted her to be my second in command. I'm disappointed why is she overwhelmed I need to regroup. Time to clean house.

From: Victoria Mason

Subject: Handle it

Date: January 1, 2013 2:15pm

To: Tiffany Black

Why wasn't I called? What the hell is going on? Send the shipment again! Do I have to fucking everything! If this is too much for you let me know you can be replaced. Keep me posted. I will be appointing a VP soon. Thought it would be you, but your making me re-think that. I want to be brief in one hour.

Victoria Mason

President & CEO of Mason LLC.

She would have been first in line, but she doesn't handle pressure well. I have to appoint someone who can handle stress. Marshall Waters is shaping up to be my go to guy. I need a more detailed background check on his ass first. I dial Marcus he will handle all the details about Marshall. He will find out what makes him tick and if he is to be trusted. He looks good on paper but looks can be deceiving. I have to be careful there was a computer company in Chicago that is trying to come up with a version of my product. I sued there ass so fast they didn't even know what hit them. The company folded right after the decision was made to terminate all use of that fake wantabe product. I have to make sure none of my secrets get out for future version of my product. My thoughts are interrupted by a small bing letting me know I have a new email.

From: Tiffany Black

Subject: I'm Sorry

Date: January 1, 2013 2:17pm

To: Victoria Mason

Ms. Mason I understand your frustration. In the past you have shown you like to be informed of all complication concerning Mason LLC. I have tried to call your blackberry several times and have left several voicemails. If this type of situation arises in the future I will be sure to come to your home directly. Thank you for considering for the position of VP. I respectfully decline I am happy being your assistant. Please except my apologize this will never happen again.

Tiffany Black

Assistant to Victoria Mason, Mason LLC.

What the fuck. Who would be happy being an assistant? She is selling herself short. Her background is extensive she has a business degree from Columbia University. She is more than qualified she is in night school at NYU earning her master's degree. She is my number one choice she is a committed worker. What the hell is she thinking? Shit I should let Alicia fill the position she is more than qualified with her JD from Harvard Law. I trust her with my life and Mason LLC is my life. I should ask her. In the past when I have hinted at her coming to work for me she flat out refused. I wouldn't have to do a background check on her we know everything about each other. If Tiffany won't do it then Marshall Waters is my top person. Better call Marcus better safe than sorry. If Waters doesn't work out I will go to Charles Roberts. He has been with the company for three years he always works late and is quite ambitious. I pick up my blackberry and as Tiffany stated there are four missed calls from her. Shit, I need to apologize. I quickly dial Marcus he picks up on the second ring. It no surprise that he is working he is ex-CIA he is always working.

"Marcus Right"

"Marc I need some information"

"Sure Ms. Mason what do you need"

"I need extensive background checks on two individuals"

"When do you need the information"

"ASAP"

"How extensive?"

"I want it all I want to know what they had for dinner that extensive"

"What are their names"

"Marshall Waters and Charles Roberts"

"Give me four days"

"Two would be better"

"I'll see what I can do"

With that I hang up the phone. No time like the present to email Tiffany. Alicia walks before I can compose the email to Tiffany. "Hey, you working? I thought you had the week off."

"So did I there is trouble with a shipment."

"China again I swear someone is stealing your shipments."

"See this is why I want you to come work for me."

"Don't start that shit again Tori."

"What, I'm just saying you would be a great VP of operations"

"VP of operations but I would answer to you and I see how poor Tiffany walks around you on egg shells our friendship would suffer."

"Yeah your right, friends first."

"Besides I seen you crack the whip it's not a pretty sight I'm surprised your not on the phone yelling at Tiffany now."

"I kind of went off on her via email."

"You should make her VP she would do a great job."

"I offered her the position in not so many words and she declined."

Alicia start laughing and looks at me "I wonder why?"

"What is that suppose to mean, she is very well paid to put up with my bullshit"

"If you say so."

Our conversation is interrupted by a bing from my email.

From: Tiffany Black

Subject: Situation handled

Date: January 1, 2013 2:30pm

To: Victoria Mason

Crisis adverted. The shipment was found and is in route to distributors. Sorry to ruin your day. Enjoy your vacation boss.

Tiffany Black

Assistant to Victoria Mason, Mason LLC

Thank Heavens. I need to call Tiffany. "Hey Alicia give me a minute I have to call Tiffany"

"She found the shipment? You should promote her she is a great employee and I'm sure she passed all of your crazy as background checks."

"That she did she is squeaky clean. I think about it"

I pick up my blackberry and dial her number. She picks up on the second ring. She sound s out of breath and stressed.

"Ms. Mason did you receive my email?"

"Yes, Tiffany I did. I wanted to call you and tell you in person that I am sorry for taking my frustration out on you."

"Oh gosh Ms. Mason I'm kind of use to it I know you don't mean it."

"That's no excuse, I should have handle that better. I think you would make a great VP don't close yourself off to the idea."

"Ms. Mason can I speak frankly?"

"By all means"

"I think my position with you is far more valuable to you then for me to be a VP you need my help and I feel important being your right hand person. If I accepted the position of VP it would leave you without me personal help I prefer to work closely with you."

"As VP you would be working very closely to me, hell in some instances you would be me. I think I would do okay without you at my beck and call. The choice is yours I'm opening an office in LA I need a second in command. You would head the office in LA. Just think about it."

"Yes Ma'am I will but think my answer will remain the same."

"Okay thanks again for saving the day!"

I hang up the phone and see Alicia smirking in the corner. "What the hell are you smirking at?"

"You I love seeing you as the compassionate President of your company."

"Whatever may be your husband can convince you to head up my LA office."

"Yeah that will be the day he is a New Yorker till the end"

We walk out front and he is stirring in the kitchen looking for food. He looks up from the refrigerator shaking his head "Tori you have no real food in this house. Don't you cook?"

I shake my head trying hard to contain my amusement. I don't cook. I barely know to make pancakes. I eat on the run who has time to cook when their trying to take their company global? My empty kitchen must be heart breaking for him. He is the owner and executive chief of his restaurant in Mid-town Manhattan. He looks like someone stole his reason for living. Alicia walks over to her husband and teases him "My poor fella don't know what to do about not having food to cook". He gives her a wicked smile and says "this is sad how can I make a culinary feast with an apple and hot sauce." They both burst out laughing and say in unison "you need a chief". What the hell now they think the same to only have been married six months they are so cute. "I don't need a chief I just eat when I can it's no big deal" Alicia releases her husband and walks over to me. "You don't eat properly that why you gain weight you need some bad as chief in here to prepare your meals and make sure your eating healthy." Damn she has a good point. Maybe I will do that this week. I wonder if her husband knows any good chiefs?

"Jacob, do you know anyone?"

"Of course Kristen Sanchez she older but she knows her way around the kitchen she has worked for celebrities and she specializes in healthy cooking."

"Think she'll pass a background check?"

"What is it with you and background checks?" says Alicia

"Got to know who working for me."

Jacob shakes his head and says "I think so."

I grab my blackberry dial Marcus number he answers right away

"Was just about to call you looks like your boy Waters has a thing for little kids on his computer he frequent child pornography sites."

"Are you serious? What kind of sick twisted son of a bitch is he?"

"Pretty bad, I have enough information to send to the cops and they would put him away for a long time."

"No I will take care of it I don't need the bad press. What about Roberts?"

"Got it just let me know what you want me to do with the information on Waters, and so far he is squeaky clean not even a parking ticket."

"Good keep digging, I need you to check out a Kristen Sanchez as well"

"Will do"

"Thanks I'll be in touch." Alicia is looking at me waiting for information. I can't talk now I need to handle this problem. I quickly dial Tiffany she answers on the first ring.

"I need Marshall Waters and the head of HR in my office in one hour"

"Okay. Do you need me as well?"

"Yes and my lawyer."

"Your lawyers is on vacation for the rest of the week."

"Find me a lawyer this could get ugly"

"Yes Ma'am I will see what I can do it is a holiday"

"I know it's a fucking holiday, make it happen call me back with their ETA."

"Yes Ms. Mason"