Abby and the ceo - S01 E22

Story 3 days ago

Abby and the ceo - S01 E22

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 22

"Abby, we've gone to professionals, spent a lot of money to get the suggestions and advice for him to move forward in dealing with people. He comes home from trips thoroughly exhausted because taking the responsibility of interacting with customers, clients, and suppliers is just not his strong suit. He's a doer, not a talker. But, you dear, you've already empowered him. So, I thank you."

I started to object but she held up her hand.

"You don't think you did anything. I get it. I think that who you are is a reason why he responds to you. From what I have learned about you, yes I have pried through some people at the office, you don't relate to others with an agenda or motive. You're open. You are who you are. He responded to that. He didn't feel a need to pretend or hide."

"Thank you, ma'am. I'm just not sure...."

"I wanted a moment to talk to you so have to hurry. Joe made the decision to have a Personal Assistant in part at my encouragement but also from his staff, too. They are supportive of his wish to pull back. It increases their responsibility and challenge but gives them the opportunities of success and gratification... probably reward, too. He has a problem with the ***********ion. His staff came to a conclusion of one person for him. Without hearing It, he insisted on a formal three candidate interview process. All are very good candidates. For any other executive, any of them would be good. Joe is different, though. He is like the other polished executives. He knows it, they know it."

"Has he Interviewed them all?"

She looked intently back, "He has. He has interviewed them, studied their resumes, talked to associates or those they report to. He's made his decision. There really was little doubt when he saw the names but tried to keep an open mind through the interviews." He interviewed all three, Who is the third candidate then?

"So, if he's made up his mind, what's his problem?"

"He knows but there is something that is out of his control to make the decision he desires." She stared into my eyes. "And, you, can help him. You're the only one, I think who can help him get what he wants."

I shrugged. I had no idea what I could do to help that someone with real power in the company couldn't do easier. "Anything. Whatever I can. Ma'am, I'd do anything for your husband."

"Anything?"

I shrugged and nodded. "Anything that isn't illegal." She chuckled and assured me it wasn't illegal. "What?"

"When he offers, accept."

"Ladies," Mr. Cornell came through the entry. "I couldn't find the same wine but this one should be about the same." She took it from him and volunteered to open it and bring clean glasses. "Okay yeah... uhmm... Abby, that gives us a moment. There is something I'd like to talk to you about." looked back at her but she had turned her back, intentionally I was sure so there would be no further eye contact.

He led me into the living room. A funny thought came to me. I had been with him for hours tonight and all of it dressed. I hadn't ever been with him except when I was naked. He stopped next to a chair and I stopped next to another. I had a feeling about this and figured something to steady me might be good.

"Abby, you know I've been lookng for someone to be a Personal Assistant for me. think you can understand, maybe better than a lot of people, how much want that person to be someone I could truly communicate with, who I could truly be comfortable with, and who I could truly trust." I nodded, not knowing anything to say.

"I received recommendation from my staff, from Dan on an HR perspective, and the Directors. They all agreed. I interviewed candidates."

"Three candidates, sir?"

"Yes, three. I know what my decision is, Abby." He looked at me awkwardly. "Abby, you undoubtedly had good reasons for not putting your name in for consideration. I don't know what those reasons were but I hope it wasn't that you didn't think you could work with me or wanted to work with me." shook my head vigorously. "Good. Good. Abby, I want you. Ohh... that came out wrong. I mean, I want you to be my Personal Assistant. I want to ask you to please keep an open mind this weekend and consider that. I want us to work together. Can you do that? Keep an open mind this weekend?"

"No." It just blurted out.

He looked surprised, shocked. From behind me came, "WHAT?!?"

I tumed to find Mrs. Cornell. She must have been standing just outside listening. She came in with the wine and three glasses she set on the coffee table. She stood next to him and put a comforting arm around his waist.

I was a bit stunned myself. I knew what was going to happen. She essentially told me. Still... I stammered out, "Sir, you said you interviewed all three candidates, You didn't interview me."

He smiled, perhaps still hoping there was an opening. "I did, just not a formal one. Two night ago, Abby. I stayed around until you started clearing your desk. I called you over for a drink. We talked, remember? About a lot of things. I interviewed you."

I shook my head. "Sir, I can't keep an open mind about this over the weekend. Ever since that first night... the one I thought I found a problem and you came in late from the airport. You asked me why I was there so late. Sir.. you talk about not relating to people but you related to me. You listened. You listened as I explained and together we worked back through the information. Then, you saw it, too. We worked out a plan to deal with it for the next day. That night it is etched in my memory forever. Then, you opened up to me and asked my thoughts. You listened again. You acted."

I saw him squeeze his wife. "I did what you said, too. And it worked."

"I know! I was so proud of you. You gambled on my simple suggestion." I looked directly at Mrs. Cornell. "From that moment, I would do anything for him."

She squeezed him but spoke to me. "But you didn't want to work for him? I don't understand."

"I ached to spend moments with him. He made me feel so ... worthwhile, significant. I knew of his concern of intimidation of power. When I worked late and saw the light on in his office,