Shay's POV
"It may not be included in your schedule, but it's here in mine. There's a meeting today, and all the board members will be here any second. So, if you don't want to end up embarrassed, I suggest you do your job and stay out of the way."
At this point, my patience with Amber was hanging by a thread. I refrained from rolling my eyes and tried my hardest to keep a straight face.
"Look, Amber, like I said for the fifth time, Mr. Cartwright did not arrange any meeting today with the board members. Even if he did, I would know through Sylvia, his P.A. If you still disagree with me, why don't you ask him yourself in his office?"
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she glared at me. Disagreements at work happen all the time, but Amber would go to any length to prove me wrong. I was telling her the truth, though. There is no meeting today because Sylvia, his personal assistantâwho also happens to be my cousinâgave me an update on Mr. Cartwright's schedule for the week this morning. There was no meeting listed for today.
I've only been working here for five months, and if this argument escalates, we'll probably end up in our boss's office. That would be my first time seeing his face and likely my last if I get fired.
Mr. Cartwright rarely stays in his office. According to Sylvia, who's always with him, he travels frequently and attends meetings with clients outside the office. I've only caught a few glimpses of himâmostly his backâwhen he's entering his office or leaving the building. He seems like a very serious person, so ending this argument with Amber quickly might save me from a face-to-face encounter.
"This is ridiculous! I have important matters to discuss with the board and him. These things can't wait."
Before I could respond, the elevator doors opened, and three board members stepped out, chatting among themselves. We both turned to look, and Amber faced me again, crossing her arms.
"Just move away from the door, Shay. We have a meeting in there."
I couldn't move from the doorway of the conference room as I caught the three men approaching us, their expressions tinged with confusion. If there really is a meeting today and I didn't know about it, I'm screwed.
"Actually, Amber, we don't."
A familiar voice came from behind. We both turned to see Sylvia, and relief flooded over me. Amber scoffed, but I couldn't help smiling. Thank God she came just in time to save me.
"What?" Amber exclaimed.
"Miss Falcon, what's going on?" Mr. Lopez, one of the three men, asked Sylvia, his expression filled with confusion.
Sylvia walked up to Amber and offered a tight-lipped smile while typing on her iPad.
"There's no meeting today. I'm not sure who misinformed you, but it's not in Mr. Cartwright's schedule. I know because I arranged it myself."
Amber glanced back at me, then took a step closer to Sylvia.
"Well, if there's no meeting today, I'm requesting we have one now. There are several reports and important matters that need to be discussed with Mr. Cartwriâ"
"He knows. He'll call for a meeting when he's not too busy."
Sylvia quickly apologized to the board members, who turned and headed back to the elevators. Amber stormed off in an angry rush, leaving me and Sylvia standing in the hallway. Sylvia turned to me and smiled.
"That woman seriously needs to get her facts straight," I said with a chuckle, linking my arm through hers as we started walking toward the elevator.
"She could've gotten me into trouble, so thanks for coming to my rescue."
Sylvia grinned widely. "Anytime. So, are you free tonight? I desperately need your help with some ledger issues before I present them to Mr. Cartwright by Friday. We can review them at my place."
I was about to agree because hanging out at Sylvia's apartment was my escape from all the pressure at work and the constant nagging from my family. But then I remembered the event tonight.
"Sorry, there's an important event tonight, and Mom and Dad want me there. I can't bail on this one."
We entered the elevator, and she pressed the button for the second floor. If my mom hadn't threatened me with an arranged marriage proposal, skipping the event would've been easy, just like the last ones I'd skipped.
"Ugh, seriously? What event?"
I shrugged, staring at my reflection in the elevator's silver-tinted walls.
"I don't know. I don't keep up with these things anymore. All I know is I have to show my face and hope it ends quickly so I can get the hell out."
She chuckled lightly as the elevator doors opened, and we started walking down the hall toward our offices.
"Same. Those things suffocate me," she said heavily.
Sylvia's family is no different from mine. Her father and my dad are brothers, both running different companies under the same family name. Sylvia and I are so alike that we might as well be sisters. Her decision to work here didn't sit well with her parents, who wanted her in the family business. She hated the idea, moved out, and got her own apartment, escaping the constant pressure.
I've dreamed of moving out too, but I'm not ready yet. For now, working here at C&E Holdingsâwithout my parents knowingâis one step closer to my dream.
"Well, I better get going. I need to be at the helipad in thirty minutes; Mr. Cartwright is back from his Philadelphia trip." Her smile widened, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
I kept forgetting why she always lit up when mentioning Mr. Cartwright. She'd had a massive crush on him ever since becoming his P.A.
"Okay. Let's review those ledgers tomorrow?"
She nodded and hurried to her office. I chuckled and headed in the opposite direction, where a pile of paperwork and unfinished coffee awaited me. No doubt, Sylvia was overexcited again to see the boss.