Carol nods. “Of course, there’s a fifteen-hundred-dollar machine in the break room I showed you. The one for just you two down the hall, it’s below the counter. Victoria could make his coffee, but no one after her made it the way he liked it.”
“That’s insane. It’s coffee, it can’t be that hard.”
“I thought the same thing. I tried when Victoria first left. He hated it. The instructions are in the file, along with all the rest of her pointers for dealing with him. Some of them work, not all of them. You better call down to check on Demetrius and get his coffee, he doesn’t like to be kept waiting. He is all about immediate responses to anything he says and wants. When he says jump you better ask how high.” Her cell phone pings. “I have to go, it’s my boss. Call me or instant message me if you need anything. Good luck.”
All I can think is this is nuts as I call down to the coffee shop. I introduce myself as Leo’s new assistant and ask if Demetrius is in. They tell me he is. I let them know I’ll be right down.
Back upstairs I pull out a cup and saucer and holy shit, it’s gorgeous. The simplicity of it, the fine white with silver around the rim and handle screams money. I don’t even want to think of how expensive it is. Carefully, I pour the coffee from the tumbler into the china.
I grab the two reports Carol had printed out for me this morning and the coffee and after a brief knock take them into Leo’s office. He barely acknowledges me at first, not taking the coffee or the files I offer. I set them carefully down at the edge of his desk.
“Is there anything else at this time?”
Dark eyes burn into me. “Take this morning to become familiar with your responsibilities. Now that you know what is expected of you, never make me wait this long for my coffee again.”
As warnings go, the words are light, still his tone stings. With my tail between my legs, I flee to my desk. The phone is ringing as I approach the desk.
“It’s Natalie. Come down two floors so we can get your paperwork done. Lynn is going to meet you at the elevators, she’s Asian, tiny, and disgustingly perky. Be careful what you say, she’s very chatty, and she remembers everything.”
“Okay.” I set the phones to Carol’s desk like she told me to this morning when I have to step away from my desk.