the attention of the audience."
The expression: "I wish I could relive it under anesthesia" became closer and clearer to me than ever. Moscow in the morning was no longer friendly and beautiful. There were so many people in the subway. " And in order not to fall under the wheels of the train, I had to hold on to a column, otherwise they would tear it down."
People glared at each other unhappily. The phrases "here we are!" and "why don't you sit at home?" were heard more and more often. However, there was still some order. The general flow brought and carried people into the cars. It was only necessary to get in at the right time. Only I didn't have such talent and could only get into the third train and then, with difficulty, fall out of it. During the trip I had been stomped on all my feet and elbowed in the stomach.
Feeling as if I had survived the unequal struggle, the first thing I did was hop into the restroom and try to clean myself up. Turns out I wasn't the only one. So while I was wiping my shoes with wet wipes, I got to know half the office.
When I learned that I was Andrew's new secretary, people rejoiced, but they wished me good luck in my new job. No one seemed to believe that I would stay for long.
Deciding not to pay attention to them, I went to Ms.Adams 's office. Since yesterday I forgot to specify where I should sit, but on the way I met Julia. The blonde, rushing somewhere down the stairs, seeing me, happily splashed her hands and immediately grabbed me under the elbow.
" Hi! I'm glad you came. Come on, I'll take you to the reception!"
" Hi," I said carefully, not thinking of objecting.
" You're good, you got it right. There's hardly any makeup, and the dress is modest. And that before you was a whole circle of secretaries, with battle coloring and skirt belt!"
Julia spoke contemptuously, which was strange. The blonde herself had plump bright red lips. And she was dressed in a white blouse and a narrow blue pencil skirt. And the heel was so high that if you stumble, you are guaranteed a fracture. And a concussion on top of that. A fall from that height is not without consequences.
" Andrew… the office is separate from the deputies. He doesn't like to be around a lot of people. Look: coffee maker, cups, and this is your desk."
I looked around, the room was small. The secretary's desk was against the wall, and there was a corner leather sofa for visitors. The table with the coffee maker, cups and all, was hidden behind a sprawling ornamental palm tree.
" Don't forget to water it," Julia nodded at the flower. " When he comes, wait fifteen minutes and bring coffee. He drinks black without sugar. Don't forget yesterday's letter, it's on your desk. Submit the translation with the original. There's a folder for him to sign. He'll tell you what he wants from here. Oh, I forgot! When he comes in, go up and introduce yourself!"
Julia gave me another approving glance and took off. I, dumbfounded by the instructions and "valuable information", did not have time to say a word. Deciding not to waste time, I turned on the dictionary on my phone and started translating. The working day started at nine in the morning, and half an hour should be enough for me. However, I couldn't concentrate. People would look in the reception area and see me, snickering and whispering questions:
" Did his come?"
I shook my head negatively. And once again leaned over the text. Judging by the excitement, Andrew was a tyrant. So my first task should be done quickly and well. You can get acquainted with your colleagues afterwards. In time I stopped paying attention to them, having realized that they come to look at me only. And animals in a zoo don't have to pay attention to the audience.
The man's hum was the only thing I reacted to. I looked up to see a man in his thirties. He was dressed in a blue suit, a white shirt with a carelessly unbuttoned collar, slightly disheveled hair, and a brutal daytime unshavenness.
" Ms.Adams told me she'd found someone suitable."
" Hello," I said, rising.
" I'll be waiting for you in fifteen minutes."
The man took wide steps and disappeared behind the director's door. I blinked, it seems " it is Andrew . Well, it instantly became clear to me why Ms.Adams chose me among the flock of beauties. The chief was handsome, young and rich. Even the odor of cologne he left in the reception smelled expensive. All of which made him the perfect patron. I doubt my predecessors cared whether he was married or not.
As I watched the door close behind him, I remembered that I'd forgotten to introduce myself and rushed to examine the coffee maker. Not forgetting to look at her watch. Punctuality, when working with such a man, is a necessary quality. Even if I didn't want to work here, if I got fired on the first day… Dimitri would laugh!
Putting the letter and the translation in a folder and making coffee, I froze in front of the door. It was still a minute before the time. It was better to wait and not barge in on him. I wondered how he'd react. He seems to have a temper.
True, the boss got tired of waiting first, so he decided to go out. When he opened the door, the boss looked at me in surprise. I was confused, not knowing whether to hand him the cup or stand aside.
" Did you decide to sink into the floor? " he asked.
" I'm sorry," I stepped aside.
" Come in," Andrew told me.
Waiting for him to move away, I stepped into the office. Andrew settled at the table and looked at me expectantly. Putting a cup in front of him and putting the folder, stepped back in anticipation of orders.
" I am Rina Korotkova, " I introduced myself,
" Rina. In two hours I'll leave and come back after lunch. Don't let anyone see me yet. Let them leave all the documents with you. On Friday we'll have a board of directors, order catering. Do I need to explain what that is?"
" Waiters in the office"
" That's great. Afterward, I'll tell you who I can and can't be connected to. Now go get the paperwork. I'll have the courier take it to the departments."
" I will."
Taking the stack of papers from his desk, I went out to the reception area and closed the door tightly behind me. It was as if the celestial had stopped talking to a mere mortal. It felt as if he had been doused in slop. I had never encountered such people before.
Putting the documents on the edge of the table, I looked through the notebooks left by my predecessors. One of them, to my relief, contained internal phone numbers. Finding the cell phone of a courier named Stepan, I informed him of the task and began to look through the book more carefully.
Whoever compiled it had acted competently. The pages were divided into sections, where there were: the name of the department, first name, last name of the employee, internal number, cell phone number, and e-mail address. When I reached the sales department, I found a line – Dmitry Serebryakov. But the phone number and email were unfamiliar to me. Without knowing why, I took a sticker and, having rewritten it, hid everything in my purse.
" Did you get used to it?"
Ms.Adams came into the waiting room. She looked at me with a keen eye and smiled.
" Andrew is busy and no one accepts anyone, " I told her.
" And I'm not here to see him, but to see you. You look frightened. Don't be afraid of him, he's not an evil man. He just doesn't
