Their Lunch Meeting

~~~CAT'S POV~~~

Once I returned to my desk, I slammed my forehead on the desk. Damn it! Why am I making mistakes at a time when I am not supposed to make a mistake?

I should remind myself that I am now working with a new boss and not my former boss. I worked with the old Mr. Vann for eight years and I am so used to it. I should start learning how to adjust now.

Because it seems that the old Mr. Vann's way of working and dealing with his employees is far different from the ways of the young Mr. Vann.

This morning, I received a couple of calls wanting to talk to Mr. Vann but instead of directly forwarding the call to Mr. Vann's office, I made sure to ask him first if he wanted to talk to them.

I have to be cautious with my every move and decision. Because he clearly said earlier that if I made a mistake once, my former boss cannot vouch for me and I'll get fired.

I just hoped that my mistake earlier does not count.

I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that it was already thirty minutes before eleven. Mr. Vann has a lunch meeting at eleven.

I noticed that ever since he came, he never gets out of his office. I now wonder, what if he goes out of his office to visit the other department, would he want me to tag along with him? Because my former boss doesn't want me tagging along with him all the time.

Though whenever he has a meeting, he always wants me to be present.

Right, I should remind my new boss about his lunch meeting. I stood up from my chair and walked toward his office.

I knocked on the door to hear him say, "Come in." His voice has always been crisp and for some reason, I found myself looking forward to hearing his voice. But let me make it clear, just his voice.

I entered the office and saw his stern face lowered on the papers. I wonder, does he always look like this even to his wife and daughters? Wouldn't they be scared? I shook the thought from my mind.

"Mr. Vann, I came to remind you of your lunch meeting with Mr. Gonzales," I said, maintaining my normal voice and not sounding like trying hard to please him.

"Okay." The man replied not giving me a look which I guess I preferred.

"Mr. Vann, would you like me to call the driver?" I noticed that he stopped signing the papers but he didn't raise his head.

"Are you going to drive for me?" He asked, making me cry internally. I just wanted to confirm if he would rather drive or if he needs a driver but why does he have to answer me sarcastically?

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vann, I just wanted to confirm since I am not yet familiar with how you want things to be done." I am not sure where I got the courage to speak back at him but I just felt that I had to say it. We just met this morning, is he expecting me to be familiar with the way he works this soon?

Not that I did not research about him, I did. I asked a lot of things about him from his parents but it seems that even his parents were not aware of how he works though they told me what food he likes and what brand of clothes he prefers. And things that do not help in getting his good side.

I gulped when he raised his head to look at me again, intimidatingly. I much prefer it if he just says what he has to say without raising his head to look at me.

"Should I list down how I want things to be done for you to memorize, Ms. Fernandez?" He said and I felt like the whole of Antarctica fell on me.

I lowered my head and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Vann." There goes my ego, I cried internally.

I saw him lean his back on his chair and looked at his wristwatch. "It is not yet lunchtime but you already apologized four times. That means, you already made a mistake four times. I thought I told you that if you make only one mistake then you are out?"

Hearing his words, I started to panic. I raised my head to look at him. "Mr. Vann?"

But he didn't say a word. Instead, he stared at me intently. Is he planning to fire me right now?

A minute passed then he stood up from his chair. "Let's go. I hate to be late for meetings. It'll be your fifth mistake if I get late."

He said, making me astounded. Am I...spared?

He started to walk out of his office and I quickly followed him but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. I saw him cocked his head but he didn't look behind. Then he continued walking.

At least he implied that he wanted me to go with him to his meeting. I didn't have to make a guess sparing me from one more mistake.

Outside the lobby of the building, a black luxurious car is parked waiting with a driver. I assumed that it was Mr. Vann's car as I have never seen that car before.

The driver whom I recognized as the previous driver of my former boss opened the back door for Mr. Vann. As soon as Mr. Vann was inside, the driver walked around and opened the other side of the door for me. Which is the side that I usually take when my former boss is still my boss.

But now, I am not sure if I am going to take that side or not. Seeing the hesitation on my face, the driver asked me.

"Ms. Fernandez, aren't you going to get in?" He was concerned that I might make the new boss wait.

I smiled faintly and shook my head. "I guess I am going to sit in the front," I said then I opened the door of the passenger seat.

Once I got inside, I glanced at the rearview mirror to look at Mr. Vann's face to see for any reaction but he looked stern as usual.

When the driver starts to drive, as a habit, I told him where to go since I was the one who booked the restaurant a week ago.

When Mr. Gonzales, one of our company's largest investors called to have an appointment with my new boss last week, I asked my former boss first if I should accept it and if the new boss would like it.

My former boss probably told his son about it and thinks that it was just right for him to meet and introduce himself to their investors. So they agreed with the meetings. This is just the first of many.

I've known Mr. Gonzales for eight years and also know his preference. I know how he loved seafood and the serenity that is bought by the sea so I made a reservation at one of the private dining rooms of the new fancy restaurant.

We arrived at the restaurant at the same time that Mr. Gonzales arrived. Mr. Gonzales doesn't have the habit of taking his assistant with him so he was alone.

While Mr. Vann and Mr. Gonzales were greeting each other with formality, I headed first to the reception.

"Hi, I have a reservation." I smiled at the receptionist and gave her the details of my reservation.

"This way please." The receptionist smiled back at me and upon seeing Mr. Vann and Mr. Gonzales approach us, she eventually led us to the private room that I reserved.

The room offers a table for five with a calming water view. The restaurant focuses on produce from the sea and the land. I specifically chose this restaurant since I know that Mr. Gonzales loves seafood while Mr. Vann preferred beef.

It was a newly opened fancy restaurant, I researched about it and found good reviews about the restaurant. I just hoped that the reviews and articles about this won't fail me.

It didn't take long and the food arrived. And I swear, they were all mouth-watering. But I choose my food meticulously. Fortunately, they also have keto-friendly dishes on the menu that even Mr. Gonzales and Mr. Vann could eat.

"I was glad that you chose this restaurant, Ms. Fernandez. I've heard a lot about this and always wanted to try this place but just can't fit it into my schedule." Mr. Gonzales looked at me with a pleased smile.

I smiled back at him. "Mr. Vann asked me to choose a restaurant of your preference for this meeting. And I happened to read an article about this newly opened restaurant that offers private dining rooms with water views. I heard the foods are excellent, as well. I'm glad that you liked it." Of course, although it was all my decision to choose this place, I have to make my new boss look good in front of the investors.

Mr. Gonzales laughed elegantly as expected from a rich man.

"Mr. Vann, it was a smart choice to keep her as your assistant. I usually envy your father for having an efficient and diligent assistant like her. I found a new assistant recently and I hoped that she could be as efficient as Ms. Fernandez."

I saw in the corner of my eyes that Mr. Vann just smiled at Mr. Gonzales.

Hmph! If it wasn't for my loyalty to my former boss, I might have jumped over to Mr. Gonzales's side.

Mr. Gonzales is a very picky man when it comes to his assistant and it was not oblivious to me that he was telling my former boss that if his son brings an assistant with him, he would be willing to take me in.

I wondered if my former boss would allow that.