His School

~~~CAT'S POV~~~

The next day, I came to the office extra prepared. I even called my former boss and his wife to ask about their son's preferences in case I missed some important details so that I will not commit any mistakes in the future.

The two were very much willing to tell me the preferences of their son. I didn't know why but Mr. and Mrs. Vann were too kind to me. They even told me that if their son treats me badly, I should tell them which made me a little touched.

Today, Mr. Vann will be visiting the Departments of the company and I found out from my former boss that he preferred that his assistant would follow him around taking notes for him.

So, when the time came that he was supposed to visit the departments, I started following him around.

During the time that I was following him around, I did get to study his features. He is tall with broad shoulders. I could also tell that he's got lean muscles underneath that suit that he is wearing.

His medium-length brunette hair is parted on the side and looks classy. He is gifted with natural beauty and leading man looks. I bet his wife is feeling so lucky to have a hot husband like him.

Wait. What was I thinking? Did I just think that my new boss is hot?

Yes, he is! But I cannot see him as a hot guy or things will be awkward. Right?

Well, aside from his physical looks, I also get to know him better.

He is indeed a natural-born leader. Charismatic and confident. He could project authority and could drive his people to a common goal.

And since it is his first week as the new CEO and President of his father's company, he never shows negative traits in front of his employees. Well, except for me.

Because I already noticed how dominant, intolerant, cold and ruthless he is. And he is quite obsessed with efficiency and professionalism. And he is kind of, well, insensitive and sarcastic.

Finally, we are back in his office. And I am already feeling my feet hurting. Damn! Not now, I cursed at my feet internally.

"Would there be anything else, Mr. Vann?" I asked because I am dying to leave his office, sit down on my chair, take off my shoes and raise it in my footstool to make my foot comfortable.

"Hmm...Find me the top three schools suited for my daughters." He said in a serious tone.

The corner of my lips lifted a bit. Good thing, I've anticipated this and prepared ahead of time. "I got the top schools suited for your daughters, Mr. Vann."

I said as I opened a file on my portable pc and showed it to Mr. Vann. I noticed that one of his brows quirks up a bit. I believe I deserve a compliment after this.

But I got only silence in return. I watch as he reads the file.

"Would you like an all-girls school, Mr. Vann?" I asked, trying to help him choose.

"No." He replied in a cold tone.

Urgh! Can't he be at least appreciative in his tone?

"Which one of these is the best?" He asked.

Is he asking for my suggestion?

Okay! Time to impress him. I said with a goofy smile on the back of my head.

"According to surveys, Livingston is on top of it. They offer a rich and broad curriculum, with Art, Ballet, Drama, ICT, language, Music, and PE all taught by specialist teachers. It was said that their curriculum is the best in the country. They also have extracurricular activities like trips and visits, school clubs, and community services. When it comes to the security and safety of their students, they have the highest security among other schools. That is why it is the first choice of rich families, politicians, and celebrities for their kids." I said with complacency.

"Okay, contact the headmaster of Northplace and schedule an appointment tomorrow." He said then he passed the tablet back to me.

My jaw dropped when he chose another school. I thought that with the outstanding record and curriculum of Livingston, he would choose it. And besides, I also found out that he used to go to that school.

But he chooses the other one.

What a waste of breath and saliva!

I looked at him with bewilderment.

"What?"

"What? I mean yes, sir! I will contact him immediately. Anything else?" I said.

"You can go now." He said in a low voice then he lowered his head. And I swear that for a moment there, I saw him smirk.

Or am I just imagining things?

I took a step backward and then turned around to leave the office. I'm almost approaching the door when he suddenly called me back.

"Sir? Is there anything else?" I turned around and asked. Maybe he forgot to say something.

"Are you wearing flats?" He asked, looking gravely at my shoes making me feel uncomfortable.

"Uhm…yes?" I said with uncertainty because I cannot see what was wrong with that. Or did he see something wrong that I didn't?

I lowered my head and examined my shoes but nothing seemed wrong with them, in fact, I quite like how it looks on my feet.

My new boss scowled at me. "Didn't my father teach you that it looked unprofessional to wear flat shoes in the office especially when you are the executive assistant?"

"Huh?"

My boss cocked his head and the creases between his eyes deepened. He doesn't like it when I am questioning him.

"I'm sorry sir, but-"

"Fifth." My boss suddenly interrupted me.

"What?" I am getting casual in questioning him.

"This is the fifth time that you apologize, which means you made a mistake five times already." He said casually as he leaned forwards and clasped his hands on the top of his office desk.

I was utterly speechless. "Mr. Vann, I didn't say sorry as an apology," I stated my point of view. Or did I? Now I am confused. I am saying sorry ahead of time before I talk back to him.

I am not going to talk back to him. I will just state my opinion. Was it wrong?

"Then you are a sorry person? You look down on yourself and you don't have any self-esteem." Damn! This man wanted to get me fired.

"No," I said with conviction. Mr. Vann raised his brows at me. "I don't see it as a weakness, in fact, I think it was just right and the responsible thing to do even if it fell on deaf ears."

Now I intentionally said those last words to convey the message that he is ignoring and disregarding my apology.

Mr. Vann leaned his back on his comfortable-looking office chair while staring at me blankly. Why does it seem like he is being overly dramatic about this issue?

"Then why are you saying sorry?" He asked me.

I counted the reasons why a person should say I'm sorry in my head but I can't seem to think of why I should be sorry for wearing flat shoes at work.

"I…uh." I gulped and said whatever came to mind. "I would feel more comfortable saying what I wanted to say if I said sorry first. It's my way of showing respect to you and anyone else." I said trying to sound confident but Mr. Vann's expression remained stern. It looks like he doesn't know how to appreciate people.

"And I am not saying sorry for wearing flat shoes at work because I don't think there is anything wrong with that. There are a couple of flat shoes that are said to be just as appropriate as heels like loafers, ballet shoes, sling-backs, pumps, oxfords, and pointy-toed flats which are more comfortable to wear than heels. Working comfortably equals more efficiency. Don't you think so, Mr. Vann?"

I said confidently while holding my breath. I know that those shoes were appropriate for work just like what I am wearing now because I owned each of them at home and no one ever said that they looked unprofessional except for my new boss.

I remember a news story about a receptionist who was sent home because she refused to wear heels to work and started a petition to prevent employers from stopping women from wearing flats.

Thinking about that, if my boss insists that I should wear heels instead of flats at work, should I write a petition as well?

If I write a petition and ask other employees in the company who are fond of wearing flats as well to sign the petition, I don't think that I will be having a hard time.

My boss kept staring at me blankly. Well at least, I am mentally prepared for whatever he says next.

After a while. "I will not prohibit my employees from wearing decent flats at work."

I am applauding myself internally. I won this argument! I celebrated internally but of course, I didn't show it to my face. But then, my face fell hard on the floor with his next words.

"But, I want my executive assistant to wear heels at work. No arguments." My boss said, sounding like it is already the end of the discussion and it is now time to move on to the next one as if there is a next one.

That was so unfair. I sulk at my desk. What is wrong with me wearing flats at work? Why is it only me who is not allowed to wear flats while the others are allowed?

It should be fine with me since I used to love wearing them before but the circumstances now are different.

After work, I decided to go to the nearest mall in my apartment to buy heels since I threw away all of my heels two years ago.

I already dropped the idea of writing a petition to allow me to wear flats at work because my new boss made it clear that he doesn't prohibit his employees from wearing flats except me.

So why would my co-workers sign a petition that doesn't concern them?