Sophia’s POV: Uncertainty.
TUESDAY.
I furrowed my brows at my phone’s screen.
+44 XX: How are you?
Another unknown number?
What is it with unknown numbers and texting me recently? Probably just another wrong number, because I rarely give mine out.
With a sigh, I swiped to delete the text and returned to my work.
A few minutes later another text came in.
+44 XX: Are you there?
Whoever it was, they were surely persistent. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to reply.
Me: Sorry, you have the wrong person.
The reply came immediately.
+44 XX: This is Sophia, no?
+44 XX: This is the contact you gave Sasha. She said she contacted you here.
My fingers hover over my phone screen.
Wait a minute. Ivan?
The audacity of this man. We weren’t even close!
Me: Why in hell are you fucking texting me? Fuck off.
+44 XX: Watch your mouth, Princess. Your filthy mouth could get you in trouble.
I scoffed, irritation rising as I tapped on my screen rapidly.
Me: Leave me alone and DON’T call me Princess, Ivan.
+44 XX: Are you doing okay?
Why did he care seriously, isn’t this considered harassment or something?
Me:
+44 XX: I’m waiting.
Ugh! I’ve never met anyone so infuriating. He’s just so damn stubborn.
Me: You’re very rude, has anyone ever told you that?
Me: I know you won’t let this go until I give you what you want.
Me: Fine, I am doing great, just don’t text me again. Else I’ll block you from contacting me.
+44 XX: Good to know you’re doing okay.
+44 XX: And I can text you, whenever I want.
Me: You’re being a fucking creep
+44 XX: I’m leaving for Russia tomorrow. I’ll be back by Friday.
For a minute I’m too stunned to type out a reply. Why is he telling me this? It’s none of my business and he knows this. Also, we don’t mean anything to each other.
Me: You don’t have to tell me what’s happening with you Ivan.
Me: Stop acting fucking weird
+44 XX: I don’t have to, but I wanted to.
+44 XX: On Saturday, we’ll be attending Dante’s sister’s wedding.
+44 XX: Hope you didn’t forget?
Shit, I had forgotten.
Me: I didn’t forget. I have to return to work.
And that wasn’t a lie. Even with my willingness to work and learn. It still was hard and I had a lot to learn from Sasha. After the meeting on Monday, she’d begun sending me some tips and helping out with the paperwork. And she’d been really nice-well so I thought, until she had to share my contact with her brother.
+44 XX: I’ll leave you to that then.
Just then my door swung open and Sasha breezed in, her heels clicking on the polished floor. I shot her a glare.
“Hello, good morning,” She chirped, taking the seat from across my desk.
“Sasha, what the hell?” I snapped, my frustration spilling out.
She raised an eyebrow at my outburst. “What did I do wrong now? Or are you always this cranky in the morning?”
I sighed before shoving my phone at her face. “Don’t play dumb with me Sasha,” I retorted. “You have Ivan my contact without asking me.”
Her eyes widened and then she gave me a sheepish smile. “Oh, did I? I
How can both siblings be annoying?
I crossed my arms, seething. “It’s not funny Sasha. I already tolerate having you and Ivan in my work life, I deserve a moment of peace with my normal life.”
She looked offended and hurt, but the glint of mischief in her eyes told me it was all a pretence. “I thought you liked me. We got along really well on Monday. I thought maybe you preferred me to Ivan,” She sniffled.
Really? She’s faking tears now? I didn’t sign up for this, dear God.
“I thought I could put up with you because you seemed nice,” I gritted out. “But that was until you shared my contact with your brother. And seriously this isn’t funny, stop putting up weird faces.”
She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Relax, sweetheart. I am sorry, I should have asked you beforehand. I shouldn’t have,” She said softly.
I felt my annoyance fading away at her apology. “It’s fine.”
Sasha shrugged. “Plus Ivan is totally harmless. He probably needed to talk to you urgently.”
I scoffed at that. “Ivan and the word harmless don’t mix.”
“Yes, but he’d never harm you,” she muttered almost like she didn’t want me to hear. And my stupid heart did the flip-flop thing.
“That’s not the point,” I grumbled. “Seriously, why do you and your brother expect me to smile and giggle around you guys? After what he’s done to me? That’s messed up.”
Her expression turned serious. “I can’t say I know how you feel because I’ve been working side by side with Ivan for years so I’m used to it. This isn’t the worst thing I’ve seen him do and I know he can be brutal. But let’s just say I can understand that you are upset about this, but I understand his actions too. Ivan doesn’t do anything without a reason.”
She studies me in a way that makes me feel stripped. “I’m sure you know that about him,” She said firmly.
She was right about that, but I hated it and I’d be damned if I admitted it. “Of course, you’d take his side. He’s your brother after all.”
She laughed out loudly. “He’s my brother, yes. But that doesn’t make him less annoying. I hardly take his side, dear. I’m just letting you know the truth.” She paused and smiled at me affectionately, “Plus I really like you, I will happily take your side any day.”
Her words tugged on my heartstrings, hard, but I rolled my eyes. “Whatever, let’s get to work. We don’t have all day.”
She chuckled. “Alright. We’ll start with the MEDIA.” She dropped the folder she had been holding on my desk. “That is the company Ivan is looking to buy.”
I took the folders in my hand while inspecting the documents. “MEDIA,” I muttered reading through.
“MEDIA is a big company in the media world. They are a parent company, and they have a multitude of smaller media and news-based businesses. Most of the media that people consume are by them, which means they have the world power at their disposal. It would be good if we could get this deal. It would benefit us, with more revenue and more power.”
“So how does Ivan want to achieve this?”
“It’s up to you, well us to get this deal. It’s your job as the CEO and that’s why I’m here to help.” She takes out her iPad and clicks on her calendar and I swear my eyes balls almost fell out.”
“Are all these meetings?”
“Yes,” she chuckles. “The owners are looking to sell or partner with any company. They had issues amongst themselves and decided it was best this way. Of course, several other companies are trying to grasp this opportunity so we have to make sure our deal is more convincing and I’ve set up these meetings to help us talk to the right people.”
I sighed feeling a headache coming on. There were so many things I was behind on. Two weeks isn’t just enough to learn from Sasha.
“Being the CEO is about so much more than processes or handing out instructions. Without the right ethics in place, it can ruin the business.
I took the tablet from her, reading the texts she’d attached to each date. “This is a lot though. Minus the meetings, there’s an investigation here for all departments with shady reports and all.”
“It might look that way, but it isn’t really. Most of these meetings are direct reports, so you don’t have to do a great deal to prepare for them. We aren’t doing the investigation ourselves, it’s only them passing on information from their records. Occasionally, if there’s a bigger issue, we’ll need to investigate, but not now.”
I groaned loudly as I leaned back in my chair. “I knew being the CEO meant a lot of work, still I was unprepared for how stressful it was going to be. I’m really starting to doubt my abilities here.”
She flashed me a warm smile.”Is it stressful? Of course. Busy? Constantly but don’t discredit yourself, it took me time to get good at it. Yes, there are shareholders, the board, employees and investors to keep happy, which means making sure we do everything to expand, turn a profit, and prevent shares from diving. But I trust you and I’ll be here to help you.”
I let out a sigh. “Thank you, really. Even though I didn’t really fancy the idea of working with someone close to Ivan. But I have to admit that I really could use your help.”
“I am glad you think so,” she chuckled, looking smug. “I am a great teacher.”
I scoffed, but an idea popped into my head.
“But I figured there could be some kind of checklist you would have on what needs to be done each day and show me how to do those jobs and other things. This-” I waved my hand vaguely through the air. “This is going to take forever, and we only have two weeks together.”
She offers a supportive smile. “I understand your concern, but let’s take this slow, okay? I’ll work something out along the way.”
“Okay, sure.”
We continued today’s session. She helped me with some paperwork. Time went by without us knowing and soon it was time for lunch.
“Shit, it’s time for lunch. I’ve kept you here for long.”
“It’s fine, trust me. Well, I better get going, I had something to work on too.”
“Alright, thanks for today.”
She winks at me. “Anytime.”
She turned to leave and then glanced back at me with a smirk “Do you really hate Ivan or do you hate that you don’t hate him despite everything?”
My eyes widened in shock.
“Think about it.” And then she was gone, without another word.
What did she mean by that?