Chapter 5: Not Hannah

I sit on my new desk and I comb my hair with my fingers nervously. Mr. Leopold Beckett is about to arrive. I try to look competent to give a good impression. I don’t want any mishaps like yesterday. I’ve been his assistant for the last 35 minutes without him knowing about it. I hope he has no complaints because I could really use the raise. 

Overall I feel happy, an hour ago I was crying inside the lady’s restroom convinced that I was about to get fired, but now I have a new job and a raise. So things turned out pretty good for me. Eddie is going to be thrilled when I tell him. He is being really struggling to find a job to pay for his debts. I can’t blame him, neither of us are not the most qualified workers. At least he is trying, but for now, I’m the only income we have. 

I keep looking down the hallway towards the elevators. Leopold Beckett is going to be here any second now. I imagine what he is going to look like, probably like his father, a chubby redheaded short man with blue eyes. Mr. Earl Beckett has the bluest and kindest eyes I’ve ever seen, I vividly recall them from yesterday’s meeting when he asked me preoccupied if I was ok. Maybe his son has the same blue kind eyes. 

The elevator doors open. The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen steps out and walks towards me. I can’t help but gasp as he approaches me. He is so tall and handsome. He has dark hair and smooth tanned skin. His suit fits his body perfectly. He walks arrogantly like he knows he is being admired. I wonder if he is a model hired to tape a commercial for the company or something like that.

The tall man halts in front of my desk and looks at me with disapproval. His golden-brown eyes seemed unimpressed by me. 

“Who the heck are you? Where is Hannah?” He asks bluntly. 

“Hannah no longer works here. Can I help you with anything, sir?” I reply trying to sound kind even if he was rude to me. 

I don’t want Mr. Leopold Beckett to arrive and see me being rude to other people, he might get the wrong impression. 

The tall man rolls his eyes and walks towards the office behind me. 

“Hey! Stop! You can’t go in there!” I shout at him.

The man turns around and looks daggers at me. 

“What did you just say?” He asks in a rude tone. 

“You can’t go in there, sir,” I explain to him as I walk rapidly to block the entrance to Mr. Leopold Beckett’s office. If he comes back and finds a rude model inside his office I’m going to get in trouble. “Do you have an appointment, sir?” I ask intimidated by the look on the tall man’s face.

“Do I need one to go into MY OFFICE?” The tall man replies. 

My heart sinks to my stomach. 

“Are you...?”

“Leopold Beckett. Yes. And this is MY OFFICE you are blocking. Now move aside, you incompetent girl,” he says angrily. 

I flush as I realize how silly I’ve been.  

“Oh, Mr. Beckett, I’m so sorry, I had no idea...”  

“Shhhh,” he hushes me. “I don’t want to hear it. What kind of assistant doesn’t even know who her boss is?... now, get out of my way before I report you for being the most incompetent worker in this company... Now!”

I jump to the side to let him in his office. Mr. Beckett steps inside and then he slams the door shut. I stand there wishing I could disappear. I thought that what happened yesterday was going to be the most embarrassing moment in my life, but this one definitely doesn’t fall short. 

******

Two hours later, I’m still swimming in a pool of self-loathing and embarrassment. How could I be so foolish?! I just assumed how my new boss would look like and I acted like an idiot. Ugh, I can’t believe I put myself between Mr. Leopold Beckett and his office door like I was some kind of bouncer at a night club. I cringe just thinking about it! 

The intercom beeps. Leopold Beckett’s smooth voice fills the room.

“Not Hannah, can you come in here, please?” He asks in the same rude tone he used before.

I jump up from my seat and sprint to his office. ‘Emma, be efficient, be competent’ I repeat to myself over and over. 

“Did you needed me, Mr. Beckett?” I ask shyly. 

Leopold looks up from his laptop screen, his eyes go up and down my body. I suddenly feel so vulnerable, as if wasn't wearing any clothes. 

“I called you, didn’t I?” he replies making fun of me. “Get me an aspirin and a bottle of water. Now.”

I nod and step out. He is really rude! Do I look like his personal nurse? I start asking other people in the office if they have any aspirins. The closest I get is a girl from the sales department who has an Advil. I guess it’s not the same, but if he has a headache this will do. I go back to Jame’s office with the Advil and the bottle of water. 

“I couldn’t find an aspirin, is Advil ok?” I ask him as I step in. 

“Only if you are aiming for unemployment,” he replies without looking at me. 

I freeze midway between the door and his desk. Leopold glances at me for a second before going back to his screen. 

I gulp and start walking backward. Aspirin it is. 

I exit the enormous glass building we work in and cross the street to the nearest pharmacy. I buy the biggest bottle of aspirins and I run back to the office. 

“Here it is,” I announce proudly as I present to him the aspirin bottle. 

I’m out of breath from all the running, but I completed my task successfully and I feel good about myself. Leopold looks at me unimpressed. 

“You do realize Hannah kept aspirins in her top drawer, right?” he asks with a wicked smile. 

I feel my blood boiling. 

“No, I had no idea...” I say trying to sound relaxed, but failing. 

“Hmm... so I guess opening a drawer is too difficult for you... I am sure glad to have you working for me,” he mutters clearly making fun of me with his sarcastic remark.

“Did you need something else, sir?” I ask trying not to lose my temper. I really need the money. I really need the money. 

“No, leave,” he replies curtly. 

Once I reach my desk I take a deep breath, this job is going to be harder than I thought, but at least it won’t last long. Sylvia said Leopold doesn’t spend too much time in the office and I know she is telling the truth because I’ve been working the reception for two months and this is the first time I see him in here. Luckily, in a few weeks, he will go on another trip abroad and I will get my old job at the front desk back.