#Chapter 6: Surprise Assignment

I was uncomfortable. I could feel the eyes of Charles' assistants on my back as I gestured and talked about the departments.

Equally awkward were the stares of colleagues that quickly dropped when we neared and then came back as soon as I'd looked the other direction. I tried to point out as many people as I could, forcing them to look up and smile. Some waved or dipped their heads deferentially to the new boss.

I knew they were all wondering the same thing that I was.

What the heck was I doing there?

The penthouse was reserved for upper management and Charles had his own smaller conference room. The assistant's desks sat out in the open floor in front of his office, a barrier of gatekeepers.

I'd never been up this high in the building before, and the view of the city below was vast and dizzying. I put my box down on my empty desk and followed them into the glass-walled conference room.

Jessica and Amy stood on either side of Charles as he sat at the head of the dark, polished wood ta