Trust in Advertising by Victoria Michaels Read Free Book Online Page B

let out a frustrated sigh. “You got a promotion.”
    “Me?”
    “Yes, you are Lexi White, aren’t you?” Tim said dryly.
    Breathe, and just find out how many more lunches you have to get per day.
    “Sorry, Tim. This was just unexpected.”
    “You can say that again.”
    “What I mean is, how many more lunches do I have to get per day?” Lexi blurted out as she clutched her notebook, ready to jot down the names of the people she was now responsible for helping.
    “One,” Tim said flatly.
    Her head snapped up from her paper. “Only one more?”
    Piece of cake. Wow, one extra person. That’s some promotion, Lexi. Way to freak out over nothing.
    Amused by the look of total confusion on Lexi’s face, Tim chuckled.
    “You’ve been promoted to executive assistant, Lexi. You need to report to the twenty-third floor, now.”
    The pen slipped out from between her fingers as Lexi stood there in a daze. “Executive assistant? There has to be a mistake.” She shook her head from side to side.
    “No mistake, Lexi. I got the call this morning. I’d be lying if I said I was happy about this. We’re really going to miss you down here. And lucky me, I get to start the hiring process all over again and train another person.” Tim came out from behind his desk and placed the fallen pen back into Lexi’s hand.
    “Good luck up there. That’s the big time.”
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    “I … wow … thank you, Tim, for everything. I feel like I’m leaving you in a lurch with the workroom,” Lexi sputtered.
    “We’ll manage. Now go. Leigh is waiting upstairs to get you settled. She’s the executive secretary for the floor. If you need anything while you’re up there, she’s the person to ask.”
    Lexi was still in a daze as she made her way back to her desk and gathered up the few personal belongings she’d managed to bring to work over the last week. Her hand grazed her cell phone, and she immediately snatched it out of her purse and called Hope.
    “ Hola , Chica!” Hope sang into the phone. “ Que pasa ?”
    “Hope, I – I …”
    “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
    “No, yes, I’m fine. I got … a promotion.” Lexi sank into her chair to steady herself as she uttered the still unbelievable words out loud.
    “Lexi, that’s amazing! We’re going out and celebrating tonight. Did you get a raise too?” She clapped with excitement on the other end of the phone.
    “Not sure about the raise. I don’t even have any idea why I got this promotion. What do I know about being an executive assistant? I think I’m going to throw up.” Lexi clutched her stomach and leaned toward her trashcan.
    “Don’t you dare throw up, Alexandra White. Suck it up and get your butt to those executive offices. What better place to see what’s new in advertising than with the movers and shakers in the biz?”
    “I know you’re right, but what do I know about dealing with executives?
    Last week I worked in a record store, and before that, I was a waitress at an all-night diner.” Lexi’s head began to spin.
    “You’re not running the company, just getting some lunches, making phone calls, scheduling meetings, and maybe picking up some dry cleaning. Breathe, Lexi.” As always, Hope had a way of cutting to the chase and putting things back into perspective.
    Lexi took a deep breath, and brushed the hair out of her face. “You’re right.
    I can do this. It’s not rocket science. Thanks for the pep talk, Hope. I have to go upstairs and figure out what I’m supposed to do now, and I’l ask about that raise.”
    “Good girl! Let’s meet after work.”
    “Will do.” Lexi snapped her phone shut and headed for the elevators.
    “Congratulations, Lexi.” Sue looked up from behind her desk as Lexi nervously paced in front of the elevators.
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    “Thanks. They weren’t kidding about promoting from within, were they?”
    Lexi laughed, trying to make light of it, but the look on Sue’s face