Chapter 9 Company Rules

Susan smiled staring at Angela but the smile vanished immediately. She stood to her feet, went round her chair and stood behind it, resting her elbow on the backrest.

"Now this is very important. Write them down or memorize them like your life depends on it," Susan began, sounding like they were in a military and Susan was the commander.

"Your work starts like now. For today, the President would be here at exactly 10 a.m. He is currently at a meeting outside the office. Since today is your first day, he will pardon you but in subsequent meetings, you are expected to be present. The president move you move," Susan said. "Understood?" she asked and Angela nodded.

"When a question is asked you answer with your lips, not your head," Susan snapped slamming her hand on the table causing Angela to jump in her seat.

"Yes, ma'am," Angela replied and Susan continued pacing up and down as she delivered the rest of her instructions.

"You must always be on time. No lateness would be tolerated. A minute late and you are fired," Susan continued and Angela listened attentively.

"You will be handling the President's itinerary. All his documents for the day must be well arranged and his cup of coffee must be on his table exactly five minutes before he enters the office. This means, you must make it your business to know beforehand when the president would be reporting to work," Susan said.

"And it also means, you must be here before he arrives," she added and stared at Angela with a straight face briefly before continuing to pace up and down.

"You will be preparing most of his slides for his presentations and they must all be ready a day before the scheduled meeting day for review. One mistake and you are fired," Susan said and turned to look at Angela.

"You are not writing. I hope you have the mind to memorize since you are not writing," she said and continued.

"You only take your break when the president is on break," Susan said.

"No lunch boxes allowed. You either buy from the cafeteria or you eat at home before coming here," Susan said and Angela stared at her lunch box briefly and returned her gaze to Susan.

She had packed herself lunch. It was her first day and she was now going to figure out where to get what and hence felt packing herself a small lunch was not a problem.

"All heels must be six inches or higher. Makes you smart and elegant in your walking. No five-inch heel," Susan said. "Do you have any questions?" she asked.

"What do I need to do today?" Angela asked recalling she said her work starts now.

"Here is the president's planned itinerary for today. Ensure he doesn't miss anything. And it is fifteen minutes to 10 a.m. Get the president's coffee before he gets to his office. Black, no sugar, no milk," Susan said. "And here is the key to your office," she said handing Angela a key.

"Please where is the cafeteria and where can I find my office," Angela asked.

"Your office is directly opposite the president's office on the eighth floor," Susan replied. "The cafeteria is on the ground floor," she added. "And we are on the fifth floor," she said smiling and Angela gasped hearing what Susan had just told her.

She was supposed to go down to the ground floor and back up to the eighth floor in less than ten minutes to place a cup of coffee on the president's table five minutes before the president entered his office.

"The clock is ticking," Susan said and Angela stood up. "And oh, the president would only see you when he wants to see you. This means you must be invisible and only visible when the president wants to see you," she added. "Good luck," she said.

Angela exited the office, took off her heels and ran down the staircase. Meanwhile, inside the HR office, Susan and Eva both laughed at Angela's reaction.

"Susan, you scared the girl," Eva said and Susan laughed taking her seat.

"I need to get her stepping on the right foot. This way she was not break any rules," Susan said smiling.

At the cafeteria, Angela checked her time and placed the order for the coffee.

"I need this well sealed," Angela said and the man gave him a different cup with a seal and gave Angela another cup.

"When you get there pour the coffee into this cup," the man said and Angela thanked him.

She runs towards the staircase. She saw some other employees going about their duties but each stared at her when they walked past her. She recalled she was holding her shoes in her hand and her feet were bare on the floor. She ignored them and ran up the staircase to the eighth floor. When she arrived she was panting for air. She pushed the president's door open and placed the cup on the table checking her time. It was three minutes to time. She struggled to open the sealed cup. When she finally opened it she spilled some of the coffee on the carpet. She gasped but poured the coffee into the cup given to her and placed it on the left of the table. She dumped the empty cup into the bin and exited the office. The moment she unlocked and entered her office she heard the president's office door opening. She leaned behind the closed door panting with her hand on her chest.

Angela's phone rang settling her. She walked towards her desk, dropped her shoes on the floor and answered the call. She brought the phone to her ears.

"Hello?" Angela said clearing her throat.

"Come to my office now. The room opposite yours" Angela heard a familiar deep voice and frowned.

"Yes, please," Angela replied and put the receiver back.

She hurried out of her office after dropping her contract and the huge document Susan gave her on her desk. She exited her office and stood behind the door of the office opposite hers. She knocked gently on the door and heard a voice inviting her in. Angela pushed the door open and strode in.

"Good morning Mr President," Angela greeted and the man sitting on the chair spun the chair around to reveal himself.

Angela's eyes widened staring at the person behind the desk.