Heels tapping on the cold marble floor. Making a rhythmic tap-tap-tap sound as I walked across the lobby towards the lifts located in the middle. I nod towards the security table and received their nods in response. There were few who were waiting for a lift. A blonde and petite looking lady turned and smile as I approached.
" Hey, Leyla. How are you doing? Looking tired," she said.
" Oh, hey Anna. Yeah, I had to redo the proposal for the Dinkman and Howard last night. They wanted it to be sent to Tokyo this morning at 4 a.m. Had to pull an all nighter."
" Ugh. That sucks. Don't they employ secretaries for that kind of crap?"
" Yeah, I know. It seems that some moron told them that secretaries weren't smart enough to handle such a mundane job. I'm going to put a bullet through Brian's head when I see him."
" He's such a dickwat. Dinkman and Howard should probably just fire him."
I snorted at Anna's remark. As if that is going to happen. Never in a million years. I just kept my peace as taking the conversation further will only aggravate my already sour mood. Anna Winter is the head of the Media Department in Dinkman and Howard. I, Leyla Carmel, am the head of Foreign Affairs.
Dinkman and Howard deals with property development and land related matters. Despite being a heavyweight in the property development industry, Dinkman and Howard managed to keep the original name of their business. George Dinkman and Ellis Howard the founders of Dinkman and Howard are two guys, despite their womanizing ways, who are geniuses in the property development area.
Just after five years in the industry, Dinkman and Howard managed to make a name for themselves in developing properties and emerged as one of the industry's giants. All this amidst predicted failure from various parties especially the giants in property development. Even with the use of extreme and unconventional methods, Dinkman and Howard beat and survived the odds. Rumours had it that they even gave the finger to those who ridiculed them. That was what I heard anyway. Rumours.
As the lift doors opened on my office floor the usual scene greeted me. People leafing through folders and having conversations on their phones simultaneously were at almost every table. Some speaking in English and some French, Italian, Chinese and Japanese elsewhere. Two receptionists are manning the phone and busy transferring phone calls to the appropriate associates. Secretaries jotting down notes and instructions from the associates from appointments with clients to what type of coffee to be served later.
At almost every table that I passed on the way to my office, I was greeted with a slight nod of the head or a "Good morning, Leyla.". I managed only the briefest of smile for my secretary, Judith, as I walked straight into my office. My office is large enough to accommodate a stack of bookshelves, one huge work desk with an equally huge work chair made of the finest leather, two chairs facing my work desk and a sofa set complete with a coffee table.
As I settled into my office, Judith came in just like every day and handed me a stack of letters and a few folders. She then proceeded to update me on my appointments and what-nots. It's the same routine everyday. Very efficient. Finished what she has come to do Judith left to do what ever it is that she does after the morning briefing. Sighing, I began going through the letters that were addressed to me. This morning is going to be a killer. I want my bed. No, I'll ask for a raise instead. Before that, I will throw Brian off the rooftop of this 36 floors building.
