Opportunities

Amanda was typing away on her keyboard looking at gift ideas for Candi. The girl was incredibly sweet and just because her and her father would be gone didn’t mean she couldn’t get her something. Money was still tight and buying that dress for Bailey did not help that, but she found something that would be perfect. A tag style necklace that could be engraved on, the perfect thing to add a personal touch. Selecting the one she wanted Amanda typed what she wanted it to read. ‘And be sure of this: I am with you always’ It was a shortened bible verse that she thought might mean something to her if she ever felt lonely. She wasn’t sure if the Connors were religious, but thought the sentiment of those words would mean something. Tapping her finger a few times Amanda smiled and asked the engraver to add a little heart below the writing. She imagined seeing the girls smile and couldn’t help but have a second one made, but instead of a heart, a flower for Bailey.

On her desk was a client's folder and on her screen was a half typed email to legal about a possible conflict one of her employees found. She always had more work than time in the day to do it all, but as she got a text from Derrick she found herself smiling and looking to her phone instead of focusing on the ever piling mountain of work.

Derrick: Good morning beautiful

Derrick: I wanted to thank you again for last night, it was perfect.

Amanda: Morning to you as well, and last night was a rather enjoyable evening.

Derrick: Enjoyable enough that I can’t stop thinking about you, I know we have plans to go out tonight. But how would you feel about lunch?

Amanda: Depends, how do you feel about sushi?

Derrick: I’m more interested in the company I’m with. So how about I swing by at 11:30?

Amanda: See you then.

Squeezing her phone and holding it to her chest Amanda smiled as she felt a little blush come to her cheeks. Putting her phone back down on the desk she went back to work, but couldn’t help keeping an eye on the time. The morning seemed to crawl forward as it does when you are full of anticipation, but one email with good news for a friend broke the cycle. Picking up her phone she dialed the extension for April instead of yelling out for her admin as most of the men did in the company. A moment later April came in to her bosses off to see her having a stern expression. “Miss Gates, please close the door and have a seat.” Amanda tried to keep herself calm to not give away anything and let the silence drag on as the dark haired woman sat down looking a little nervous. “Is something wrong Miss Best?” Amanda was sure she was racking her brain for anything that she could have done, or something someone else did that could be blamed on her. “Yes, it seems your name has caught the attention of some executives. Apparently you have been asking around about budgets for a project.”

Amanda could see recognition on her face and with how she adjusted her posture she was ready to defend her position. “I am also happy to say money will be allocated for you.” The stern expression melted into one of joy. Amanda was happy to see someone she had mentored start to become a rising star. She hoped with everything Apil had done while being an admin would be noticed. While working a full-time job she got her bachelor’s degree in Business management, passed the Six Sigma Green belt certification and was scheduled to take her Project Management Cert in a few weeks. She was hoping to leverage that with the girls experience to put her forward for her own job when she got promoted, at this point if she didn’t get fired for the Bailey scheme. “Wait, really!? Oh, Amanda that is just amazing! You hope and push for change, but I didn’t really expect it.” Still smiling at her friend Amanda held up her hand to try and quell a little bit of her excitement. “Money is being moved around, and this is a big deal for you. More than you think right now, but not how you are expecting.”

April’s eyebrows went up in curiosity at what the meat of this conversation was really about. “Let me tell you what you will not be getting. They… we, us…” Amanda waved her hand about the room. “Will not be giving allowances for overtime for your paperless project, nore will they be hiring someone to do the much needed job. Instead the overhead budget for interns has been increased to handle scanning our filing system so it can be digital. The reason this is a big deal for you April, is because I have been told you will be leading not just the interns for this task, but will be supervising the entire summer intern program.” Amanda could see her friend getting excited again and held her hand up to keep her from interupating. “This is a lot of responsibility, last year we had little over twenty interns start with us if I recall and coordinating that many people and managing that many personalities can be a challenge. The worst part of this, is the role will be in addition to your normal duties and they are not updating your pay. So congratulations on your first leadership role Miss Gates, I promise to do everything I can so that you succeed.”

Standing up Amanda held her hand out, and April was quick to follow her lead. With the professionalism out of the way, Amanda moved around her desk to hug her friend. “I’m proud of you, this will not be easy, but if you prove you can pull this off you will be on the fast track to having that coveted manager title, that comes with much more work.” Apil had the biggest smile that only faltered a little when the more work was mentioned. “Still, no pay increase for this?” Amanda shrugged a little. “Temporary task means no salary bump, sorry. While I cannot offer you money, I will get you a list of everyone who has run the program the last few years. That should help you get started in the right direction.” April gave Amanda another quick hug and beamed at her boss. “I would appreciate everything you can do, thank you so much. I mean that, you have been there helping me, encouraging me so that I can have this opportunity, thank you.” Amanda tried to wave the compliment away, like it was something anyone would do for those under them, but she couldn't help feeling a little pride in herself for investing in someone and have that pay off. “I’m proud of you April, I see you going far.” She said with a smile before hearing a light knock at the door.

April smiled and nodded at her boss before opening the door, only to see a happy Mr Connors on the other side. “Good morning Miss Gates, I was just here to take your wonderful boss out for lunch. Do you think I could borrow her for a little while?” April looked back at Amanda who was already getting her purse. “Sir, if it was up to me the two of you would spend more than a little while together.” She said with a coy smile as she slipped past the man in the doorway. Derrick nodded to the statement in agreement before looking to Amanda. “I know this fantastic place, that has excellent food. That I might dare say is almost as good as your own cooking.” Walking up to him Amanda held herself back from kissing him on the cheek. “Where did you have in mind?” Scratching his chin while leaning on the door frame he looked as if he was thinking for a moment. “The bistro on the first floor of my hotel has done well by me so far, thought you might enjoy it too.” Amanda gave an after you type motion and the two started to head to the elevator. “Is Candi joining us for lunch then?” Amanda inquired. She wanted to spend time alone with Derrick, but thought it would be for the best if his daughter was around to keep anything from happening. “Actually no, Candace went to go spend the afternoon with your daughter. Something about her videos and a matching outfit.” As the elevator doors closed Amanda looked up into Derrick’s green eyes and felt a little weak in the knees and hopefulness. “So, just us then at your hotel?” Smiling back at the woman of his affection Derrick nodded and reached over to hold her smaller hand in his own. As if reading her mind, he said. “How about we get room service.” With those words any doubts or feelings of guilt temporarily left her. "Room service sounds wonderful." She said giving his hand a squeeze.