Ashley concluded her presentation to Dr. Stevens, Laura, and Micheal by saying that she wanted to meet and talk with each of them. She then asked for questions.
“Sounds like some moves in the right direction.” Micheal said, “But, how will this affect our pay?”
Dr. Stevens laughed and said, “A very important question…Yes, I will work with Ashley to create a new pay system with pay grades and the like. Promotions and pay increases will no longer be totally at my discretion, but they will be according to these pay grades. Now I will still be giving bonuses outside of the pay structure.”
“So are we going to report to Ashley?” Laura asked Dr. Stevens.
“No, Ashley reports to me and you guys will still report to me as usual.” Dr. Stevens answered.
“One more thing. We were promised a week vacation in Orlando that never materialized. When will we see that vacation?” Micheal asked.
Dr. Stevens laughed, “Oh yes, I was going to bring that up. We are going to take a 14 day Alaskan cruise this winter. The work you two have done has more than paid for this. But we all are going. You, Laura, Ashley, myself, and even Carol. Each person can bring one guest as well. Do you think that is fair?”
Micheal laughed, “More than fair.”
“OK, are there any other questions?” Dr. Stevens asked again.
There was a moment of silence when Dr. Stevens said, “Ashley would like to talk to each of you, Micheal, would you like to go first.”
Laura walked back to her office while Micheal and Ashley spoke in the conference room. Laura just couldn’t get out of her mind how striking Ashley was. She thought it was probably in her mind, but she couldn’t help but wonder if Micheal and her were playing eye tag.
She tried to get some work done while the meeting with Ashley and Micheal was going on. Laura found reasons to walk past the conference room. She went to the bathroom. She then went to the copier. She sent a fax. Everytime she would lean in and attempt to listen.
Laura could hear that they were having a good talk. Both were talking and the discussion seemed happy, almost jovial. Laura knew that the company needed some HR help, but she somehow thought that it would either be a male baywatch hunk or a female librarian lookalike.
After about an hour, the door opened and Micheal and Ashley came out. Both were smiling and Ashley was laughing.
Ashley walked over to Laura who was standing outside of her office and asked her where she wanted to meet. Laura thought it would be better to meet in her office rather than the conference room giving her home field advantage. Ashley agreed. Ashley and Laura walked back into Laura’s office and Laura closed the door.
“As Dr. Stevens said, I am here to make his job easier while we attempt to set up systems to make things work better from a personnel standpoint. Do you know anything that can help me do that job.” Ashley asked with a perky smile while crossing her legs.
Laura looked at her and said, “Wow, not really. We have been so small that I never really thought about it.”
“Maybe you aught to think a moment, I mean Micheal had plenty to say.”
Laura got irritated and said, “You know I have plenty of work to do and I didn’t plan for this meeting.”
“Don’t get angry, I am here to make everyone’s job easier.”
“Oh, I’m not mad, you just come in here and ask me questions and then compare me to other employees, my subordinate…”
“Laura, I didn’t mean to compare you…”
“Well you did, and as for the no fraternization policy, I think it is just fine as it is.”
“No fraternization policy, it concerns you that I am recommending changing it?” Ashley said as she looked puzzled.
“This isn’t the dating game, it is a place of business, it really looks like you are attempting to change the work culture here.” Laura said.
Ashley smiled, “Do you want to date Micheal?”
The blood rushed to Laura’s head as she said, “What? What are you talking about? Of course not.”
“Well then why would you stand in the way of someone else doing that? Someone like Carol, or even me?”
Laura regained her composure and said, “Not that it is any of your business, but I am dating a director at VanderHolt Inc. Not that it is any of your business.”
“VanderHolt? Now we have a business relationship brewing with them, we will need to discuss that to make sure there is no conflict of interest going on.” Ashley said in a slightly combative way.
Laura had reached the boiling point. She sat for a moment looking aggressively at Ashley. Ashley looked back just as aggressively. After a few seconds, Laura said, “Your original question was whether I had anything to tell you to help you do your job.”
“Yes.”
“I have none, please just leave my office.”
“Fine,” Ashley said while she stood up and walked out of Laura’s office.
Laura didn’t like Ashley, but she still couldn’t help but note her skin like porcelain and how the dress hugged her slender body.
****
Towards the end of the day, Laura was walking to the copy room when she overheard a conversation between Micheal and Ashley in the break room.
“So have you found a place to live yet.” Micheal asked Ashley.
“I am having a difficult time getting an apartment. I have been in town for a couple of weeks, but I need to get out of this temporary situation.” Ashley responded.
“Looks like we are in the same boat. I am in temporary housing as well.” Micheal said.
“Well you know I am going to see these new apartments out on Old Hickory. Maybe you aught to look into them as well. I have an appointment to go see them in about an hour.” Ashley said to Micheal.
Laura continued to listen in on the conversation. The last thing she wanted was Ashley and Micheal living in the same apartment complex.
“Just tell me when you are going, I would love to piggyback on your appointment.” Micheal said.
Laura walked back to her office and sat there fuming.