Large Lesson To Learn - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The press conference was a success, barely. Lewis knows nothing about this company.

One would think that even the simplest of questions, which were about his goals and motivation for the job, that he would’ve been able to give an answer. But he was not! He often stared at the sky, as if the answers were going to fall from it! Lauren was furious!

Naturally, she took over and answered the questions. He was excited! He was still unsure, this was a great responsibility. He was willing to give his best! Those and many more basic answers that gave no real answer but an overview of positivity towards the job.

On their way to his office, Lauren was so mad she had no idea where to begin.

She turned to him, the 6´3” careless man was so carefree! He was handsome, it’s easy to tell he has had it easy because of his looks or wealth. He was given a lot more than he deserves.

“Where are we going now?” He asked.

“To your office.” Lauren said, a tense smile drawn on her face. She’s already told him like three times where they were going!

The elevator stopped at the top floor and they walked towards his office. The people around turned at him and then back at each other to gossip. The new boss is here. The regular chit-chat started. He’s taller than they thought. He’s more handsome, some ladies said. He’s too young, some complained. They heard nothing, just kept on walking.

A lot of people were against this, and Lauren could be counted as one of them. She didn’t like the idea, he was getting the office? The big office?! Not that she wants it for her own, but he’s not worthy of it! He should start with a tiny cubicle, and make his way to a bigger place as he proves he deserves one. But this didn’t work that way, no he gets the big office and that’s it.

“Here we are, this will be your office.” She said as she opened the tall wooden doors.

“Nice…” He said, taking a look at the office. It was spacious, the walls were covered with shelves filled with books. There was a large window with a nice view and right in front of it, his desk was located. A computer, a phone, fax machine, pens and a couple of files were resting there.

“This was your father’s, hehe, fortress.” Lauren smiled as she ran her hand over the desk’s top. “He spent all of his time here, whenever he wasn’t around the building making sure everyone shared his merry spirit for work. You know, he didn’t consider his job as work, it was more… a way to create, to provide for the world…” she felt so nostalgic.

“Yeah… but I’m not supposed to be here the whole day, am I?” he asked. Immediately worried he’d be imprisoned here.

“No.” She wanted to share a moment with him, and he just ruined it by being his natural, careless, self. “You’ll have meetings, sometimes you need to go out to our associated companies.” she said.

“So, I’m free to leave the office whenever I want to… stretch my legs, right?” he asked.

“Yes.” This is his first day here, he hasn’t been in the office for five minutes and he’s already aiming to leave? He really has no work ethic!

“Listen, Lewis, I know it’ll be hard for you to try and… fill up your father’s shoes. Trust me, not even I could do such a thing. But I think it’ll be for the best if you…” put on some effort, that’s what she was going to say before his phone buzzed and he picked up.

“Hold on a sec, I have to take this call. It 's important.” He cut her off, this was not nice, and much less when she heard who was calling him.

“Hey, what’ up! You’re at the lobby? Sweet! They are not letting you in? Oh, I see…” Who was this?

Lauren was confused. Was this one of his friends? He was not hiring people he was friends with, right? It’s not allowed to hire someone only because he’s a friend of his, much less if it’s someone without experience.

“Lauren? So, there’s a delivery guy at the lobby, he says they are not letting him in. Is there a way to allow him? Maybe you, or someone else, can bring the food here? I’m starving…” Food? He cut her off because of food?

Lauren was mad, not just mad, she was furious! She could feel her body’s temperature rising. But then, she took a deep breath. He needs a lesson, but he's so spoiled, he doesn’t care at all for anything! She’ll use this week as a trial, and if he fails… she’s going to take this in her hands. So, for today, he’ll have his meal.

“Of course.” she said, calm and easy, I’ll have someone bring the food, just let me call the front desk.” she said.

“Great!” He said and then he went back to the phone, “You can leave it there, we’ll send someone, thank you!” and he hung up.

Lauren was so mad, he needs a lesson, not just any lesson, a big one!

She has something in mind already, it seemed as an extreme solution, but it was a viable one. Still, she knows it might be an extreme solution, so she’ll give him one last chance. He has the rest of the week to prove to her he’s capable of changing, else… she’ll change him herself.

—

Lewis was left at his office, with his breakfast. As soon as he was alone, he dug in.

He looked out the window and enjoyed the view. This building was pretty high, maybe there were other two or three buildings taller as far as he could see. 

He turned back inside, looked at the office. All of these books on the shelves, what are they anyways? His father always said it was better to know every detail of the job, and then learn more. He, on the other hand, didn’t really care. He was wondering what to do with the office.

Leave the books? They do make a nice background, but what can he put here? The office had a lot of empty space, what could he put in it? A coffee machine? Sure. A pool table? Maybe, or how about an arcade machine?! Better! 

He was thinking of the changes he wanted to make this place cozier, better for him, but never thinking about his job.

Lauren told him to take it easy today, this was going to be an easy day. If he’d like to get familiarized with his job, he could read on the files that are at his desk, or log into the computer and check on the projects the company was working on. His father was one of those man who has no password on the computer, so he can log in easily.

Later today, he’ll be given the accounts and passwords he needs to go on with his actual job.

How does he feel about this all? Well…

“This sounds like a lot, ugh…” he sat on his chair and rolled around. He needs to prepare to do a lot of work, something he’s not good at.

But, as always, there’s someone who can do it for him. He gave it some thought, he’s the boss, he doesn’t need to do things, he can send someone to do them for him! An assistant! Wait, that’s Lauren’s job, right? And she’s been working with his father for years so, she already knows how things work, right?

He can still keep with his life of peace and relaxation. All he has to do is move the strings and let everyone take care of the rest. He looks at things this way, he’s the leader, and his only job is to give the orders. Everyone will have to make sure to follow his orders.

—

On his first day he made sure to ask for a couple of things. One, who can get him stuff? He wants to do some remodeling to the office. He asked Lauren and she told him who can provide those things. Then, where to go? He will have to walk around the office to have some fun. And, last but not least, how to enjoy his new life? Where can he find a party? It’s still too early in the week, but he’s already looking forward to the weekend…

—

His first day was… boring. The only reason why he stayed at the office was because he found a game on the computer, he played for hours. And then he began searching for places like bars, clubs, anything amusing.

Lauren truly thought he was reading through the files and doing his research. But she was wrong.

The next day, when she arrived at his office, he wasn’t there. She frowned. She called the front desk to see if he had already arrived, she was not going to call him as he might be asleep. She was amazed when they told him he had been here on time. Now, where was he?

Lauren had a lot of responsibilities now, she still had her own, and on top of that, she needs to make sure he takes care of his! She feels like some sort of nanny!

After looking for him for half an hour, she finally found him, he was chatting with a couple of ladies, around his age.

“Of course…” she whispered as she made her way to him.

He was flirting, this was obvious. He feels dragged by them pretty ladies, and that’s fine. But not during office hours! He’s got a job to do!

“I’ve got a pool at my mansion, maybe you can come join me one of these days…” he was saying when Lauren cut him off.

“Lewis! What are you doing here?!” She claimed.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m meeting the staff! You know, hanging out so that we can,” he turned at them with his pretty eyes, “get to know each other better.” Both ladies giggled.

Lauren rolled her eyes. “You can’t flirt with them! The boss can’t have this kind of relationship with the employees!”

“Hey, who said anything about a relationship? I was just inviting them for some fun. And just so you know, you’re both invited.” she winked at them.

“Enough!” And off they go.

Lauren was hoping she didn’t need to have a talk with him, but he’s not going to follow the rules unless someone tells him which the rules are.

—

Back at his office, he took a seat on his desk and she began talking.

“I can’t believe I have to spell this out for you.” she said while walking from one side of the room to the other. “You can’t go out and flirt with whichever of the ladies you please! You must be at your desk at all times, unless I tell you where else to be. Lewis, you need to take this seriously!” Her eyes were set on his.

She was scolding him, but just as anyone else who has tried, there was no much success. “Listen, I know what you mean. I will take this seriously, I promise. I just… need some time to, you know, get used to this. This is a drastic change, a lot of stress can come from it! And that’s not healthy, so I'll take things slowly. You know, one day at a time.” he said, as if he was excusing himself.

“I know this is a lot, believe me, there’s a big team behind you, you’re not alone in this. Me, even I will make sure everything’s done as it should. But I’m not talking about that, what I mean are those simple rules you should already know!” As Lauren was saying this, someone knocked on his door.

“We have a delivery for Lewis Langford.” Said a man’s voice.

Lauren turned, thinking: “Great, another food delivery.” but it was no food.

“Cool! My arcade machine! Uhm… put it… over there!” And just like that, Lauren was left talking to the air as his attention fell on his videogame.

She can’t believe him, she just breathed in and out as the machine was delivered.

“This will help with stress.” He said, turning on his machine.

“I hope that won’t distract you, you know. All of your attention must be at your job, there’s a lot of people who count on you taking the best decision, you know? And… where did this even came from?” she asked.

“Oh, I called that guy, you know, the one you told me could get me stuff.” he said.

“That guy? You mean Leon? He’s supposed to be the one you call when you need maintenance, not a videogame!” she said.

“Ok, I’ll call him when I need maintainance. But everything seems to be working fine here so…” it’s impossible to deal with him. This is another strike, she’s counting them.

—

Lauren was trying, but every single time, he either pays no attention or just doesn’t care!

It was at this point, on Tuesday, that she knew she was going to be the one working behind the curtains. Pulling the strings so that the company doesn’t crumble! She’s going to have to take care of everything! And to receive no credit? Well, that’s not the plan.

Not the big picture, at least. For now, she’s going to have all important files sent to her, and then, just when she truly needs him, she’s going to give him some work.

She feels so silly, but she’s going to give him “training” work. Why is it not training as it should be? Well, who can train you to be a boss? That’s something you learn on your own as you acquire experience. And she won’t risk the company just so that he learns how to be a proper boss. No, she knows what to do, she’s going to do it.

For the company, for the people depending on it, and most importantly, for Nicholas. He deserves better, his son Lewis, for as much as it hurts to say, is a pebble in the way. He’ll be better away, so that she can take care. Maybe give him a small salary for his stuff?

Well, he won’t be happy with that. He’s lived as a rich guy his whole life, he’s used to a certain lifestyle; an expensive one, and all sponsored by his daddy’s company. He’s such a spoiled man! He’s already old enough to know what he’s doing, yet, he doesn’t seem to care. But Lauren will give him one last chance.

He’s got this whole week to change, else… she’s going to work on her own plan.

—

So how has he been doing? Well, today’s Friday and… he’s still doing the same.

Just as she planned, all of the important things were addressed to her, she was solving the true issues. In the meantime, he was at his office, checking and signing the files she gave him. She had already checked on them, all she needed was his signature. His approval, as if he knew any more than her. He literally has no idea how things work. But they still need his name on the papers, and signature.

“Lewis…” She said, walking into his office, just to find him playing videogames.

He was standing there, his blazer off, his tie undone and his shirt had the sleeves pulled over. How long has he been playing?

“Hold on! I’ve almost reached my record and… surpassed it! Yes! Let’s see how far we can take this…” She rolled his eyes. It could be said that the best he’s done all week was to get better at this retro game on the machine.

“Have you signed the papers I gave you? They are due for tomorrow. Remember?” She crossed her arms as she stared at him.

He was not turning at her, his hands were moving rapidly as he was “in the zone”, but this was no “zone” to be playing videogames, he should be working! It doesn’t help to all of the gossip around the office about him being lazy, and this will not be good when the board gathers to talk about the new boss situation.

“Lewis!” She rose her voice, at least he should look at her!

“What? Oh, wait! No! I’ve lost… what’s so important?” he seems upset, as if she wasn’t already.

“The papers! Have you signed them? I gave them to you two days ago. By now, you should AT LEAST know what they are all about.” She said.

“Yeah, those papers… here! They are right here.” They were on top of his desk, right where she left them. which means he hasn’t checked on them, much less signed them. He pulled them and then grabbed a pen.

“Lewis, have you read them?” She asked.

“You told me you already did.” He said, looking for the spot where to sign.

“Yes, but you should know what you’re signing.” She added, watching him carelessly sign the files.

“But, you already did, right? And everything was fine, correct?” He asked.

“Well, yes, everything was fine. I checked it, and the board did as well. But you should do too. Don’t you wanna know what this is all about?” she added, trying to see if there was a small part of him who cared.

“Nah, I trust you. But if you want me to know… can you read them for me? Or, maybe… make a summary? This thing’s like… twenty pages, I think it’ll be easier if it was just one or two. Don’t you agree?” he said.

“That’s why you had two whole days to check on it. It’s important for you to know what it is, and even share your opinion about it. Maybe you’d like to make some changes?” she asked.

“I’ll trust you guys. Here 's the papers.” He handed her the folder, with everything signed.

“Fine. Now, here’s another project, make sure to read through this one. It’s due to Sunday.” she said, handing him another folder with files.

“Don’t you mean Monday? You know, today’s Friday, so…” He tried to give her a hint.

“No, they are due to Sunday. You’re working tomorrow, and on Sunday.” She declared.

“What?! I thought I was going to work from Monday through Friday. I can’t work on the weekend!” He complaint.

“Why not? Your father never complained. And neither did I. Most of our employees just have Sunday’s for free.” She said.

“But… when am I supposed to rest?” he asked.

“That’s why you have vacations. But, if you ask me, you haven’t done much work since you arrived. You’re here, all day, playing videogames. Now, you’ll come here tomorrow, and on Sunday. And I want those files signed. Read them this time. Please.” And she left.

Lewis was upset. She can’t tell him what to do! He’s the boss, right? Now, this news really ruin his weekend. He wanted to go out tonight, how is he going to do so if he has to come her tomorrow?

“Well, I’ll figure that out tomorrow morning. If I wake up…” He was going out, definitely.

What will happen tomorrow? Will Lauren approve? Of course not, but she’s not worried about it. As she said, she’s just counting his strikes.