Page 6 of Hooked on Dallas
Oh, so we are going to play this game, huh? I don’t even respond.
“That meeting was very important, and I needed to get it done today. It’s too late to change it back now.”
“It’s my job as your assistant to take care of your schedule and make sure there are no overlaps. If I have to ask you every time, then what is the point of even having me here? That would slow down my ability to work tremendously.”
He runs his fingers through his hair. The man is good looking in a dark and brooding kind of way. I don’t know anything about this man besides that he seems to have anger issues.
“Sir, I don’t need you micromanaging me. I’m a grown woman who has been doing for many years. I have work to get back to.” I stand up and walk out of his office. If he thinks that I am going to sit around and ask him for permission every time I need to do my job, he’s sadly mistaken. If he doesn’t trust my judgment, then maybe it is time to start looking for another job.
“What was that?” Jennifer asks, trying to be quiet from her desk.
“He told me I should ask him before rescheduling meetings...”
She laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
I shake my head.
“Wow, you got a real winner there.”
I am grateful for the raise, but not being able to do my job is a big red flag for me. If he can’t trust my decisions, then this is most definitely not going to work.
You know what? I need to stand up for myself. My chest heaves and I walk back into his house, where he is still pacing. “Sir, if you can’t trust me, like Mr. Curran could, then please tell me so I can look for another job. I bust my butt for this company and don’t deserve to be questioned like that.”
“What are you talking about? Now you want to quit? I just gave you a raise yesterday?” he asks, eyes big.
“I understand, sir, but my job is all about making things easier for you, so if I have to ask permission, then I’m pointless.”
He sighs big and then sits down at his desk and crosses his hands. “Listen, I’m having a rough day today, and maybe it’s best if I just don’t talk to anyone. There is no need for you to leave.”
“What can I do, sir? Are you okay?”
He runs his fingers through his hair again and puts his hand down on his desk. “Just... reschedule all my meetings today.”
I nod and leave his office.
What is going on?
4
Laura
Mr. De La Cruz is the grumpiest man in the office, and I’ll be stuck dealing with him. He is grouchy and complains at the slightest provocation - or even without one. He snaps at me for no reason, leaving me wondering what I did wrong.
Despite all his gruffness, I am determined to stick it out with him. After all, he has to be tolerable underneath all that grumpiness, right? Even if it didn’t seem so in the present.
I try to find something to like about him - I mean, he can’t be that bad, can he? - but it is hard to focus on anything else. He is gruff, impatient with the minor tasks, and doesn’t seem to see the value in anything I do.
Still, I keep at it to make the best of the situation. I didn’t want to give up, and I refused to let his poor attitude get to me. What is it with grumpy men in this office?
So I listen more closely when Mr. De La Cruz speaks and tries to see things from his point of view. I understand the source of his grumpiness, the struggles he is facing, and his daily frustrations.
Why is Jennifer so lucky? She has had two incredible bosses. Jennifer has been so lucky with both bosses - they have beenpatient, professional, and understanding. She is now marrying one, Mr. Kneeland. I’m over here with back-to-back grumps.
“How’s the grumpy one doing today?” Lisa says, referring to De La Cruz.
“He’s not the easiest person to work with, but I don’t think he’s worse than Mr. Curran.”
I laugh.
