Seeing that Vera's story so far adds up to her image of a comndable employee, Jeff decided to move onto the next point, and that is related to JoAnna. "Other than you, is Dr. Hill the only person who entered my office since 8:30 AM?"
Vera confird. "Yes. Since I arrived here, I didn't leave so I am positive that she is the only one."
"Miss Rogers, I want to know what happened between you and Dr. Hill."
Vera was not sure how to respond to this. Part of her wanted to be decisive and to show to Jeff that she is the right woman for the job, but on the other side, she was pulled out of the office by Steve, so she needed permission. "CEO White, will you bla if I speak openly?"
"I will bla you if you don't."
"I found Dr. Hill relaxing on the couch like this is her office. She took the plate with pastries which I made for you and your esteed guests and she kept it next to her on the sofa. I saw that she is pregnant, but that does not give her the right to act like a hillbilly. The only thing missing would be if she lifted her feet on the table. She was rude, asking who I am and what I am doing here. I brought up the point that she does not have a eting with you and that she should not be in your office. I asked her to leave more than once but she refused. I was about to call security to escort her out when you and Mr. Long entered."
Jeff sighed. So far it all sounds like a misunderstanding. He decided to clarify a few points. "You said that you found Dr. Hill relaxing on the couch. Where were you if you didn't see her enter?"
Vera gestured toward the back room. "I was in there. I told you that I was tidying up the place because I didn't get any other task."
Jeff rembered that this was the point JoAnna was particularly upset about. "There is a bedroom and a bathroom. They are not frequently used, and they are tidy. What did you tidy up?"
"I straightened up the bedsheets and put fresh towels in the bathroom. I also noticed that your shower gel is low and I requested a replacent." Vera saw that Jeff's face darkened and she added. "CEO White, I understand that those are your private quarters, but as your assistant, I thought…"
"Who told you that you are my assistant?", Jeff cut her off.
Vera was confused for a second. "Mr. Long told that I am on weeklong probation for his replacent, starting from yesterday. He is your assistant so… his replacent will be your assistant as well."
Jeff told himself to think rationally. Everything Vera said sounds fine. Other than Vera being a bit too much into this assistant thing and not knowing who JoAnna is, did she do anything wrong? She kept busy while idle and when she saw JoAnna in his office without an appointnt, she asked her to leave before calling the security. He knows that in order to appease JoAnna he should fire Vera or at least send her to a remote office. But can he ruin the career of another woman just because his wife is overreacting?
Bridgette watched all this, and she felt her temper rising. Steve picked this woman? They will talk about that later!
Bridgette looked at Jeff and his blank expression told her that he is done asking questions.
"Miss Rogers…", Bridgette called. "You said that you are aware of how that suite in the back is private. Who gave you permission to go in there?"
Vera frowned at Bridgette. Why is she questioning her? But CEO White is here, so she will answer. "No one. I assud…"
"You made yourself at ho, didn't you?", Bridgette cut her off. "Are you aware that other than CEO White and two other people no one else is allowed inside his office without a permission? Or do you think that anyone can co inside and take a nap in that suite? Do you understand the concept of privacy? Would you like to go to your bedroom and fix your bedsheets? Or how about I check the levels of your shampoo? For that, you need to enter the shower enclosure."
Vera could not believe all the accusations thrown at her. "Who are you?"
"I am called here by CEO White to help him clarify this… misunderstanding." Bridgette turned to Jeff. "CEO White, if you think that my questions are not appropriate, let know. Otherwise, I expect Miss Rogers to answer them."
Jeff didn't need to think about this. "Please, answer, Miss Rogers."
Vera blinked few tis at Jeff. "I don't understand. Answer, what? I was here as your assistant and…"
"Assistant or a cleaning lady?", Bridgette snapped. "There is a difference, and unless you are ignorant, you will know what it is. As an assistant, you should check his schedule, and help him prepare for his etings."
Bridgette turned to Steve. "Mr. Long, you are CEO White's assistant for many years. How many tis you fixed his bed or filled up his shampoo?"
Steve was surprised that the question was directed at him, and it took him a second to respond. "Uhm… none."
Bridgette smirked at Vera. "See? A real assistant knows where to draw the line and to respect himself. The only ti I saw a woman lower herself to do nial tasks is when she wants to attract man's attention."
Vera exploded into a blush and her eyes darted toward Jeff. "I didn't…"
Bridgette snorted. "Really? What's up with baking? Other than my brother, I baked only for one other man and that is my fiancé. I heard that you made pastries. That takes hours to make, and you probably started on the previous night. You are stretching yourself too wide Miss Rogers for this assistant-replacent position, how I see it. Or did you think that this is a probation for the role of Mrs. CEO White?"
Vera was not sure how to respond. "That is not…"
Bridgette was not ready to give Vera ti to recuperate. "That is not, what? You spent hours baking for CEO White and you invaded his private space. And when Dr. Hill was here, you were rude toward her because she does not have an appointnt. Based on how you are addressing her, you know that she is an employee of the White corp. As an assistant, when soone shows up without an appointnt, unless you have explicit instructions to keep soone away, you should get in touch with your boss and clarify how to handle the situation. Was Dr. Hill causing a scene that prompted you to call security? Or did she just rub you the wrong way?"
Vera's face twitched under Bridgette's barrage of questions. She is talking a lot, and fast, and it's impossible to stop her. Vera reminded herself not to lose her temper. "Dr. Hill was rude and without any manners. I could not let her stay here."
"Who gave you permission to determine who can stay or not in CEO White's office? Are you his girlfriend, or his wife? You are certainly acting like you are hoping to beco one."
Vera clenched her teeth. If Jeff and Steve are not present, she would slap Bridgette. "I am dedicated to my job and I don't need your accusations."
Bridgette was on fire. She leaned closer to Vera and asked mockingly. "Would you be this dedicated to this job if CEO White is sixty years old, bold, and fat? Would you be this dedicated if CEO White is a woman?"
"Of course, not!" Vera paused and she closed her eyes while cursing herself inwardly. Why did she allow this annoying woman (aka Bridgette) to push her buttons to the point of blurting out things?
She cleared her throat awkwardly. "I an… I am not blind. If I say that CEO White is not a handso man, I would obviously be lying. Don't tell that you never used your looks and womanly charms to score points with your boss?"
"I wouldn't know. My boss is a woman.", Bridgette responded smugly.
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