Her Billionaire Boss by Gena Snow
Chapter 1
Harper
“Do you have my size in stock?” a lady holding a pair of sandals asks me.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. Those are clearance items.”
“Oh no,” she says regretfully, looking at the sandals. “They’re so comfortable. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while.”
Seeing her disappointment, I suggest, “I can check to see whether I can order them online for you.”
“Sure, that’ll be great.” She smiles and follows me to the computer. “I need size seven.”
I check our company’s online store quickly. “You’re lucky! We have it.”
“Thank you so much, honey!”
I place the order for her after she pays, and she leaves with a satisfying smile.
After the customer leaves, the store is empty. We aren’t busy because it’s a weekday, so I stay in front of the computer to create sales reports requested by the store manager. Ever since I graduated last month, I have worked full-time at Style, a shoe store at Valley Mall, a small shopping center in town.
I knock on the door of the store manager’s office shortly before my lunch break.
“Hi, John. I have the reports for you,” I say as I step into his office.
“Harper! Good timing,” John says with a big smile. “I have great news for you.”
“What is it?” I ask, putting the reports on his desk. “Am I getting a raise?”
“Better,” he grins. “You’ve been promoted.”
“Really?” I frown because I’m in one position beneath him. “Does it mean you are leaving?”
“No!” he says, laughing. “You’ve been promoted to the mall office.”
“W-what?” I blink. “How did it happen?”
“I don’t blame you for the surprise. The truth is I only found out yesterday. Another property group has purchased Valley Mall, along with some retail stores, including us.”
“Oh!” I say with a chuckle. “No wonder. So I’ve been transferred? To do what?”
He shrugs. “I’m not sure about the rest. All I know is the new owner is impressed by your work. It looks like you’ll to be the property manager’s assistant.”
“B-but I don’t know much about managing malls. I mean…I’m good at managing the store and customer services, but…”
“There isn’t much difference, and you’ll learn fast,” John says. “You’re good at managing at the micro-level. All you’ll need to do is to apply your knowledge and experience to the macro level. You can transfer your customer service skills to work with store owners and managers, which, by the way, includes me.”
I chuckle as I realize the new relationship between us. John won’t be my boos anymore once I accept the new job offer. “Oh, thank you so much for saying this,” John is good at convincing and encouraging people. I stop panicking. “And for recommending me to the new owner.”
He blinks for a moment. “About that, I can’t take all the credit. The truth is Mr. Alton seemed to have heard about you before he asked for my opinion.”
“Mr. Alton?” I blink.
“Nicholas Alton, the CEO of Alton Property Group.”
My jaw falls—that arrogant jerk. Everything makes sense now, and the joy I felt just a minute ago vanishes. So I haven’t earned this promotion. It’s just the guy is determined to get what he fixes his eyes on. Memories I pushed behind all rush back at once: the job offer, the kiss, and the slap I gave him. No, I can’t work for that conceited man.
“Do I have to go?” I ask John.
“What do you mean?” John responds with disbelief. “This is a golden opportunity for you, Harper. If I had a college degree, I wouldn’t settle for a sales manager, even a store manager, for the rest of my life!”
John has hot a point.
“But I’ll just be the assistant of a manager over there. Here I’m at least a manager,” I argue.
John signs loudly. “Hello! Is that Harper talking? It’s just the beginning. You’ll work your way up to the top.”
“I’m not sure… I err. I don’t know whether I can handle the work. And I like working here,” I say, desperately trying to refuse the opportunity.
“What’s gotten into you?” John looks at me as if I were crazy. “The Harper I hired three years ago would jump to such an opportunity. You know what? If it were up to me, I would gladly let you have my job and take Mr. Alton’s offer myself.”
I nod. Running out of excuses and not wanting to get John in trouble, I thank him and clear my things.
The new position will start immediately. I’ll report to work right away, which isn’t that difficult because the mall’s management office is located on the second floor of the shopping mall.
