Starting to get worried, Ivy Li nodded to let Alice know she's listening.
Keeping her gaze steady on her assistant, Alice straightforwardly said, "The thing is, today's your last day here."
"Ma'am? Sorry, did I do anything wrong? Please give me another chance. I promise I'll work harder and I will do better," Ivy Li started to plead to Alice, her expression rattled.
Alice shook her head, a hint of smile on her lips. Shr said, "No. You got it all wrong. Relax and hear me out first."
Ivy Li stared at her boss and slowly nodded. She swallowed and tried to control her feelings even though she was starting to feel uneasy with worry.
Alice lifted the letter. With a smile, she explained, "This arrived this morning. It is an offer letter from the HR of the JC Group and it is addressed to you. You're now the assistant to the CEO of the JC Group."
"Ma'am? Me? The assistant to the President of the JC Group?" Ivy Li stuttered, unable to form her thoughts. She gazed at Alice, shaking her head in disbelief. 'Wow! Are you kidding me? The assistant of the President of JC Group?' she was screaming inside.
"That's right," Alice smiled and handed the letter to her panic-stricken employee. "You're chosen and hired by the CEO of the JC Group, Lawrence Chu. There, look at his signature."
With trembling hands, Ivy Li took the paper from her boss. She had a close look at it and scanned every word with her eyes. She saw the seal and logo of the JC Group and the CEO's signature. 'It's real! I'm not dreaming, ' her mind was jumbled with excitement and eagerness.
Knowing full well that Alice wouldn't lie to her about this, she let out a deep sigh of satisfaction and relief. She was looking at the offer letter intently, the huge smile on her face undeniable.
Alice could not help but smile when she saw her assistant's amused expression. With an encouraging tone, she urged, "You're offered a much higher salary than the one you're currently getting here. The JC Group is a leading enterprise, and you're going to learn a lot from them. Besides, Lawrence Chu, the CEO already has a number of assistants. I don't think you'll have a ton of responsibilities there. Just make sure you give a good performance there, like you did here."
"Thank you so much, Ms. Alice. I promise I won't let you down. I'll do my best in all the tasks given to me there," Ivy Li gratefully replied. She had always dreamt of working for big companies like the JC Group. She used to have big plans and ambitious ideas, but then reality sank in. It was a tough world and she had resigned herself that those extravagant ambitions were not ideal and weren't for her. So to suddenly have this offer and be given a chance to work in the JC Group was definitely an unexpected blessing. One that she would hold on tight with both hands and strive hard not to waste.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ice and Fire