Finding Her Way Read Online Free PDF Page B

information matters to me how , she pondered, until he mentioned her attendance at the meeting.
    “You want me to what?” Jerrica asked in an elevated tone.
    John continued explaining to her why he needed her there for the meeting and how persuasive it would be if the person working in accounting presented the financials instead of the head of public relations. When John stopped talking, Jerrica sat back in her chair feeling cornered about the whole situation.
    “Please, Jak, I need you to do this for me,” John pleaded.
    Jerrica had never heard him ask anyone so politely for anything. Surprised by his sudden, though short-lived sincerity, she agreed to attend.
    John informed her that the meeting was at two in the executive boardroom. It was up there so the company’s president, vice president, and CEO could leave for their overseas trip right after the meeting. She politely told him she would be there, then hung up the phone. She knew where the executives of Morrill, Hartford, and Donahue were traveling. They were flying to Europe to meet with the many small companies that were interested in testing the waters in the U.S. The results of these meetings usually meant more work for her department. They would have to sort out contracts and account information. The big shots brought the clients in, but she would do all the work and receive little of the credit.
    Her face flushed as her temper increased at the picture that was forming in her mind. Same shit, just a different day. Jerrica pushed out her chair, leaning forward until her head was almost resting between her knees.
    “Relax, breath slowly”, she repeated softly.
    She was concentrating so hard on her relaxation exercise that she wasn’t aware Lauren had entered.
    Lauren could only see the arch of her boss’s back from behind the desk. Stopping in her tracks, she started backing up slowly. She had reached the door when Jerrica’s muffled voice sounded.
    “I didn’t hear you come in but I do hear you trying to leave. Lauren, what is it?”
    “I just wanted to check on you after that call from Mr. Bisset. His voice had an urgent tone,” Lauren inquired nervously.
    “He asked me another favor,” Jerrica responded.
    Lauren rolled her eyes, knowing she would be out of the loop on this one too.
    When Lauren didn’t respond, Jerrica slowly sat upright in her chair. She could tell Lauren was still irritated.
    “I’ve decided you will accompany me to the executive boardroom at two this afternoon. I want you to be ready with a note pad, something to write with and color highlighters. Also, bring two bottles of water. You never know if they have anything to drink in that boardroom,” she said, gathering papers on her desk.
    A few seconds of silence passed and she realized Lauren hadn’t left. With a question in her eyes, she looked up to see her assistant’s confused expression. “I know this is sudden, but you have wanted to know what was going on so badly…well, now is your chance.”
    Jerrica waited patiently, amused, until Lauren had processed this new information.
    “I’ll be ready,” Lauren muttered as she withdrew from the office.
    Jerrica knew she had just killed two birds with one stone. Not only would she not be alone in the meeting, but she would also satisfy Lauren’s curiosity.
    At exactly one forty-five p.m. Jerrica stepped out of her office with her folders in hand and her best serious expression on her face. Her paperwork in order and her speech prepared. She’d spent the past hour getting everything together. She was ready for anything. She still didn’t have a clear closing formulated in her head for her presentation, but she figured it would come to her when she needed to wrap up. Besides it was John’s responsibility to sell them his idea to add another person to his roster. Jerrica was just in this meeting to give the financial aspect of his request.
    Lauren walked up wearing her best smile. They nodded at one another in a silent