“Well, I guess you’ve been there a few hours. Do you have any questions?”
“Nooooo.” She’s obviously perplexed.
“Okay. Then may I speak to Mr. Graham?”
“Is he expecting your call?”
“I did tell him I would call when I landed, so yes.”
“And your name again?”
Is this a joke?
I take a deep breath and try to control my frustration, but I can only imagine how upset Jackson’s going to be when I get through to him. “Corrine Woods, executive assistant and project manager to Jackson Graham.”
“I’ll see if he’s available for you.” And she hangs up on me.
I count to ten and redial.
Four rings this time. “Hello? Jackson Graham’s office.”
“Hi. This is Corrine again. I think you disconnected me. I was waiting to speak with Mr. Graham.”
“I didn’t hang up on you.”
You did, but it’s not worth arguing. “May I speak with Mr. Graham?”
“What is this regarding?”
“He’s expecting my call.”
“He’s in a meeting right now; he can’t be expecting your call.”
“Can you please let him know I called?”
“What is your name again?”
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding! “Corrine Woods.”
“And your phone number?”
“Please tell him I’m at the Halona Moana. He has the number.”
“I won’t give him a message without a number.”
I think I’m getting a headache. “You can tell Mr. Graham it’s on the sticky note on the right corner of his computer monitor.”
“Unless you give me a number, I won’t give him a message.”
I can hear the phone ringing, and I don’t want to keep her from answering important calls.
I ramble off my cell phone number and disconnect.
She has me wound up. I can’t even imagine what she’s done to Jackson.
Me: I made it. Your new admin screened me out when I just called. She’s tough. Call me when you’re done with your meeting.
My phone rings moments later. Maybe she’s not good with others but is good with him.
“Hey,” I say brightly.
“I swear, I’m going to kill her.”
Maybe not. “Call HR,” I tell him. “They’ll call the temp agency, and you can have her replaced tomorrow.”
“Do you see why you’re so important?”
“I’m sorry,” I offer with a grin.
“Jesus, this woman is killing me. She must have sent through a dozen phone calls, and she screened you out?”
“I don’t think she’s right for you. Do you need me to call HR?”
“Can you?”
“I’ll call now.”
“Wait.” I hear paper shuffling. “How was your trip?”
“I was tired, I guess. I started to work but then slept the entire way. Someone wore me out this weekend.”
“I’m pretty proud of that, you know. How are the renovations coming?”
“I haven’t looked yet. Leilani is making me breakfast, and then I’m meeting with Mr. Crier.”
“Call me at the end of your day.”
“I’ll try, but first I’ll call HR.”
“Thank you.”
I disconnect the call and dial HR. “Hey, Dawn. I just spoke with Jackson, and the woman covering my desk isn’t going to make it. Can you call her agency and have them let her know she isn’t a fit?”
“I’m not surprised. She was late, and a few people have complained about her.”
“I’m sorry,” I sympathize. Sometimes there’s a reason people are temps.
“Apparently, Andy in development thinks it’s my fault,” Dawn adds.
“If it takes money, I’ll approve fifty dollars an hour for someone spectacular,” I tell her. “I’m guessing the agency pays them half, and maybe we’ll get someone who can answer the phones and manage Mr. Graham’s calendar.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the increase. That may help us.”
I hang up and head into the kitchen.
“Perfect timing,” Leilani says. “Your breakfast is just now ready.”
“You know, I dreamed of this all last week.”
“Do you have any special requests while you’re here?”
“Who do you cook for at night?” I ask.
“There’s the staff that lives onsite, and I cook for Brian and his family.”
“Are you making the same meal for all of them?” I want to understand what she does before I make her do a bunch of unnecessary work on my behalf.
“I can, at least for the adults.”
I look at her, puzzled.
“The twins are adorable, but they eat rice, chicken, french fries, and well, anything white.”
I laugh. “I’ve heard about that. I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll eat whatever you make the staff.”
She nods. “Will you be assuming the majordomo role?”
“Probably not. I may manage the estate in terms of Mr. Graham’s interests, but that just means I’ll make sure there’s enough money to do what needs to be done.”
I take a bite of my eggs, and they’re spectacular.
“Would you know of anyone interested in the job?” I ask her. I think she’d make a great majordomo. She’s like a mother to most of the staff anyway.
Leilani shrugs.
I can read her body language. She’s unsure about taking the risk. “Are you thinking you might be interested?”
She looks at me. “I think I can cook and be the majordomo. I might want an assistant when it comes to larger meals, but I don’t think we need to spend the money. Mostly I cook three times a day for eight people. Occasionally there are more when you’re here, but even Mr. Graham doesn’t have a family, so it’s him and a guest.”
I like that she thinks about the cost of the estate. I could take over any bills, but that also means I would remain working for Jackson.
I heard what he said, but I’m still not sure he understands why it’s a bad idea for us to live and work together. If I move in, after a few months, I could lose my job and my place to live. He’s never had a relationship last longer than three
