Facing the pressure

Charlotte

The next morning, I return to the office with a knot in my stomach. The memory of Richard's cold look and condescending words haunts me, but I'm determined not to let it bring me down. I need to prove myself to him and to myself that I'm capable.

I arrive earlier than usual, hoping to prepare better for the day. I place my leather notebook on the desk and start reviewing the notes from yesterday's meeting, trying to understand where I went wrong and how I can improve. The office is quiet, with only the soft sound of keys being pressed by the few colleagues who have already arrived.

Richard enters the office a few minutes later, with a severe expression on his face. He doesn't even look at me as he heads to his office, and my heart sinks a little. I try to focus on my tasks, but the tension in the air is palpable.

Around 10 a.m., Richard calls me into his office. I take a deep breath and walk over, trying to prepare for the worst.

"Charlotte," he begins, without lifting his eyes from the papers in front of him. "I need you to draft a detailed report of yesterday's meeting. I want it on my desk by the end of the day."

"Of course, Mr. Anderson," I say, feeling the pressure increase.

"Additionally," he continues, finally lifting his gaze to meet mine. "We have an important presentation tomorrow. I need you to prepare all the necessary materials and ensure the conference room is impeccable. Everything must be perfect."

I nod, trying to hide my nervousness. "Yes, sir. I'll take care of it."

He watches me for a moment, as if assessing my ability to handle the tasks. "I hope you are up to it, Charlotte. I don't want to have to correct unnecessary mistakes."

I feel my face flush with shame and repressed anger, but I maintain my composure. "I'll do my best, Mr. Anderson."

"Good," he says, returning his attention to the papers on his desk. "You're dismissed."

I leave his office and return to my desk, trying not to let the tears fall. I take a deep breath and start working on the meeting report, reviewing my notes and trying to organize the information clearly and concisely. I know I need to focus and do an impeccable job.

The day passes in a blur of tasks, meetings, and phone calls. Richard barely speaks to me, except to give brief and direct instructions. The tension is constant, and every mistake seems amplified by his critical gaze.

At the end of the day, I finally finish the report and take it to Richard's desk. He takes the document without a thank you and starts flipping through it while I'm still there.

"This is better," he says, finally, without lifting his eyes. "But there's still room for improvement. Keep it up."

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," I reply, trying to hide my relief.

When I leave his office, I feel a mix of relief and exhaustion. I know I still have a lot to prove, but each small victory gives me hope that I can overcome these challenges.

The next morning, I arrive even earlier to prepare for the presentation. I organize the materials, check the projector, and set up the conference room. I want everything to be impeccable, with no room for criticism.

Richard enters the room shortly before the meeting begins, inspecting everything with a critical eye. He nods, satisfied, but doesn't say a word of praise.

During the presentation, I take notes on all the important points, making sure to capture every detail. Richard conducts the meeting with confidence, and I focus on not missing anything.

When the meeting ends, he approaches me and says in a low voice, "Good job today. Keep it up."

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," I respond, feeling a small wave of satisfaction.

While I'm tidying up the room after the meeting, Richard approaches again. "Charlotte, I need to talk to you about something important."

"Really?" I ask, trying to hide my anxiety.

"Yes," he replies, with a serious tone. "We have a business trip scheduled for next week. It will be a series of important meetings with our partners on the West Coast. I need you to accompany me and take care of all the logistics and organization."

My heart races at the news. Traveling for work with Richard seems daunting, but it's also an incredible opportunity. "Of course, Mr. Anderson. I'll prepare for it."

"I hope you're ready to handle the pressure," he says, looking directly into my eyes. "These meetings are crucial for our company, and I can't allow any mistakes."

"I understand, sir," I respond, trying to sound confident. "I'll do my best."

"Great. Prepare all the materials and make sure everything is organized before we leave," he orders, before turning and leaving the room.

I spend the rest of the week preparing for the trip, organizing documents, confirming reservations, and reviewing schedules. The pressure is intense, but I'm determined to prove my worth. Sarah offers advice and support, which helps to alleviate some of the anxiety.

On the morning of the trip, I arrive at the office with a small suitcase and all the necessary materials. Richard is already there, reviewing some documents.

"Ready?" he asks, without lifting his eyes.

"Yes, sir," I respond, holding my suitcase tightly.

"We'll see," he murmurs, picking up his own suitcase and heading for the door. "I hope you live up to expectations, Charlotte."

We leave the office and take a taxi to the airport. The trip is silent, with Richard focused on his documents and me mentally reviewing everything I need to do.

At the airport, we quickly pass through security and board the plane. During the flight, Richard continues to review papers, while I try to focus on my own preparations.

When we finally land, we are greeted by a car that takes us to the hotel. Richard hands me a list of tasks for the evening and instructs me to ensure everything is ready for the first meeting the next day.

I work late, reviewing schedules, organizing documents, and making sure everything is perfect. I know the next few days will be challenging, but I'm ready to face each obstacle.

The next day, we attend the first meeting together. Richard leads the conversation with confidence, while I take detailed notes, making sure to capture every important detail.

After the meeting, he gives me an evaluative look. "Good job so far, Charlotte. Keep it up, and maybe you'll manage to keep this job."

I feel a mix of relief and determination. I know there's still a lot to prove, but I'm ready to face every challenge that comes my way. Richard may be harsh and arrogant, but I'll show him that I'm capable.

The following days are intense, with back-to-back meetings, little time to rest, and a lot of pressure. But each small success gives me more confidence and brings me closer to the respect I so desire.

One evening, after a long day of meetings, Richard suggests we have dinner at the hotel restaurant to discuss preparations for the next day. I accept, eager to show my dedication and willingness.

Sitting at the restaurant table, the atmosphere is initially formal, but as the evening progresses, Richard seems to relax a bit. He shares some stories about his career and, for a moment, almost seems human.

"You're doing well, Charlotte," he finally says, looking at me with a gaze that is almost... warm? "It's rare to find someone so dedicated and meticulous."

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson," I respond, feeling myself blush under his gaze. "I'm doing my best to meet expectations."

"You can call me Richard," he says, with a small smile. "We're in a more informal setting now."

"Of course, Richard," I say, trying to hide my nervousness.

He pauses and then asks, "Tell me about your life, Charlotte. How did you get here?"

The question catches me by surprise, but I see genuine curiosity in his eyes. "Well, I graduated in fashion, but the market wasn't easy. I ended up accumulating debt and needed to find a job that could pay the bills. That's how I ended up at Anderson Holdings."

Richard nods slowly, seeming interested. "And your family? Do they support you in this journey?"

"Always," I respond, smiling as I think of my mother. "My mother is my biggest support. She always believed in me, even when I doubted myself."

"That's good," he says softly. "Having someone who believes in you makes all the difference."

The conversation continues unexpectedly pleasantly. Richard shares a bit about his own journey, the difficulties he faced at the beginning of his career, and how he got to where he is. For a moment, we are just two people talking, without the pressure of business or expectations.

When we finally get up to leave, he lightly touches my arm. "You have a lot of potential, Charlotte. Don't let small failures bring you down. Learn from them and move forward."

I feel warmth spread through me as I hear his words. "Thank you, Richard. That means a lot to me."

On the way back to our rooms, the silence between us is comfortable, almost companionable. I feel that, for the first time, he sees me as more than just his assistant.

The next few days, the tension between us eases a bit, and the collaboration becomes easier. I continue to work hard, but now with renewed confidence, knowing that I'm starting to earn Richard's respect and trust.

At the end of the week, when we return to the office, I feel exhausted but satisfied. I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm determined to keep proving my worth and building a successful career at Anderson Holdings.