Chapter 115: Menial Tasks
- DEX -
Seeing everyone react the way they have to Raya returning is wonderful. They are all so happy to see her back.
While Raya is catching up with everyone, I can feel a weight lifted from the office. It’s truly like she’s a ray of sunshine, and the office feels brighter and less burdened with the memory of that accident now that she’s returned. Having Lawson’s dark cloud gone helps as well.
I go back to my office and check emails, trying to focus on work rather than on thoughts of Raya. Then Laurel knocks on the transparent door, and I’m unable to hide my annoyance for a moment. But I’m the person in charge here, and Laurel has an important role. I’m going to have to be as professional as I can.
"What can I do for you, Laurel?"
"I just wanted to check with you on the status of Auraya’s position here. We hadn’t talked about it while she was gone, and I assumed she would be returning to her role as an intern after the medical leave. I noticed in the system that she was given quite an increase from her initial intern pay when you started. I was never made aware of it."
I recline back in the chair and fold my hands, not liking where it seems Laurel’s train of thought is heading. There is a silent implication to what she’s saying that makes me uncomfortable.
"Lawson assigned her as my assistant, and what she was being paid hardly constitutes a living wage. That is not consistent with our values here. If someone is going to learn from our company and invest their own talents in it, they are going to be compensated fairly."
"Talent?" She says, stifling a laugh. "I’m sorry. You do know what she was doing here when you arrived, right? I’m not sure it constitutes as talent."
"And what part of an internship agreement says they will be required to get coffee for everyone, Laurel? Those are menial tasks that speak little of the recent graduates who are coming in to learn and to be the creative talents of the future. It’s insulting, and it reflects poorly on Mobius Media to take advantage of our interns that way. I’m not going to allow it in the future. I’m surprised my father did. We foster forward and progressive thinking here. We value opinions and ideas given by everyone."
"Mr. Lawson was aware of Auraya’s responsibilities..." She says, clearly offended that I have suggested her misuse of our interns reflects poorly on the company.
"Mr. Lawson is not here, and his disregard for what is appropriate is the reason why I have returned to the city and am currently in this position. That is not widely shared information, but I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise either," I tell her.
Laurel doesn’t say anything, so I go on.
"Raya’s current position is assistant to the COO, so her pay should reflect the difference in her responsibilities from that of merely fetching coffee. And I am going to be acquainting her with Creative, which should have been the direction of her internship in the first place. She has an impressive portfolio. These are not decisions that were made lightly. I suggest you start thinking of her as part of the team rather than someone beneath you."
Laurel presses her lips together, stewing on some part of what I have said.
"Is there anything else?" I ask, returning my attention to the computer.
"Yes. If you had discussed this with me, I would not have been so surprised."
"Well then I apologize for that. A lot has been going on here, but I will make sure to touch base with you in the future."
"So I am no longer her supervisor?"
I glance at her, curious as to why she needs to clarify this point. "No."
"Shall I recruit a new intern?"
"No, I don’t think that will be necessary at the moment. If you need someone to file and get coffee, then create a job advertisement that reflects those responsibilities. But that person will be paid appropriately, too."
"Very well," she smiles tightly and makes her way out the door.
Just as Laurel is walking out, Raya walks in and the two pass each other. I notice Raya smile at her, but neither of them says anything.
Raya sits across from me with a grimace. "She doesn’t look happy."
"It’s nothing to worry about," I tell her. "Jay was certainly happy to see you."
She chuckles and shakes her head. "He is so funny."
"He was crying," I say, eyebrows shooting up. "I didn’t realize you were that close."
"Oh, we’re not," she frowns. "I mean, not really. I didn’t think he would react that way either. He’s just very sweet."
I nod, watching her and the innocent naïveté at work. She has no idea that Jay has a crush on her. How can she not?
"So do you want the tea?" She smirks mischievously.
I chuckle. "Of course I want the tea. What’s up?"
Hopefully it’s not that Lawson has been kidnapped by the mafia, because I don’t need anything approaching the truth and making Raya suspicious about my family. I’m sure I will have to reveal all of that to her eventually, but it’s too much right now. It’s definitely not the time for more drama.
Raya leans forward like I am about to receive very confidential information. "Apparently Lawson has eloped with Grace."
"Grace?" I chuckle. "Well that’s interesting. I wonder how that got started."
"Someone saw the two of them talking privately a few times, and the excuse Lawson used for not coming in today was car trouble. Jay is convinced his car could never break down without some kind of elaborate, luxurious roadside assistance to get him promptly to work."
"He may be right about that," I say, amused. "I wouldn’t know."
"Well I offered the thought that he may just have a personal issue and be too embarrassed to tell the truth. But eloping with Grace is a good alternative," she giggles. "I kind of wish they had eloped together."
"I wouldn’t even wish Lawson on Grace," I say. "I doubt he can have any kind of healthy relationship."
"That’s true," she grimaces. "I wouldn’t wish him on anyone either. Cricket..." She stops and looks at her hands.
"Cricket what? He didn’t hurt Cricket did he?"
"I don’t think so," she says quickly. "At least I hope not. But when Jay was telling me this rumor about Lawson and Grace, Cricket was going to add something about other rumors that have been going around about Lawson for awhile. I got the feeling that they were about how he treats women, but she didn’t go on."
"Yeah, he’s not coming back," I say, trying not to growl as I do. "My brother has had enough chances."
