Chapter 2 Bring Her in For the Interview

“Is she what you thought she would be?” Henry, Toby's best friend and second in charge asks him. Toby knows he wants to get the scoop on the gorgeous red head; but he doesn't want to talk to him about it. She was gone this morning, when he woke up. And Sarah called to tell him they are having trouble with the sale of some land in Fortitude. “Are you even listening to me?” Henry fumes. “Huh?” Toby asks; looking at Henry bewildered. “Our plane will be ready to leave in the hour and I need to get back to see Dad” he finally answers him; hoping this is what Henry was talking about. “And the redhead?” Henry asks. “What about her; she left before I woke up” he tells him. He doesn't want to come across; he was upset about her leaving. He was going to ask if she would like to join him for a few weeks. Clearly, last night meant more to him than it did to her. Sure; he has had a few one-night stands in the past. But she was different; Toby could tell just by looking at her. “And you aren't upset. You were saying you found your future Mrs Sommerville” Henry mocks, eyeing him suspiciously. “Why would I be?” Toby informs him, taking his luggage out to the hire car and sitting in the driver's seat. “Are you coming?” “Davison is wanting another meeting. He is getting cold feet regarding the sale of his land” Henry says, finally changing the subject. Toby and Henry understand the Davison Ranch has been in the family for many years. But this sale means big things for Sommerville Shopping Malls Inc. His Ranch will ensure a new mall and plenty of work for a growing community. Sommerville Shopping Malls Inc are spread throughout the country; allowing all shops to be housed in the one venue and customers can do their shopping without going all over town to find what they need. Thankfully they own a private jet and the flight was carefree, with no additional questions regarding Amanda. At least until they got off the plane and Sarah was waiting on the tarmac for them. “Your father wants to see you as soon as you get into the office” she says as Henry and Toby reach the car and Ramirez opens the rear door for them. “I figured as much” Toby answers the slightly greying brunette as Henry, Sarah and he climb into the waiting car and Ramirez speeds off to the CBD, towards the Sommerville Shopping Malls 12 story office building. “And Miranda would like you to go over the applications for admin assistants” Sarah mentions; handing him a manilla folder full of resumes. “She can make the decision by herself” Toby remarks, opening his laptop to read the 114 emails sent during his time away. “How was the wedding?” Sarah finally asks, as he gives up on the emails and shuts his laptop again. “Long winded and boring” he answers, not giving any more information. The more he keeps to himself; the less questions are asked. “Ask him about the redhead?” Henry mocks, nudging Toby in the ribs and he lets out a sigh; ‘less questions unless you have Henry with you’ Toby mutters to himself. “Enough about her. We met; we kissed and had fun. Nothing more” he snarls, staring Henry down; to advise him to shut the hell up. They sat in silence for the remaining 10-minute trip to the building and Toby heads straight to his office on the 12th floor, where his father was waiting for him. Placing the resumes on his desk; he sits down to look at his father. “Can you believe Cameron Davison wants to pull out of the sale. Something about looking after the existing shops in Fortitude” Tobias starts. “We have been over this. I'm not going to throw away the hard work those shop owners have done for Fortitude; we are reallocating them. We will be giving all 73 shops the opportunity to work within the shopping mall. He isn't in any financial stability to be knocking our offer; he needs this to upgrade to a larger ranch” Toby informs his father. “That is true, son. We need to ensure we are doing what is best for his ranch. I have scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday. Play nice with him. Cuddle up to him to get the deal done” Tobias informs him. ‘A little over a week,’ Toby thinks to himself. He can work out a plan to ensure Cameron Davison comes to the table. “Is there anything else?” Toby asks him and his father pauses to look at him. “No. How was the wedding?” Tobias finally questions. “Normal and long. Too many people pissed off their faces” he frowns. Toby gave up alcohol towards the end of university; He's father thinks he is following in his footsteps. Tobias senior always said; ‘we need to keep our minds fresh, for any given moment.’ He struggled at first but it was the best decision he has made. Toby sees his friends slowly losing control with alcohol consumption and he has his wits about him. Toby pulls out the resumes and start scanning through them. “What's that, son?” Tobias asks. He pauses what he is doing. “Resumes for the new admin assistant” Toby tells him and proceeds to look through them again. “I figured after the last time; Miranda needs a little help in recruiting.” The last time Miranda got a new admin assistant; she found someone dumber than dog shit. Toby vowed she was not to hire any more. “I will leave you to it. Your mother wants you and Joyce around for dinner Sunday. No excuses” Tobias injects before leaving the office and shutting the door behind him. “Tell that to Joyce; she is off, galivanting to god knows where” Toby calls out after him and continues scanning the resumes. “Holy Fuck!” he screams, coming to the second last resume. Amanda's picture posted at the top of the page. Amanda Frost; Diploma in Administration from Bay's Beach Community College. “I think we have just found our new Administration Assistant” he smiles; picking up the office phone to call Miranda. “Hello” Miranda answers, after the second ring. “Miranda; I have just gone over the resumes. I have narrowed it down to one. Amanda Frost; when can we get her in for an interview?” Toby asks her. “Are you sure? I was planning on interviewing a few more. Those with experience” she sarcastically answers him. “Nope; we need her. I will leave it to you to schedule the interview” he remarks and hangs up the phone. ‘My first question will be; why did she leave me?’ Toby thinks to himself as Miranda calls him back. “Yes” he answers the ringing phone. “Mr Sommerville; I know you said you want Amanda Frost. I was looking through the resumes again and I think Belinda Spence is more suited for the job” Miranda comes through the headset. “Did I ask you what you thought? I told you; I want Amanda and you are going to bring her in for the interview” Toby yells at her. “But sir; this is an administration position. Amanda doesn't have the necessary experience. I believe Belinda will be better suited for the position” she argues and Toby pinches the bridge of my nose. He used to make fun of father doing this. But the more he worked as CEO; he understands why Tobias did what he did and he finds himself mimicking him more and more. “Fine; if you want to interview Belinda as well; so be it. But they will have to take a pay cut and share the salary. I will have Amanda, if you like it or not” Toby spits at her and hangs up the phone again, before it goes off, yet again. “What?” Toby screams as he sees Miranda’s extension flash on the phone again. “So, you are telling me; we can have both women working in admin?” Miranda asks him. Toby inhales a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Yes; I am willing to give you two administration assistants. I will sort it out with HR” he finally responds, calmly. “Please make the necessary interviews.” “Thank you, Mr Sommerville. We really need the help down here on the 4th floor” Miranda answers and hangs up the phone. Toby sits back in his chair and picks up the landline again, pushing the extension to Human Resources. “Mr Sommerville; what's up?” Fredrick says after the third ring. “I have Miranda interviewing for two administration assistants. I need you to do a package for both and how they can share the responsibility” he informs the Human Resource Officer. “Done; how was your vacation?” Fredrick asks. “I would hardly call, my third cousin's wedding a vacation. It was good to get away for a few days” Toby sighs. “If you need me for anything else; just call” Fredrick responds, before hanging up and Miranda sends through an email. Both interviews are in two days. Two long days, before he sees Amanda again. “I need to keep her out of my mind. It's clear the feelings were one sided” he whispers and opens his laptop to start on the mammoth job of answering the emails.