Page 13 of Power Move

Mom nodded. “He might join you. He’s bored.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” I said.

A ride around the woods might do everyone good. I had a few weeks before I started my new job at a downtown Chicago firm. I had such a chaotic breakup and move that I promised myself a slow ease into this. Life was better from the back of a horse, so I had to get out more.

PART II

THE NEW-ISH GIRL

5.FIRST DAY JITTERS

Eva

I arrivedat Millennium Station early enough to grab coffee and food. Taking the L north, I observed my fellow commuters. It was different than taking the Tube, but hey! There wasair conditioning!I took a deep breath before stepping into the staff entrance of Delphine Holdings LLC. When I’d done a quick walkthrough with some introductions last week, my future bosses showed me the ropes. A security guard handed me an official badge, granting access to the leftmost elevators.

Delphine’s was a Chicago retail giant—among the first to hit the market in the late 1800s. When others like Marshall Field’s fell, it lived on. As such, the store’s massive footprint remained. The building behind it was now the official HQ of Delphine Holdings, purchased sometime in the 1960s for a song. I didn’t know this place existed until Daphne Delphine herself gave me a tour.

An assistant greeted me. “Miss Pavlak, I can take you to your office if you’d like.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I’m excited.”

“We’re happy to have you. Miss Ngyuen has taken a call but will be with you in a bit. She’s very excited to meet you.”

Claire Nguyen was the company’s first female Chief Information Security Officer and my boss. Well, one of them. My reporting line was a little confusing. I answered to Claire and Daphne. Either way, they worked closely, and I was excited to begin. As Business Information Security Officer—known mainly as the BISO—my job was to bridge a gap between Claire’s role as CISO and Daphne for the rest of the organization. I was there to translate technology speak from one side and business buzzwords from the other.

I settled into my office with a nice view of the street. It wasn’t the grand Michigan Ave view that I was sure Daphne and her ilk had from their offices. I wasn’tthatbig, but it was still the nicest office I ever had. It was airy, light, and a pretty watercolor decorated the big wall. I even had a nice hutch for books and photos. I admired as Daphne arrived, groaning.

“Sorry, one moment,” she grimaced, pressing against the doorjamb, her face relaxing. “Sorry. That’s embarrassing. I had a human treating my cervix like a drum. How are you?”

Daphne washeavilypregnant—due in September. She served as retail division president. She was the late CEO’s daughter and my former mentor. I matched with her in my time as a soon-to-be Oxford grad. I studied law and computer science there. Because she worked in corporate law, she took me under her wing more than anyone needed. We always kept in touch. After deciding to create a position she felt I was perfect for, the offer came.

The timing was bad. I was amid fertility treatments and couldn’t accept the job. When that person didn’t work out, I was first on her list to call. And given I needed a job in the U.S., it was perfect. Even though I felt like a pretender, I took the biggest opportunity of my life and moved away.

“I’m good, thanks,” I answered. “The office is great. The staff have been so kind. I’m excited to hit the ground running.”

“Great. I have a round robin planned with the execs. I sawyour lunch was blocked off. Is that a daily thing to expect? Not that I ask because I care… just so I know.”

“Just today,” I answered. “I had a doctor’s appointment I had to reschedule.”

“Oh, are you okay?” Daphne asked, downright maternal.

“I’m good. Just establishing care with a new practice now that I’m back and have health insurance,” I answered.

“Nice thing, that,” Daphne checked the clock behind me. “Shit, I have a meeting with Devon in HR in ten to discuss benefits. You’re first up with my brother.”

“Oh, really?” I asked. “The CEO?”

“Yeah,” Daphne snickered. “He’s a puppy dog. Just me—but taller and more handsome. Promise. Of the two of us you’d want to anger, it’s him. Tears work. I am going to stop talking like your friend now.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. I am glad to be here.”

“We are so pleased you accepted our offer. If there is anything I can do, just reach out. I want this to be a good post for you. You deserve that. I’ll have them send you in when David is ready for you.”

She stepped away as I sat in my comfy leather executive chair. I was doing okay. This would be a good summer.

Davey

“Your nine AM is our new BISO, David,” Daphne’s voice rang.