That evening, Alexander taught Evie how to sort her tasks and plan her time efficiently.
“What about unexpected jobs?” Evie asked.
“First, check who assigned it,” Alexander replied. “If it’s from Amy Harper, since you work directly with her, put it at the top of your priority list. If it’s urgent, handle it immediately. If not, fit it into your schedule. If another secretary assigns work, prioritize it too, but tell them when you can finish it. Ask if that works for them. If not, they can handle it themselves.”
Evie nodded and wrote everything down.
“Unexpected tasks are rare,” Alexander added. “You can plan most work ahead. That way, you get more done in less time.”
“I’ll learn to manage my time better,” Evie said seriously.
“There’s one more lesson,” Alexander said, putting down his pen and leaning back. “We’ll cover it tomorrow.”
“Another lesson?” Evie stared at him. “We’ve covered so much tonight. Isn’t that enough?”
“What I taught you tonight works in an ideal setting,” Alexander explained. “But reality throws curveballs. You also need to consider workplace ethics.”
“Workplace ethics?”
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” Alexander said, rubbing his temples.
“Okay, honey. You worked hard. Thank you. I’ll get you some warm milk,” Evie said sweetly. She got up and went downstairs to heat a glass of milk for him.
Alexander shook his head, amused.
Honestly, he wished Evie would just stay home and be a good wife. She wouldn’t have to work so hard.
But this silly girl was determined. She wanted a job. So he had to find time to teach her. He wanted her to feel comfortable at the company.
It would take a while for her to fully understand everything and apply it at work.
Well, at least she was happy.
While Alexander drank his milk, Evie cleaned up and got ready for bed.
She felt like she had learned so much tonight. She was too excited to feel sleepy.
“Honey, if I keep learning at this pace, do you think I have a chance to sign a contract with the company?” Evie asked excitedly before bed.
“Don’t ask me that,” Alexander said. “I don’t handle hiring.”
“Oh, right. I’ll ask the HR department,” Evie muttered.
She only knew Natalie Foster from HR. She wasn’t close with anyone else there.
Besides, if she asked, they might not even answer.
And she had only been an intern for two months. It felt too soon to ask that question.
Forget it. She would just practice hard and work hard. She’d let everything else sort itself out.
The next morning, Evie arrived at the office early. She sat down at her desk, turned on her computer, and grabbed her to-do folder. She started sorting her tasks the way Alexander had taught her.
Before, she just worked through her list from top to bottom. Plus, she always got hit with unexpected tasks. She felt constantly interrupted and busy, but she never actually finished anything.
Evie was in the middle of her work when her phone rang.
Still focused on her task, she fumbled for her phone in her bag and answered.
“Evie, I’m here!” Charlotte’s excited voice came through the phone.
“Where?” Evie asked, confused.
“Don’t tell me you forgot our plan from yesterday!” Charlotte said, annoyed.
“Huh? No, I remember!” Evie snapped back to reality and laughed.
“That’s better. I’m already downstairs at your company. Come meet me.”
“Sit in the lobby for a bit. Wait for me. Give me ten minutes. No, five minutes,” Evie said quickly.
“You’re so busy. Fine.”
“See you soon,” Evie said, hanging up. She finished the task she was working on.
Then she got up and asked Amy Harper for permission. “Secretary Harper, my friend came to see me. Can I go downstairs and tell her something first?”
“Go ahead,” Amy replied with a smile.
“Thank you, Secretary Harper.” Evie thanked her and left the secretarial office. She walked toward the elevator.
She took the elevator down. Just as she stepped out, the doors of the private elevator slid open. Alexander and Grace Miller stepped out.
Evie saw Alexander and almost instinctively flashed a sweet smile.
Alexander walked over. As he passed her, he whispered, “You look silly when you smile like that.”
Evie was stunned for a moment. Then she came to her senses and asked, “Are you going public?”
“Going private?”
“A date.”
“Yeah,” Alexander nodded.
Evie turned her head and stared at him. Then she heard him remind her, “Your friend is right in front of you.”
Evie snapped back to reality. She turned her head and saw Charlotte, dressed in hip-hop style.
She got so excited she forgot about Alexander. She ran straight over.
“Charlie, you’re finally back!”
“Miss me?” Charlotte said triumphantly.
“I missed you so much!” Evie hugged Charlotte and laughed.
“Just miss me, don’t miss me to death. I don’t have a wallet,” Charlotte rolled her eyes.
Evie burst out laughing.
Then she heard Charlotte greet Alexander politely. “Hello, Brother Alexander.”
“Hello, long time no see,” Alexander said with a smile. “Here to see your friend?”
“Yeah, Evie is interning at your company. I came to find her as soon as I got back,” Charlotte replied with a smile.
“Come visit your cousin when you have time,” Alexander nodded.
“Okay! Thank you, Brother Alexander. I won’t disturb you. Bye!” Charlotte replied.
“Goodbye,” Alexander answered. He glanced at Evie as if nothing had happened. Then he walked out of the lobby with Grace.
Charlotte pulled Evie to the reception area. She said excitedly, “I haven’t seen Brother Alexander in a year. He’s even more handsome than before. How did Evie grow up?”
Evie was speechless.
Can you use “grow up” to describe how someone changes?
“Your cousin looks good too,” Evie responded awkwardly.
“Yeah, but they’re totally different types! Honestly, I used to suspect they were a couple.”
“Huh?” Evie stared at Charlotte in shock.
“My cousin still doesn’t have a girlfriend. You’d think his standards are too high. Or maybe his personality is too bad. He’s always with Brother Alexander. Both of them are so handsome. One is tough, one is soft. One is the top, one is the bottom. Perfect!” Charlotte rambled on.