Instead, I told him the truth.
“You probably shouldn’t.”
One eyebrow went up.
“But if you do,” I continued, “I promise I’ll learn.”
For the first time during the interview, he smiled.
It was barely a smile, but I noticed it.
“Monday morning. Eight o’clock,” he said.
That was how it started.
I entered the company as a nervous young employee who double-checked every email before sending it.
Over time, I learned.
Then I improved.
Then people began relying on me.
Eventually, I became Richard’s personal assistant.
My responsibilities grew far beyond answering calls or organizing appointments. I coordinated meetings, prepared documents, handled difficult clients, fixed scheduling disasters, and sometimes solved problems before Richard even knew they existed.
There were late nights.
There were weekends.
There were mornings when I came into work sick because an important meeting couldn’t be moved.
I don’t say that proudly now. Looking back, I understand that no job should consume your entire life.
