Chapter 5 - Kerr Industries

Kiara left the art gallery early and went to bed. She was still feeling flat when she woke up the next morning and wanted to stay in bed all day but she pulled herself together and jumped in the shower. Today was her first day at Kerr Industries.

"How may I help you?" said the woman at the front desk in an offensively cheerful voice. 

"Um, my name is Kiara, today is my first day here..." Kiara stammered. 

"Kiara! Yes, we have been expecting you. Please take a seat and I'll let Eric know that you're here." 

A couple of minutes later, Kiara saw a handsome blonde man walking towards her. The smell of his cologne sent shivers down her spine. She inhaled sharply before standing up to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you Kiara, I'm Eric. I'm so glad Laurie found someone for me so quickly. My PA just went on maternity leave last week and I hadn't gotten around to hiring a replacement. Come on, I'll take you to your desk." Kiara followed Eric down the hallway in a daze - working for Eric was going to be... distracting. 

"Here we are. This is your desk and I'm right in there. Annie normally runs the training for new staff but Laurie has specifically asked if he can show you around, so he'll be here any minute. I'm running late for a meeting right now but I'll come by and check on you soon."

Kiara's phone started to ring just as Eric began to walk away. She quickly went to mute the sound when she saw the name of the caller on the screen: Dario. The sight of his name made her blood boil and she made a mental note to delete his number from her phone later. She rejected the phone call only to see the following text messages on her screen:

Kiara stared blankly at her phone screen. She didn't know what Dario was talking about, she came straight home from the art gallery and went to bed. Was it possible Jasmine had done something to cost Dario his job? Kiara's mind was racing. She was anxious to make a good first impression at work and Dario's messages were throwing her off. 

"Kiara?"

Kiara snapped her head up and saw Laurie standing behind her. She quickly put her phone away and shoved the thought of Dario out of her mind. "Good morning Laurie." 

"Are you okay? Is something up?" 

"I'm fine," Kiara forced a smile. "So this is Kerr Industries huh? Not bad."

Laurie chuckled. "Come, I'll show you around."

Laurie led Kiara all around the office, explaining the different departments and functions of Kerr Industries and introducing her to a few partners who all shook her hand very vigorously. He pointed out where to find important documents and showed her how to use the company's filing system. He warned her about the company's internal politics and informed her about all of the important upcoming events. Kiara was overwhelmed. 

"If you have any questions, you can always ask me," Laurie grinned. "It's almost lunch time, do you want to - " 

"Kiara!" Eric called out, interrupting Laurie. "I hope you don't have lunch plans."

"Actually I was going to ask Kiara if she wants to - " 

Once again, Eric interrupted Laurie. "Laurie, your dad wants to see you in his office."

Laurie sighed. "Alright, I'll catch you later Kiara." He then nervously made his way to his father's office.

"Who the hell is this new girl working for Eric?" yelled Michael, Laurie's father and CEO of Kerr Industries. 

"She's a friend of mine..." Laurie stammered.

"Does she have any experience?"

"Yes she does, father... I mean, I think she does..." Laurie tried his best to look confident, but Michael could see straight through his son.

"I've spent my entire life building this company from the ground up and you seem to be ruining my legacy any chance you get. If she makes one mistake, it's on you. You got that? Now get out of my sight!" 

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