Sweet Love
Chapter 18: Reporting for Work at the Penn’s

The next morning, Macy wears her professional suit and prepares to report for work at the Penn's

Macy told Sunny to transfer all the money to the workers for their severance right after she received the money. In the meanwhile, the company has already been in the bankrupt state. All she needs to do is to cancel the company information.

The bankruptcy of the Downey's became a hit in the internet and countless media hurried to cover the story and therefore lots of articles about it were produced. Titles such as "The Downey's Finally Gave Up Struggling..." makes Macy feel headache. She left the news feed to avoid feeling annoyed.

She knows very clearly that the Downey's bankruptcy news is in trending at the moment and if she goes out and works today, it will give media more feed, but she can't wait no more because her family doesn't have enough savings. She can't wait until the savings runs out.

After everything is ready, she makes her mum a breakfast before she leaves. She sets off after she left a note.

The receptionist at the Penn's calls upon knowing her intention of visiting is to report for work. Very soon, a lady around 30 comes over and leads Macy to upstairs.

"I'm the manager of the HR department, Rene Rowe. Just call me Rene. I will lead you to leave information for the contract and walk you through your basic routine." "Thank you, Rene."

Macy is such a sweet girl. Rene and Macy naturally start their conversation in the elevator and they hit it off very quickly.

"Rene, I want to know my position?"

"It is directly decided by the managerial board. You will be the secretary of Mr. Penn. Your responsibilities are conference and daily routine scheduling as well as business reception. When it's necessary, you have to join the business trip with Mr. Penn. You need to be sharp and smart so that you can cope with any emergencies. At times, you have to take care of Mr. Penn's life as well..."

As Rene keeps on saying the long list of responsibilities, Macy marks down and questions, "Join the business trip with Mr. Penn", "Responsible for Mr. Penn's daily life", these requirements sound a bit... Rene can tell that Macy has been lost in her thoughts slightly, she pauses her steps, "Take it easy. With so much to do, Mr. Penn doesn't only hire one secretary. Different secretaries will be in charge of different tasks and you only have to follow the orders by then."

Macy nods, "Thanks for your advice Rene. I'm a newbie here so I may have a lot of questions. I hope you won't be annoyed by me."

Rene is very easy-going. She waves her hands and says, "It's not a problem. Everyone has to be a newbie sometime. As long as you are willing to learn afterwards, it's all right."

Macy nods again and keeps on following Rene.

She thought the employees in the Penn's would be difficult to get on with but actually they aren't. She secretly relieves and settles all the documents and processes of enrollment under Rene's guidance at the HR department.

After signing the contract, Rene introduces Macy the key departments of the Penn's. Macy asks whenever she has questions. Rene answers them all patiently.

"The Documentary Room is ahead. All the documents you have processed must be backed up in this room and please be very careful about the files so as to avoid letting out the business secrets. All the nullified documents have to be shredded immediately..."

Macy is so concentrated on the reminder that Rene is telling her that she doesn't notice what is happening in front of her.

Eliot Penn is at a fast pace and several men who seem to be his colleagues are following him. They are discussing on their way. Eliot unconsciously has a glimpse on the side and sees a familiar person. His eyes fix for a while.

Macy Downey? What is she doing here?

But when Eliot sees Rene, he gets it in a second. Then he bursts into anger and takes a step forward. He grabs the wrist of Macy. "Macy Downey, what are you doing?"

Being dragged by the other person so suddenly, Macy turns over a sees Eliot Penn. His furiousness is obviously shown on his face. Macy frowns and gets rid of Eliot with great effort. She then takes two steps back, and says coldly, “Mr. Penn. Please respect yourself!"

Eliot's anger is burning so hard that the vessels of his eyes pop out. "Respect myrself? This is what I should tell you! The Downey's has just announced its bankruptcy yesterday. Isn't it losing face for you to work at the Penn's the next day?"

Eliot is just being direct and he just doesn't have the mind to care what other people around think. Except for Rene and his colleagues, other employees look at them curiously while passing by. Rene explains immediately before Macy can defend herself, "Mr. Penn, Macy has already signed the contract with the Penn's and she is now our official employee. It's normal for her to come to work." "Did I allow you to speak?" Eliot can't hear anything and yells at Rene. He then looks at Macy, "Macy Downey, you must know very well that how you get this job. We were even together before! I didn't know that you are so shameless before!"

Macy bites her lower lip and doesn't say a word. She has made a lot of expectation before she came to work today that she would face a lot of doubts and questioning. But when Eliot is scolding her in such a way in front of many people, she feels like she was slapped in public. She feels her cheeks burning.

She takes a deep breath and looks at Eliot, and pretends to be calm, "Mr. Penn, if you have finished, I am going to work."

"You..."

Macy doesn't wait for Eliot to react but looks at Rene, "Rene, let's go."

After she finishes, she directly walks ahead.

Eliot looks at the back of this unyielding lady. His anger is unstoppable. He certainly underestimated this woman! He also didn't expect Yusef to be so obedient to a woman and he even let her to work at his company!

He looks at those workers who are gossiping angrily, "What are you looking at! Go to work!"

The workers scatter immediately and some are in pairs gossiping when they leave.

Macy and Rene have walked for a long distance and neither of them talks. At last Macy takes a deep breath and looks at Rene. She talks softly, "Rene, I'm sorry about what happened just now." While she is speaking, she bows for Rene.

Rene is a bit shocked. She has known the news about what happened to the Downeys. Such a high-born lady as Macy didn't feel angry for the humiliation like that, but apologized to her. It's really beyond her expectation.

Rene reaches her hand out immediately and holds Macy. "Don't be bothered by it. Mr. Penn frequently yells at people in the office."

Macy understands that Rene said these to defend her dignity. She feels it so heart-warming that she smiles at Rene.

After Macy has been shown to every parts of the office, Rene leads her directly to the 22nd floor, where the CEO Office is located, and also the Secretary Department and the Great Conference Room. Macy has her own office being Mr. Penn's close secretary. It's not sizable but near the CEO's Office, so it's very convenient.

After showing Macy her office, it means that Rene's task is finished, "Miss Downey, I have shown you around. You just need to report your arrival at the CEO's Office later."

"OK. Thank you, Rene."

Rene waves her hands smiling and then leaves.

Macy tidies herself up a little bit in the office and goes to the CEO's Office. She knocks on the door three times and pushes the door after hearing Yusef's permission.

Yusef is sitting in front of his desk in a light blue shirt, which diminishes the solemnity of him and it also makes a great contrast with his deep silhouette.

He looks up and notices that it's Macy. He asks lightly, "Have you understood the work flow?"

"Yes, Mr. Penn." Macy replies formally, as if she is in the secretary mode.

Yusef raises his eyebrow, "Come here."

Macy walks over and stops in front of the desk to wait for his further order.

Yusef lifts his chin and looks at the position next to him, "Come here."‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒