When they finally made it into the assistants' office, Ian closed the door behind him and sat down on the couch.
"Mr. Reyes would like the two of you to learn the ropes of every department and every company under the Reyes Group." Marco announced.
"Okay, that makes sense." Ian said with a nod.
"You don't understand." Marco told them, shaking his head. "This isn't some one week internship with each company and each department. This is a long term one."
"What do you mean by a long term one?" Ian asked with a raised eyebrow. "In all honesty I have no complaints, it's fine with me."
"Well, basically you'll be going around the different companies for two to three years." Marco said with a serious look on his face. "On top of that you will be helping me here when I need an extra set of hands for work. Both of you will also be present for important occasions to meet important people."
Ian and Camilla were silent, it wasn't like they could refuse. Both of them had signed a contract tying them to whatever training the Reyes Group deemed necessary for them to prepare for their roles in the future.
"We don't exactly have a choice." Camilla pointed out, breaking the silence.
"We want to hear your opinion." Marco said as he got up and made coffee. "Want some?" Marco asked as he pointed at the machine.
"I'm fine." Ian said, refusing Marco's offer. "Camilla?" He asked as he turned to the woman next to him.
"I'll have some." Camilla said as she stood up and walked to the coffee machine to prepare her own.
"We?" Ian asked as he realized what Marco had just said.
Marco nodded as he taught Camilla how to use the machine in his office.
"The reason why we want you to do this is so that you could learn how the company works." Marco said as he walked back to the couch and sat down. "The Reyes Group is large and complex. You will be working with everyone and it would be best if you were at least familiar with all the parts."
"If it's the best way to train us, why are you still asking for our opinion?" Camilla asked in a flat tone as she added sugar to her coffee.
"We still want to hear your opinion." Marco explained. "This route is the best, but it is not the easiest. People may or may not know who you are. So we cannot guarantee if you will be treated respectfully."
"Of course I will do what you are asking." Ian said with a nod. He had nothing to lose, this job was now everything to him. It was his ticket to finally moving on from his past and moving forward to a better tomorrow for him and his family.
"And you? Camilla?" Marco asked as he looked at the young lady who had just sat back down.
"I don't have anything better to do." She said with a laugh as she blew on the hot liquid in her mug. "It's part of what is required for me to do my job, I don't see what's wrong with it." she finally said.
"Good, good." Marco said with a nod. "Mr. Reyes will explain things to both of you in a bit. He is just in the other room, speaking with someone."
As if on cue, the intercom at the center of the room buzzed and the CEO's voice came through.
"Marco, please escort my guests to the elevator, then I'll speak with you, Ian, and Camilla." Mr. Reyes ordered in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir." Marco replied diligently as he got up and stepped out of the room.
"Why does Marco make it sound like going around to different departments and different companies will be a bad thing?" Camilla asked Ian as she turned and looked at him.
"I have no idea." Ian said, shaking his head. "I don't think either of us would have an issue working in lower positions, unless you do?"
"No! Of course not!" Camilla said in a defensive tone. "I can work anywhere."
The door to the office suddenly swung open, making
"Okay, come on guys." Marco said as he waved at them to step out of the office.
Ian and Camila both took a deep breath as they stood up and followed the older assistant into the CEOs office.