Tina slowly leans back in her chair as she listens to everyone throwing out a bunch of male A-list names…

***

After the meeting, Tina leaves the boardroom, her Louboutin heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor.

Dena follows her, clutching the straps of her backpack, her eager steps quickening to match Tina’s purposeful stride.

”Boss, that was amazing…” Dena says, her eyes bright with admiration.

Tina glances down at her phone. ”What are you talking about? Were we in the same meeting?” Her voice carries the lingering tension from the boardroom.

Dena smiles as they walk towards the elevators, her youthful enthusiasm undampened. ”Yeah… you were a badass…” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, nearly colliding with a potted Ficus in her determination to keep pace.

Tina chuckles, the sound both warm and weary. ”Yeah, that got a proverbial pat on the head and an A for effort…”

”Well, yeah…but you were right…nobody’s gonna wanna see that shit, at least nobody I know…” Dena says as they step onto the elevator, its mirrored walls reflecting their contrasting figures—Tina’s polished elegance against Deena’s eager ambition.

Dena smiles. ”So, about the open assistant position…”

Tina laughs and shakes her head as she presses her floor number, her manicured finger lingering momentarily on the button. ”There is no open assistant position…”

“Please, boss? I could really use the job, and this is like the first job I ever had where I was excited about coming to work…. you’re inspiring, and I think I could learn a lot from you….”

Tina glances at Dena, trying not to show her flattery. “You’ve challenged every task I’ve given you, young lady…”

Dena smiles sheepishly. “Maybe, but it wasn’t out of disrespect….”

Tina sighs. “Not everything needs to be challenged all the time, Dena. I don’t want to explain to you why I need things done a certain way every time I ask you to do something….”

“I understand….” Dena pauses and then continues. “But after what I just saw you do in that room, surely you’re not saying that just because things were always done a certain way doesn’t mean they can’t be changed or shouldn’t be challenged….”