Читать книгу Coffee Break Confidential. Real-Life Tales from Assistants - Christina Maslova - Страница 3

Here we go. With my second book. There were a lot of positive feedbacks about my first book “Assistant’s Path in Russia: a Guide for the Profession”, which was published both in Russian and English, so I decided not to stop by ☺

I’m very proud and glad that the book was read by my colleagues all over the world, it is a great appreciation that I did something useful and helpful.

I thought that definitely can share another my thoughts and stories which can be funny, or probably not. Which can happen just in my country, or maybe somewhere else.

I decided to write about team buildings, office, gifts, add some simple notes, so about everything what I have faced during my career.

Now you hold in your hands the book “Coffee Break Confidential: Real-Life Tales from Assistants’.

I hope you will like it.

Don’t take it very seriously, take the coffee or tea and just enjoy the reading. I’m always saying that whatever you do in your life – you should enjoy and be happy ☺

But, before you start I want to share with you a very little story, which happened with one of my colleague and my dear friend. It’s not related to the job of assistant, but it’s related to the fact that when you decide to take the step and change something in your life, a lot of wonderful things begin to happen. And doesn’t matter if you decide to travel where you have never been, or you decide to change the job. I believe that when you sincerely want something – it comes to your life.

It was long ago and happened when we decided to visit our dear friend in Dominican Republic. Irene has moved there after she’s been married and a year ago we have finally visited her…

“The plane landed in Punta Cana.

– Lord, what a silence! – Valentina exclaimed, as soon as we descended the ladder.

– Maybe we should relocate here? – grunted Kate. Previously, the morning was always given to this young lady with difficulty. And then there’s the flight stretched in a few hours.

– Yes, you see what a beauty! – Valentina never ceased to squeal, not paying attention that people have already begun to turn around.

– Hey, I’m here – rang to their left. Turning the heads we saw Irene.

Hugs and exclamations took another ten minutes. Staying comfortable in a new minivan, we set off towards the city.

And the morning was really wonderful. The plane landed at six in the morning and the sky was still brightened by the predawn rays of the sun. Dominicana, one of the favourite places of divers. State, with a population of less than in any major city in the world.

Irene lived here for a little over a year.

• At first it was hard to get used to, – she said as we drove – Mostly because of the silence. At first, we hardly slept at all.

• Hey – Michelle interrupted her, – Aren’t we going to the hotel? I was here a year ago; I think we should have turned to the left?

• Oh, I forgot to tell you – slyly squinting, Irene paused – we have a house now, so you will live with us.

• That’s awesome! – Valentina squealed so that Kate jumped in her place, banging her head on the ceiling.

• Goddamn it… Val! – Rubbing her head with her hand, Kate looked as if she had been pushed after hibernation.

• Kate, dear, we will come soon and you can sleep – Irene smiled conciliating – We know how you hate to be dragged somewhere early in the morning, but this is a rest.

Fifteen minutes later, the car turned into an alley, on both sides of which, at a fairly decent distance from each other, stood at home. Turning to the third right, Irene turned off the engine. The fence was entwined with ivy, on the lawn in front of the house in a neat order are located flower beds. The house was a two-story, and judging by the appearance is quite spacious.

– There is a swimming pool in the backyard, – Irene said – Many here fill it with ocean water, but it’s too salty, so we use regular water. Some of you will have to live alone, the rooms are for two. Although, if you want, we can move the bed. Sam will come only in the evening, so you can start a permutation.

– Do not move anything. I have nothing against retirement. Eyes are closing. Show me the room, and I’ll go to sleep – Kate yawned.

We looked at each other, but said nothing. In the usual time, Kate was ready to light the day and night, but lack of sleep just knocked her out of a rut. And the cute pretty girl was turning into a bore. Showing her the room, Irene quietly closed the door behind her and went to help us to disassemble the luggage. Do not bother to undress completely, Kate pulled off her jeans and fell on the bed.

The evening promised to be wonderful. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was setting, the sky was not cloudy, and the wind only occasionally stirred the branches of trees. A small cafe is conveniently located off the coast, so that the sound of the ocean was heard.

We chose a table away from the speakers so that the music would not interfere with the conversation. Having ordered four portions of mojito and a huge, at all at once, portion of the Mediterranean salad, we unanimously clinked to make the holiday a success.

– Kate, what happened? Why don’t you drink? – Michelle asked, seeing as a friend froze with a glass in her hand – What …?

– Oh shit! – Michelle exclaimed, following the look of Kate. Michelle best of all us knew a young man coming our way.

– What the… damn yourself! – whispered Valentina.

– Interestingly, his wife is also here. Although, it is unlikely she would let him walk on the beach like that, Irene sarcastically remarked.

– Yes, the rest was a success, no doubt, – said Kate.

Max Harper in person. The first young man Kate, they met at the university. The novel stretched out for eight years with breaks. The finale of which was the marriage of Max completely on another girl.

– So, ladies. Do not forget that he is married and this is the page of my story, which is in the past. Give me a couple of minutes. He wouldn’t need any more – after drinking her glass in one gulp, Kate began to rise at the meeting of the former passion, but Max was ahead of her.

– Girls, good evening! – smiled the young man, and turning to Kate added – Did not expect to see you in the Dominican Republic, surprised and… delighted – Can I steal you from my girlfriends for a while? – He said, holding out Kate’s left hand, which has not a wedding ring.

– Okay, okay, so be it – Kate smiled, giving him her hand – It seems I have no choice.

“I’ll tell you what, girls, no matter how we play a wedding here,” said Michelle thoughtfully, when the couple moved a fair distance from their table. “It seems that this time everything is serious.”

“Then for Kate!” – exclaimed Irene.

– Agree! – raised her glass Valentine.

“And may love always find its way home!” – said Michelle.

I saw them walked along the ocean shore. A young man next to Kate clasped her hand tightly in his hand. They did not speak. For so many years of dating, the words were not needed. The surf was noisy, the sky was illuminated by the sunset rays of the sun. And, perhaps, indeed, this evening, after many years of wandering, love has found its way home”.

Is it worth to say that couple of months later we were celebrating another wedding. My friend Kate, being along already for several years, prior to this trip has lost the job and was sure that nothing great should happen in her life.

After our return, Kate became Mrs. Harper and found the new job. And now Max and Kate have two beautiful twins ☺

Do not take it as a too sweet story. I want to say that even if we think that nothing positive can happen, it will do.

And this is the principle. When you decide to change the job, when you decide to relocate, when you want to go where you have never been – just do it.

Taking the very little step – can be followed by something great. If you have read my first book, you remember – I wrote my first article in 2013. 6 years later – it is my second book. But without that first article, who knows if something could happen at all. My friend Kate didn’t want to go with us. She is afraid to fly.

Neither me, nor Kate haven’t seen the whole staircase ☺

And what about you?

Christina A. Maslova