Daniel Carter, I believe. Clare looked at his name for a second longer than necessary. I would like to meet him later. Richard raised an eyebrow. He is a maintenance technician.
Clare closed the folder. I know. Outside the conference room, Daniel had finally found his coffee. He took one sip, then nearly choked when Marcus whispered, "The boss asked about you." Daniel looked toward the elevator again. Marcus nodded.
Daniel stared at his coffee. This is going to be a long day. The next thing Daniel Carter expected was a repair request, not an invitation from the chief executive officer herself. Daniel, do you have a minute? Clare Bennett stood at the entrance to the maintenance area, holding a folder against her side.
Daniel looked at Marcus, then back at Clare. Did I break something? Clare smiled. Not that I know of. Marcus quietly returned to his computer, suddenly very interested in his screen.
Daniel wiped his hands and followed Clare toward a small conference room. The morning light poured through the windows, reflecting off the polished floors and making the office feel brighter than usual. Daniel still could not quite understand why she wanted to speak with him. He had been at the company for 6 years and people at her level rarely noticed him unless a door was stuck or an air conditioner stopped working. Clare closed the door but did not sit behind the table.
Instead, she leaned against the edge and looked at him with the same calm expression she had worn in the lobby. You seem uncomfortable, Daniel gave a quiet laugh. I am sitting across from my new chief executive officer after flirting with her before I knew who she was. Clare smiled. You keep saying that as if it were a crime.
It was unexpected. So was meeting you. Daniel looked at her carefully. Why did you ask me here? Clare opened the folder.
I wanted to understand your role. Maintenance technician. I know your title. She paused. I want to know what you actually do.
Daniel thought about it. Whatever needs fixing. That sounds simple. It usually is not. Clare smiled.
That is what I was hoping you would say. She asked him about the building, the equipment, recurring problems, and the areas where the company spent money without realizing it. Daniel answered without exaggerating his experience. He explained which systems were old, which repairs were delayed, and which contractors tended to miss small problems that later became expensive. Clare listened carefully.
You notice a lot. Daniel shrugged. When you work in a building long enough, you learn its habits. That sentence stayed with her. Then Daniel's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen and smiled. Clare noticed immediately. Your daughter? Yes. Lily wants to know if I remembered her school program.
Did you? Of course. He showed Clare the message. Lily had sent a picture of a colorful drawing with the words, "Do not forget me." Clare smiled. "She sounds wonderful." Daniels expression softened.
"She is" Clare looked down for a moment. "I never understood how difficult it must be to balance everything." Daniel answered gently. "You just make it work. That sounds familiar." He looked at her. "You have family?" Clare hesitated.