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"Good morning ma'am". Ceecee greeted as she walked into her boss' luxurious bedroom
"Ceecee have you kept my outfit for today?" Helen asked ignoring her greeting
"Yes ma'am" Ceecee said "Which shoes would you like to use with the dress ma'am"
"Really? Are you new here Cee?
"Oh no ma'am, I thought you might like something else" Ceecee said as she sauntered off to get a pair of shoes for her boss Helen.
Helen Williams was a self made billionaire who had built her empire from the scratch. At the age of 55 she had made an outstanding name and wealth with immeasurable influence for herself. Her glass building stood tall among many in the highbrow city of wealth. She was a legend in the business world and had built her multinational company as a young lady. But in all her pent house could feel a little lonely as she was all alone. Her kids were grown and had chosen their own paths in life while she and Mr Williams her husband, had grown apart.
Ceecee, her lady in waiting was the only person that filled the silence in her home with her occasional movements and scrambling. She has been Helen's personal assistant and confidant for almost a decade. She started working as her lady in waiting managing her personal needs at home doing tasks like organizing her wardrobe, choosing her outfits, reminding her of her appointments and more. After some time Ceecee became more than just a lady in waiting, she was her friend, sister, anchor or even her therapist. She would listen to her rant and offer advise even when no one wanted to be with her. Yes, Helen was that boss that many wanted to stay away from even some close relatives would rather not meet with her because of her habit of talking people down at people. Ceecee was not an exception in spite of how much help she rendered aside her paid job.
One fateful day in a sleek conference room, after a meeting with the board of directors where they discussed a new venture for the company, there sat a business mogul Jonathan Sika who had a reputation for being sharp and ruthless.
"Helen" he called, "you have everything, you have built this big company from ground up and you command both the mighty and lowly in your field, but in some way you are becoming too soft and this might affect your business decisions"
"How do you mean"? asked Helen
"Well some people around you have become liabilities, you allow them to become too familiar, take Ceecee for instance she knows too much about you, she can actually harm you if she wants to because you opened up too much about your life, issues, family and many other stuff that should not be told"
Helen looked at him long and hard, she held tightly to her seat and thought "He is right in a way, she has allowed Ceecee have so much access to her personal life and it was making her vulnerable even though she tried hard to remain her firm self. She needed to make hard decisions without sentiment but always sharing matters with Ceecee was making her soft.
"You need to let her go" Jonathan said "It's a price you have to pay for for leadership, don't let emotional connections cloud your judgement" he continued
I guess you are right" Helen said finally "I have to do it"
Helen walked into her pent house, she had been uneasy the whole ride home. She kept thinking and reassuring herself that it was the right thing to do. "I need a professional and personal assistant that fits my persona" she thought
The next day, Ceecee was summoned to her penthouse. She came in with warm smile without suspecting a thing.
"Hello ma'am" she said setting down a cup of tea "Is everything okay? You look a little pensive"
Helen looked out the window, her words felt like they were stuck in her throat
"Ceecee" she started with unsteady voice " I have been thinking about what's best for my company and I need to make some changes in my life"
Ceecee looked in confusion sensing something was wrong "I don't understand ma'am"
Helen turned to look at her her face hardened. "I have decided to let you go Ceecee"
"You what"? Ceecee blinked
It's a business decision Ceecee, I'm sorry. I have to take a step back from the personal attachment I have with you, it's best for both of us.
Ceecee was in shock but she quickly composed herself. She didn't beg for her job. She just nodded and said "I see"
She left that day with nothing but her dignity, leaving the quiet house behind
Months had passed and Helen's company thrived. All ventures taken proved successful but there was something missing in her life. Her penthouse was always so quiet now, it was not peaceful but depressing. Even her children sensed the mood change whenever visited. Helen became so lonely. No one was like Ceecee. The way she reminded her to get some rest when she overworked, the way she listened to her whenever she ranted about life and work, no one could fill that hollow.
Helen realized she had made a grave mistake by listening to Jonathan's cold advice. The new professional personal assistant she hired lacked Ceecee's warmth, intuition, efficiency and ability to anticipate her needs.
She made a decision to contact her and get her back. But it all proved futile. Ceecee had moved on. Helen wondered if she ever thought about her and the times they shared or times she spent putting her problems on her and how Ceecee handled everything with maturity.
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She looked out of her window deep in thought again. She had learned a lot about life, leadership, success, power but nothing prepared her for what she faced now. She felt helpless and empty. Ceecee had vanished from her life and it was all her fault.
In hindsight she thought, "I shouldn't have listened to Jonathan, I should never have let her go" she sighed
Yes she should never have let Ceecee go.