"...so, I gotta meet with Dr. Cole next week before I register," I said.
"I still can't believe you're graduating with 150 credits," Nick said, shaking his head. "I should've taken more summer classes, too. That way, I could've taken the CPA exam with you."
"So you take the exam in August. What's the big deal?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
Nick opened the door, and we walked into D & D Accounting Firm. After completing our internships our junior year, D & D hired Nick and I part-time, each assisting an accountant. This is highly unusual, but it's safe to say that our future with the firm is in the bag.
"Chinese for lunch?"
I nodded me head yes. "Meet you in the lobby at one?"
"Sounds good. See you then." Nick gave me a quick kiss, and then made a left at the end of the hall. I pressed the up button for the elevator, my office being on the second floor.
"Morning, Mel," I greeted Sarah's, the accountant I'm assisting, secretary.
"Morning, Rebecca. You've got a busy day ahead of you."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"
"You and Sarah have a meeting with Mr. Pierera at one."
"One? Argh. I'm gonna have to call Nick and cancel lunch," I said.
"Ahh, you and Nick... It's been quite some time since we've had young love in the office," Mel said, smiling.
"Nick and I are just dating," I said, my manner snippish.
"So, who's the one that won't commit?"
"Me," I said, pouring myself a cup of coffee. "So," I changed the subject, "what does Mr. Pierera want to see Sarah and I for?"
Mel shook her head. "Beats me, but you can bet your next paycheck it's one of two things."
"Which are?"
"If the president of D & D wants to see you, you're either being promoted or fired."
I swallowed hard.
"Relax, Rebecca. I promise you, we're not going to be fired," Sarah assured me as we walked towards Mr. Pierera's office.
"Yeah, but Mel said..."
"Oh, Mel's just gettin' a kick out of scaring you. She doesn't know what this is all about."
"But you do, don't you?"
Sarah smiled sweetly. "Relax already, will you? You're gonna like what Mr. P. has to say." She approached the secretary. "Can you please tell Mr. Pierera that Ms. Spencer and Ms. Davis are here to see him?"
The secretary smiled. "Sure." She picked up the phone. Less than a minute later, she told us we could go into his office.
Upon entering the company president's office, I was surprised to see Dr. Cole, my advisor and Dean of UCLA's School of Business, inside.
"Hello, Dr. Cole."
"Rebecca, hello. How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Won't you please have a seat?" Mr. Pierera asked, indicating for Sarah and I to sit down. We did. "I'm gonna get right down to business," he said. "My old college roommate, Chris, is helping three clients of his open their own business. They need an accountant, so Chris called me. Sarah is the best one we have, so we're transferring her. Rebecca, I'd like you to go with her."
I was in shock, complete shock. My eyes were bugged and my chin was on the floor. "I... uh... I... uh... what about school?"
Mr. Pierera smiled. "That's all taken care of."
Dr. Cole jumped in on the conversation. "Considering the nature of this request and the amount of work you'll be doing, the school's going to give you 18 credits for you work, based on Ms. Spencer's monthly evaluations. You can think of it as your senior thesis, too."
I sat in shock. This was a dream come true. But a transfer? It was too much to swallow.
"Rebecca?" Dr. Cole's voice brought my thoughts back into the office.
"So, I can do 'this' instead of spending spring semester in a classroom?"
Mr. Pierera nodded. "It's a great opportunity, and Chris Sabec is a great guy."
"But you said you're transferring Sarah. To where?"
Mr. Pierera smiled. "Oklahoma. Tulsa, Oklahoma."