"They are here. Just got off the elevator." He announces.
The entire group gets up and crowds the door. I am half expecting the President of the United States to walk in the way everyone is acting. I decide to remain seated knowing I am not needed to shake hands. There are a lot of "welcome" and "glad you could be here" being thrown about. The crowd shifts and breaks up. I go about making myself busy shuffling papers Mr. Mitchell brought and double checking the laptop.
"Glad to be here. We are excited to see what you have planned for us."
My heart drops and skids across the floor at the sound of the voice. I start to break out into a sweat and notice my hands are shaking. My gaze travels up to meet a pair of cool blue eyes staring at me. Mr. Payne.
"Morgana!"
I see Jacob Mimir's face light up with a huge grin. He pushes through the crowd to me. I stand and wipe my hands on my skirt to hold out my hand. Suddenly, I am being crushed by his famous bear hug.
"You are like family, Morgana. None of this shaking hands business. I need a hug."
I can feel my bun becoming loose and my glasses getting smashed. When he finally lets go another person grabs me and surrounds me with their arms. His assistant Kara has me captive. I pull away and smile while trying to straighten my face.
"Oh Morgana, it hasn't been the same since you left."
I give a timid smirk figuring they already know the reason for my departure from the company. Kara, a petite brunette with the grip of a linebacker, yanks me to the back of the room and away from everyone.
"I am sorry you left, Morgana. Did Mr. Payne finally drive you away with his ranting?"
Kara's hushed tone and concerned expression causes me to gasp. She doesn't know? I thought for sure Mr. Mimir would have told her something. Perhaps he felt it necessary to keep it secret. That makes sense. Don't want to ruin Mr. Payne's career. Yeah, I thought that too. Look what it got me, an OCD boss who isn't confident in my abilities to get a person coffee.
"Something like that. Anyway, Kara, it's good to see you. How are John and Evaleen?"
I haven't talked to Evaleen, though Aria has. She wants us to have the SWIM meets but I think it's weird seeing she is the one that fired me.
Kara informs me of all the gossip since I left as we walk back to the conference table and everyone takes their seat. Mr. Payne is sitting directly across from me. Of course.
Just to his right is a young and stunning redhead. She keeps smiling up at him and I realize this is his new assistant. Has a thing for redheads does he?
My heart won't stop trying to crack open my rib cage to leap out of my chest.
"Well, she looks pretty but she can't be half as proficient as you, Morgana." My Brain chooses right now to give me her assessment of the new assistant.
"Thank you, Brain, but I just want to move forward, not focus on Mr. Payne or my past in any way." Brain nods at me and gives me squiggly thumbs up.
"Very wise, Morgana, I concur. If you need me I am here." I nod and try to look busy.
Brain and I made up about a week after I was fired. I think she just felt sorry for me and perhaps a little panicked as I didn't have a job. She knew she was needed to get a paycheck.
"Where is Jennifer with the coffee? Ms. Drake, you will have to rectify this." Mr. Mitchell whispers in my ear.
Sighing, I get up and make my way to the kitchen. There is a cart with all the coffee, tea and assorted beverages but no Jennifer. I grab it and wheel it into the conference room which is now dark for the slide show Mr. Mitchell is presenting. I have to say he may be anti-social but when he gives a presentation he seems to command the room.
I went about like an airline stewardess taking requests and filling them with liquid refreshments as quietly as possible. As I approach Mr. Payne and his new assistant they are having a conversation.
"Ms. Herald, I need those Denton files. I can't find them where you said they would be." Mr. Payne's irritated whisper voice is talking to her.
Mr. Payne jabs at the computer screen while she frantically clicks at the mouse. She seems like a deer caught in headlights and I can't help but feel sorry for her. She isn't used to Mr. Payne's moods yet. I tap Mr. Payne on the shoulder and clear my throat. He looks up and for a brief second a warm smile flashes before it is masked with his usual glare
"Yes, Ms. Drake?"
"May I, Mr. Payne?" I point to the computer and he nods. Leaning over I click a few times and up pops the Denton file.
"Is this what you were looking for?" I straighten looking down at him.
He glances at the computer and back at me.
"Yes, Ms. Drake. Helpful as always." He smirks as his eyes dip to my chest and then back up.
Suddenly, I feel a hand crawling up my skirt and squeeze my thigh.