“No, what about it?” Matt asks, and I roll my eyes. I’ve heard this one before.
“Well, we have to put in new passwords,” Byron says. “Tom down the hall went in and decided that his new password would be Tomspenis. He puts it in, and you won’t believe what the computer told him.”
“What?” Matt asks, grinning.
“It said Try again. Tomspenis is not long enough.”
I try not to roll my eyes or to turn it around on them. Instead, I just gather up my stuff. “That’s my cue to get back to work,” I say. “Talk to you later.”
I leave the two to continue their weird bromance. Their relationship just confounds me.
I walk through the maze and around the corner to my cubicle, glad to have my own little space that I’ve personalized a little. My heels are muted against the tough industrial-grade carpet, and more than once, I’ve considered ditching them for flats, except that the company does have visitors who expect them. I open my computer and login to my desktop, getting ready for the day. Franklin Consolidated was one of the first companies to build this city, and despite being bought in a corporate takeover, it still has prestige. We’re in some of the top floors of our high-rise, and the view out the windows in the break room are breathtaking. Overall, despite it being corporate drudgery, I could be doing a lot worse. Besides dealing with Matt’s bullshit, this place isn’t that bad.
I’m not gonna let that dickhead get me down. I figure I’ll get another promotion soon and move out of this cube-farm and into the outer ring offices, and then I won’t have to deal with him. Really, I’m just nervous about this new Regional President. It’s been hush-hush about who he is, the corporation that bought Franklin Consolidated keeping things quiet. It’s like they want it to be some sort of national security top secret or something. That, combined with knowing I still have Jake’s wallet, is making me a big ball of butterflies.
There’s a commotion going around the room, and as my email loads, I see why. The new boss is going to be in soon and everybody is excited. Or maybe nervous is probably the better word.
“Hey, Roxy, you excited?” Hannah asks. She’s dressed to kill today, with a knee-length pencil skirt that shows off her toned legs and a blouse that is just a little tighter than normal. I guess she’s playing it up some, but she’s certainly got the right to.
“I think I’m holding up well,” I say, flashing an anxious smile. “Just hoping he’s not a huge pain in the ass,” I whisper.
Hannah shakes her head. “I’d be nervous too if I were tabbed to be his assistant. Well, that and worried that the cops could kick down the door any minute. Say, how do you think you’d look in an orange jumpsuit? I hear orange is the new black.”
I hold my scowl for all of two seconds before I can’t help but laugh. “I can’t be pissed with you,” I say, leaning back. Her jokes actually make me feel less anxious. I’d do the same if she were in my position. “By the way, if I’m going to jail, you’re going to jail too as an accomplice. Preferably to be cellies with some six-foot-tall girl named Missy who’s hungry for blondes.”
Hannah laughs. “Come on, that’s why we’re friends. We’re each other’s spirit animal. And I know if I get Missy as my cellie, you and I can alternate days on being her bitch.”
“We are, I agree. Except you’re more of a beast than an animal, and I’m not muff diving for you no matter who it is.”
Hannah laughs. “Glad to see you back to normal.”
“I have Jake’s wallet,” I say after a moment, sobering again. “It’s here in my purse.”
“I’ll go with you after work and we can turn it in at the club,” Hannah says. “I’ll be your backup just in case.”
“Thank you.”
Right then, we hear talking, so Hannah and I stand up to see Tom Powers, the CEO of Franklin Consolidated, at the head of the room. He’s a tall, distinguished man with white hair, dressed as always in his dark double-breasted suit. He’s totally old school, but in a grandfatherly sort of way. I heard that he’s taking retirement with the corporate takeover, and if so, I’m going to miss him around.
“Hello, everyone, if I can have your attention, please?” he says. “Come on up if you’d like, or if you can see just fine, your cubicles are okay. Anyway, I’d like to take a few minutes to thank you all. I know that the rumor mill has been running overtime for the past few months, and . . .”
I tune Tom out a little, thinking about the day. After this, I need to finish checking my emails, then there’s the report from the agribusiness division that I’ll need to get together for my new boss . . . I wonder if he’s nice? I wonder if he’s a he, or maybe a she?
I know who I’d like to be working under. The dirty part of my mind fills with a picture of Jake in his suit. He was so powerful, so decisive, but at the same time a gentleman. The way he commanded everything and everyone without being a braggart or a loudmouth oozed confidence and masculinity. And yeah, the way he kissed me . . .
“Shit,” I mutter to myself as I shake my head. I’ve missed most of what Tom’s said already. Focus, Roxy, focus!
“For over seventy years, Franklin Consolidated has stood as a pillar of this community, and while our corporate headquarters is obviously changing, I can assure you that we will continue to serve this city and its people . . .”
“Oh, my God,” Hannah whispers next to me. She jostles my elbow, and I glance at her just as Tom wraps up.
“My Franklin family, it’s with great regret to confirm that yes, after this month, I will be retiring. However, I am confident in the hands that I’m leaving Franklin in. Without further ado, I’d like to introduce the new Regional President . . . Jake Stone.”
“Is that . . .?” Hannah whispers as Jake steps up next to Tom. I turn white as a sheet and drop down quickly before he can see me, Hannah squatting down next to me. “Roxy?”
“I’m dead . . . I’m fucking dead,” I whisper, looking at Hannah, terrified. “What the hell am I supposed to do now? I almost slept with and killed my new boss!”
Jake
I stand before the window in my new office, looking out with my hands clasped behind my back. It’s just after lunch, and the whole city lies before me, sparkling in the sunlight. This is a far better view than what I had at my old office. I can see the entire city and even the mountains in the distance.
I feel powerful. Like the world is at my fingertips, and while I haven’t climbed the mountain yet, I’m getting there.
Even my office is better, a large, classical executive room with a polished oak desk and a large leather tufted chair. The shelves are lined with bookcases, and I’ve found it’s more than just the standard assortment of old law books or regulatory books, but there are all sorts of things. I’ve found leather-bound classics of fiction, biographies of great leaders, and more. This could rival a lot of small school libraries.
Franklin Consolidated really wanted my talents. I found out that they requested me specifically, so they rolled out the red carpet for me. My arrival has been well-received so far, but I’ve already noticed one problem.
I saw who was standing in the crowd. It was just a moment. I barely caught sight of that angelic face. I swear, I blinked and it was gone, and later on, I couldn’t find her when I walked the cubicle maze. But I know what I saw. She might be in my dreams, but I’m not imagining things.
I turn slightly when I hear the door open behind me, bringing me back to the tasks I have at hand. “Is there anything I can get you, Mr. Stone?” says Elena May, my new interim secretary, an elderly woman dressed in a crisp pantsuit. She used to work for Tom, and I gratefully accepted her services from him. “You told me to check in right after lunch.”
“Yes, Elena,” I say. “I need the report from the property management division, and the Jefferson agreement. Also, if you could get me a hot cup of coffee and something to snack on. I skipped lunch. I need something to get through the afternoon.”