Taming the Boss

Chapter 3

Kris dropped her keys on the table just inside her apartment and stopped to listen. All was quiet, which meant Mandy wasn’t home. Good, she needed a minute to gather her thoughts. Dinner had started off strangled and stiff and for the first few minutes, Kris had thought to get her burger done and get the hell out. Then, something had happened to Alexi, she’d relaxed, as long as they talked about Kris, her family, her life, and work, she was relaxed. Kris had tried to ask one or two questions about Alexi’s life but then she’d shut down. So, she’d dropped it and they’d enjoyed the rest of their dinner. She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and walked to the small living room, where she kicked off her shoes and plopped down on the couch.

What was it about Alexi that drew her so damned much? The woman was rude, a bit cold, and very stiff, and if she listened to the others a difficult boss. But then, no one really complained, they did their jobs and helped each other out when they were running behind, so they wouldn't get in s**t. And when they’d gone out to the bar, all of them were pretty clear they didn’t want to be anywhere else. The collective wish though, was that Alexi would lighten up a little and mingle. Kris laughed a little. That would not happen, Alexi was too private, to set in her ways. And even though she’d gone to dinner with Kris, Kris knew she’d caught her at a weak moment, and that it would not happen again. Alexi had said as much when Kris had dropped her at her car. She grinned now, they’d see. She figured the woman could use someone to talk to, as far as she knew and from what she gathered from the others, Alexi had no real friends. Business associates, yes, but not friends. And from her conversation with her mom, Kris had overheard, that relationship was strained too. She picked up her phone to text Alexi when it rang in her hand. Kris smiled and rolled her eyes as she answered.

“Hey, sis,” Kris said and laid back against the couch. They spoke once a week to catch up and took turns visiting over weekends. Since their parents died in a car accident when they were kids, they’d gotten closer and kept in contact as much as possible. It was her weekend to go up to the ranch to see them.

“Hey yourself, kiddo,” Joss spoke away from the phone for a second then was back in Kris’s ear. “Sorry, the kids are setting up a tent and Mark has decided that he needs to finish his game first, so chaos.”

“Leave Mark alone, he works hard, the kids know how to set up the tent, I showed them.”

“Yes, you showed them how to put it up, but not how to put it away,” Joss said, mock anger in her tone. “Anyway, how was your day?” They spoke for an hour, catching up on each other’s day, Joss telling her all about the twin’s school projects and how things were on the ranch. She loved how happy her sister was, she’d been with an asshole before Mark, and Kris liked Mark. He loved the twins like they were his own. And treated her sister as the most precious thing in his life.  “Is Amanda coming with you again this weekend?” Joss asked when they were finishing up.

“No, she has a gallery showing, she’s finally got the nerve together to put some of her stuff up.”

“And you’re coming here? You should be there.”

“She understands, it’s okay,” Kris said. “And she’s told me I’m not welcome, she’s too nervous. I am only allowed inside Monday after she’s shown the world.” Kris laughed. “She’s a wreck, but Toni is here, and she won’t allow herself to be sidelined.”

“Well, if, you’re sure. We would understand if you had to stay.”

“Thanks, sis, I know.”  They wound up the call just as the door opened and Toni and Amanda walked in. “Gotta go, I love you, see you Friday.” She hung up and grinned up at the two women who stood watching her.

“I’d ask if you had a secret lover, but we both know that’s a joke. Joss?”

“Yes, and ouch. Hey Toni.”

“Hey, want some wine?”

“No thanks, I’m off to bed, it’s been a long day. But thanks. Am I still banned this weekend?”

“Yes, go see your sister and the kids.”

“She won’t mind me skipping one weekend to support you,” Kris said and stood, she picked up her shoes. “And I’d like to support you.”

“Please don’t, I’m already nervous as hell, and this one won’t let me kick her out. Go.” Amanda threw herself onto the couch and stared up at them. “The masses must judge first.”

“You’re great and you know it,” Toni said as she walked in with two glasses of wine. “We’ve seen your work, remember.”

“Yes, but not on this scale.” She leaned over and tried to grab her phone. “I should call Dave, cancel.” Toni grabbed her phone and threw it to Kris, who caught it and placed it on the bookcase.

“Give me that!” Mandy grumbled. “You two have no heart.”

“We love you with our cold, cold hearts,” Kris said. “You’ll be great, and I’m first in line Monday to see it.” She turned to leave then turned back. “Alexi Roan, you said her mother was some famous person?” Kris asked. Her curiosity getting the better of her, she could Google, she knew, but Mandy was better than Google.

“Yes, Magdalene Roan, the actress, she owns that fancy golf club uptown, the huge one.”

“Oh,” Kris said and turned.

“Why do you ask?” Mandy asked.

“Just curious, they don’t seem close.”

“No, not at all, Alexi came out as a lesbian in one of her interviews with a magazine and her mother nearly had a fit, or that’s the word, there was word that she wanted Alexi to retract the statement and she’s been setting her up with men, in public. But as far as I know, Alexi stuck to her guns.”

“Yeah, she told me her mother wanted to set her up tonight.”

“She told you?”

“Don’t Mandy.” Kris started backing out of the living room, Mandy’s tone telling her she’d said too much. “Good night you two, I’ll see you before I leave.” She waved and fled the room. She heard Mandy’s soft laughter following her. She shouldn’t have said anything.

“Can you come to my office?” The question was terse and short in Kris’s ear the next morning. Alexi was angry, that much was clear.

“I’m on my way,” Kris said and closed the program she’d been running. Alexi hadn’t been in that morning when she’d gotten on the elevator. She’d known the moment she’d looked up at the camera. Now, as she rode one floor up, she looked up and smiled, she knew Alexi was looking back this time. When the door opened, she hid her surprise at finding two other women in the room. The pristinely dressed women made her want to smooth down her wrinkled button-up shirt. She met their eyes briefly then focussed on Alexi. “What’s wrong?”

“You let your employees speak to you like that?” The woman, who looked like an older version of Alexi asked. “She’s not dressed appropriately for work. A pair of jeans is not appropriate work attire young lady.” She directed the last bit at Kris.

Kris ignored her, she’d learned to deal with people’s judgment of her a long time ago. “Miss Roan, what can I help with?” She kept her eyes on Alexi, who didn’t look angry but distressed, tightly wound. Without thinking she walked past the two women and leaned a hip on Alexi’s desk.

Alexi’s eyebrows shot up, but she didn’t say anything. “I sent this email out this morning, but it keeps coming back, I’ve checked the address, confirmed it, I also asked for another address, but that one comes back too.”

“Okay, let me have a look.” She stood, and waited for Alexi to vacate her chair, then sat.

“Mother, could we continue this later?”

“No, we can’t, since you don’t want to have lunch with us, we need to discuss this now.”

“I don’t have time now, and I already have lunch plans, with a client, I can’t just drop that to have a discussion about catering.”

“It’s your party, you could at least fain interest in the food.” The haughty tone had Kris stifling a scoff. “But we can wait until she’s done. We don’t need to discuss private business in front of your employee.”

“I told you, I don’t want a bloody party.”

“Well you’re getting one, it’s exposure for the club and maybe you can meet a nice man there.”

“I thought you were gay?” Kris asked, her question was met with silence. And she ducked her head and went back to work. “Sorry.” She mumbled.

“I will not, ever, be marrying a man. I will not be having a party, and if you throw one, I won’t go.” Alexi said.

“You will not embarrass me that way!” Magdalene said angrily.

“Throw this party, and you will see.” Kris kept her head down, she’d seen Alexi angry, heard her anger when someone had messed up, but this anger was from deep inside Alexi. “I will not be pushed around for your convenience anymore, I’m sorry mother, but enough.”

Magdalene gestured to the other woman who stood quietly at her side. “The party starts at four tomorrow afternoon, be there.” She strode out without another word. The other woman trailing after her.

Kris jumped when Alexi swore loudly behind. “Uh, want me to go?”

“No.” Alexi glared at her. “Fix that.” She pointed to the computer. “Do your job.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Kris ducked her head, and when the problem was fixed stood. “Done.” She shrugged and started toward the elevator when there was no reply. Then turned. “Are you okay?”

“That’s none of your business,” Alexi said shortly and went to work.

Kris shook her head and pressed the button for the elevator. She got on, then watched as the doors closed on the woman behind the desk. There was no anger now, just sadness. It made Kris’s heartache to leave her. But that was what Alexi wanted. When the doors opened on her floor she stood, stared up at the camera. The doors closed again, and she pressed the button to go back up. She walked in, sat across from Alexi who stared at her. “I’ll just sit here, okay. We don’t have to talk, but I’m not going to leave you like this.”

“Why?” Alexi asked.

“Everyone needs a friend when they’re hurting.”

“We’re not friends, and I’m not hurting.”

“No, I guess not. But I can sit here and pretend I am yours for a minute.” Kris crossed her ankle over her knee and sat back. “As I said, I’ll just sit here a little while.”

Alexi watched the woman across from her. Why was she so damned stubborn? And how did she see so easily through Alexi? After a while Alexi sat back in her chair too, let herself relax. Her mother always got under her skin, but this adamant pushing that she sees a man was starting to weigh on her. It hurt, that her mother couldn’t accept her. That her image was more important to Magdalene than Alexi, was becoming more and more clear. This stupid party was going to be the end of it. She’d go, she’d known she would, she would never embarrass her mother that way. But oh, she wished she could just go far away for the weekend. Disappear for a while. She looked at the woman, who sat quietly watching her. She did feel better with her company, and the offer of friendship. It was there, in Kris’s eyes. But she couldn’t do that, letting people close meant there was a risk of getting hurt. Friend? What was that? She supposed she had a few when she was younger, but they’d drifted apart, her fault since it was easier not having close friends, her mother could disapprove of. But Kris was here, she’d refused to leave because she’d seen, what? Sadness? Hurt? Could she risk it? No, no she couldn’t, Kris was an employee, nothing more, that was against her rules, she would have order in her company. Personal relationships caused upheaval and chaos.

“Thank you, I’m fine now.” She’d found her mask and slathered a smile on her face.

“No, you’re not, but I will go now.” Kris stood. “I’m here if you need to talk, or just sit.”

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

“Okay.” Kris stared down at Alexi for another second then made her way to the elevator, this time intending to go back to her office. Alexi wasn’t fine, but she appreciated the fact that she’d let Kris sit, even if it was a short while. She turned. “If you need an escape, call me, I’m going out of town, I’ll kidnap you if you want me to.”

Alexi stared at her, astonished. “Uh, no, thank you, but no.”

Kris shrugged, “The offer stands.” The doors closed on Alexi again, but this time there was confusion, uncertainty, not pain. Kris smiled up at the camera and then left the elevator to finish her work.