Lost in Miami

Chapter 13

Next morning I came to my desk humming. I took my earphones off in front of Matt’s worried look. “Hey Matt.”

“There was an HR department guy looking for you before.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he said it was urgent and you had to go to Miss Smith’s office straight away.”

“What’s going on? Why do they want to see me urgently?”

I hope nothing’s wrong….And why see me in Britney’s office…?

“I wonder what they want…”

“Maybe they need your expert advice for some designs seeing your last work, who knows.”

“Matt you are a real pain in the neck you know that.”

“Rachel” I turn around almost jumping in surprise. I turn around and discover Britney standing there.

“Miss Smith. Good Morning.”

I don’t dare ask her what’s wrong. If I open my mouth, she’ll sense my worry. She motioned her finger as a gesture telling me to follow her in her office. To give myself a little composure I grabbed my notepad but Britney stops me. “You won’t need to take any notes.” I stifled an “Oh” and straighten up clumsily. I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.

As we get into Britney’s office, she closes the door behind me. She gently puts her hand on my back and inviting me to take a seat. “Take a seat. Mark will be here any moment.”

“Mark?”

“Mark is Tanya’s superior in HR department posted my Mr. William himself.”

I sit down feeling uneasy. I look through the glass bay windows at the Miami buildings around. “Why is he looking me though?”

But instead of answering my question Britney said, “You are gonna be missed…”

WHAT?

Britney fixed her azure colored eyes into mine twisting her gold ring around her finger.

“What do you mean?” I asked now worried. But Britney just looked at me while she c****d her head to one side pursing her lips. “Mark will explain. It’s just that things won’t be the same here without you.”

“But what are you…”

Suddenly there’s a knock on the door. A man with blue suit enters inside. He had brown hair and wore specs. Overall he looked very professional and charming. He was finishing a call.

I look at one then the other. Somebody’s gonna have to explain and quick! Hello Miss Davis. Sorry to interrupt your work. I’m Mark Levis—the newly appointed executive at the HR department.”

“Hello. So why were you looking for me?”

“Well… Mr. William has asked you to be his new assistant.”

“I beg your pardon?” I let out a little nervous laugh. This has to be some sort of joke! Mark stays very calm and continues to look straight in my eyes. “You’re gonna work in close collaboration with him. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime…”

Yeah right…. Having to put up with all of Mr. William’s demands is not exactly what I call a lifetime opportunity. “Wait a minute…. I don’t understand…I don’t fit any of the requirement for the post.”

“Mr. William thought otherwise.”

“Wait a minute. Mr. William obviously made a mistake, it’s not possible.” I looked at Britney who was staring at me silently. Where were her fine words now?”

“Miss Davis, I understand it’s all very sudden…” You bet! Mark continues “But it’s an offer that can’t be refused.”

To put it into plain English you can’t say no to Mister-I- take-what-I-want. “Allowing that I accept, when would I start?” Mark looks at me, a bit surprised. “Well, now. Your office is ready. Mr. William wishes for me to show you there.”

“It’s not possible. I can’t leave just like that.” Mark looks at me unflinchingly even though I outbursted like that. I looked desperately at Britney. She was just standing there calmly inviting me to do the same. “It’s a great opportunity. We will miss you but you will learn a lot.”

I don’t know what to say. Working with the very man whom I slept with and ran out of his house the next morning just leaving a note? Plus, he’s been triggering such strong and contradictory emotions in me. And still the question lingers in my mind ever since they told me: why me? Is this because of that night?  

 In the elevator, I feel like a bomb about to explode! It’s crazy! There must be some sort of mistake. As the doors open to Mr. Austin William’s floor, I made my way towards the reception. Looking at the entrance hall, a “wow” fell out from my lips. The room is very huge and light. It’s completely glazed and the floor shines as if someone had spent all night polishing it. In front of me, a big frame shows the Company’s name which is now under the William Fashion Industries with capital letters. As if telling the visitors where they are.

Some comfortable leather chairs were placed next to a spacious reception desk. I don’t let myself be too impressed and walk forward in a determined manner, over to a young woman sitting behind the desk. I watch as she types zealously on her keyboard. I feel as important as the plant pot in the hall. She doesn’t look at me once.

“Hello… excuse me… I’d like to speak to Mr. William.”

The secretary seemed to be absorbed in what she was doing. But as soon as I said this, she looked up and raised a dubious eyebrow and sighs, exasperated then just continues typing. Have the secretaries on this floor been instructed to be unpleasant? I just stand there, waiting for her to give me the time of day

After a few seconds she deigns to acknowledge, “And you are?”

“Miss Davis. I was asked to come up here, but…”

“Follow me”

Without giving me time to speak or even think, she stands from her desk, as gracefully as a prima ballerina and motions for me to follow. Her suit is perfectly cut and her walk is confident which tends to annoy me as well as impress me. Her hair and makeup are impeccable. She looks like she came straight out of a magazine.

How long does this chick take to get ready in the morning?

Her voice snaps me out of my highly executional questioning as we stop before a little door. “After you.” She ushers me inside whilst keeping an eye on her little tablet. I hold my breath. Psychologically preparing myself to face Mister intense look. I walk nervously into the room, but there was no one. Just a big desk placed next to a large bay window, on looking the city. It’s rather pleasant as an office. Even if I would have expected something else for a boss, but…. I look dubiously at the secretary.

“Mr. William shouldn’t be long. Meanwhile, you settle into your office… Coffee?” she asked. I wonder if I heard correctly.

“Sorry?”

She looked at me almost with pity in her eyes.

“Would you like a Coffee?”

“No, I mean to say… “MY” office?”

She looked at me an instant, in silence. Obviously, wondering what planet I come from.

“I’ll leave you now. Mister William shouldn’t be long.”

As she closed the door behind her, I stared at the office around me. Is this serious? I can’t believe it! What on earth, am I doing here? I sigh before taking a look around. The room is pleasant, light. You can hear the distant sound of the waking city.

I slowly walk over to the desk and touch the leather seat. I let myself drop into it, resting my arms in its armrest. I twist the chair around from right to left, my eyes fixed on the computer screen. Suddenly, the door opens. I freeze as two grey eyes meet with mine. I rise so quickly that I almost toppled backward. I grasped the edge of the desk as best as I can.