The Good, The Bad and The Loaded

Chapter One All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. 2013 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. ................................................................................................................................................................ Audrey Blake walked into the marble lobby, thankful for air conditioning. And for the mercy of the low humidity on this New York Monday. Her nerves were evident from her clammy hands, that she self consciously tucked inside her suit sleeves. Wiping them furiously inside the fabric, she swallowed what felt like a fur ball lodged in her throat. This was yet another big step, another first. Another nerve wracking experience to put behind her, and on to the next step in her five year plan. The sophisticated brunette at the desk directed Audrey to the lift. As she waited for the doors to open on floor fourteen, she eyed up her 'competition'. Three women, all around her age, and carrying smart leather portfolios They silently accompanied her, in the ride up to 'Summers and Gold'. Some were going through cards, bullet-pointed with subjects for discussion, and questions to ask. They seemed far better prepared than she did. The questions she wished to ask we're scrawled on her now slick, sweaty palms. Marvellous. Just marvellous. She instantly regretted giving the other women a thought, for now, she felt not only nervous but under prepared and under dressed. They each wore suits most certainly not borrowed from a best friend nor sister. The woman nearest to her could have been a model, flawless skin and her hair most certainly styled in a salon. As the doors opened, the other women strode confidently past Audrey, the air bristling with tension. She was left feeling inadequate before the interviews had even begun. Standing in their wake, she followed, trying to look professional, and trying not to roll over on her ankle as she teetered in these godforsaken, impossibly high heels. How people wore the blasted things day in day out was a mystery to Audrey. Akin to mastering a unicycle. The women waited in a wide open plan hallway, decorated with expensive modern art and screens showcasing the latest development projects at Summers and Gold. This place looked like something out of a slick tv show, and she half expected Julianna Marguiles from 'The Good Wife' to saunter through. Out of place wouldn't be word enough to describe how she felt at this precise moment. Audrey heard laughter from down the hallway. Sneaking a look into a highly glossed sculpture to get a peek at her potential new boss, she saw a gathering of men dressed in expensive work attire. They must have had a successful meeting! They slapped one another on the back in celebration, raucous laughter echoing down the hall and bouncing off the polished surfaces. The other women seemed unphased and busied themselves with their iPads, tapping away at important tasks. She blushed, wondering whether she should adopt a more professional stance, perhaps pretend to read the company brochure of which she was sure would be tediously boring. Nerves jitters in her stomach as some of the voices moved nearer. She straightened her blouse, trying to regulate her stuttered breathing. This job would make her journey worth while, this building signified everything she sought in life. Success through hard work. Every event up to now, would be worth it. The outcome of this interview could change everything. Time to switch on that smile and dial up the charm. Turning quickly to sit back down in one of the vintage leather arm chairs, she caught her foot in the strap of a model-esque blondes Gucci bag. Sprawling forward, it all happened so fast, and she was hurtling forward into the room of beautifully presented applicants. Just before her face made contact with the shiny, buffed marble floor, she was caught by a strong pair of arms. Arms that felt sickenly familiar. The over bearing, instantly recognisable spicy scent. 'Still a klutz, ey Queenie' Looking up, and steadying herself, she felt the colour drain from her face. Her knees almost gave way, as she urged herself to stay in control. Her potential boss stood before her. Her ex boyfriend Carl Jenner.