Lost in You (#Book 2)

Chapter 13

“Are you kidding? He definitely went to town, the big chief!” Matt lets out a whistle, admiring the space all around him. With his designer eyes, no detail escapes him. He fiddles with the wires on the wall, examines the switches, and touches the furniture. “Well, when do we start?”

“We start?”

“Yeah, you’re not going to leave me with Mr. mustache, are you?”

I snicker at Matt’s assured look. “What? You want to come here to work?”

“Why not! The boss looks nice.” He gives me his stupid look that makes me smile. I nudge him in the shoulder. The elevator opens. It’s Gina displaying a radiant smile as she enters the open-space. “Oh, wh…” She looks at the open-space almost piously as if she were entering a church.

Obviously, I couldn’t help but talk about my promotion to my friends. And to tell the truth, I feel a little helpless, all alone in this big space, with so many new responsibilities. Gina walks around the room before coming back to me. Matt inspects the offices from every angle. “He just left you here, like that?”

“Yeah, Austin in all his splendor.” Of course I didn’t go into the gory details even if I wanted to. “Now I have to put a team together and arrange the space.”

“Seriously?” Gina was genuinely shocked.

“Yeah and she’s taking me on in her department!” Matt comes back to us with a mischievous smile on his face. I can’t tell what’s true in his words.

“Matt it’s not funny; you don’t understand all the responsibilities that have fallen on me!”

“That’s why you need the best.”

I sigh heavily. My friends are the best, but this is no joke. I’m at the head of a department. I’m… managing director. Matt notices my confusion. He comes forward and takes me by the shoulders. “Hey princess, don’t panic, we’re here, and we’ll help you.”

I look at him, half reassured. “I don’t even know where to start…”

It’s Gina who steps forward this time and puts a hand on my arm. “He could have given you a chance to get used to it at least…”

I bite my lip. “We kinda argued… Let’s just say that I caught him unawares and he hates that. I really threw him, when I just turned up like that in his office this morning.”

“Headstrong Rach!” Matt teases me and I give him a meaningful look, who doesn’t notice it the least. I sigh as I talk to my friends again. “So basically he challenge me to make a success of it because I kind of … provoked him.”

Gina smiles at me. “Pfft, men…”

“Hey! I’m still here you know!” Matt puts an angry look and Gina and I laughed.

“But you aren’t the same!” I assured him.

“I know… I’m awesome.” Matt praises himself and I burst out laughing at their little game, and it makes me feel better.

“Well, may I make a suggestion… Let’s go celebrate at Felipe’s and then we’ll devise a game plan. Sound good?”

“All for it, I’m up for eating Italian.” Matt is all smiles on the suggestion.

“Not just any odd Italian, the best Italian ever!” Gina nods in agreement. I smile at both of them. “Okay lets go.” Gina pulls us.

I see them move cheerfully to the elevator, but I stop them in their tracks. “You’ve forgotten the horde of paparazzi that follow me wherever I go!”

Gina turns around and puts her arm through mine inviting me to move forward. “Matt will use his body as a shield, won’t you Matty?”

“Yeah, I love playing bodyguard.” Matt winks at me.

My heart jolts at the thought. Jake…. I haven’t heard from him since he left, and I haven’t tried to get in touch. I’m not very proud of myself. Plus the dream that I had doesn’t help very much. “Okay, let’s fuel up!” I cheer up.

“That’s more like it!” Gina smiles.

When the doors of the elevator close, I feel like they’re closing on a period of my life. Things are accelerating and I feel a bit overwhelmed. Worse than the butterfly effect, it’s the Austin William effect. And I’m still not used to it.

Thanks to Matt, who played the bodyguard, I was able to have dinner with my friends and get home without a hitch. Not a shadow of a photographer on the horizon. I prefer to remain vigilant, just in case. It would be just what I need finding myself once again on the front page of the tabloid…

What a joy to be here! Home sweet home… I feel like I’ve been away forever. I go and open my wardrobe. A disaster! When was the last time I went shopping? Everything I see looks old, dull, dated… All these clothes bring me back to my life before Austin. A life that seems light years away from today.

It’s not with these clothes that I’m going to look like a general manager…! Dismayed by the contents of my cupboard, I sit on my bed. My phone vibrates. I quickly take a look at the screen. It was a message from Gina.

You’ve had a big day, get plenty of rest for tomorrow, kisses!

I have to pace myself. Having a burnout in the first week wouldn’t be good. I decide to fix something nice to eat for myself. I take the time to reassure Gina and go to the stove. There’s not a lot to eat in the fridge. Never mind, the simplest meals are the best. You just need a good dressing with some herbs to make a delicious salad.

I hear my cell phone vibrate again. Gina must really be worried. I check to see it was Austin! the text read,

So, not too stressed?

I don’t know how I’m going to manage yet, but its great challenge. I texted back honestly.

I have to go on a trip, see you when I come back to bring me up to date.

Of course boss, I’m all yours.

I wait for a few long minutes but Austin’s no longer receiving his messages. Did he leave with his new assistant? Miss Brown… I realize that he gave me absolutely no idea when he’d be back. And that’s the perfect recipe for me to get the wrong idea…

I didn’t like that girl a bit, with her stuck up airs. My b***h detector turned red as soon as I saw her. There’s no doubt the girl’s beautiful. She excludes an undeniable charisma and a certain self-assurance. But I have more important things to think about. I have to focus on my new responsibilities.

And especially on a meeting that Austin scheduled for tomorrow and I don’t really want to attend. To recruit employees, I, unfortunately, need to review the situation with the head of Human Resources, namely… Tanya! The idea of a professional tête-à-tête with the ultimate shrew, William Enterprises Barbie princess, doesn’t really suit me. However, I’m going to have to, it’s all about getting used to my new responsibilities. When in Rome…!

I go back to my dressing room. I won’t be able to eat anything until everything’s ready for this appointment. But what outfit should I choose? After trying on everything, I opt for what seems to be the most appropriate outfit for me new position. I chose a black jacket, a white camisole with lace trim, slim jeans, and black pumps.

I don’t want to look too harsh or laid back. it isn’t the ideal outfit, but I’ll feel comfortable. With a cue hairstyle and a discreet makeup, I’ll eat her alive, that Tanya! Later, as I nibble at my food, Miss Brown’s picture comes back to mind. I try to drive it out of my head. There was something wrong with her smile.

She’s going to be Austin’s assistant, in the office next to his, on the same floor. She’ll be free to do what she wants. And me, in my offices, I won’t know what’s going on. I don’t like it at all. But there is no point in thinking the worst, be positive. Even if I do remain on my guard.

After all when it was with Andrea back then, I was totally right. I felt it. At the thought, I head for my computer. It’s been a long time since I posted anything on my blog. I have to at least, let my readers know that I won’t be very available in the coming months.