Miracle on 34th Floor

by Sophia Summers

  “It was awesome. You’re so right about it being a good fit.”

  “I knew it. I’m glad you agree.” He sent a finger trailing down the back of her hair, then he lifted it off her neck. “How did I not notice this hair walking around our floor every day?”

  She laughed. “I have no idea. At first, I did everything I could to get you to see me, and then I did everything I could to hide.”

  “You’re stunning and a standout in every way. I’m sorry we had to work at Gimbels for me to notice you.”

  “Do you forgive me?”

  “Of course. And I’m enjoying getting to know you, to see you in more circumstances. I hope you’re okay that we’re taking it slow.”

  “I’m good except for one thing.” She leaned over in front of him.

  “Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

  “Something you said about no sexy voices at work. What about something like this?” She inched closer to his face, her lips yearning for his after so many days without even a peck.

  His eyes lit, and she knew immediately he wanted to accept her offer. The air between them became charged; the thrill of being in his office in their own sneaky corner heightened the expectation. He inched closer and then pulled back. “After hours.” The promise in his gaze did happy things to her insides. She nodded and stood just as Victoria came barreling into his office.

  “Decker, we have to talk.” She stopped, seeing them together. Her mouth pinched, and for a moment, Joylin saw the dragon in her.

  Joylin could only thank the stars that they hadn’t shared anything more intimate with their CEO. As it was, Decker held her outstretched hand as she stood near him. They looked familiar with each other, but not make-out session familiar.

  Victoria scowled. “Could you excuse us, Joylin? I need to have a word with Decker.”

  “Sure, I was just on my way out.”

  “Close the door, please.” Victoria’s voice grated against Joylin like sandpaper, but she obliged and hurried back to her desk. If she got through this day unscathed, it would be a miracle.

  12

  Victoria was spitting mad.

  “I recognized her talent. I brought her in to upper management. I need good people on my team too.”

  “But she’s a natural for marketing. She’s a creative. She would stifle under your hand.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It’s a personality thing. She needs space to explore her ideas, to generate solutions. She works well with broad guidelines, with free rein to figure out how to meet goals.” He shook his head. “She does not need specific minute tasks. Sooner or later, you would have fired her anyway.”

  “Be that as it may, you’re overstepping. You undermine my authority all the time. You think your committee sits outside the board or anyone.”

  She might have a point, which he would analyze closer later. “I really don’t. I apologize for giving that impression.”

  Usually an immediate apology disarmed even the most caustic complainers, but she was only marginally impressed. “I’m going to bring this up with the board.”

  “Of all the ridiculous… Victoria. They don’t need to be managing squabbles between the executives of the company.”

  “Apparently they do, and I’ll leave it up to them to decide if it’s best we keep you on.”

  Shock rumbled through him. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying, this is a marketing firm. We do other things, but marketing is our breadwinner. You are the sole person in charge of that very large department, and I think perhaps it’s time that the CEO took over that team.”

  “Of course, you do. What is it about you and power? Is that all you’re after? Do you even like marketing?”

  “Yes, it was my major in college, my focus. We have the best marketing group in New York.”

  “Can I quote you? Because that’s not gonna do much to convince the board they don’t need me.”

  “All our clients could be managed better, their campaigns boosted. You’re tired. We need to mix things up a little bit.”

  “I obviously disagree. We have an incredible synergy going, an excellent team. Now is not the time to mess with something that’s working well.”

  She turned to leave. “I will leave that up to the board to decide.”

  Decker sat at his desk. Of all the… He toyed with his stress ball and tossed it in the air three times before he opened his laptop and started writing emails. If she was gonna start something, then he’d have to play her game.

  Hours later, after he’d finished everything for the day, he stood adjusting his bow tie in the mirror.

  Joylin stepped up behind him. “Let me help with that.”

  “Gladly.” He grinned. “Does this mean you’re back to being my girlfriend?”

  “I never stopped being your girlfriend.”

  “Good point.” He kicked his door shut and hurried with her around the corner in his office. “In that case, come here, you.” He pulled her close. “I’ve been dying for just a little bit of your action.”

  “Perfect.” She stood higher in her heels, meeting his urgency with more of her own.

  “Finally,” he mumbled against her mouth. Then he searched her lips, pressing again and again until he knew they should stop, but he still craved more. He kissed her one more time then offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

  “Off we go.”

  They left his office and went to the elevator. The firm had rented out a lower floor of the building for their party. When the doors opened, the music was already going and the dancing was in full swing.

  “Open bar and dancing, and announcements later.”

  “Okay!” Joylin grinned. “Shall we?” She hopped backward, pulling him toward the dance floor.

  “Absolutely.”

  They ran to the center, and the people around them cheered. Everyone circled in closer, and Decker let loose for a moment. Knowing what might be coming that evening, he needed a break before they had to deal with it all.

  After an hour of dancing and light refreshments, the lights turned up and the head of HR took the microphone.

  She went through the various funny office awards. Lionel got one for winning a paper football championship. Someone in accounting got one for finding the most errors in a draft report. And Joylin got one for being the best rookie in client acquisition. He cheered for her as she grinned for the camera and then came back with a mini trophy. “This is awesome.”

  Then Victoria took the mic, and Joylin stepped closer to him. They both tensed up.

  But the CEO was perfectly jovial in keeping with the holiday spirit. “And now, I would like to announce our gift to each of you. Drumroll please.” Everyone humored her with some patting against their thighs. “Surprise Christmas bonuses! You’ll find them in your email.”

  “What!” Happy gasps filled the room, and everyone pulled out their phones.

  Decker wasn’t sure what she was getting at. Nothing like this had been discussed.

  Joylin’s face went white as she stared at her email. “Decker.” Her shaking hands held out her phone.

  He took it from her and read the words spelling out Joylin’s termination. He pressed his lips together, anger surging through him. Then he shook his head. “Nope. I got this. Ignore that.” He left her and marched over to Victoria, who was, not surprisingly, watching his every move.

  “What was that all about?”

  “The bonuses? I think it’s high time—”

  “She’s not terminated.”

  “Oh, but I think she is.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “I did. The board agrees. You obviously have a relationship with her. That’s wrong on so many levels, and they’re trying to avoid a lawsuit.”

  “Then we’ll break up.” Joylin’s voice behind him made him turn. His eyes widened.

  “That’s not necessary.” He turned back to Victoria and wanted to wipe her smirk off her face.
r />   “It doesn’t matter at this point since she’s no longer with us.”

  “Of all the low…”

  “How can you do that to someone? In the moment when everyone else is getting bonuses, you send me a termination letter? That is low.”

  She lifted one shoulder. “So is walking out on an offer to be my assistant so you can make out with your boyfriend in his office.”

  “No, that’s not cool. There’s been no making out in my office.” During work hours.

  “Obviously you will deny it, but it’s beside the point. This firm has no room for those who can’t respect its leadership. The board feels very strongly about that.”

  Joylin shook her head. “And I find I have no desire to be in a place where the leadership doesn’t deserve respect.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

  Bravo, Joylin.

  “This isn’t over,” he warned.

  “Oh, you’re absolutely right.”

  Victoria’s confident tone concerned him. He brought his phone up to his ear as he walked away. The last remaining board member who’d worked with his dad answered. “Things are going down. Talk to me. What is Victoria up to?”

  “She’s out to get you. She doesn’t like your girlfriend, and she doesn’t like you.”

  “She fired her.”

  The man clucked. “Now, that was her own doing. We cautioned against that move because of the new clients she brought in, and because you obviously respect this woman.”

  “She’s a natural. And it’s not just ’cause I’m seeing her.”

  “That’s hard for everyone to believe.”

  “Are you guys still coming?”

  “Yes, but you have to know we’re divided.”

  Decker sighed. “That’s fine. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. You’re a fine man and a wonderful asset to the company. Your father would be proud.”

  “I hope so.”

  His voice took on a lighter tone. “Hey, did I see you’ve been filling in for Santa?”

  Decker laughed. “Yeah, they needed someone, and I was there.”

  He could almost hear the man shake his head. “Sounds just like you. We’re almost there. Darlene wants to see you as well.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  When Decker hung up, he couldn’t see Joylin anywhere. He didn’t blame her for taking off. He texted her: This isn’t over.

  Maybe it is.

  Only if you want it to be. Things are about to get interesting. Stick around if you want to see.

  She sent back a thumbs-up.

  And now to make sure he could make good on his promise.

  13

  Joylin was several blocks away when she got Decker’s text. She didn’t really want to go back. What could Decker do? He’d promised she wouldn’t get fired, and yet here she was, with email proof that she no longer had a job.

  Did she love her job? She hadn’t, not until Decker had brought her onto the marketing team. He’d been so right—that was her place. For the first time ever, she wondered if she might be better off applying to work in other companies’ marketing departments.

  The thought of never seeing Victoria again ranked high on her list of reasons to keep on walking. Not being able to work with Decker made her sad, but perhaps that was for the best.

  As much as she wanted to hide at home with Jojo, she knew she’d be dying of curiosity, so she turned around.

  A lovely couple walked together in front of her. The man adjusted his wife’s hood and held her closer against the night air. She turned to him in love. They shared a closeness that Joylin admired. And she knew at once what she would work toward. She stepped closer to them, drawn to their happiness. And then was surprised when they entered her building.

  A voice behind her made her jump. “Is that you, Herald?”

  The man and his wife turned and looked over Joylin’s head. “It certainly is. How are you, Ted? And, Nikki, it’s always good to see you.”

  Joylin stepped aside as the two older and very distinguished-looking couples embraced. She moved to the elevators, and they followed.

  When the doors closed, and they realized they were all going to the same floor, Herald turned to her. “Are you with Synergy Systems?”

  She turned bright red, and before she could stop them, tears welled in her eyes.

  “Oh dear. What’s this?” Herald’s wife offered her a tissue. “Is there something we can do?”

  Joylin shook her head. “I’m sorry. I think it’s all a little raw, that’s all.”

  “What has happened?” Herald paused the elevator. “We’re in the business of making things right tonight.”

  Joylin laughed and then told them how she had opened up her email expecting a bonus and had instead been terminated. “And you know, I don’t blame her. I turned her down, I get it, but I was really loving marketing. I think I finally found my place.”

  Herald and Ted exchanged glances. “And might we assume your name is Joylin Merrymead?”

  She sucked in her breath. “Yes.” Her gaze flitted from one face to another. “And who are you?”

  “Don’t you worry about that.” He pushed the button for the elevator to continue. “Why don’t you stick with Darlene here while we take care of things at your party?”

  Darlene patted her hand. “I’m glad you came back, honey.”

  “Thank you.” Joylin was more confused than anything, but she didn’t mind a bit of kind company while she waited for news from Decker.

  They found chairs at a table off to the side near the front. The lights were dim, and she enjoyed a feeling of anonymity.

  They didn’t have to wait long before Decker stepped up to the microphone. “And now, for our new annual tradition, sponsored by our board of directors. The Synergy Systems good citizen award.”

  Everyone moved closer and clapped.

  “This award is given to an employee who exemplifies what we need in a team member. They fill in where needed and help out however they can. They’re often the one who comes through in the clutch. I’d like to introduce the king of clutch hitters, our oldest and most revered board member, Herald Johnson.”

  The room cheered, and Herald took the microphone.

  “We had several nominations of really qualified individuals. Our company prides itself on hiring not only the best resumes but the best personalities to fit the job. And so, while the decision was difficult, this young lady stands out as exemplary.”

  The anticipation in the room heightened as people quieted.

  “We would like to give this year’s award—which includes a vacation in Tahiti…”

  Gasps filled the room.

  “And a substantial Christmas bonus…”

  More happy expressions fluttered through the place.

  “To Miss Joylin Merrymead!”

  “What!” Joylin couldn’t believe it. “But what do I do?” She looked to Darlene.

  “I think you should go up and accept your award.”

  “But…”

  Harold waited, and Decker joined him. They were both all smiles.

  Just as she arrived at the front, Victoria did as well. She spoke in a very clear and carrying stage whisper. “How awkward, I’m sure, but this woman has very recently been terminated.”

  Joylin stood beside Herald, and the small group pulled around her while the rest of the employees watched.

  Herald shook his head. “That’s ludicrous. Why would you fire one of our best employees?”

  “She’s the one I mentioned earlier.” Victoria’s gaze went from Decker to Joylin and back. “She was my assistant, but I saw reason to find another after only a few days of working with her.”

  Decker opened his mouth, but Herald lifted a hand to stop him. “Nonsense. You cannot fire someone we deem worth of receiving our highest honor. Victoria, I find many of your actions, and especially your most recent communications to the board, not in harmony with our policy and mission. Most especially regarding Dec
ker. You need to rethink your stance very carefully.”

  “He’s not a team player. He won’t respect authority—”

  “But that’s where you will always be at odds with the majority of the board. We all know him very well and find him to be exactly the opposite of what you describe. By continually criticizing him, you have only brought forward significant grounds for our reassessment of your position as CEO. And I am now informing you that your position is under review.”

  Her fists clenched tightly. She whirled on her heels and stomped out of the room.

  “She’s gonna be a joy to work with, I’m sure.” Joylin cringed.

  “Now, don’t you worry,” Herald reassured her. “We will take care of our mistake in assuming she was ready.”

  They then turned to face the crowd. Herald held the microphone back up to his mouth. “Did everyone hear all that?”

  The crowd laughed, and most nodded.

  “So, we will continue our program by giving the first annual good citizen award to Joylin Merrymead!”

  Everyone cheered, especially Gemma and Lionel in the back and Decker up front.

  When they finally finished taking pictures and smiling, they went to take their seats. Decker joined the board members at their side table. “Thank you.”

  “Our pleasure. I’ll tell you, son.” Herald rested a hand on Decker’s shoulder. “I wasn’t sure what we were going to do as we walked in. I have always trusted you, but we’ve been hearing some crazy stories. But then I met this little lady in the elevator, and when I heard her telling us all about it, not knowing who we were, I knew you were right. She’s a gem. No matter what you and she work out as far as your relationship, we would like it very much if you, Joylin, would stay on at Synergy. The place is better because you’re here.”

  Her heart warmed toward these lovely people. “Thank you. I would be honored. When I saw you and your wife walking on the sidewalk, I set a goal to one day have what you have. I would love to work for someone who obviously knows how to cherish the people close to him.”

  Herald covered his wife’s hand with his own. “Now that would be a blessing for you, to be sure. She’s real special.”