"You're broke as a joke, your student loan repayments about to start and here you are, spending money at a laundry mat! I'm telling you, do them here," he half pleaded. He was always looking out for me. "Have you heard back from Mr. Munroe?"
"I told you I wouldn't, Nate. I bombed that interview, unfortunately," I sighed, walking towards the door. "I'll see you at five, okay?" I walked out of the apartment, not giving him time to answer. I took the elevator to the first floor, walking out of the lobby and into chaos. Vehicle exhaust filled my nostrils as an inconsiderate passerby bumped into me, “Watch out!” I shouted. Slinging my clothes over my shoulder I slowly walked towards the laundromat, which was five blocks away. I contemplated in my mind about going home, where I knew I'd find a job. My father worked for the sheriff's office and had told me yesterday that they were hiring for dispatchers. A guaranteed paying position, if I wanted it. He hated seeing me out here, alone, with no job or way to pay for anything. He also knew it meant hell froze over for me to ask for laundry money. He'd lose his shit if I told him my cellphone was turned off, but hey, maybe he already knew. I shrugged, attempting to put my worries towards the back of my mind, with laundry at the front; mindless work to keep me occupied.
I walked into our apartment a short five hours later, my large bag of laundry slung over my aching shoulder. Five blocks was farther than they needed to be with twenty pounds of clothes. Nate was standing in the kitchen cooking. "That smells delicious," I called out, while taking my clothes to my room. "What is it?" I questioned, throwing the bag onto the floor before walking to the kitchen and sitting at the breakfast bar. I'd unpack the clothes tomorrow, when I awoke.
"Fajita's," he exclaimed, while doing a small salsa dance. He spooned some onto a paper plate, handing it to me.
"This is delicious," I said, while stuffing my face. "Where's our first stop tonight?"
"54th Street," he winked.
"No way?" 54th Street Bar was an insanely popular spot. Unless you were someone important, it was nearly impossible to get in.
"Yes way, Ness," he ran his fingers through his thick brown hair, removing it from his face, "Charity got us in. With help from Max."
Charity and Max were Nates friends from show business. Max was an actor who'd made it large in Hollywood. He followed his wife, Charity, out here when she received a job at the local news station. "What in the hell am I going to wear?" I exclaimed, standing.
"Wait! I've bought you something," Nate said, running towards his room. He came back a few moments later, holding a brown paper bag. "Here."
"You didn't have to do this," I replied, taking it.
"I know." His blue eyes twinkled with excitement.
Opening the bag, I found a beautiful red dress inside, tight fitting and thigh high. The back drooped down towards my butt, a startling reveal. "This is freaking beautiful!"
"I knew you'd love it. You're going to stun, seriously," he replied, grinning.
I hugged the dress to my chest, “You’re way too good for me, Nate. How did I end up being best-friends with someone as wonderful as you?”
“If I remember correctly, I fought and clawed my way to that top spot, baby-cakes, and I’m never letting it go.”
Walking into the club I felt like a million dollars, the dress fit perfectly, the hem gripping right below my ass, accentuating my legs. The music roared around us, the crowd dancing wildly to the beat. Max had pulled enough strings to get us a VIP table along the back side of the dance floor, where I was currently sitting. I watched quietly as Max, a prestigious Hollywood actor, interacted with the waitress. “One bottle of champagne,” he yelled over the music. She nodded, starry eyed and distracted before disappearing into the crowd.
“Let’s dance,” I yelled at Nate, who was sitting on the stool next to me. He nodded and grabbed my hand, pulling me out onto the dance floor. We danced wildly to the beat, the music circling around us, enticing us. We grinded our bodies, Nate in sync with me as much as I with him. The years of friendship allowed us to read each other, knowing beforehand when we’d move and where. By the time we finished we were sweating, laughing, and I’d managed to forget about anything else.
We walked back to the table, a large bottle of champagne waiting for us. “I didn’t order this,” Nate shouted over the music, while inspecting the dark green bottle.
“Max ordered one earlier, while you were in the bathroom,” I shouted, shrugging. I watched in fascination as his eyebrows shot up in question, before he handed me the bottle. “It’s for you, baby-cakes.”
“What?” I grabbed it out of his hands. There was a small cream-colored notecard taped to the front, a large gold TM stood out in beautiful calligraphy writing. Inside a message read ‘Thank you for the memorable interview, Tim’ “Oh my god,” I exclaimed, looking at Nate. He had a small grin on his face and nodded behind me. I turned and found Timothy Munroe standing there. “Hey,” I shouted, while attempting to act as nonchalantly as I could manage.
He leaned inwards, his hand resting on my waist as he talked into my ear, “Can I speak with you upstairs?”
I nodded in reply, as the electricity between us from two-weeks prior returned. I followed him through the packed dance floor and behind the DJ booth where a staircase emerged. The stairs opened into a small, dark hallway. Where one single doorway stood at the end. The room was sound proof, a large two-way mirror showed the dance floor below, the people seeming to be dancing to nothing. I smiled seeing Nate, who was dancing away on the floor below with a young woman he worked with.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Timothy asked from behind me. He watched Nate intently, seeming to study him.
“No,” I laughed, “We’ve known each other since we were infants. He’s my world, though, and it makes me happy to see him so full of joy,” I sighed, turning back to find Timothy now staring at me. He instinctively licked his lips, wetting them.
“You wanted to talk?” I asked, wiggling slightly. The way he looked at me made me want to jump on him.
“Yeah,” he said as he snapped out of the trance he’d been in, “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you since last week, but the number you left with Vicki has been disconnected,” his face was transfixed on mine, his voice was rough, “If you didn’t want the job, Ms. Fox, you could have just said so.”
“Oh, but I do want the job, Mr. Munroe,” I started, “I’ve had some rough times, financially,” I stuttered, not really wanting to tell this man why my phone was disconnected.
“Say no more,” he quickly nodded, understanding. “Please, call me Tim. Can you start at nine on Monday?”
“Sure, Tim, I’ll be there,” I replied hastily, giving him a gigantic grin. “Thank you, I was certain I bombed that interview.” This man was either insane, or, he really saw my potential. I hoped the potential was me in bed, but a girly could only dream.
“You are quite honest, I appreciate that Mrs. Fox,” he laughed. “You did horribly during the interview, and you were unprofessional for a Harvard grad. But you’re authentic, and for some reason I couldn’t get you out of my mind.” He walked towards me. I stiffened, unsure what to do. The man was gorgeous and available. He was wearing another well-tailored suit which fit him as snug as a bug in a rug. I bit my lip, trying to take my mind off the man in front of me. His hand landed on the small of my back and I leaned in, ready to kiss him. “Let me take you downstairs,” he said, avoiding my lips. Shit!
“Jesus Christ, I’m seriously so sorry,” It felt like every ounce of blood in my body migrated towards my face. “I totally read that wrong.”
Tim laughed, leading me towards the door to the hallway, “You’ve read it just right, Ms. Fox. I just can’t get involved with someone who works for me,” he whispered into my ear before pushing the door open. My heart was beating out of my chest, the pulse seeming to beat along with the music which was surrounding us again. I wanted to stop him, I wanted to shout, “I don’t freaking need the job!” but I did need the job. I desperately needed the job. More th
an I needed a one-night stand, even if it was with Timothy Munroe. He led me down the stairs and back to the VIP booth, where I found Nate sitting with Anastasia. Her blonde hair sat in perfectly curled rings around her face, and she was stunning in a metallic dress. She looked up, locking eyes with Tim. A large grin emerging on her face. She stood and embraced him in a rather large hug, making me, and Nate, slightly uncomfortable. I raised my eyebrows at Nate. He shrugged, signaling me over to sit by him.
“Enjoy your evening, everyone,” Tim shouted, before he turned to leave. I watched him walk back towards the stairs, disappearing once more into his dungeon above the dance floor.
“Hey,” I shouted above the music.
“What did he want?” Nate asked.
“I got the job,” I grinned. Nate grabbed me, hugging me tightly.
“I knew you would,” he exclaimed. “Let’s drink!”
We found ourselves stumbling through our apartment door at five that morning, Nate and I laughing wildly. “I’m so hungry,” I grunted, stumbling towards the kitchen.
“Let’s make lasagna,” Nate stated, as if he’d thought of the best idea in the world.
“Oh mer ghod, YAAAAS!” I exclaimed, agreeing. I tried to grab the frozen lasagna out of the freezer but fell backwards, landing on my ass. “Uh, Nate,” I started, “Perhaps cooking isn’t the best idea. Cold fajitas?”
“That’s even better than lasagna,” he replied happily.
“Can you believe he offered me a job?” I asked, standing over the cold chicken and vegetable mix. I placed a spoonful in my mouth, “I thought he was trying to kiss me, before we came out of the office,” I started, “I went in for it and he dodged.”
“Girl, you’re a hot freaking mess,” Nate exclaimed, grabbing the spoon from me.
“Who the heck are you telling. I’m pretty sure when I wake up tomorrow going to work for him on Monday will be the last thing on my mind. How am I supposed to sit through a day with that.”
“He is sexy though, right? Did you see Anastasia, do you think?” Nate began.
“She lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw him,” I pointed out, nodding.
“Yeah, I saw that,” he agreed. “I’m going to bed, baby-cakes. I’ll see you in the morning,” Nate walked around the breakfast bar and embraced me in a hug, “Congratulations again, you really do deserve it.”
“Thanks, Nate,” I replied, hugging him back. I made my way into my own room and laid down, staring at the ceiling above. I guess I’d need to unpack after all.
CHAPTER THREE
Monday morning arrived before I wanted it to, my Sunday being spent in bed with a severe hangover. I rolled out of bed at seven and jumped directly in the shower. I took the time to shave my legs and under my arms before jumping out. My hair hung halfway down my back, the yellow dulled from the water. I took out my blow dryer and dried it, before plugging my curling iron in and creating loose waves. I put on some mascara, eyeshadow, and blush before returning to my room to pick out my attire.
I needed to make an impression. A statement. I needed to walk into the office this morning screaming, ‘I’m here, and I’m freaking professional.’ I rummaged through my entire closet before I landed on a black pencil skirt and light purple blouse. I put them on along with a pair of lace stockings, followed by my black ‘professional’ heels. They only had a two-inch heel, enough to make a statement, but still be comfortable enough to walk in all day. I put on an accentuating belt and walked out to the kitchen to grab some breakfast.
“Hot mama! Look out world, Ness means business,” Nate exclaimed from behind the kitchen island rather dramatically, causing me to laugh.
I did a small twirl to show off the outfit before putting some bread into the toaster. “I look nice, right? I want to make a statement.”
“You’re drop dead gorgeous, baby-cakes. That man isn’t going to know what hit him today,” Nate slid the strawberry jam across the breakfast bar towards me, like a wild-west bartender.
“You know, he told me he wanted to kiss me, but he can’t mess with employees,” I grabbed a butter knife, “I need to tread water with this guy, I think. I don’t need to get myself fired.”
“Fired to be a sex slave, maybe?” Nate winked.
“You’re disgusting,” I exclaimed, throwing the last of my toast at him. Though I really wouldn’t mind that outcome.
“Truce,” he held a napkin up in the air, waiving it around wildly, “You’re going to do great, Ness, don’t even sweat it. Have you packed a lunch?”
“Shit,” I opened the fridge and found a small paper sack with my name scribbled on the front. “You didn’t!”
“I knew you’d forget. I swear, you’d be lost without me,” Nate replied, a large grin on his face.
“Thank you, you’re amazing.”
“I know, now, go kill it, baby-cakes.”
∆ ∆ ∆
I walked into the lobby at 8:45, heading straight to the security desk. The security guard from the day of my interview was there, and I smiled at him while walking up. “I’m back,” I exclaimed, winking.
“Welcome back, Ms. Fox,” he replied dryly, “Please stand in front of the camera, we need a picture for your badge.”
“Alright,” I replied, standing in front of it. I smiled ridiculously large, causing the man to roll his eyes. He printed the badge, handing it to me.
“You know what floor. This badge needs to be present and on your person each time you enter the building.”
“Thanks,” I replied, putting it onto my blouse. I scanned the badge at the turn table before the elevator and pressed the up button. Excitement coursed through me, I finally had a job. I could finally pay Nate back for everything he’s provided since I moved to New York, and I wouldn’t have to worry about defaulting on my outrageous student loans. The door dinged, and I walked inside. I slowly pressed the button, the doors closing before me. Two, three, four, the elevator slid upwards, its smooth motion making it feel as if I was simply standing still. Ding. The doors opened into Mr. Munroe’s office, the receptionist sitting at her computer. “Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Ms. Fox, welcome to your first day. My names Vicki and I’ll be in charge of training you. You can put your purse in the break room down that hallway, and then head back out here,” Vicki said, waving her hand towards the hall.
“Okie dokie,” I replied, walking down the long empty hallway. There was a restroom to the right midway down the hall, with the breakroom opening to the left at the end. It was sophisticated, a large black leather couch sat with its back against the large window, while a slim flat screen TV hung from the wall in front of it. There was a modern kitchenette on the back wall, along with a fridge and small microwave. The wall that was adjacent to the entryway held a small row of lockers, three to be exact. The middle one had my name on it already and sat partially open. Inside was a folded-up note, the same calligraphy initials appeared on the front as the note at the club. I grabbed it and opened it.
‘Welcome to your first day. Please use the provided lock to store your belongings while you’re working. We have a strict no phone policy, so please leave all cellular devices here as well.’
"Talk about power trip,” I mumbled, but left my belongings anyways. My phone was still off, so I didn’t have it. I made my way back to the front of the office, Vicki going over what looked like a schedule on her desktop.
She peered up at me as I approached, “This computer,” she waved at the computer sitting on the opposite side of the counter as hers, “Will be your work station. Our main responsibilities here as administrative assistants include answering any emails that come through, the phones, and scheduling Mr. Munroe’s meetings. He’ll call on us periodically for different projects, but we mostly keep to ourselves out here.”
I nodded, “Understood,” I clicked a few buttons on the keyboard, awakening the screen before me.
“Passwords Munroe, capital M,” Vicki chimed in as I stared blankly at the sc
reen.
I entered the password, the computer screen loading before pulling up. The Munroe Enterprises logo sat in front of me, the same font as the notes. “What’s first today?”
“I’ve got some spreadsheets that need rearranging, if you don’t mind. I’ll show you what I need,” Vicki replied quickly. I nodded and stood before taking my place behind her. “This is sensitive material, going over Mr. Munroe’s earnings for the past five years. I need the payments sorted by date. With a total column at the end of each month, and a final tab with just the amounts per month, and the total earned for each year.”
“Gotcha,” I nodded. Simple enough.
I sat glued to the spreadsheets all day, organizing, deleting, and entering data over and over. It was nice - even though it was mind numbing - to have something to do. “Five o’clock, girl, time to go,” Vicki suddenly stated, standing.
I peered down at the clock on the screen, watching the numbers turn from 4:59 to 5:00. I signed out and stood, stretching. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I shouted at Vicki who was already at the elevators. She laughed before getting in and going down, out of sight for the day. I decided to go grab my things from my locker as a call came through the front desk. I contemplated for a moment if I should answer, as I’d already clocked out, but did anyways not wanting to look bad. “Thank you for calling Munroe Enterprises, this is Vanessa speaking. How can I help you this evening?”
“Ms. Fox, its Tim, can I see you in my office please?” Tim’s voice boomed into my ear.
“Right away, sir,” hanging up the phone I walked to the double doors that lead into his office. Remembering not to push too hard, I made my way inside. Tim was sitting at his desk, his tailored suit prestigiously unwrinkled. His dark brown hair had been cut, but it was still long enough to run your fingers through. His bright blue eyes were shining brightly at the computer screen. I silently wondered what his body looked like underneath the suit. Whether it was hard as rock, as it appeared, or soft and giving. He licked his lips gently, parting and wetting them. I bit my bottom lip in response, the electricity between us flying wildly through the air.
Meeting Munroe Page 2
