by Tia Wylder
Her face paled, “I do?” It hadn’t been on her schedule.
Derrick sighed, “Miranda, can you escort Lizzie to Auditorium A, please?” He gestured a woman walking briskly down the hall.
Elizabeth recognized her as the woman who had given him papers yesterday after her interview. Miranda looked at her kindly, “Certainly! Follow me.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know there was a meeting. It wasn’t on my schedule. This is my first day, so I don’t even know where anything is yet.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Miranda lowered her voice as if she were about to share a secret, “Adeline can be a bit vindictive at times. She probably left it off on purpose.”
“Why?” Elizabeth was shocked someone would do such a thing here.
Miranda shrugged, “She likes Mr. Page to think she’s the only one around here worth anything. I guarantee you that she put a corrected copy of the schedule she gave you in your file.”
“Seriously?!” She glanced over her shoulder to where Adeline was perched at the front desk.
“Yeah, she’s not one to mess with. Don’t worry, I’ll look out for you. Your name is Lizzie? Is that right?”
“Elizabeth. I don’t know why he keeps insisting on calling me that.”
Miranda laughed, “He likes to tease people. Here we are. Pick a seat.” She held open a door to a large room with a smartboard set up. The seating was in tiers like in a theater. Miranda followed as she chose a seat.
“Oh, are you staying, too?”
“Yes, just about everyone will be here.”
Elizabeth felt a wave of relief wash over her. She was glad Miranda was staying. At least she had found one nice person so far. The auditorium was atwitter with individual conversations. There were about one hundred people seated here and there. A side door opened, and the room fell silent. Derrick Page walked to the center of the floor. He was in a well-tailored suit. Elizabeth couldn’t help but remember the way he looked last night. Each muscle was defined in her memory. The dark ink of his tattoo stood out against his lightly tanned skin. The water weighed down his hair until in hung in front of his steely blue eyes. A dreamy smile crept across her lips.
“Miss Adams,” hearing her name quickly brought her out of her reverie, “I know that it can be hard to stay awake, but please try. I had a challenging time sleeping last night. My neighbor’s alarm system went off in the middle of the night, and this morning she blared her music as she was leaving for work.” He watched as her eyes grew to the size of saucers. A smirk twitched at the edge of his lips.
“That’s horrible.” Miranda whispered under her breath to Elizabeth. “Some people just don’t have any respect for others.”
“Maybe it was a mistake.” She tried to defend herself without giving herself away.
Miranda smiled earnestly and shook her new coworker’s knee, “You’ve got a good heart. I can already tell.” Elizabeth beamed at her, and they both turned their attention back to their boss.
“Hartman and Craft are opening another hotel chain here in our city.” Derrick’s voice boomed across the hall. “That means I need each one of you to be at your best. If you can do something extra to make someone’s day better, do it. If you can smile, grab a bagel, hold a door for someone, do it. This is not the time for us to be slacking. A new hotel means they will have the appeal of novelty. Our job is to remind our guests that we have been there to provide superior service in the past, and after they get back from their tryst with our competition, we will be here to welcome them back to true luxury.” He paused to let his words settle over them. “Ladies and gentlemen, the fate of our company lies in the effort we put forth today and every day after. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to our shared dream. There will be a fully stocked breakfast outside of the atrium when you leave. Eat a good breakfast, and get ready to conquer.” As he left the room, the seats erupted in applause.
“Wow,” Elizabeth stared after him.
“He’s good, right?!” Miranda clapped as hard as she could.
“Is there always a fully stocked breakfast?”
Miranda laughed, “Only when he’s cheerful or trying to motivate us. It’s like lead by example, you know? What boss would he be if he told us to do something extra for people, and then he didn’t do it himself?”
Elizabeth smiled. It was nice of him to go out of his way for his employees. For her, it made him seem more human. So far, he was hard for her to figure out. What man ran a huge company, carried in a stranger’s boxes, knew how to turn off alarm systems, and bought enough breakfast for about a hundred people? There had to be a catch. He seemed too good to be true.
“So, where are you headed to next?”
Pulling out her schedule, Elizabeth ran her finger down the list and times, “Well, going off of this I’m supposed to meet with someone named Joanna, but lovely Adeline seems to have forgotten to tell me where. Awesome.”
“Lizzie,” Derrick motioned for her to approach him.
“Ugh, why can’t he just use my name?!” She hissed at Miranda, but quickly made her way over to her boss. “Yes, sir?”
“My personal assistant called in sick today, so she couldn’t bring my special coffee to me. I thought since you’re the reason I didn’t get much sleep last night, you could go grab it for me.” He lowered his voice so only she could hear him, and it made a tingle race across her skin.
“I’m really sorry about that. Yes, of course. I’ll go get you some coffee.” She turned to grab a coffee cup from the breakfast spread he had provided.
“Lizzie?”
“Elizabeth.” She corrected him, but turned to see why he had stopped her.
He held out a business card for a local coffee shop between his fingers, “I get my coffee from here. Just tell them it’s for me. They know my order.”
She took the card from him being careful not to touch his hand. “Will do! Oh, I’m supposed to meet someone called Joanna to go over some first day training.”
“I’ll let her know that I’ve requisitioned you for now.” He flashed her a smirk and raised an eyebrow before turning and walking away.
“Looks like I’m going on a coffee run.” She glanced down at the card he had given her. The Undergrounds. She had seen it around, but she had never actually gone in. Today was going to be a first.
Traffic on her way to the coffee shop wasn’t too bad. A tiny bell tinkled as she walked in. Mahogany brown columns were wrapped with twinkling golden lights. There were a few tables seated with a range of people from businessmen to barely awake college girls. Elizabeth closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The Undergrounds smelled liked roasted coffee beans and nutmeg. If she hadn’t known any better, she would have thought she had just stepped into heaven.
She stepped up to the counter, and a barista greeted her with a smile, “Good morning! What can I get for you?”
“Actually, I’m here to get Derrick Page’s usual.”
“No problem. Can I get a large caramel macchiato, extra expresso, extra caramel, topped with whip?” She gestured for Elizabeth to step to the side. “I’ll get it out to you as soon as it’s ready.”
“Thanks.”
“So, we are opening next week. I want lavish ceremonies, open bar, the works. I need you to make Page look like the joke he is.” A dirty blonde man in a suit crossed one of his ankles over his knee. Elizabeth tried not to listen, but the name Page caught her attention.
“Are you sure you want to do that? People will abuse the system. You’ll get many degenerates if you offer an open bar.” The man across from him had worry lines across his forehead.
“Ok, then make it an open bar for anyone who holds a platinum card with Page Industries and Hotels. He’s a washed-out playboy. The people want something new and exciting, and we will give it to them.”
“Excuse me,” Elizabeth walked up to their table. She was fueled by anger and loyalty. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I think what the peopl
e want is someone who cares about them and their business. They want someone who makes their own company better by providing better service, not by tearing down their competition. People should want to come to your business because they believe in your company, not because you bribe them with free booze.”
The blonde man scoffed at her, “Look, honey, I don’t know who you are, but you have no—”
His partner cut him off, “No, wait. Maybe she’s right. Picture this, ‘We put the heart in Hartman and Craft.’ Miss, how would you like to be the new face for our company? We could use someone with your passion on our PR team.”
“Order up for Derrick Page,” the barista held up a cup.
“Actually, I already have a job.” She turned and took the coffee. Elizabeth left the coffee shop without looking back. Adrenaline coursed through her veins. She couldn’t believe she had just done that. That was incredible! Her hands hadn’t stopped shaking by the time she got back to work.
When she walked in the building, everyone was staring at her. She could hear them whispering as she walked past. Did she have something on her face? What was going on? She knocked on Mr. Page’s door. “Sir? I have your coffee.”
“Come in. Shut the door behind you.” He gazed out at her. His eyes seemed to be on fire.
“Okay? Here’s your coffee.”
Derrick pulled out a stack of papers and placed them on his desk. “Miss Adams, do you know what this is?”
Her heart hammered in her chest. He hadn’t called her Lizzie this time. “No, sir.”
He slid the papers across the desk, “This is the non-disclosure agreement you signed when you applied. This says that you will not discuss company business with other businesses or associates of other businesses.”
“Okay?” She didn’t see what he was so upset about.
“So, why am I seeing this all over social media?” He turned his laptop so that she could see a video. He pressed play.
The video was done on a shaky camera phone. She could make out the side of her face and the two men that she had seen at the coffee shop. “I think what the people want is someone who actually cares about them and their business. They want someone who makes their own company better by providing better service, not by tearing down their competition.”
Derrick paused the video, “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Sir, I wasn’t talking about business though.”
“Were you not? Because it sounded like you were.”
“You didn’t hear what they were saying! I was defending you. They were saying such horrible things, and I couldn’t just stand there and not say anything!”
“Our legal team has advised me to dismiss you before anymore outbreaks occur since you seem unable to keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“Sir, please. I—”
“However, my director of public relations has stated the opposite. He believes that if we fire you after your…sensational…performance, then we will look bad to the public. He thinks that we should use your new-found fame to advertise our company better, and I agree with him.”
“Wait…what?” She stared at him, unsure if she had just heard him correctly or not.
“Congratulations. You are our new mascot.”
“Your mascot?” That did not sound glamourous at all. The only thing that kept popping into her head were those big-headed costumes that ran across football fields at half-time.
“You become the mascot, or you lose your job. Your choice.”
Chapter 4: Business as Usual
“Gah, I would kill to be in your shoes right now.” Miranda sat across from Elizabeth at Rigoletto’s Italian Bistro. “And he just gave you the job. Just like that?”
Elizabeth sipped a glass of wine. The red left a delicate stain on her lips. “Gave is such a nice word. It was more like an ultimatum.”
The two girls giggled. Miranda had dragged her out to celebrate after work. “You are incredible. I mean, one day on the job, and boom! You’re already part of the PR team.”
“I believe the word he used was ‘mascot.’”
“Don’t let him get to you. I’m telling you, he just likes to tease you to get a reaction. Besides, let’s not let this taint our evening. A toast to new friendships and personal successes!” Their glasses clinked together.
Elizabeth’s head was starting to swim. She was on her third glass of wine. As long as they didn’t have her do anything embarrassing, this could be a great opportunity. At least she was still involved in the company, even if there was a catch to it. She stared down at her plate and pushed around the last few noodles with the tip of her fork.
“Are you ok?” Miranda’s eyes wrinkled at the edges with concern
“Me?” Elizabeth looked up at her with a soft, natural smile, “I’m great. I’m happy. I have this new job, new house, new friend. For the first time in a long time, I am actually happy.”
“I’m glad for you. I notice you didn’t say boyfriend in that list.” Miranda winked at her.
Laughing, Elizabeth shook her head, “Nope. No boyfriend. I’m not against it, but I’m not seeking it either. I’m just enjoying life, you know?”
“I wish I had your confidence.”
“Stick with me, kid. You’ll learn a lot.” Miranda smiled at her joke. Elizabeth had a way of lighting up a room just by being in it.
The waiter came and picked up their plates and checks. As she stood up, Elizabeth realized she may have been more affected by her wine than she had initially thought. Miranda offered to give her a drive home, but she chose to take a cab. On the drive home, lights and city life flitted past the window. It was beautiful when you really looked at it, like glittering hives of life and fun.
“Thank you for the ride!” She tipped the driver when he dropped her. Carrying her shoes in her hands, she walked across the rough driveway to her front door. There was a slip of paper stuck between her door and the frame. “What’s this? Sorry we missed you.” Crap. The furniture people.
Elizabeth jiggled her key into the door. One more night without her bed. She groaned internally. She completely forgot about them coming today. After everything that had happened, it had just slipped her mind. She would have to call tomorrow and arrange a new delivery time. Closing and locking the door behind her, she crawled straight into the pile of blankets on the floor. She would worry about a shower in the morning.
It seemed like she had just closed her eyes when a banging on the door woke her up. Elizabeth squinted at her phone. “Who the heck knocks on my door at five in the morning?” She pulled the door back quickly, a cranky expression wrinkled her nose. “What?!”
“Good morning to you, too, Lizzie. Surely you’re not wearing that to work.”
She banged her head softly on the door three times, “My name’s Elizabeth. It is five in the morning. Why are you here, Mr. Page?”
“We have a photoshoot this morning.”
“A what?!” Her eyes shot open.
“A photoshoot. Is that the same dress you wore yesterday?” He eyed her up and down.
“I got in late last night. Just, come in. I’ll throw on something else.” She waved him in and tried to massage the hangover out of her temples. She was a little out of practice with drinking, and it was starting to catch up to her. “I would say have a seat, but my furniture hasn’t arrived yet.”
Derrick watched her scoot along the wood floors to the living room. He placed his hands in his pockets and let his eyes wander. Peeking into the other room, he saw her digging through boxes for something to wear. A haphazard pile of bedding was mounded in the center of the living room. He shook his head. How had someone like her made it this long in life?
“Do you always sleep in your clothes?”
“Oh, um, I was drinking last night, and I didn’t feel like changing. I typically just wear something comfy to sleep in.” Her voice drifted in through the other room.
“Really? I didn’t peg you for a party girl.” While spoke, he sa
w a moment of indecision come across her. She glanced towards the kitchen, but didn’t see him. With a quick shrug of her shoulders, she pulled off her old dress and lifted and fresh one over her head. Derrick found himself momentarily transfixed as his eyes traced her curves. It would be so easy to walk in there and catch her off guard. He averted his eyes. She was an employee. There were plenty of other women around. No need to dip his pen in company ink.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I was just out with a friend.” She came back into the kitchen, straightening her dress. Looking up, their eyes locked. “Not a boyfriend. It was just a friend. A girlfriend. Well, a girl that’s a friend, you know? Not a girlfriend-girlfriend.” Elizabeth quickly shut her mouth to stop her rambling.
He fought back a snicker, “Right. Well, now that we have that cleared up, let’s go.” Derrick walked out of her front door and headed for his vehicle.
“Um, about that…I don’t exactly have my car.” He stopped and swiveled to look at her. “I took a cab home. I didn’t want to drive when I had been drinking.”
Derrick sighed, “Come on.”
“What?”
He opened the passenger side door of his sportscar, “Get in.”
Elizabeth slid across the seat, “Whoa. It practically hugs my butt. Suddenly, I see the appeal of these things.”
Derrick stifled a chuckle as he shut her door and walked around to the driver’s seat. “I take it you’ve never ridden in a car like this?”
“Like this? No. I’m not sure I would even classify this as a car. It’s more like a luxury recliner on wheels. This may be the sleeping on the floor talking, but this feels so good.” She leaned back into the plush leather.
He had to focus not to be aroused by the soft, relaxed moan that escaped her lips. She was getting this much pleasure out of sitting in a car? It was such a simple thing, something he took for granted every day. His thumb reached over and gently pressed the button to turn on the heated portion of her seat. There was no harm in giving her a little more pleasure, if it never got to the physical level.
Her eyes widened in alarm. “Oh no.” She squeezed her knees together.
