by Carter Blake
“I would start with contacting all of the high ups in the pharmaceutical industry, to invite them to an exclusive last minute event. I would make it sound so thrilling that they would have to clear their schedules. Then, I would find an amazing catering company, a well reviewed decorator, and a bar tender that could be trusted…”
“Okay, okay,” I hold my hands up, laughing. “I trust you. I believe with that fiery attitude you could pull it off. In fact,” I give her a little look, wondering if I’m doing the right thing. My gut certainly agrees with it, but I just need a split second to see if my brain is on board too. “Look, I would like to offer you the job. You are the only person that I’ve seen any spark or desire from, and I really want to utilize that.”
Her eyes light up, which I take as a good sign. She wants this desperately, which means she will do an amazing job once she’s here. Those with determination and a backbone are always the best employees.
“So, do you think you could start today? Your office is already set up, and once you’ve done the paper work, there isn’t anything to prevent you from getting to work…after all, I actually need that gala to be organized by next weekend.”
“Are you serious?” she gasps out at the happy surprise. “Oh my God, that’s incredible. I would love that.”
Oh wow…that smile, those lips…she’s incredible. I’m almost regretting giving her the job, just because it’ll make it more difficult to hook up. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve dipped the pen in company ink, but I’m well aware at how messy it can get, and I’m not sure if I should be going through with that again.
Then again, maybe I won’t be able to resist.
“Let me show you around.”
I take her through the building, proudly showing her everything, before taking her to the human resources office to get all the legal documents sorted out. Usually, this is where I leave employees safe in the knowledge that they will be okay, but for some reason I don’t want to with this one. Naomi Hayes seems to be changing my opinion on everything already.
“Right, let me take you to your desk.” As I walk her into her new office, complete with the most phenomenal view, I enjoy the way her eyes light up.
She’s clearly a strong and confident woman, who probably has a good career a head of her, but she’s impressed by Future Pharmaceuticals, which is the way I always want it to be. I’m determined to be the best of the best, to serve my Dad’s memory well.
“Shall we talk about your duties?”
As I tell her the list of things that I will be expecting her to do, on top of organizing the gala, she doesn’t even bat an eyelid, which tells me that she’s going to be good at this. She might just be the best hire that I’ve made.
By the time I’m forced to leave her alone, to get on with what she needs to do, my mind is all over the place.
I like Naomi, like really like her, in a way that I haven’t liked anyone in a long time. Sure, I find her hot in the same way that I do a lot of chicks, but there’s something more between us too, and it isn’t something that I know how to deal with. I have the reputation of a heartless playboy because that’s always how I’ve behaved – I feel like any guy in my privileged position would do the same – but that isn’t who I am deep inside.
What I want, what I’ve always wanted, is to fall in love. I want what my Mom and Dad had, a companion, a true deep love. I haven’t yet found it, so I might as well have some fun while I wait, at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself.
Because, as soon as I find the one, I’m sure everything will change – the real me will come out finally.
I look forward to that day, when I can be with someone who likes me for the person I am, not for what I can give them. And I have the sense that I would like it to come soon before I get really bored of one night stands.
I just need to be patient, to wait, to let it just happen…even if sitting back and allowing things to happen isn’t my strongest trait.
I wander back into my office, with only Naomi on my mind, and I can’t help but wonder if she could be the one to pull me into the actual dating game. I’m not saying that she’s the one or anything, I’m not crazy enough to believe that yet, but she could be someone that I could get a little more serious with.
Sure, I’m reading stuff into something that might not even be there, but I can’t help the way that my mind thinks. Naomi could end up being another Amber, someone I obsess over but could never have, or she could end up being just someone else that I screw, but for the time being, it’s actually fun to think that maybe…just maybe, there could be something real there.
Chapter 3
Naomi
As soon as Wesley leaves the room, I tug my phone from my bag and I pull a call into my Dad. I want him to know that things have progressed, and hopefully he will get more on board with the plan now that he knows I’m in.
“Hello?” this time when he answers, he sounds more efficient, which I’m glad for. “Naomi, are you okay? What’s going on?”
I can only assume that he’s had a proper think about things and a change of heart since our last conversation.
“I’m in, Dad,” I whisper quickly. “I got the job.”
“You did?” Despite what he said earlier, he actually sounds really happy to hear the good news. “That’s wonderful. Was it easy? Do you have an office? Did you meet Wesley?”
“It was hard,” I tell him honestly. “But I got through it, and yes I do have an office. I’ve met Wesley, and now he has me organizing a gala. So I can probably get closer to him.”
“Yes, you do need to get close to him,” he muses thoughtfully for a second. “You need to do whatever you can to distract him, to keep his attention on you, then you can do what you need to under his nose. Luckily, I think that you’re just his type.”
Being his type didn’t fill me the sense of dread that I thought it would. In fact, it sent a weird fission of excitement racing right through me. I didn’t particularly intend to use my feminine charms to get what I wanted, in fact before I got in I was pretty determined that I wouldn’t do it at all, but now… well, now I feel like I might do anything. I’m in now, and if a little harmless flirting is what it takes to survive, to get through this, then that’s what I’ll do.
“I just…” My Dad hesitates before continuing, “I really need that document, and now that you’re in, I would love it if you could get it.”
There was a sense of pressure in his voice, one that I didn’t feel like he meant at all, so I did my best to ignore it.
“I know. And I will.”
“You know what you’re looking for, don’t you?”
“I’ll figure it out, Dad, don’t worry about it.”
“If you need any help, I have a man on the inside who can give you what you need.”
That statement made my heart flutter a little with confusion. I didn’t think my Dad wanted to get revenge, now it seems like he might have had a plan all along.
Why didn’t he just tell me?
Why did he lead me to believe that it wasn’t what he wanted?
He clears his throat, and says, “He was around when I was a part of the business, and we’ve always kept in touch. Oliver Cain. He works in the IT department.”
I take note of his name, not really thinking that I’ll use it at all. I can trust myself, I’m not too sure about anyone else. I don’t want to fuck this up by putting my faith in the wrong people.
“I spoke to him earlier on and he told me that he thinks the formula is in Wesley’s office, an area that you won’t be able to get into alone. He’s very protective of it.”
“I was in there earlier,” I gasp out, trying to recall the layout in my mind. “I had my interview in there.”
“Yeah, but he won’t allow you in there by yourself. He even tries to keep meetings in other rooms.” There’s a long silence, before he says, “He’s been known to take lovers in there, but that’s about it, so it will be a challenge.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“There’s a safe. The formula is inside.”
I’m a smart woman, so I’m pretty sure that this won’t be too difficult for me. It will all be about being in the right place at the right time, which I’m confident I can orchestrate. “I’ll set about it today, and see what I can find.”
“I can tell you’re thinking about doing this alone, but I do need to implore you to contact Oliver. He really is a good guy, and he will be able to help you get into the safe.”
“Okay.” I feel a little weird about this. I don’t know this guy one bit, my Dad hasn’t mentioned him at all, and now all of a sudden he’s vital to the plan. Maybe Dad was forming ideas behind the scenes the entire time, and he just didn’t want to put any pressure on me. That would be so like him. He’s always been that way. Even in school, when other parent’s were pushing their kids to do amazing in their exams, my Dad simply sat back and allowed me to do things in my own way.
“I have to go,” I can hear the click clack of heels coming down the hall, which makes me think that I might be about to meet one of my brand new colleagues, and although this might not be real I need to make a good impression. I need everyone to believe that I’m here for good reasons. “I’ll speak to you later.”
By the time the woman enters my office, I am typing furiously away at the computer, looking like I’m in the middle of something epic.
I glance out of the corner of my eyes, to spot a petite, red haired woman with cute elfish features that make me feel a little jealous. She’s adorable, but somehow sexy too, which is the sort of look I think any woman would love to have, and she doesn’t even seem to know how good she has it.
“My name is Amber Page,” she tells me in a very serious tone of voice. “It’s nice to meet you.” She extends a hand to me, which I shake awkwardly as I try my best to work her out. “I’m Mr. Montgomery’s personal assistant, so I guess we will be seeing a lot more of one another.”
I get the impression that she’s trying to size me up, so I stand up slowly, towering over her with a smirk on my face. She might be beautiful, but I won’t be intimidated by her. I don’t give a shit about office politics anyway, I won’t be here for long enough for it to matter. If things go to plan, the company won’t be around for long enough for it to matter.
Do I feel bad about losing all of these people their jobs?
Of course I do, but there are plenty of other opportunities in the city. They’ll find something else. It’s the owners who will struggle to move on. They will be the ones who are devastated by this, which is good because they deserve it. They won’t ruin anyone again after this, that’s for sure.
“I guess so. I mean, I’ll probably need a lot of information for you to ensure that I’m getting the right company impression across.” I don’t mean to sound bitchy with that remark, but I get the distinct idea that it comes across like that anyway. “So it’s good that I get to know you now.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, before glancing down at the paper work in front of her. I feel like she has no idea how to take me, which is probably a good thing. I would much prefer to keep people on their toes. The more time they spend trying to figure me out, the less time they’ll watch what I’m doing.
“Well, the department heads’ meeting will be taking place in a moment,” she eventually tells me. “I’m sure that Mr. Montgomery would like you to be there. And I’m sure it’ll be a good thing for you to meet everyone else.”
This is a test, I know it is. She’s probably been ordered to drag me along, but she’s acting as if it’s all casual to try and see how far she can push me. Well, I won’t be pushed around, I’m already on to her.
“I’ll come,” I grin, grabbing some papers that actually have nothing written on them. “That sounds great, plus I have some good ideas that I’m sure they will all want to hear.”
She gives a small nod, slightly frowning at me.
I follow her down the hallway, with my heart racing in my chest. I can hear Amber telling me a bunch of stuff about the business, but as it’s probably a load of rubbish that I don’t need to know anyway, and I can’t seem to focus on her voice. Instead, I’m trying to figure out how I can bag this, what I can say to make myself sound like I know what I’m doing.
I’m going to have to make sure that whatever I say, I sound really confident to get people to believe me, so that’s what I need to focus on too.
At least I’m educated in this area, at least I’ve done it a little bit. I should be able to make things work from that.
And Wesley.
I really need to work out a way to get closer to him, if I’m ever going to get into his office.
I think about my Dad’s words, and the fact that I might have to at least act like I’m going to sleep with this guy to get to where I need to be.
If he thinks that he’s going to get laid, then he may leave me in his office for just a short while – a few moments – if I can work out how to get into the safe, it will be enough.
I just need that in.
But how can I make him think that I want to have sex? I’ve never been in a position where I’ve used my body to get what I want before, so it’s a little intimidating to go into that territory, but I’m sure that I can figure it out somehow.
This is only a small part of my life, I remind myself. I won’t be here forever doing all of this crazy stuff. Once it’s done, and Future Pharmaceuticals has been brought to its knees, then I can focus on the rest of my life…
The only problem with that is the fact that this has been my life for so long now that I don’t really have anything else to fall back on.
My sole concentration has been revenge for so many years, that I haven’t actually given myself the opportunity to come up with any other dreams, any other ideas for the rest of my life.
I could have this done within the next few weeks, and then I’ll have to come up with some other direction, another way forward.
Maybe my Dad will start his own company, using the formula that John has hidden in that safe, and I can work there, using the skills and knowledge that I’ve developed for good, but I can’t rely on that at all.
Dad might not ever want anything to do with the industry again, maybe he’s happier being a teacher than I think. If that’s the case – then what?
I really don’t have any idea and that’s terrifying.
Stop worrying about the future, I scold myself. Just focus on the here and now. There isn’t any point about worrying about what to do next when you aren’t even through this yet.
One step at a time.
“Right,” Amber announces, shaking me from my thoughts. “This is it. The board room is in there. Mr. Montgomery will be waiting for you, so good luck.”
I nod and wait for her to leave, but she continues to stare at me expectantly, waiting for me to go in, which leaves me no choice.
So I suck in a few deep breaths of air, and I push the door open hard, ready to face the unexpected.
Chapter 4
Wesley
“That’s the report for this quarter,” my head of accountancy, Chris, drones on, almost sending me to sleep. He has to go about things in the most roundabout way possible, and it drives me insane. I just wish that he would state the facts on a need to know basis, and deal with the rest of it himself, but no matter how many times I suggest that to him, nothing ever changes.
Just as I fear that I might be about to drift off for real, the door swings open and the woman who has been filling my mind ever since I saw her, is staring right back at me, making my heart skip a beat. Damn, I like her a lot, a real lot, which makes it extremely difficult for me to even consider concentrating.
Everyone turns to face me, which takes me a back for a moment as I fear my feelings might be written all across my face. Then someone coughs awkwardly, and I realize that they’re all waiting for me to introduce them to her.
“Oh right,” I jump up and e
xtend my arm to Naomi, whilst looking around at everyone else. “As you all know, I have been looking for a new head of PR, and today I hired her. Naomi Hayes.”
“Hi everyone,” she takes over confidently, sending a small wave to everyone. “I hope to fit in well with you all, whilst taking this company to the next level too.” I watch her smile at the other heads of department in turn, most of whom are older guys who are instantly intrigued by this smart, fiery beauty. “I don’t know who was the head of PR before, but I feel like their idea were a little too…traditional, so I hope that what I can bring to the role is something different.”
I know that I should focus on everyone else, allowing them all to have their say in turn the way that we normally do, but this statement has intrigued me. I find myself wanting to know more.
“So…what are you thinking?” I ask, as Naomi slides into a seat. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I think the person before me went down a lot of the typical routes for announcing a launch – press releases, radio interviews, paid advertising. That sort of thing. What I would like to do would be more daring. Events, stunts, anything to get the attention of the public and doctors alike. I think what you need to do is something really out there, to stand out in such a competitive market.”
Oh no…am I about to regret hiring Naomi? Is she going to turn everything that I’ve worked towards on its head in the worst way possible?
“Look,” I tell her regretfully. “We do things in the traditional manner because we’re selling life saving pills, not fizzy drinks or chocolate bars. We need to get attention in the right way, not because we’re doing something crazy.”
She actually rolls her eyes at this statement, making me balk a little at her blatant rudeness. I’ve become so used to people kissing my ass that it seems a little strange to have someone not care about keeping me happy.
