Survivor

by Mary Alford

  “Okay, show me why you like this shack so much.”

  For the next few hours, that was exactly what he did. In fact, we were still sitting in the living room with the lights out, admiring the breathtaking view of the city below, when I had my last coherent thought.

  Somewhere in the distance a car horn blared, bringing my eyes open slowly. I became aware of stark bright sunlight shining through the bare windows in the living room.

  It took me a few more seconds to realize where I was, but once it hit me, I sat up and became aware of another troubling thing. Aaron was fast asleep beside me. Sound asleep, in fact. He hadn’t budged at the sound of the horn or my fast actions.

  “Aaron, wake up!” I shook him hard enough to get one eye to open. “Wake up! We spent the night here!” I practically yelled at him, which managed to get the other eye open. This was so bad on so many levels that I couldn’t even begin to name them all.

  I jumped to my feet and started searching for my shoes while Aaron, moving at a much slower pace, finally sat up.

  “Relax, will you? It’s too early for all this noise. And besides, it’s not as if we’re late for anything.”

  Work was the last thing on my mind. I was too worried about how I was going to explain to no one in particular that I’d just spent the night with my boss and have them believe it had been strictly what it was.

  “I don’t care!” I shrieked while waving my hands in the air. “We shouldn’t be here. I need to get home. I need coffee.”

  Had I been thinking clearly, I would never have blurted out that first piece of information in such a way. The last thing I wanted Aaron to know was how upset I was just by being with him.

  “Grace, what’s the matter?” I glanced down at him, ready to tell him what the matter was, when I caught the beginning of a smile crinkle the corners of his eyes. The one that emphasized the trouble he was going to be for me. “Are you afraid someone might actually find out we spent the night together?”

  “We did not spend the night together.”

  “Well, it’s morning, and as I recall, we were here together when you passed out right there.” He pointed to the spot I’d just left. “Which just so happens to be the last thing I remember as well, so relax. Your secret is safe. Nothing happened.”

  Was that even a question in his mind? “Of course nothing happened. That’s not what I’m worried about.”

  “Then what?”

  “Oh, I can’t explain it to you.” I threw up my hands as if he were some barbarian incapable of understanding what I was feeling instead of this sophisticated man. “Just promise me you’ll never mention this to either of my grandparents.”

  “Oh, so you don’t want them to know we spent the night together, is it? What’s it worth to you?”

  Aaron’s expression gave absolutely nothing away. Was he serious, teasing, or what? I certainly couldn’t tell.

  “I’m teasing.” Aaron reached for his own shoes before looking up at me. “Your secret’s safe with me. Come on, I’ll drop you off at the apartment, and then I’m going to let Bennett know this is the one. I’m hoping we can get all the necessary paperwork wrapped up as quickly as possible since I’m leaving for New York after the interviews on Friday.”

  I waited next to Aaron while he locked the house. It dawned on me that was the first time I’d heard him say when he was leaving. Somehow, the thought of it didn’t make me quite as happy as I’d believed it would.

  “When will you be back?” I blurted out, only to be rewarded by another one of those searching looks he was so good at giving me.

  “Why? Are you going to miss me?” This time he wasn’t smiling.

  “No. Of course not. I was just wondering what I should be telling people. You know there will be lots of questions.” I genuinely hoped my grouchy tone would kill any further questions he might have.

  “Ah, well, I have several loose ends to tie in New York before I can officially be called a Texan, so I’m guessing another week, possibly two. Which will give the paperwork time to be completed on the house and get it in a livable condition. But I may need your help there.”

  I feared the worst. “What do you mean?”

  He parked the car in front of Starbucks and gave me a look that told me not to argue. “I can’t go any further without coffee, so just deal with it. And what I meant was, I want the interior decorating thing done and over with by the time I return. But I’ll need your help in getting that to happen.”

  We ordered coffee and sat down at one of the tables next to a window and away from the few other people who were still lingering. The rush-hour crowds had long since cleared out.

  “Okay, but you’ve seen my apartment. I’m not exactly an expert on decorating.”

  ”You’re right. No offense, Grace, but your apartment looks like you put it together at a swap meet. Okay, can you get me a few names of local decorators then? Find out who’s the best in town and have them contact me. I’ll give them an idea of what I want.”

  I was amazed by his innocence. “And you think all of this is coming together by the time you get back? Sorry, but there’s no way. It will be at least a month, realistically longer. You’d better find yourself somewhere else to live in the meantime. Or just stay in New York.”

  I didn’t exactly sound polite, and it certainly was not what any good secretary would say to her boss of less than a week, but frankly, there was nothing normal about our relationship. It was about as nontraditional as they came.

  “Gee, you want me to just let you run the company, and I’ll stay in New York?”

  I smiled. I was finally beginning to understand Aaron’s humor a little better. He hadn’t liked my remark. For some reason, that pleased me to no end.

  “No, nothing so drastic. I’m only saying there’s no way you’re moving into the palace in a week, or even two for that matter.”

  “Do you happen to have an extra bed in your apartment?”

  “No…why?”

  “Because I’m not staying in a hotel, and you just happen to be the only person I know in town. And seeing the way you reacted to even the possibility of spending one night with me, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say it might be in your best interest to work with me here a little, Grace. Or at least make sure I have a bed to sleep on.”

  Aaron dropped me off at the apartment soon after. I’d told him I was going into the office for a while before having lunch with Deb. Otherwise, I feared a return trip to dear old Bennett’s office.

  The first thing on my agenda was to meet with Sally. Since Susan told me she would be the one working with me, and knowing how close she and Marge were in the past, I’d been dreading the meeting. I just wanted to get it over. I called Sally to let her know when I would be in and set up a time for us to meet in the privacy of Aaron’s makeshift office.

  The second I stepped off the elevator she was there waiting for me, wearing the same expression I’d seen on all the executives’ faces in the conference room.

  “There you are. I can’t tell you how happy I am we’re finally going to be working together.”

  I cringed over every single one of those lies. This was part of the business world I disliked the most. The falsehood. So many people blew with the wind, siding with whatever power might be in charge at the time. Aaron was right about one thing. Business could be cutthroat at times.

  “Good.” I couldn’t quite force myself to repeat her sentiments. “Why don’t you come inside and we’ll talk.”

  “Okay…” Her hesitancy told me that although she might want to stay on my good side, she wasn’t quite ready to take orders from me either. It was going to be up to me to take control before she figured out just how uncertain I was about my new status, otherwise I could forget ever accomplishing a thing. Certainly of ever winning Aaron’s respect. As bad as I hated admitting it, I wanted to do well in his eyes.

  “Sally, did Susan explain the details of the job?” I watched her expression. “Because I don’t
want there to be any misunderstandings between us. We’re going to be working closely together. There’s an awful lot to accomplish in only a short amount of time. So if you can’t accept the conditions of this working arrangement, I’ll certainly understand. I know it must seem difficult considering the length of time you’ve been with LoneStar compared to me. Please be honest with me. I’d prefer it.”

  She stared back at me with all the resentment she clearly felt at being forced into the position written clearly on her face. Oh yeah, she understood.

  “Yes, I understand, and you’re right, I don’t like it one little bit. It’s not fair for someone who hasn’t even been here even a year to be elevated into such a position simply because you’ve managed to catch the boss’s eye. I’m not blind. Aaron has quite a reputation, but you see, I happen to need my job. Some of us have families to support who are depending on our income. I’m a single mom, which means I’m willing to do whatever I have to make this work. I hope you feel the same way.”

  “I can’t ask anything more of you. I’m willing to try if you are.”

  She nodded, but I didn’t feel confident. “Okay, well we have a lot of work to do, so I think we should get busy. Mr. Severn wants us to be in place in the new offices by tomorrow, which means I’m turning all of the move details over to you. I need you to make it happen.”

  Sally left me to go accomplish her assignment while I set up the confidential meetings with each of the executive team members who would be out of a job come tomorrow. It was a hard task to complete and keep any amount of confidentiality. I had to set up the meeting times with each of their assistants and fend off all the curious questions in the process. None of girls had any idea what was happening, although I believe some suspected. I deliberately saved Deb’s manager for last.

  I gave her the time Aaron could meet with him. While she added it to his calendar, she tried to pump me for information.

  “Deb, you know I can’t tell you anything. Just have him there on time, okay? Are we still on for lunch today?”

  She hesitated for such a long time, I wondered if I’d hurt her feelings. Our working arrangement was going to be harder than even I’d imagined.

  “Sure. Where do you want to meet?”

  “Why don’t I come get you? Oh, and this is my treat.” This had her even more curious. She knew how tight my budget was. “Hey, it’s the least I can do for a buddy who listens to me whine and doesn’t complain about it.”

  For the rest of the morning, while Sally scrambled to accomplish her goal, I located the names of the top three interior design firms in Austin. Getting appointments with each of them was easy enough once I’d mentioned Aaron’s name. Apparently, even in Texas his name carried an awful lot of weight.

  I began working my way through the enormous amount of e-mails coming in since the announcement. Most were from the Austin team with the usual questions. There were a few from Jenna in New York confirming Aaron’s flight tomorrow, as well as laying out his schedule for the following week. I spotted a couple of e-mails from someone whose name I didn’t recognize. As soon as I opened the first e-mail and read the first line, I realized it had to be from Aaron’s current girlfriend. I decided I needed to find a system for spotting those personal messages so that I would never had to read another one of them again.

  I was still sitting at his desk trying to work through my feelings when Aaron called.

  “I’m all done here. You want to get together for lunch and give me the lowdown on what’s happening there?”

  “No.” This came out sounding so angry that I forced myself to try again. “I can’t, remember? I told you I have lunch plans with Deb.”

  “What’s wrong? Has something happened at work? Is someone giving you trouble?”

  I held my breath and counted to ten. I had to calm down and try to figure out how he was so good at reading my moods. I couldn’t have him reading my every little emotion, especially if I were going to be forced to go through his e-mails.

  “Nothing’s wrong.” I said sounding every bit as angry as my last attempt. I decided to change the subject entirely. “So you’ve got the papers all signed then? When do you take possession of the shack?”

  “Today.” He sounded almost relieved. “Any luck with interior decorators?”

  I was only too happy to talk about anything else but what I’d been doing before he’d called. “Yes, I’ve got the names of the top three. You want to meet with them today?”

  “Correction. I want us to meet with them. What time will you be finished up with your lunch?” I told him and he went on in typical Aaron fashion. “Good, see if you can make appointments with each of them this afternoon and have them meet us over at the house. And to answer your question, I need you there so you’ll have some idea of what I’m looking for in case they have any questions while I’m away.”

  I think I groaned loud enough to give him my full opinion without words.

  “Smile, Grace. I’ll be out of your hair soon enough. How are the meetings coming?” Aaron changed subjects so fast that it was hard to keep up with what we were talking about at times.

  “Good. They’re all scheduled, in fact. Your day begins at eight, so get lots of sleep tonight. You’re going to need it.”

  “Mmm. How’s Sally working out? I read her file before I suggested the arrangement. I know she needs the job, but if she can’t cut it, or if she has a problem working with you under the conditions outlined, then I expect you to deal with it. Don’t let it get in the way of your work. Has Jenna sent my flight agenda for tomorrow? She called earlier to say it should be in the inbox this morning.”

  There it was again. A shift in conversation back to where I didn’t want to go.

  “Um, yes, it’s here.” I gave him a brief rundown of when he would need to leave for the airport.

  “There’s something else?” he asked. I plunged headfirst into my answer in my own awkward way.

  “Yes, your…” I paused briefly while I tried to figure out how best to refer to the woman, who, in the space of time it had taken me to open her e-mail, had me picturing her as tall, dark, and sultry. Just the type of woman I’d nosed around enough to know Aaron dated. “Your girlfriend left you an e-mail. I’m sorry. I opened it before I realized it was personal. In the future, you might want to have her mark them as such,” I told him pointedly.

  At the sound of his laughter, I had a sneaking suspicion Aaron was actually enjoying my discomfort.

  “Why? I have no secrets from you.”

  I wanted to tell him I was okay with secrets. I had no desire to know all the intimate details of his personal life. He could spare me those secrets.

  “And Sara is not my…girlfriend. She’s just someone I go out with on occasion. But I’ll tell her not to e-mail me at the work address anymore if that will make you happy.”

  What would make me happy would be to have the image of her with you wiped out of my mind entirely.

  Unfortunately, there was no way that was happening. Throughout the rest of the morning and even at lunch with Deb, all I could think about was the mysterious woman Aaron would be going home to in just a few hours.

  “Hey, what’s up with you today? You’ve barely said a single word and you haven’t touched your salad.” Deb eyed me in a way that told me she was drawing her own, not-so-nice conclusions to my silence.

  “Nothing’s wrong… I guess I’m finally beginning to understand what I’ve gotten myself into.”

  “You mean the gorgeous Mr. Severn is hard to handle? Honey, I should have your job. He’s one hot-looking single man, not to mention loaded. I could handle seeing something nice around every day instead of old Albert.”

  I had to smile at that in spite of Deb’s unwholesome observations. Albert Enders was definitely not a welcome sight.

  “I’ll bet. But at least Al isn’t completely cutthroat.”

  “No, just spoiled. So the big guy is ruthless, huh? Well come on, Grace. How do you think he got to wh
ere he is in such a short time? He can’t be all that old, and I’ve been doing some checking up on him. You know he started that little company of his straight out of college. Made it an international success in less than ten years. I mean this has to be some kind of record or something. You don’t get to where he is without cutting a few throats along the way.”

  “I know, but it’s not just the way he handles business. It’s his whole personal life as well. You said yourself he has quite a reputation.”

  “I think you’re a little too worried about Aaron’s personal life for someone who’s not interested in the guy.”

  “I’m not interested in him. At least, not the way you’re hoping for.”

  “I know what you tell me, but I also know what I hear in your voice.”

  Chapter Six

  “Okay, so which of the three did you like best?” I was finally starting to get used to Aaron asking my opinion.

  I’d arrived at the house just in time to meet the first candidate and their entourage of employees. After several hours of going through every room of the house with a fine-tooth comb, my attention started to wander. I’m sure most of the upper-class folks were forced to suffer through the same punishment to get their homes decorated just right, but me, well, I say just pick up some stuff up at the local furniture mart and be done with it.

  “Pay attention. You may actually have to decide some of this yourself,” Aaron whispered as the second group of designers talked amongst themselves in excited whispers. They were thrilled with the prospect of decorating a house this size.

  “Trust me, you don’t want me involved,” I reminded him as the gang descended on the master suite.

  Hours later, as we closed the door on the third and final team, I found myself more confused than ever. The dozens of ideas and suggestions were floating around in my head like butterflies. I’d almost forgotten which idea came from which firm.

  But I did have my favorite. The most unassuming group of them all. A sweet, older husband and wife team I’d snuck into the candidate selection. Even though their suggestions were not as elaborate or as pricey as the others I liked them.