“Joey?”
“What?” I turn around and shake my head once, opening my eyes wide. “I have to go to work. I can’t be late.”
And I won’t be, but I just don’t want to be around her right now. I don’t have the patience. Too much rests on my shoulders.
“Have some fun tonight, okay?”
I let her think I go out with friends from work on Saturdays, that I have friends other than Katie, because her guilt would be too much if she knew the truth. If she knew how alone I am. That I don’t have money for casual drinks or bowling. That I have less than one hundred dollars in the bank to last until this next paycheck, the big one.
But those are all excuses for the fact I can’t make friends. That I’ve never been invited to happy hour by coworkers. And besides, there are more important things to spend money on—like Andy.
“Yeah, fine, see ya.” I rush out the door.
I march out to my car, drive to the local cafe, and pick up two caramel macchiatos and two black coffees before driving to Locke Industries a block away. I pull into my designated spot near the middle of the lot and park. I stay in my car, letting the classical station soothe me like it did on my way to Tackman’s.
If I could make more friends at work, more connections, it could help me climb the corporate ladder. It would also help if I didn’t have to lie to Maggie and Andy about where I am on Saturday nights.
If she knew I stayed behind at work on the near-empty floor and processed paperwork until our sector was caught up, she’d feel sorry for me. She’d think all I did was work, and it’s mostly true, but no reason to pity me. She’d feel guilty if she knew what it took to support us, but I have to shield her from that.
And I never mind working all the time. She wouldn’t understand. She hasn’t held down the same job for more than a year in her whole life.
I grab the tray of coffees and stride to the front door, my head held high.
Do people know about my raise yet? That I’m managing a client? Maybe I’ll get invited to happy hours now, or whatever they’re doing tonight.
Philip smiles and opens the door for me.
“Good morning,” I say as I pass him.
He stares at my tray and smiles. “You’re going to be wired today!”
“Uh huh,” I laugh. “Have to get my energy to work on a Saturday somehow!”
“Have a good day!” he calls as I pass the front desk on my way to the elevator.
“Josephine?” someone calls, and I turn around. The man behind the front desk leans over and nods to me. Does he know about my promotion? “Ms. Locke will meet you down here. I’ll have Mrs. Bishop’s coffees taken to her.”
“Oh-kay.” I walk to the desk and set Fern’s macchiatos on it. “Did she say anything else?”
He shakes his head and turns his attention back to the front door as the elevator doors ding open and Cathrine clips out at a quick pace, her heels tapping against the marble floor. She’s in a red body-con dress today, her bouncy silver hair tapping her shoulders with each step.
“Good morning Ms. Locke.”
“Josephine.” She gives me a quick nod. “We’re going to Orrick Locke’s home this morning for an installation request.” She picks up one of the coffees from my tray and takes a sip as I stare at her.
Orrick Locke. CEO of Locke Industries.
“His house?”
“The installation technicians will meet us there.”
“Okay,” is all I can manage to say as she takes another sip.
Will he be there? Will I finally get properly introduced to him?
Does he know about my promotion?
A car pulls up in front of the doors, and I follow her. Philip opens the door for us and nods twice. I smile back and keep up with Cathrine as her driver opens the door to her town car for her. She gets in; he closes it, and I follow him to the street side. I extend my hand to open the door, and he lets me, smiling before turning to his door.
I climb into the sleek, spacious back seat. I love riding in the company car by Cathrine’s side, the fresh clean smell, the cold beverages sitting in wait each time. I used to be nervous, riding with her in such close proximity, but she takes her business calls, and I do what our company does best: mind my own business, enjoying the reprieve from being at her beck and call, and enjoying the company of the second-most powerful woman at Locke Industries.
If I work hard enough, I could be like her one day. Not exactly like her. I still want to be me. Rather, where she is.
As the driver pulls away from the curb, Cathrine turns to me. “Once we arrive, I’ll need you to wait out front for the technicians and tell them I’ll be inside to oversee the installation.” That’s not something she usually does, but I nod, and she leans over, supporting her weight with her arm against the middle seat. I turn in instinctively. “And this is very important. Mr. Locke will be arriving late,” she rolls her eyes, “as usual, and once he does, I need you to call me and let me know—the minute he arrives on the property. Do you understand?”
So, I’ll be seeing him. “Yes, of course.”
“Good.” She runs her hand over her dress against her leg. “The installation should be complete by the time he arrives, and I’ll be meeting with him before we leave.”
“Should I come in after he arrives?”
She shifts her body toward her door, stares out the window, and pulls her cell phone from her purse. “That won’t be necessary.”
For the duration of the ride, she speaks to a client, and as we pass the entrance to the Amaretto Grove Subdivision—New Gilford’s nicest and most secluded neighborhood—I know we’re close. She ends her call as we turn onto Cordelia Lane, and we stop at the gate before the huge, modern house beyond, composed of geometric shapes and sharp angles. On the maroon front door hangs a regal, inviting green wreath.
The driver rolls his window down and presses a button on the security system Locke Industries designed. A voice answers, and I can’t make out their words through the muffled partition, but the gate opens.
“You’ll get out here.” Cathrine nods to my door.
Outside the gate? I can’t even come into the other side?
The driver opens the door for me, and I step out. I guess Cathrine told them I’d be staying out here.
The town car drives on toward the house or, rather, mansion, and as the gates close behind me, the meaning behind my promotion diminishes. More money, more responsibility, but I’m still not good enough to go inside.
I turn my back to the impressive front lawn beyond the gate and begin my duty of lookout, staring down the long road. Any sign of a vehicle would be great, but the sudden burst of a young boy’s laughter echoes behind me, and I turn around. Beyond the gate, a young boy about Andy’s age runs away from the front doors toward the expansive lawn.
A young woman who looks a bit younger than me, maybe, follows him out and looks across the lawn, stopping once she sees me.
Great, I’m standing here looking like even more of an outsider than I feel, and she’s probably wondering what I’m doing.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” she asks as she approaches, her dark hair falling over her shoulder. She must work for the Lockes.
“Hi. I’m Josephine Oliver. Ms. Locke’s assistant. We’re here for the security updates, and I’m just waiting for our technicians to arrive.”
“Mrs. Locke, as in Iris? She didn’t mention you’d be dropping by. I’ll have to check with security before I can let you in.” She reaches for her pocket and rests her hand over it.
Is she going to call security on me? How embarrassing. I am security.
“Oh, sorry, no. Cathrine Locke. I must look pretty awkward just standing out here waiting.” I give her a small smile.
The boy catches my attention, running around behind her. He must be the Locke’s child. He looks so happy and carefree. I haven’t seen Andy play around like that in ages.
That little boy probably has everything. A secure hom
elife and parents he can depend on. Why couldn’t Andy have that? He deserves it. I notice the young woman’s still waiting on an explanation.
“Cathrine’s inside. She told me to wait out here until they came, but it doesn’t feel like I’m doing much of anything.”
The young woman turns back toward the house. “Right, Cathrine Locke. So, you don’t need me to open the gate? Surely she doesn’t want you to wait out there.”
You’d think, wouldn’t you?
I let out a little laugh followed by a sigh and shake my head. “Thank you, but she really was insistent I stay out here. Is that the Locke’s son?” I take a step closer to the gate and point to him.
She turns over her shoulder, and the boy seems to have finally noticed her absence. “It is.”
“I have a nephew about his age. What is he, nine?”
“Eight,” she says with a nod. “Sorry, I should’ve introduced myself, I’m Olivia. John’s nanny. You said you’re...Josephine, right? What’s your nephew’s name?”
The fullness of my name feels so unnatural when anyone says it. No one used to call me that until I started at Locke Industries. I like that they take me seriously enough to use it, but it makes me feel so distant, and it doesn’t sound right coming from their nanny.
“You can just call me Jo. The company likes to keep things formal, but I don’t actually like my full name all that much, so just Jo between us? And his name’s Andy. He doesn’t get to play outside too often, but he’s into video games, big time. How about him?”
John apparently lost interest in whatever Olivia was doing, already back to playing. Olivia chuckles. “Five minutes ago, I practically had to pry his fingers off a controller to get him out here.” I laugh and nod as she continues, “I guess it’s just that age, but I’m glad to know I’m not the only one dealing with a video game-obsessed preteen. And you can call me Liv.” Her smile is warm, disarming even, especially in these surroundings.
The light hum of an engine sounds behind me, and I turn, spotting a black van with the Locke Industries logo on it. It rolls to a stop before the gate beside me. “One second,” I tell Olivia, hoping she’ll stay to keep me company after they leave.
The driver’s side window rolls down, and a technician in a black baseball hat with the same logo sticks his head out.
“Ms. Locke asked me to send you right in, where she’ll be overseeing the installation,” I tell him.
He raises a brow, perhaps not realizing he’d be working with one of the board members directly, and with a stoic expression, he gives a quick nod before pulling away from the window. He inches up to the keypad security system and presses a button.
The gates open straight away. Are we being watched, or was Cathrine waiting impatiently?
The van rolls through, and the gates close again, parting Olivia and me once more on opposite sides.
Olivia smirks as I turn back around. “I didn’t think it was possible to have any more security installed here. This place is practically a fortress as it is.”
“I guess they’re beefing it up for some reason I’m not privy to.” I sway my weight from heel to heel, my toes squished down to the points of my shoes, aching to be released from their sweaty prison. The only good thing about being outside is the company. “How long have you been the Locke’s nanny?”
“I just started last week, actually. He’s a sweet kid, and the Locke’s seem...nice.” She pauses. I wonder what their homelife is like, and what she meant to say instead of nice. “How long have you worked for the other Ms. Locke? Is she any relation to Orrick and Iris, or is that just a strange coincidence?”
“Almost two years now with Cathrine, but I’ve been with the company for three. Didn’t you know Cathrine Locke was Orrick Locke’s dad’s cousin?” I guess she doesn’t know much about the company.
“I thought she had to be his mom or something. It looks like she’s quite a bit older than him.” She presses her hand to her lips. “Shit, that was probably rude to say. Are they close, Cathrine and Orrick?”
Liv’s honesty is refreshing, and she doesn’t make me feel like I need to put on a proper act for her. “I can honestly say I’m not close enough to know… But from what I can tell, you wouldn’t know they were even related if they didn’t share a last name, never mind owning a company together, or at least being a board member. You know what I mean?”
“Totally. Between the two of us, I think the same thing about Orrick and Iris sometimes...this whole place seems like a business. Like they’re business partners more than anything. It’s sad, you know? Maybe the Lockes in general just aren’t great about showing their relationships.”
I guess it runs in the family.
“Or their emotions much at all,” I add as a lighter hum of an engine makes me turn around again.
A black Tesla rolls toward us. Is it him? “Is that Mr. Locke?”
“Yep,” Olivia says, shouting over my shoulder away from me. “John, your dad’s home!”
The Tesla stops before the gate, and the tinted window buzzes down.
This is it. I’m meeting him one on one.
I smooth my hands over my blouse and skirt, wishing I could have scrounged the money together to buy something I could be proud to wear. Something more to Locke Industries standards. If he knows about my promotion, will he expect more, and be disappointed in the way I’m representing the company?
I fold my hands in front of me in an effort to hide as much of what I’m wearing as I can. Orrick Locke appears confused as we make eye contact, as if he could drive right past me, so I take a small, shaky step toward the car.
He glances over at Olivia, and I feel like I’m too late. Did I miss my chance to speak to him?
“Good morning, Olivia.”
“Good morning, Mr. Locke.”
He casts a glance back at me. “Is this a friend of yours?”
My heart sinks in my chest, and I fight to keep my chin held high.
“Good morning, Mr. Locke.” My voice shakes as I seize the opportunity, clearing my throat. “I’m Josephine Oliver, Ms. Locke’s assistant. She’s here with the technicians for your new security updates and installations.”
I search for recognition in his eyes, but he just nods.
“Forgive me, Miss Oliver, you caught me off guard. It’s a pleasure to see you, as always. Is Cathrine already here?”
Does he really remember me? Does it really matter? I have my chance to make a mark now.
“Yes, sir.” I savour the moment, pausing to take in the full attention of the CEO of Locke Industries. “She arrived just a bit ago, and the technicians are inside, already at work. She had me out here waiting for your arrival.” I press my lips and hands together tight. Stop there, Jo. Don’t ramble on.
He looks toward the house, a hint of worry in his eye, but when he turns his attention back to me, he’s cool as ever. “Excellent. Well, thank you for giving me that update. Would you like to come inside now that I’m home? You’re more than welcome to. You shouldn’t have to stand outside all alone, even though Olivia provides delightful company.” There’s a hint of a smile on his face. He really is charming. Is his smile for Olivia or me?
Again, doesn’t matter. He’s inviting me in. This is all I’ve ever wished for.
And I have to say no.
I smooth my hands over the front of my skirt and tuck my hair behind my ear, releasing a small, comforting sensation as I delay my rejection. “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Locke, but I was given direct orders to wait outside.” I glance from Orrick to the house.
This could be my only chance, but if Cathrine sees me in there, she’ll be upset. Maybe, since Orrick says it’s okay, she wouldn’t be able to be mad. Maybe I could be of good use in there.
I turn back to Orrick, and his gaze is still on me, all his attention, on me. Goosebumps spread across my arms, and the odd sensation of dread fills me.
Take a risk and go inside Casa Locke or live to be invited another day?
At least I kept it short and sweet that time.
He raises a skeptical brow. “Suit yourself. If you change your mind, just buzz, and Warren will let you through.” He points to the keypad near the gate. “And don’t worry about getting into trouble. I’ll take care of Cathrine.”
Take care of Cathrine. So powerful and reassuring.
I regret saying no immediately as he drives on, pulling through the gate. At seeing his dad’s car, John heads in Olivia’s direction, throwing a hand in the air to wave. A shadow of Orrick’s hand waves back at his son through the tinted back windshield.
Olivia’s smiling at me, and I can’t hide my own. She’s been watching our whole exchange. “Did I just make a huge fool of myself?”
“It’s really hard to tell with Orrick.” She shrugs one shoulder. “He’s always that cool and calm. It’s unnerving, isn’t it? No one should be allowed to be that handsome and charming. There has to be something wrong with him.”
I press my fingers to my lips in an effort to hide my giddy grin and nod. “This might sound pathetic, but aside from the doorman to Locke Industries and the one friend I have at work, no one there has ever been that nice to me.”
“Isn’t Orrick usually that nice?”
“That’s the first time we’ve met, actually. I was so nervous to meet him—” I stop as she stares intently, realizing I’m confessing this to a stranger, and try to regain my composure. ”I just hope that went okay.”
“Wait, what?” Olivia lets out a shocked laugh. “That was the literal first time you’ve met your...boss? How is that possible?”
“I’ve seen him in the halls. He walks by most mornings and greets everyone, but I’ve barely ever made eye contact with him, never mind talk to him. The company is… very professional, and while people have working relationships, it tends to stay within our sectors. I’ve always wanted to meet him. I guess I got my wish today.”
Olivia seems to study me. “Well, if my opinion’s worth anything, I think it went well. From what I’ve seen, Orrick leads the conversation; as long as you manage to keep up, you’ll have his respect. I’d say you did that.”
The Assistant's Secret Page 5
