by Jinni James
“Amen to that. Are you and Alexander okay?”
“We are fine.”
“Okay. Just checking. Your one o’clock meeting is in ten minutes. Would you like for me to cancel?”
Crap. Should I cancel? No, probably not. Keeping to business, as usual, was probably my best bet.
“No. If anything, this meeting is more important now than ever. Have all department managers in the conference room in ten minutes.”
“Yes, Ms. Hamilton.”
Natalie leaves the room and goes straight to her desk. She picks up her phone, no doubt calling the various department heads. I say a quick prayer of thanks that I can always count on Natalie to do what needs to be done. Ten minutes later, she buzzes me over the intercom.
“Everyone is in the conference room, Ms. Hamilton.”
“Thank you, Natalie.”
I stand up, brush off my clothes, fix my hair, and check my makeup, before heading to the meeting. On my way down the hall, I consider the best approach to take with my employees. What should I tell them? No, I’m not selling out my company. Yes, I’m dating the man who was after my company. Your jobs are in no danger, but I did just fire my CFO. Ugh! I am so over today. And after such a wonderful weekend, too… Mondays normally suck, but this is ridiculous.
I walk into the conference room, and all eyes turn my way. Fear, anxiety, and curiosity show clearly on their faces. I go straight to the front of the room and stand at the head of the large, long, dark wood table. Every person I have working for me could sit around the table. I clear my throat and begin.
“First, I want to thank you all for coming. I know you and your people are all concerned about the company and my involvement with Preston Enterprises. I know you’re also curious about what just happened with Robert Barnes. Let me start by saying that this company is sound. We’re not in financial trouble; on the contrary, we’re doing better than ever. I will not sell to anyone. I built Hamilton from the ground up. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into this business, and I refuse to just hand it over to someone else. Certain people—people like Bob Barnes—are greedy. They constantly want more. I’m happy with what we have now. We’re only a few years old. We will achieve a level of greatness, but we’ll do so at our own pace, and we’ll do so by building the business ourselves…not by riding on Preston Enterprises’ shirttails. We don’t need to hook up with some big shot company to become successful.
“The second thing I need to address concerns my personal life, and as such, I’d like to keep the details private, but yes, I am seeing Alexander Preston. I understand this might seem unusual to some of you, and perhaps as a conflict of interest, but I assure you, as complex as this might be, I’m perfectly capable of keeping my business life and my personal life separate. My relationship with Mr. Preston will have no bearing on anything to do with Hamilton.
Now, as far as Bob is concerned, I found out he was still in talks with someone over at Preston Enterprises. I don’t know what he hoped to accomplish, but the fact is, he intended to undermine me. He wasn’t supportive of me or my business decision, and so I had no choice but to fire him. I don’t intend this as a threat, but please let this be a warning to anyone who is or was working with Bob on this little project of his. If I find out someone is working against me, I will fire them on the spot. I hope that covers everything. I look forward to continuing working with you all.”
The room erupts in a cacophony of clapping and cheers, as everyone rises to their feet and applauds.
I’m overwhelmed with emotion. As everyone begins filing out of the room, the men walk up and shake my hand and the women lean in for a hug. Natalie is the last in line.
“Everybody hated Bob. We’re happy he’s gone, and you just assured us that you still care about us and this company. Every person here loves working with you.”
“Thank you, Nat.”
“And if I may be so bold, Ms. Hamilton, I think you should call it a day, and go home. You look absolutely beat.”
“You know, I think I just might do that.”
I never leave the office before four, at the very earliest, but today, I’m making an exception. Now, I just have to decide if two in the afternoon is too early to start drinking?
Chapter Six
“Lizzy!”
Oh, crap. Mark. He found me. Where am I again? Oh, that’s right, I am at a bar I found while wandering around downtown Manhattan. The place is nothing special. Certainly not my usual fare, but I had an urge to go somewhere different. Where no one would find me, and I could have some peace and quiet. Looks like that idea is all shot to hell.
“Lizzy. Thank God. What are you doing here? Have you been here all afternoon?”
“How did you find me?” I manage to string words together in a way that makes sense, but my speech is definitely slurred.
“I tracked your cell; it’s what I do, you know.”
Ah, yes…my best buddy, Mark, who is also one of the best cops in the NYPD.
“Come on, Lizzy. Let’s get you home.”
Mark lifts me off the bar stool I’ve been holding down for the last several hours and walks me outside. It’s still light out. A good sign…maybe I haven’t been drinking as long as I think.
“What time is it?” I ask.
“My God, how long have you been sitting in there? Stupid question. What difference does it make? You’ve obviously been here long enough to get hammered.” He sighs deeply. “It’s seven o’clock.”
I giggle, and then I giggle again, even though I have no idea why.
“Wow.” I say, and then, because I sense Mark is a little upset with me, I cough to disguise another chuckle.
I’ve never actually been drunk, so this is a whole new experience for me. Very weird. No wonder people like to overindulge now and then. The booze takes your mind off things, and suddenly, everything is amusing.
I chance a quick glance at Mark’s face. Big mistake. I collapse back in the car seat, giggling like crazy. His puckered brow and glowering expression looks so funny. Mark takes his eyes off the road long enough to frown at me and shake his head. No doubt, he’s thinking I’ve lost my mind.
We pull up at my building, and amazingly enough, Mark finds a parking spot directly across the street. Even in my inebriated state, I realize this is rare. Someone must be looking out for me, because if I had to walk more than half a block right now, I’d be in trouble.
I half climb, half fall out of the car, and Mark hurries around to take me by the elbow. Holding me steady, he escorts me across the road, into the lobby, and then guides me into a waiting elevator, and the whole time, I’m struggling like mad to keep a straight face. The minute the elevator begins moving upward, I stagger and fall against the wall. If not for Mark, I would have ended up on my ass…a thought I find absolutely hilarious, but I get the impression Mark isn’t the least bit amused. We arrive at my door to find it’s already open.
“Becca!” I shout. I immediately release Mark, only to latch onto my sister. I lay my head against her chest, wrap my arms around her waist, and sigh. “Have I ever told you how pretty you are? You are so-so-so-so-so beautiful, Becca. I love you.”
“Um…I love you, too, Lizzy.”
“No, I mean I really, really love you. A lot.” I lift my head and nod rapidly. The movement makes me dizzy, and I sway a little. I shut one eye and try to focus on my sister’s face. Or rather, faces. There are two of them.
“Wow, she is really trashed.” Becca looks past me and addresses Mark. “Thanks for tracking her down.”
“Sure…no problem. You sure you got her?”
Becca nods and Mark finally let’s go of my elbow.
“I think we should get her to bed.”
Bed? Why was Becca talking about putting me to bed? I lift my head again
“It’s only seven. It’s still party time!” I release my sister and stand on my own two feet for the first time since leaving the bar. I’m swaying, but I manage to stay upright. “Becca, go get
the brandy out of the kitchen.”
Mark’s angry growl comes from somewhere deep in his chest. He gives me a look that says he’s getting pissed.
“No!” he says his voice firm. “You have had quite enough for one night. We’re going to get you upstairs, changed, and into the bed. Right now.”
“Fine.” I stick out my lower lip, but in truth, I’m a little relieved when Mark once again grasps my elbow. Another few seconds, and I’d have been on the floor. I look up at him and add, “Have it your way.”
Once in my room, I succumb pretty easily. Eyes closed, I lie on my bed like a ragdoll while Mark and Becca undress me and slip a t-shirt over my head. Becca brings me a glass of water and two aspirin from the connecting bathroom, and I sit up long enough to take them.
“Drink it all,” Mark tells me and nods at the glass. “You’ll be glad you did. Should help with that hangover you’re going to have in the morning. Won’t be as bad if you rehydrate.”
I nod and drain the glass, and then Mark puts me to bed. He lies down next to me. Becca, who has finished folding my discarded clothing and placing it on a chair near the window, bids me goodnight and walks out, shutting the door behind her.
Mark brushes the hair out of my face, and when I look up into his eyes, I can tell he’s worried.
“What happened today, Lizzy?”
I let out a sigh as I close my eyes.
“Stupid blond bitch trying to interfere with my company. Fired that jackass, Bob. So stressed out.”
Through my drunken haze I watch Mark smile.
“Well, I suppose that will make sense tomorrow. I have to go back to work. Get some sleep, and call me tomorrow, okay? That’s an order.”
“Yes, dear.”
The minute Mark leaves the room, my heavy eyes close and I’m out like flame extinguished on the breeze.
*****
I awaken to my alarm clock and my phone going off at the same time…not to mention a killer headache and the worst dry mouth I have ever experienced. I hit my snooze button, then grab my cell. A quick scroll through the log shows ten missed calls and five text messages. Three of the calls are from Mark, and they came in last night, and the rest are from Alex. My phone starts ringing again, making me jump. The display flashes Alex’s name and number. Despite the feeling of having sawdust in my mouth, and my pounding head, I figure I better answer before he thinks I have fallen off the planet.
“Hello?” My voice sounds raspy.
“Elizabeth! Thank God! Are you okay?”
Sounds to me like he’s shouting through a megaphone. I put a hand to my poor, aching head. “I’m fine, Alex. Could you please not yell?”
“Are you hung over?”
“Yes. Bad day yesterday. Thought drowning my sorrows in booze might help.”
I use as few words as possible and barely speak above a whisper.
“I’m so sorry. I should have come over last night.”
“It’s okay. Really. I wasn’t at home, anyway. My best friend, Mark, is a cop. He found me and brought me home.”
There’s silence on the other end, but then he finally starts to speak again. “I’m glad you’re okay. You had me worried. Are you working today?”
“I have to.”
“Wow. You’re a real trooper. Well, then, how about we meet up later this evening?”
“Okay.”
“Excellent. I’ll be in touch later.” His promise to call sounds a bit like a threat this time.
“Okay,” I say again.
I hang up the phone, glance at the clock, and cuss like a sailor. Damn. Eight o’clock already. “I’m going to be late. I’m never late.”
I scramble out of bed and dash into the bathroom. My hair looks as if a bird nested on top of my head, and the only way I’ll fix that is to take a quick shower. I’ll have to run a brush through before rinsing out the conditioner. I jump under the powerful jet spray, fly through my normal routine—wash my hair, rinse, and pile on the conditioner and leave that soak while I scrub my body, and then rinse off while I brush through the mess of tangled tresses. Once I’ve got out all the knots, I rinse real quick, jump out, throw on some clothes, and head downstairs, sans makeup. I’ll just have to go to the office with a wet head, au natural.
“Well, good morning, sunshine.” Becca is far too cheerful for eight o’clock.
“Would you mind taking it down a notch?”
“Oh, Lizzy, you gotta love those hangovers, huh? Maybe you’ll think twice before you disappear to go drink in a bar for hours.”
“How dare you judge me for doing something you do all the time?”
“Because I’m only twenty-two, and, as you love to remind me, a young, college-age party-girl. I’m supposed to do that all the time.”
She lets out a laugh that just about kills me. I grab my head and moan. Becca walks over to the counter and grabs a bottle of water and a couple pills. Obviously, the ‘party-girl’ had enough forethought to anticipate my current condition. Thank God.
“Here, hon,” she says, speaking softly now. “Take these Advil and drink the entire bottle of water before you get to your coffeehouse.”
“Okay. Thanks, Becca.”
I do as I’m told; reminding myself Becca has more experience in this department than I do. Right now, I feel like I never want to drink again. My head is pounding, my mouth is still dry no matter how much water I drink, and I feel as though I could puke at any moment. I walk past several restaurants that serve breakfast, and the odor of greasy, fried foods cooking makes me want to vomit. I finish my water and order my latte. Nothing has ever smelled as good as this coffee does at this moment, but I sip slowly as I finish my walk to the office, afraid if I drink too much, too quickly, I’ll make myself sick.
I walk into work and go straight to my office, hoping to avoid all human contact, at least for a little while. Luckily, the Advil Becca gave me is beginning to work on my headache. I still have an ache behind my eyes, but not nearly as bad as earlier. I sit down at my computer and check my email. There’s only ten today…someone up there must love me.
A knock at the door draws my attention, and I look up as Natalie steps in the door.
“Hey,” I say, “since when do you knock?”
She shrugs, smiles, and comes to stand before my desk. She gives me an odd look and asks, “Are you hung over?”
“Yes, Natalie... I am.”
“Well, after the day you had yesterday, I can’t say I blame you, but I have a sneaking suspicion today might not be much better.”
Oh, boy…here we go. “What do you mean?”
“Mr. Davidson called from Neo Corp. He said there’s a meeting scheduled for today at three, and he says you should be there.”
Why on Earth is there a meeting today? We never have meetings on Tuesdays. What could they possible need to discuss? And why does Davidson think I should attend? “He didn’t happen to say what this is all about, did he?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Okay, well, thank you.” I guess. I turn to stare out the window, wondering what other strange, new developments this day might have in store. A moment later, I hear the door open and click shut. Apparently, Natalie took my silence as a dismissal, which is just as well. If I wasn’t in the mood to socialize when I first walked in here today, I’m definitely not up for chit-chatting now.
Besides, I think, dismissing all thoughts of the meeting and Davidson’s odd request, I can’t dwell on this right now. I need to work. I pick up a manuscript and begin reading; hoping the story is good and it’ll distract me… at least for a little while.
*****
Again, luck is on my side, and the manuscript drew me in and held me there. Before I know it, two o’clock rolls around, and I need to leave soon. I’ve been reading and editing all day, and my eyes feel like they’re crossed permanently.
I lean back against the chair, tip back my head, and close my eyes for a few minutes. On the way out, I decide I’ll stop by the ladies’ roo
m and throw some cold water on my face. Maybe that’ll help a little.
I rest my bleary vision as long as I can, and then I gather up my purse and cell phone, say good-bye to Natalie, and then head for Neo Corp.
As I walk, I ponder the meaning of today’s meeting. Earlier, I shot off a quick email to John Davidson, asking him for more information, but I never received a response. No matter how hard I try, I can’t think of a likely reason to call an impromptu meeting, and after a while, I decide not to worry about it. After all, I’ll know soon enough.
Before I reach Neo Corp, I stop off and grab another latte. My headache has finally ceased, and my dry mouth is gone. The latte will work as an afternoon pick-me-up, one I have a feeling I’m going to need, in order to deal with whatever is coming at this meeting.
I walk into the gigantic conference room, where I find every one of Neo Corp’s board members —and I do mean every one of them—sitting there, and after a moment, it becomes obvious from the way they look at me that they’ve been waiting on my arrival. People sit jam-packed around the enormous oak conference table, while others stand lined up against the walls. My seat still sits empty, so I sink into the chair and wait, along with all the others, to see what Mr. Davidson has to say.
“Good afternoon, everyone.”
Well, doesn’t he look sharp today, in his blue Armani suit?
“I’m glad to see all of you here. There have been a couple changes made since yesterday that I feel the need to share with all of you. First of all, as all of you know, we lost our dear friend and fellow board member Jackson Smith a few days ago. He decided it was time for him to retire.”
What? When did this happen? Why wasn’t I made aware of this?
“We’ve been searching for the ideal replacement for him, and now, I believe we’ve found one. Everyone, I would like you to meet our newest board member, pending a vote, of course…Mr. Robert Barnes.”
What! Bob? No fucking way! I find myself overrun with shocked anger that drives me to my feet in a fit of rage.
