Professional Boundaries

by Jennifer Peel

  “Delfia, please show Ian to the conference room and give him access to the Wi-Fi,” Gary directed.

  I couldn’t believe this. My head was spinning.

  Before Ian followed Delfia, he directed his attention to me, or at least I thought it was to me. “I look forward to meeting with you later.”

  Was he talking to me or Boss? There was no reason for us to meet later, and I had no intention of doing so. I looked at Boss to respond to him.

  Boss was rubbing the back of his neck now. Whoa, he was on edge. “We’ll all meet together after I’ve talked to Kelli. Then there will be plenty of time for you and Kelli to meet together.”

  What was this? I was absolutely not meeting with that man. Boss couldn’t make me, either. What could we possibly have to meet about anyway? I stared at Boss blankly. He wouldn’t make eye contact, and I refused to look back at Ian. I just marched right into Boss’ office and sat down in one of the leather seats in front of his desk. I heard him mumble something to the moron before he walked in and shut the door. He didn’t sit at his desk, instead he sat next to me. This wasn’t good at all.

  Chapter 2

  Boss took my hands in his. Before anyone thinks this is inappropriate work place behavior, think again. I had known Boss my whole life, and he was like a father to me, especially the last several years since my own sweet dad passed away.

  He finally looked me in the eye, but his palms were sweaty. “Kelli, my girl, you know it’s time for me to try out retirement. At least that’s what Holly says.”

  I smiled. “I think you will be great at it.” Then presumptuously I added, “And you know I’ll take good care of things here. You won’t have to worry.”

  He smiled too, but it was subdued. That’s when my heart sank and a sudden realization hit me. “You’re not making me Director are you?”

  He squeezed my hands. “Kelli, there’s no question you’re the most talented and dedicated employee that has graced these walls in the last twenty-five plus years, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you would be an excellent Director.”

  “But …” I said.

  “There is no but, Kelli. You would be excellent. This has been perhaps the toughest decision of my career, but I feel like it’s the right one, and I think you will too once you understand what Ian has to bring to the table.”

  I jumped up; it was a knee jerk reaction. “You’re making him the Director?”

  Boss was definitely surprised by my reaction. I forgot he didn’t know that Ian and I had a history. And believe me, that ticked me off. Ian should have told him he knew me and how he knew me. Maybe then Boss would have thought twice about his asinine decision. Maybe I should tell him, I thought. Or maybe I should quit. I can’t and won’t work for Ian.

  Boss looked up at me with confusion. “I know you’re disappointed, and rightly so, but this isn’t a reflection on your capabilities. Look at this as a new opportunity.”

  “How?” I asked.

  “Ian has extensive contacts in the technology sector. He just sold his own technology company for millions.” Boss was desperately trying to sell the idea to me.

  That sounded like Ian. Looked like his plan was right on schedule. That meant he was married now, too, with two-point-five kids.

  Boss stood up and took my hand again. “Your digital ad design needs him. He can take this product national, maybe even global. Not only is he a master businessman, but he knows development.”

  I wanted to say, Tell me something I don’t know. I knew Ian had a degree in software development, in addition to his business undergrad and graduate degrees.

  I pulled away from him and began pacing back and forth, running my fingers through my perfectly curled new-Director hair. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier, and when did you even meet him?”

  “I met him at that Marketing Technology conference in Denver last fall. And I didn’t tell you because, like I said, he’s a savvy business man.” Boss laughed. “He made me sign an NDA before we even began discussions to explore this idea.”

  I rolled my eyes. That sounded like Ian—always cautious and in control.

  Boss approached me again and led me back to my chair. “Kelli, please sit down.”

  I sighed and reluctantly complied.

  Boss took my hands right back as soon as we sat down. “Kelli, look at this like a partnership. Without you on board, this isn’t going to work. The office staff loves you too much.”

  “It’s too late to butter me up.”

  He laughed nervously. “That sounds like my girl.”

  I didn’t find this humorous at all. “I’m going to have to think about this. There are other factors to take into account.” I stood up. “I’m going home for the day.”

  His face dropped.

  I got up and walked toward the door that joined our offices together.

  “I’ll give you a raise,” Boss yelled out.

  I didn’t even bother looking at him. I opened the door. “If I stay, you bet you will.”

  I didn’t know if any increase in pay was worth working with Ian. I just couldn’t believe Ian was going to be the Director. The big question was why he wanted to be. It sounded like he had plenty of money now, and he darn well knew I worked there. Ian always did his homework; I bet he already knew every employee’s name and his or her vital statistics.

  I walked over to my desk and looked around my office lovingly. It was spacious and stylishly decorated; I even had a private bathroom. The view was great too. It overlooked a small lake and walking path. It was going to really suck to give it all up, especially for the man that did some pretty major damage to my heart all those years ago. It had taken me a long time to get over him, but you never forget your first love, especially when you felt the way I felt about Ian.

  As a precaution, I placed the pictures of my nieces and cat from my desk in my satchel, and then I threw on my long overcoat. I wasn’t sure I was ever coming back. The thought made my stomach roll. How did this happen? I was expecting a promotion this morning, not a figurative slap in the face.

  When I walked out of my office, Delfia looked up from her computer. She smiled tentatively. “Should I transfer your calls to your mobile?” she asked with trepidation.

  I held back the tears. “That won’t be necessary.” I tried to smile at her, but I couldn’t. I just kept on walking. I passed the conference room on the way to the stairs, and it was like Ian was waiting for me.

  “Kelli,” he called out.

  I ignored him and walked as fast as my high heels would allow. Unfortunately, it wasn’t fast enough.

  He easily caught up with me on the stairs. “Please stop.”

  I stopped on the landing. Looking at him invoked a deep hatred and an overwhelming desire to slap him, but I decided lashing out verbally would probably be more appropriate. “Why? So you can gloat about stealing my job?”

  He walked down the stairs like he really was on a runway, and he met me on the landing.

  It kind of took my breath away.

  “I would never do that. I didn’t know you were being considered for it until this morning.”

  “Oh, so this was just a perk for you?”

  His brows furrowed. “You know I’m not that kind of a person.”

  “No, you’re wrong. I don’t know what kind of person you are; I don’t think I ever did. You already lied to Gary. You should have told him you knew me and how you knew me.”

  “I didn’t lie to him,” he said flatly.

  “Still using the Greyson white lie, I see.”

  He was great at not telling the truth, all while telling the truth.

  “He never asked, and I didn’t see why it was important to bring it up. This is business. It has nothing do with the fact that you and I knew each other previously.”

  I just shook my head at him. I knew it shouldn’t bother me, but that was a little cold. We more than just knew each other, but I had to remind myself that our relationship had meant more to me than i
t had to him. He obviously didn’t even regard it as a relationship. This wasn’t going to work; maybe it was just business to him, but for me, it was personal.

  “You can make this your first order of business then. As of this moment, I resign.” I turned and flew down the stairs. By this time, the foyer was alive with activity. I tried to remain calm and unemotional as a plethora of people wished me good morning. I faked it the best I could, but once I hit the parking lot, the tears came as well as a strong urge to throw a rock through his pristine, white Infiniti. I refrained from acting on that particular violent thought. Instead, I just took off in my car like a bat out of Hades.

  Instead of heading home, I headed for my sister, Amanda’s, home. Hopefully the kiddos were already off to school. I loved my nieces, Courtney and Samantha, to pieces, but I needed their mommy this morning. She was only five years older than me, but she had been mothering me since I was little, especially after our own mother walked out on our family when I was just six. Once in a while Joan, our mother, would contact us, but for the most part we didn’t have any kind of a relationship with her. It was sad, but we had dealt with it for so long, we just considered it our life. We’ve never expected anything from her. Besides, our dad was the greatest, and he made sure we turned out alright.

  In fact, I think we turned out better than alright, especially Amanda. She was the best mom and wife ever. My brother-in-law and dentist, Zane Culver, hit the jackpot. Honestly, he was great too, but no one held a candle to Manda Panda, as I endearingly called her.

  As I pulled into the drive of her perfect suburban home, I realized I had several missed calls on my phone. First, it was Boss, then Delfia, then a number I didn’t recognize, but I did recognize the area code as being from Colorado. I could only guess who that was. It didn’t matter; the only person I wanted to talk to shared my DNA. It showed too. As we got older, we’d frequently been asked if we were twins. I wish we were twins, the identical kind, because Amanda was gorgeous inside and out.

  I completely turned off my phone and threw it in my satchel. It felt weird because, to me, it was like an extra appendage and I wasn’t used to being off on a weekday, but turning it off was also kind of freeing. Too bad I liked to eat and pay bills and be a responsible adult. Thankfully, I had a good amount in savings. I had never touched the life insurance money I received from my Dad’s passing either. I was saving it for a house one day. Amanda frequently bugged me about buying instead of renting, but to me, buying a house now was saying I was planning on being single forever. Like a schoolgirl, I imagined I would be picking out my first house together with my husband as we talked about what rooms our kids would eventually have. And, honestly, I just didn’t want to live in a big house all by myself; it would only remind me more of how lonely I was sometimes.

  I hurriedly walked up to the front porch and retrieved my key. “Manda Panda, are you home?” I yelled out as soon as I opened her door.

  “Come on back, Kelli Jelly,” I heard her yell back from the kitchen.

  I rolled my eyes and grinned. Maybe someday we would have to come up with new nicknames. I threw off my heels and walked back to the kitchen to find my sister, Betty Crocker, baking away. It smelled like homemade bread. Perfect, I needed a carb coma.

  My floured, apron-clad sister looked over at me from the oven. “Who died now?”

  I couldn’t help but cry again. Suddenly, the full weight of my on-the-spot decision really hit me.

  “Oh my, did someone really die?” she asked as she came over to wrap her arms around me.

  “No, just my career.”

  She stepped back and looked at me. “What do you mean, honey? Gary would never fire you.”

  “He didn’t,” I responded. I told her the whole ridiculous story. She had never met Ian, but she knew what he had meant to me and how devastated I was when he broke up with me.

  “Well, that’s quite the story. Are you sure he knew you worked there?”

  “Positive.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I just find it interesting, that’s all. Is he married?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “You don’t find it weird that your ex-boyfriend just all of sudden shows up after how many years and becomes your boss?”

  “You don’t know Ian, this has nothing to do with me. It’s purely business for him. He’s an opportunist.”

  “I bet he is,” she responded.

  “Seriously, sis, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She shrugged her shoulders and led me to her kitchen table. We both sat down.

  “So you’re really going to let this guy take what you’ve worked so hard for?”

  I laid my head down on her table and moaned. “What else can I do? I can’t possibly work for him. I used to make out with him, and I told the guy I loved him and he told me that was a complication and never talked to me again, until today.”

  My sister grinned evilly. “Was he a good kisser?”

  I slowly lifted my head up. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “It’s all in the kiss, right?” She smiled toothily.

  “You have no idea.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “Best ever. You see why I can’t work for him?”

  “Are you kidding me? Show this guy who’s boss and what he missed out on all these years.”

  I tapped my fingers on her perfectly cleaned table. “I don’t know, sis.”

  She stood up, looked at my pathetic figure, and took off her apron. “I say we go shopping and get our nails done while you’re contemplating.”

  I wiped the tears out of my eyes. “You really are the best.”

  She winked. “Tell me something I don’t know, Kelli Jelly.”

  Chapter 3

  I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but a day of shopping and pampering with my sister was medicinal, to say the least. She really was the best. Not only was she my sister, she was my best friend. All day she kept encouraging me to go and get my job back, but I still wasn’t sure. Even though in my head I had completely gotten over Ian, there seemed to be some murky water under that bridge in my heart. To this very day, he was the only man I had ever loved. I’d tried to be in love again on several other occasions, and I’d even had men tell me they loved me, but I just hadn’t met anyone who made me feel like Ian had.

  I’d thought, on occasion, that maybe I was defective and that I could only fall in love with men that would never love me back. Or maybe I had trust issues because my mother abandoned us and the first person I expressed my love to also abandoned me, but Amanda said I was just making something out of nothing. “Look at your life—you’re the most trusting and open person I know. You just haven’t met the right guy yet,” she said.

  Easy for her to say; she met Zane when she was eighteen and was married at twenty-one. I wouldn’t say I was jealous of her; it was more like holy envy. Is there such a thing? I don’t know, but what I did know was that I wished on many occasions I was married and had children. I would have traded in deal making and conference calls for PTA meetings, soccer games and diapers in a second. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my job, or at least I used to love it. I kept forgetting I didn’t have one anymore.

  I just wanted more. No, that wasn’t it. I think I just wanted more personal fulfillment. Belly dancing could only give me so much, no matter how good my butt looked.

  By the time I arrived back at my apartment, the sun was just beginning to set. I unloaded my haul for the day. I looked over the plethora of bags and thought maybe I shouldn’t have shopped like I was still gainfully employed. Oh well, you only live once, right? Besides, it was for medicinal purposes, and I if had to look for a new job, I needed to look my best. Or if I didn’t find a new job soon, I needed to look good lying out by the pool; my new swimsuit would do the job nicely. Maybe I would have to eat ramen for the next week or two, so what?

&nb
sp; With my heavy load I was thankful, once again, to live on the bottom floor, but like my sister reminded me again today, it would be more convenient to have a garage to pull into. I told her I would think about house shopping … maybe. I looked longingly at the pool again. Soon, I thought. It was then I noticed a man in a suit sitting on one of the poolside chairs. My first thought was, Wow, someone who wants the pool to open more than me, but that was before I got closer and noticed who it was. Then I thought, well … some words I shouldn’t say out loud. My next thought was, You’ve got to be kidding me!

  As soon as he noticed me, he rose and walked my way. I just kept walking toward my apartment, ignoring him and hoping he would accidentally fall in the pool, or better yet, go back to Colorado or wherever he came from. I just assumed Colorado, because that’s where he had grown up and that’s what his license plate said, but who knew. I for one didn’t care, just as long as it wasn’t here.

  “Kelli!” he called out after me.

  I didn’t respond. I just kept walking to my door. I really didn’t have anything to say to him. I made it to my door and dropped my bags to retrieve my key and punch in my security code. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take a hint and he met me at my door.

  I looked over to him. “I feel like I keep saying this to you today. What are you doing here? Better yet, how do you even know I live here?”

  He ran his fingers through his hair.

  Lucky fingers, I thought dumbly.

  “Well, maybe if you answered your phone, I wouldn’t have had to track you down.”

  “I still want to know how you know where I live,” I fired back.

  “I have access to all the employee files.”

  I glared at him. “Well, I’m not an employee anymore.”

  He sighed heavily. “Come on, Kelli, can you give me a break here. It’s been a long day.”

  I smirked. “And I should care, why?”

  I could tell he was ready to lash back, but he stopped himself and took a breath and thought before he spoke. “Kelli, I’d like to talk to you about rescinding your resignation.”