AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Getting my binders and lists ready for the day, I fire up my laptop and begin skimming through new emails. Plopping in my wireless headphones, I select my favorite Spotify playlist and psych myself up for the email slog. I action items, reply to clients, put in requests for vendors, and schedule phone calls with new clients who came in through our request form.
And then I notice a subject line beside a name I recognize all too well that has me suddenly feeling sick to my stomach.
“WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?” From none other than Jenna Joy, an old client from the Boston office.
I know I emailed her before I left, notifying her I was being relocated to the New York office and I would handle her file from here.
Okay, I get it. You have my full attention now. Can you stop ignoring me, please? I’m sorry I messed up, even though I have no clue what I did. My calls aren’t going through, and all my emails are going unanswered. I need you, Zoe. I can’t deal with that useless twat Greg for another second. If this email bounces, I’m going to personally bring hell to Bloom.
Where are you, and why has your name been removed from the New York Launch Party?! You’re the only one who knows exactly what I want, and I’m canceling the entire thing if you don’t get back to me. I don’t trust anyone else to do this, so you’d better get back to me. Or better yet, give me a call, because I’m beyond pissed.
Lots of love,
Jenna
617-258-3478
I read the email three more times, because the first two rounds, I’m in a confused haze. What is she talking about? I’m going to the grand opening; I fucking planned it; and it’s right in New York City. Tracy already has the file and event date all set up in her calendar. It’s my file! Jenna has been my client from day one.
In a panicked state, I scan my events calendar for “Monumental Designs,” which is Jenna’s baby and the business she’s poured her heart and soul into for the last five years. We helped her company flourish in Boston, and now she is launching a storefront in New York City. I helped plan the entire thing with her in Boston. The only reason she stayed with us and didn’t hire a PR company in New York was because of me. A lot of the ideas were my own, and it was the first time in my life where someone gave me creative freedom to design an entire space like I had always dreamt of doing. Jenna was thrilled with the final product. Greg, of course, took credit, but I didn’t care because I knew they were my designs.
I find the event in our booking system and click on the file, but an error message pops up.
ERROR: Your account has been suspended. Please contact your administrator.
That motherfucker. I’m going to kill him and dance on his grave.
I’m fully aware I shouldn’t allow my anger to take over, but at this moment, all I see is red as I grab the phone to dial Jenna’s number.
The day is almost over, and I handled the Jenna dilemma with more ease than expected. Jenna had no idea I’d left. It seems they have blocked all outgoing and incoming emails from my inbox. She was beyond furious and said she would handle the situation on her end. Later, she called to say she had fired Greg and demanded I be put back in charge as the lead, and Tracy had no issues with that. She was actually thrilled, since bringing over this type of client full-time means she meets her quota for the next six months.
Greg probably did this with my other clients too. People who wanted to work with me but were told it wouldn’t be possible or that I had been let go. He spread a couple of nasty rumors, likely hoping they would organically reach clients and ensure I would never be able to go back to the Boston office. And none of those clients would follow me either. It all makes sense now, and if that was his plan all along, I’m going to make sure my revenge is extra sweet.
I’m hoping he gets an earful from his boss, but I’m trying not to think about it anymore. Easier said than done. Which is why I have my headphones in, counting down the minutes until I can get out of here and maybe down a couple of shots at home.
Today needs to end already.
My desk phone flashes, catching my attention.
“Blooms New York. How can I help you?”
“Zoe, there is someone here requesting to see you.”
“Who is it?”
There is a pause. “I don’t know. There is a delivery, apparently, but he’s only willing to hand it to you.”
The receptionist hangs up before I have a chance to ask anything else.
“For fuck’s sake.”
Via glances over at me, her fingers still clicking away loudly on her keyboard. “What’s up?”
“Apparently, there is someone at reception looking to see me?”
“Oh! Maybe you’re being served.”
Great, now I’m filled with nothing but sheer panic. “What?!”
