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Casting my gaze to the mirror, I nod at him and open the door to leave.
Warm breeze hits my face, and I smile, enjoying the sunny morning. I saunter toward the Fading Ink entrance, excited to show my ideas to Peter and his marketing team. I hope Mark will ignore what happened yesterday, and it will fade like a bad dream.
But my wish evaporates as I step into the elevator.
“Can you imagine spending a night locked up with the sexy CEO? The things he could do to a woman’s body . . .”
I freeze, tuning in to the conversation happening behind my back.
“Who was it?” one of them asks, oblivious that they’re talking about Mark and me.
“No idea, but I would love to get stuck in the elevator with either of them. Those men know how to please a woman.” They giggle as I exhale a relieved breath.
Wow, the gossip spreads fast as a wildfire here. I should be more cautious. It could ruin my career way too easy.
“Good morning.” Denise motions for me to come closer to her desk. Her eyes sparkle. Once I approach, she unleashes the gossip mill on me.
“Yesterday, someone got stuck in the elevator during the power shortage. I think it was Robert.” She bites her lip. “He always works late and sometimes sleeps here. The guy who was testing the system told me he was with a woman. And that they both looked like they enjoyed their time together far too much.”
My lips press into a line as she wiggles her eyebrows at me.
Does she know it was me and that’s why she’s telling me this?
It’s not like I had a choice in the matter.
“Good morning.” Robert’s cheerful voice sounds behind me, saving me from responding.
Strolling toward us with a folder in hand, he looks in a great mood today.
“Ready to kick ass?”
I nod, smiling as Denise starts chatting about work and his schedule, so I slip away.
Once in my small office, I log onto the system and start sorting through the emails. While I still have time, before Robert calls a morning meeting, I send a few attachments to the marketing department, hoping Peter will be impressed with the few ideas I generated yesterday. I want to work with him and move to the department responsible for marketing the products. This way, it might be much safer for my sanity.
“Cassandra, we’re waiting for you.” Robert’s voice filters through the intercom. “I got your favorite coffee and bagels,” he coaxes me.
“Is it cappuccino?”
“Yep, hurry up.”
“One minute,” I respond. “I need to print something first.”
“Oh, I almost forgot, we’re at Mark’s office,” he curtly utters and goes silent.
Dammit, I thought I could avoid him. Since I haven’t seen him much for the past two weeks except yesterday, I hoped this might be the case again. So, after I print my pitch for the new client’s book, I walk into his office. Peter jumps to his feet.
“Jesus, are they letting you out enough into the sunlight? You look pale. We need to get you out in the fresh air more.”
“Unfortunately, Peter, the sun won’t help me with my complexion.”
“Oh, well, we could always fake tan. It works for me.” He winks and comes to kiss me on the cheek. I learned he’s affectionate with people he likes.
“Good morning, Robert, Mark.” I catch Mark staring at me as I take a seat next to Peter. He passes me my second cup of coffee. “This is heaven,” I breathe out, taking a sip and then placing it on the coffee table.
“Peter, where are we with our campaigns?” Mark begins as I pull out my iPad from under my armpit and start making notes. He and Robert will probably want to have progress reports at their fingertips.
After they discuss numerous projects and mull over the marketing strategies, they start talking about Middle East clients.
