AllFreeNovel
Share Us
WINTER
I takethe elevator all the way down to the parking garage and step out once it gets there. I walk to my parking spot and seeing it empty, I curse under my breath.
Shit! I forgot Mason drove me back here, so I don’t have a car. I go back to the elevator and take it up to the lobby level of the building.
I walk past the guy at the desk, greeting him as I pass and make my way to the front doors of the building. As soon as I make it past the door, flashes go off in my face and there are reporters bombarding me with questions. I was going to walk since it’s only ten minutes away but that’s out of the question now.
Ugh! I forgot about all the assholes waiting here too. I thought they’d be gone by now. I’m thinking that maybe this fiasco has something to do with why I’m needed at the office so urgently.
I quickly back away and make my way back inside, walking up to the desk. Security is already at the door, keeping everyone out and making sure that no one comes in after me. Like seriously, could this day get any worse? I silently ask for the millionth time today.
“Can you get me a car please?” I ask the guy standing there and he quickly grabs his phone to make the call to whoever.
“It’ll be here in ten,” he says. “I’m sorry for the circus out there,” he says apologetically.
“It’s not your fault, but thanks,” I say, giving him a small smile.
“Just have a seat until the car gets here,” he says, motioning to one of the empty chairs in the lobby.
I mutter a thanks before walking over to it and taking a seat. I now realize I didn’t even bring my phone or keys with me. Hopefully by the time I get back, everyone is still here so someone can let me in.
That phone call with Chase really has me frazzled and I have no idea what could be wrong that would warrant such a media frenzy. It honestly feels like I can’t catch a fucking break ever since I became CEO of this company. I wonder if my dad had to deal with this much shit every day.
My appreciation for how he handled being a CEO with class is at an all-time high because I feel like I’m losing my mind. Now I feel like shit for sometimes being a brat when he probably had a lot to deal with.
No matter what though he was going through. He never made me feel the way my mother does. He always made time to reassure me. I took most of it for granted because I was young and stupid, never once believing that there would come a day when I’d have to live without him and do everything on my own. And trust me, it sucks balls! But such is life, right?
“Miss Crowne, the driver is here.” The guy from the front desk interrupts my thoughts.
“Thank you,” I say, standing up and wringing my hands in front of me. My anxiety is skyrocketing at the thought of having all those cameras in my face again. I walk toward the door and three of the security men flank me as I step outside. They walk on both sides of me and one in front, making way for me to pass the reporters.
We get to the car without much incident, and I get inside. “Thank you for your help!” I tell them before closing the door.
“Where to, Miss?” the driver asks.
“The Crowne Enterprise building please,” I tell him, and he drives off. The drive takes less than ten minutes which is why I love the new place.
As we approach the building, I let out a groan. There are more reporters camped out in front of the building. My stomach churns at the thought of what’s waiting for me since I already know—based on the reaction of the reporters—it’s not going to be good.
The car comes to a stop directly in front of the building and everyone’s eyes swing my way as I get out of the car. In a matter of seconds, the place is chaos as everyone surrounds me. I have to try and fight my way through the throng of people here.
“Are the allegations against Crowne Enterprises true?”
“Is it true that Crowne Enterprises has been involved in illegal activities for months?”
“What is going to happen to Crowne Enterprises now?”
“Are you aware of the allegations made against Crowne Enterprises?”
“How are you planning on getting Crowne Enterprises back on track after this scandal?”
The questions are being thrown at me left and right and I have no idea how to even respond because I’m unaware of what’s going on. Not that I’d give a response right now when things have clearly gone haywire.
Thankfully, the building security notice what is going on and they rush outside to get the reporters away from me. They usher me into the building, but I’m still frazzled from being cornered like that. It literally felt like they were closing in on me and I’m still feeling a little suffocated.
“Thanks for the help,” I tell them before making my way to the elevator. I’m on edge as I watch the numbers climb to my office floor. As soon as it opens, I notice that the place is basically in chaos. People are moving around with urgency and there are papers everywhere.
I head straight for my office. As I get closer to Chase’s desk, he rushes out of his seat. “Oh, thank God you’re here! I’ll get Carson and we’ll be in your office soon,” he tells me as he rushes away to Carson’s office.
