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Chapter Five
So, my first job after my failed PhD was VP of Research, Space Division, at one of the highest-valued companies in Silicon Valley. I'd make a ludicrous amount of money, with more perks than an academic could ever dream of, and I'd be working with a huge crowd of brilliant minds dedicated to the work I loved doing.
It was a dream come true; except the devil worked right next door.
I entered my office with Natalie, who had put her ExploreR visitor badge directly over her nipple, so the guards had to scan her breast every time we went through a security area.
Nat gasped at the sight of my new office. “It's massive. It's the size of our entire suite of rooms back in college. Such conspicuous consumption! I love it.”
She rushed around, inspecting the full bar, the marble counters, the massive window that overlooked the nearby park, and the huge mahogany desk. She picked up a putter at the little putting green and whistled at the beautiful prints of important space discoveries on the walls.
“This is the American dream. Blackmailing an executive into giving you an office on the top floor,” she said with satisfaction, “Then ripping him a new asshole and stealing his job.”
“I'm not sure I can steal his job,” I said, plunking my box of cheap but sentimental objects on the massive desk, “But I sure can blow the whistle on his unethical practices.”
“Blow his whistle, sure; do whatever you need to, but get his money,” Natalie teased.
I snorted at her, half-derisively, half because that was a pretty funny pun, and then I saw the offending door—the one that led straight into his inner sanctum.
I walked over to the door, intending to lock it.
There was no lock. At least, not on this side. I turned the doorknob.
The door was not locked on his side, either. I didn't open it.
I went back to say goodbye to Natalie and to start up my company computer. First things first at any new job: lots of dull-ass training videos. I got started right away.
A little while, later I was wandering the hallway searching for a bathroom. None of the doors were labeled. They all looked equally imposing, but I really had to pee. The situation was growing more desperate by the moment.
My supervisor was Rob Michaels himself, and he'd been MIA all day, which I was fine with me. However, it meant my training thus far had consisted of browsing the company website, checking out the few emails that were trickling into my account, and reviewing the research database.
They were doing amazing work. I wondered how much was stolen.
My phone bleeped.
Sry busy. Anya will train u.
I didn't recognize the number, but there was only one person that could be. My new boss and most hated enemy. Where the hell was I supposed to find Anya?
I was staring at a door in the hallway and wishing it was the bathroom. It was a good bet, judging from its location at a corner, near the elevator. At the moment, a startlingly-beautiful woman strutted out of the elevator. She looked like the definition of ‘ice queen’. Her sharp cheekbones and pale-gray eyes were offset by a tight, completely controlled bun of white-blonde hair. She was slender, all of her limbs were like ice picks, and she was incredibly tall.
I assumed she was a model, here for a photo shoot or publicity stunt and ignored her, mainly because I assumed she would ignore me, but she walked straight over to me.
“Hi, new girl,” she said in a teasing purr, “Why are you staring at my office?”
I didn't have anything but the truth. “I'm looking for the restroom.”
Her perfect eyebrows crinkled. “Is the one in your office broken?”
I can only imagine how abundantly stupid I looked. “There's one in my office?”
She smiled, extraordinarily politely considering the circumstances, and held out her hand to shake.
“My name is Anya Talova. It's a pleasure to meet you, Amelia.”
Her hands were soft as velvet gloves. I stupidly said, “Hi, I'm Amelia.”
I was really stunned by her eyes. They made me feel like a middle schooler with a crush.
