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All of my employees – eighty-three strong – are gathered in the lounge. Conversation stops and everyone quiets down. Emily is sitting alone, off to the side. She gives me a furtive smile. Memories of last night flood my mind and I feel a stirring in my groin. This is so not the time or place for that. I tear my eyes away from Emily, clear my throat and put a smile on my face as I try to push all thoughts of last night out of my mind – difficult as that is.
I pace the front of the room with the mic in my hand, surveying the gathered crowd. I look over my employees with a sense of pride. This is a great group of people and I appreciate every single one of them. They all contribute to the success of this company. Now that we're on the precipice of something enormous, a complete game changer for Frontline, it's time I show them that appreciation.
“Good morning everybody,” I intone and receive a chorus of greetings in return.
I give them all a smile and look around again, collecting my thoughts. I'd meant to work on some scripted remarks last night, but that didn't happen. I prefer what did happen last night, but it certainly didn't help me prepare for today. Not that I'm going to complain all that much.
Turning back to the crowd, I begin my announcement. “As most of you know, we've been working on a massive new deal. One that's going to take Frontline to new heights. That deal has now become reality. And I feel it appropriate to take a minute out of the day to congratulate and thank you all for all of your hard work and dedication.”
Thunderous applause and cheering erupts in the lounge as some of the employees high-five each other, celebrating the new deal. None of them really know just how big this is or how it's going to change how we operate. Nor do they understand just how many different doors this is going to open up for us. Business flowed like a steady stream before, but it's about to turn into a raging river.
One thing this deal means is that there is going be a big influx of new employees. We'll simply need more techs to help keep up with the demand. Which means we're going to need a newer, larger space to work in. When I first started pitching this idea around, I started drawing up plans for a brand new, modern and state-of-the-art campus for Frontline. I've already secured the land in anticipation of it going through, and now I'm going to have to finalize a deal with an architectural and construction company to build it.
It won't be an overnight deal, but big changes are coming. I can't possibly be more excited about it. I like to think that my father would be proud. I want to believe that he'd enjoy the fact that I started this from the ground floor. When I started Frontline, I had nothing but my own expertise with computers. It was slow and steady, but I started to grow and expand. And now? Now, we are going to be one of the most in-demand, powerful companies in the country.
I want to believe that my father would take a great sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that I charted my own course. I stayed true to myself and my own path, and am now reaping the rewards of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. I did it just as he did it.
“Okay, people,” I call into the mic to get them to settle down. “With a deal this big, that means there are going to be some big changes coming. But, we're not here to talk about that right now. We're here because I wanted – no, I needed – to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for everything you continue to do to ensure that Frontline is the big dog in this country.”
More applause sounds and I steal a glance at Emily, who's looking back at me with an expression of adoration on her face. I give her a smile before turning back to the crowd again.
“And to show my appreciation for all of you, I have something special planned. We are, as a company, going to Vegas to get loose and blow off some steam, because there are going to be some long, busy days in the very near future for all of us.”
The sound of the cheers and applause is almost deafening, but it makes me smile all the same. Seeing all of those happy faces makes me feel good. My team busts their collective butt. They're all great at what they do. Everybody contributes, from the janitorial staff to the tech teams and everyone in between – everybody chips in and adds to the success of this company. That's something I will never, ever lose sight of.
It's funny in a way. Emily thinks I can be an elitist snob sometimes because I grew up with money, go to fancy restaurants, and enjoy some of the finer things – and she's not entirely wrong. But one thing my father passed on was a work ethic of pure steel. And also, an appreciation for those who get up and grind every single day. I appreciate the hustlers and those people who believe in putting in an honest day's work. I value them.
It's an incredibly blue-collar mentality for the white-collar life I had growing up. But hell, it works for me.
“I've hired some party coaches to ferry us out to Sin City,” I announce. “They'll be here at eight in the morning next Friday. I've rented out two floors of the MGM Grand for all of us to stay in. There are a ton of exciting things we have planned.”
Some of the employees are shouting questions at me and I'm doing my best to answer them all. The one thing I'm taking away from this is that every single person in that lounge is excited about the trip and can't wait to hit the road.
This is something that's been in planning for a while now but getting away for a weekend with Emily is going to be nice. It'll be nice to spend some time with her away from the stresses and pressures of the office. Although I have some activities for everybody planned, I'm anticipating that people will drift away to do their own thing. And that's fine – it's their weekend. All that means is that I'll have more time to devote to Emily – and that's something I'm very much looking forward to.
“Lara and Pete are running point on this, so if you have any questions, you can ask one of them and they'll be happy to answer them for you,” I continue. “You've all earned this, guys. Without each and every one of you, there would be no Frontline, and I just want you to know that I appreciate you all. I want everybody to enjoy themselves out there. Just remember – don't get yourselves arrested.”
Laughter is mixed in with the applause as I hand the mic off to Lara, who's come up to the front with Pete to answer questions for the crowd. I step out of the lounge and head back to my office to get some things done – next Friday is going to be here before we know it. I plan on having all of my shit done so I can get loose and enjoy every moment out there with Emily.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Emily
I check myself in the mirror one last time. I want to make sure I’m completely ready before I head down to the ballroom where Aaron has a dinner planned for the entire company. I'm wearing a green vintage-style dress with a heart-shaped neckline I picked up for the weekend. It displays my full breasts a little more than I'm comfortable with, but I think it looks great on me so I'm going to go with it. I apply a little bit of makeup, put my hair up, and I think I'm good to go.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself, doing my best to quell the sudden case of nerves that are cropping up within me. I don't know why I'm nervous. There's no reason for me to be. But for some reason, I am.
“Okay, let's go. You got this,” I mutter to my reflection.
Slipping my keycard into my handbag, I step out of my room and make my way down to the elevators. I ride it down to the ground floor and follow the signs to the Frontline ballroom. I take one last deep breath and let it out slowly as the attendants open the doors for me. I step inside and immediately feel my eyes grow wide as I take in the scene before me – the place is a sinner's paradise.
At one end of the enormous ballroom, somewhat sectioned off but still visible, is a dance floor with a DJ spinning tunes. The music is thumping hard. I see some people – my co-workers and their plus-ones – writhing together on the dance floor amid flashing and strobing laser lights. Cages hang on either side of the stage – a scantily-clad woman grinding away to the music in each one. The atmosphere up there surely would have rivaled any nightclub in the city. Gaming tables line one side of the back half of the room, a decadent, sumptuous buffet lines the other, and a bar runs the length of the middle, bisecting the ballroom.
The entire ballroom – as big as a hangar, with both sides taken together – caters to every vice imaginable. And everybody seems to be having a great time. The air in there is electric, with shouts and squeals of utter delight filling the place. I'd expected most people to wander off and do their own thing – this is Vegas after all, there is no shortage of things to do – but it looks to me like everybody who works for Frontline is there, cutting loose and blowing off some steam.
Aaron has certainly done a good job of setting his employees up for a good time and spared absolutely no expense or cut any corners.
As if merely thinking about him has somehow psychically summoned him, I feel Aaron himself standing behind me before I see him. The subtle scent of his aftershave fills my nose and leaves me feeling a bit lightheaded in the most pleasant way possible. Aaron slips his arms around my waist and pulls me to him, placing a soft kiss on my neck, sending a rush of chills running along my flesh.
