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“You know what I mean!” I chuckle nervously. “It might not be my dream career, but it comes with a steady paycheck.”
A regular income stream gives me the security I need until I gather my bearings. With the sale of my building, even after settling all the debts, I still have a good chunk of money left over to start a new business. I could open a coffeehouse, complete with a charming apartment above it for me to call home, maybe even somewhere outside of bustling NYC.
The fact that my boss is easy on the eyes doesn’t hurt.
Reluctantly preparing to head to the office, I bid Race goodbye with a hug and step out of the café. As soon as I enter Sanders International, I sense a change of vibe. The office is abuzz with activity—people engrossed in phone conversations, fingers dancing across keyboards, and colleagues rushing from one interaction to another.
Barely off the elevator, Charlotte pulls me aside. Once we are out of earshot, Charlotte asks, her voice filled with trepidation, “Can you feel that?”
Nervously glancing around, I respond, “Feel what?”
“The tension! Everyone has seen the news. The board has been keeping Brando on a marathon Zoom call all morning!” Charlotte gushes, trailing behind me as I walk to my desk.
I see that I am not the only one that wants Brando’s attention.
My desk is positioned directly outside Brando's office, usually allowing me to enter without knocking. Since we started working on the project, he always kept the doors open, making it easy to dash in and out. However, today is different. To my surprise, the adjoining doors are closed. I try the door, but it’s locked. I pause and compose myself before walking past Charlotte and heading to my desk. While I anticipate Brando is busy, as his assistant, my intention is to convey my professional support rather than a personal one.
Not only do I have to put our public business on hold, but I also have to suppress my growing feelings for him, which have been further stirred by his impromptu kiss. Perhaps it was the adrenaline from running away from the police officers that prompted him to do it. Once I felt his lips on mine, I couldn't resist returning the pull of his kiss.
“No one is allowed in or out unless they are on the NTK basis,” Charlotte explains with a grimace, maintaining her stoic composure in her desk chair and draping a shawl across her shoulders. I admire her stylish clothes.
“NTK?” I ask, puzzled.
“Need-to-know,” Charlotte replies, clicking through open windows on her screen before finally landing on her email. “Or if personally requested by Brando.”
After that kiss, INTKwhat Brando thinks!
And why exactly did I run away?
I get up from my desk. “Could you please let him know I’ll be right back if he’s looking for me?”
“I've got your back, babe.” Charlotte smiles back at me. I smile back and start walking to the break room.
Uncertain of what to say other than the dreaded, “We need to talk,” I contemplate my post-kiss introductory text as I make my way to the breakroom. Grateful for the solitude of the empty room, I retrieve my cell phone from my pocket.
Can we talk in private?
Anticipating Brando's response, I distract myself by getting a couple of coffees. Ideally, I would have created a special blend just for the two of us to share, but I can’t let my romantic side override my thinking. He’s my boss, and I have to keep this job.
Placing two mugs on the counter, I wait to respond to his incoming message.
Sure! As soon as I find a moment.
Taking our coffees back, I pause at Charlotte's desk. Before I can say a word, she shakes her head, indicating that there is no sign of Brando.
Charlotte is always in the loop when it comes to confirming and providing information, operating on a strict, need-to-know basis. She never reveals her sources, and everyone trusts that she has thoroughly vetted everything she shares. Never one to engage in gossip, Charlotte is the person in the office that everyone confides in.
I take a longer route around my desk to avoid being near the adjoining door. He’s so close, yet so far away. A part of me wants to support him in his fight for the company and its reputation. However, I also don't want them to proceed with the pipeline. Brando shouldn't have to implement projects he disagrees with. If his father and the board continue to oppose him at every turn, I hope he considers walking away altogether. Having experienced the closure of my own business, I understand the desire to fight for what you love and the necessity of working to support oneself. I also know the joy of having a fulfilling career.
What did that kiss mean?
Placing the mugs on my desk, I send another text to Brando.
I got you a fresh cup of coffee in case you need a refill.
Suddenly, a group of board members accompanied by two interns march in a disorganized manner toward Brando's office. Before I can react, the door opens as one of the board members prepares to knock on it. I catch a brief glimpse of Brando's hazel eyes before he lets them in and quickly shuts the door behind them.
His office door opens again, and an intern rushes out, sprinting down the hallway. Soon after, three other interns follow her into Brando's office before the door closes once more.
