Runaway

Another Manic Monday

Despite all of my complaining about the boot camp, I did have a good time and I'm glad he drug me out of the house. But here we are back around to Monday and I can't help but feel like the weekend went by way too fast. Today I'm in the mood to take a little more time with my appearance. After I shower, I dress in a maroon pants suit with a nice wide leg to balance my bottom and a well-tailored jacket to fit my large chest with a white v-neck blouse. It shows a bit of cleavage, but it still workplace-appropriate. Most days I wear heels, due to the fact I'm under 5'3", but today I keep it simple with some cute black flats. I curled my hair at the ends and then combed through it with my fingers to break up some of the curls. For my makeup, I apply a deep purple smokey eye with false eyelashes and a simple nude lip.

I can't explain why, but for some reason, I feel so nervous about today. I keep thinking about the way Mr. Alston responded when his father introduced us. I normally wouldn't let something like that bother me so much, but I just can't shake this feeling of disappointment. Maybe that is why I am putting so much effort into my appearance today. Questioning if he will like this color on me, does my hair look good, and am I showing the appropriate amount of cleavage? Ever since my divorce, I haven't really given much thought to men or their opinions of me. When someone hurts you that badly, it damages you in a way. You build a wall and close yourself off. It's safe to hide behind a joke and a smile. Just keep your guard up and never let another man have control over your emotions and perception of yourself. But here I am walking out the door thinking of every possible scenario I might encounter today and how I would respond if I were to run into him. The crazy thing is, he doesn't even work on the same floor as me and if he did need something he would have his secretary get it for him.

Dear God, I just realized how much like a 13-year-old girl I am acting. You would think this is my first middle school crush, but it's just my boss. I don't even have a crush on him, I don't think. Maybe it's just a need to understand why he immediately disliked me. Like, what is his deal? ---- As I stepped off the elevator onto my floor, I look up from my phone and there he stands talking to my boss Mr. Jacobs. I immediately feel my stomach turning flips, and almost as if he can sense me he looks up and straight into my eyes. I want to look away, but I can't. It's almost as if I am in a trance when he looks at me. Finally, I feel myself start to blush because I realize I've stood in one place staring at him for far too long. In the back of my head, I can hear my mama yelling about how rude it is to stare. In my awkward panic, I smiled real big, say good morning to the two of them, and headed for my office. Even when I am incredibly uncomfortable, my deeply ingrained need to show I have manners always comes to the surface. Soon after, Mr. Jacobs comes to my office and ask's if I have a free moment to speak. He comes in, closes the door behind him, and takes a seat across from my desk. "Liz, Mr. Alston has made a request. He has asked that you transfer departments. You will be working more closely alongside a special team he is putting together for international expansion. This is a huge opportunity. You will be at the forefront of our company's continued growth and expansion. This is to take place as quickly as possible. So I want you to spend the next few days getting Alexis and Brian up to speed on the projects you currently have in the works. Also, get them trained up on your day-to-day. Do you have any questions?" Mr. Jacobs says. I was taken aback initially, but he did have a point. This was a great opportunity. "No Sir, I will get Lexi and Brian up to speed immediately," I say. "Good, you will be receiving a meeting invite from Mr. Alston for him to go into further detail with you on this transition." Mr. Jacobs says before he excuses himself from my office. I sat there momentarily in stunned silence before gathering myself and sending out a meeting invite to Lexi and Brian so we could begin discussing the transition.This is already shaping up to be a very busy day. Meeting with Mr. Alston, starting a transition, and then lunch with my bestie Jace. Since my first meeting was with Mr. Alston I decided I needed to prep for that one as much as possible. Just before 10:00 am I step off the elevator onto the executive floor and greet Valarie, Mr. Alston's secretary. She smiles warmly and says that Mr. Alston is in his office waiting on me. I walk to his office door and gently knock and wait for him to invite me in. From the other side of the door, I hear a deep husky voice instruct me to enter. I take a deep breath and try to mentally prepare myself before I push the door open. As I enter I paint a smile on my face just as Mr. Alston looks up from his desk. He looks at me with an almost blank expression. As if he is making an effort not to show any emotion.

"Good Morning Ms. Brooks. Please take a seat." he motions to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"Will the others be joining us shortly?" I ask, curious why no one else is here yet.

"No, there is no need for that. I will speak to the others later."

"I understand."

"Good, now. Did Mr. Jacobs give you any explanation as to why I wanted to speak with you today?"

"Yes, he said that you were looking to start an International Acquisition Team."

"Essentially, yes. Since we plan on expanding the company into the international market, I need a team to oversee the expansion. Your role would be to conduct financial audits on potential business partners or future mergers and assess the financial stability and sustainability of these companies. That way, we can ensure we are making a good investment. This role would require travel from time to time depending on business needs. Would you be interested in taking the position?"

"Yes. I would love to! Of course, I would need enough notice before travel to make arrangements for Charlie."

"Charlie? Is that your child?"

"Ha ha ha, no. That's my German Shepard."

"Oh. Well, then it is settled. You will start into the position immediately. I will send you the list of companies we are already looking into, as well as the contact information for each. Most of which have been notified that someone from our company will be contacting them to start to process. I would like a progress report on your activity by the end of the week. Also, your office will be moved to the executive floor so that I can stay abreast of all activity concerning the international group. Do you have any questions, Ms. Brooks?"

"Well, yes. What office will I be moving into?"

"The office adjacent to mine. Our offices connect through that door, but don't be concerned. I will rarely, if ever use that door to come into your office," he says while pointing out the door to his right.

" OK, I will need to get all my current projects transferred to the people Mr. Jacobs has assigned, and then I can begin making the transaction."

"That will be fine. Now, if you will excuse me I have another meeting shortly and I believe you have work to do. Thank you for your time Ms. Brooks, I look forward to us working on this project." he says as he stands and walks around his desk to escort me from his office.

As I stand up to join him I somehow manage to get tangled up on my own feet and stumble forward. I see it playing out in slow motion and have no ability to stop my forward momentum. The embarrassment is already starting to eat me alive in just a fraction of a second. Luckily he reaches out to catch me before I face plant right into the floor. I suddenly become aware of his strong muscular arms wrapped around my waist as he pulls me up onto my feet and against his chest. I feel a shiver run through my body at the contact. The heat radiating off of him gives me a certain comfort like a warm blanket on a cold day. I tilt my head closer to his body and slowly inhale his cologne. He smells amazing. I feel almost dizzy from the sudden overload of sensations. Then, like a shock of cold water he suddenly pulls away from me and I feel so embarrassed at my reaction to him.

"Ms. Brooks, please be more careful."

"Yes Mr. Alston, my apologies." I say as I look down at my traitorous feet blushing in embarrassment. "Well, I need to be going." I say as I start moving away from him towards the door. Right as I reach for the door he grabs the handle for me and opens the door.

"You have a good rest of your day Ms. Brooks".

Well today's lunch should be interesting. Jace is going to give me so much s**t for this. I can already see him laughing his ass off as I tell him how my graceful ass managed to trip up on my own big feet.