Chapter 11
1430 Words
Third person point of view.
Tyler enters the elevator after seeing Claire and the accounting department. Her work ethic impressed him. When everyone else was slacking, she was doing the tasks assigned to her.
The CEO, CFO and assistant that are escorting them try to join, but Charlie stops them.
“Take the next one,” he says.
The elevator doors close and the two of them are alone as the elevator makes its way to the 34th floor.
“I need you to get me Claire’s personnel file.”
Charlie nods. “Shouldn’t you just ask her yourself?”
“If I do that, then people will know we are married. We haven’t discussed a formal announcement. For now, we pretend. Owner Tyler wants her file.”
The elevator dings and the doors to the 34th floor swing open. This floor is different that the seventh. The floors are a sleek concrete. Windows span two sides of the building, letting in tons of natural light. Instead of cubicles, a few small desks sit outside offices. Executives and their assistants bustle around as they start their workday.
Off to one side is an open kitchen area. Gigi stands there with James. Her red hair styled to perfection. She wears a tight pencil skirt and a red button down blouse. Gigi has undone the buttons a bit too low.
James watches as Tyler makes his way to the center of the room. His eyes droop with shock.
With a soft whisper, he says, “Gigi, that’s the guy that was in Claire’s apartment this morning.”
She whips her head around. “The one in the leather jacket?” She keeps her voice quiet as well.
“No! The one in the three-piece suit.”
Gigi spits her coffee out a little.
“That is Tyler Henderson. No way he was in Claire’s apartment.”
James paces back and forth.
“I’m sure it was.”
Gigi rolls her eyes, and says, “How can you be so certain? You passed her the papers through the door. It was only open for a moment.”
“Right.” James says. “You are right baby, I only saw him for a moment. It must have been someone else.”
Gigi would not take it well if she knew he went into his ex-wife’s apartment and threatened her new man. There is a small part of her that worries if he could cheat on Claire, then he could cheat on her and that makes her jealous.
Instead of stating his insistence that Tyler was that man, James backs away from the fight. Gigi is jealous. Although the thought of Tyler Henderson sleeping with his ex-wife stays in the back of his thoughts. The way Tyler’s eyes bored into his soul confirmed his suspicions.
The CEO and CFO exited the elevator, approaching Tyler.
“I need a private office. No assistant. If any of you need to speak to me, you will go through Charlie. I require the past three years’ financial statements.”
The CEO says, “Not a problem, Mr. Henderson. I have a private office. Use it as your own. We have coffee and snacks in the kitchen. Help yourself.”
Tyler inclines toward the usually powerful man, today overshadowed by his presence.
“I didn’t take a small investment firm and build it into the multi-billion dollar empire it is today by drinking coffee and eating snacks. Office. Reports. NOW.”
His tone of voice leaves nothing for argument.
A small crowd has gathered. Tyler’s presence is not common at Nix Dox and there is a curiosity about why he is visiting.
Gigi makes her way through the people. She flicks her hair back with a perfect head flip. She is with James, the VP of marketing, but that doesn’t mean she won’t try to move up.
“Hi, Mr. Henderson?” she says, “I’m Gigi. If there is anything you need during your stay here, I am happy to assist you.” She leans in, allowing her cleavage to show.
“This isn’t a bar. Do up your shirt. If I see you in an inappropriate wardrobe again, I’ll fire you.”
Her eyes go wide and she heads back to the kitchen to do up her shirt, mumbling under her breath. Tyler notices James and her whispering. Although his face stays stoic, he can’t help but get a warm feeling inside, knowing that man is putting the pieces together.
The CEO gestures Tyler towards the back office, its spaciousness immediately apparent. The scent of aged paper hangs in the air as they pass towering bookcases lining both walls. A gleaming mahogany desk, polished to a rich luster, dominates the space. Warm morning light floods the room through a massive window.
“How is this a private office? Everyone can see through the door!”
Frustration fills Tyler’s tone. He doesn’t appreciate asking once, let alone twice.
The CEO walks to his desk and presses a button underneath that turns the clear glass into a fogged glass. While at his desk, the CEO takes his computer. Tyler makes note of his arms, pulling the computer close to his chest, as if it holds some great secret.
“It is going to take a while to print all the reports you are asking for. Is there anything else we can get you while you wait?”
Tyler sits in the chair, setting his own computer up on the desk. Charlie sweeps the room for cameras and microphones. It’s not that he expects any, but it is a habit from the old days.
Charlie looks at the CEO. “When Mr. Henderson said to speak only to me, that meant you, too. If it is going to be a long wait, then perhaps you could get us a login for the HR department. We need to see the file for that young woman, Claire. The one we met in accounting.”
The CEO writes the log in codes on a sticky note and leaves. Tyler does not hesitate to use them.
He pulls up Claire’s file.
Claire Kalhorn. Age 28. Senior payroll administrator.
Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree in financial mathematics with honours. MIT
Master’s degree in computer science with honours. MIT.
Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science with honours. MIT.
Accounting and payroll administrator diploma with honours. Bunker Hill College.
Emergency Contact. Ana Dayer. - Friend.
No HR complaints.
The file also contained her new address, but Tyler knew that. His mouth widens as he reads about how educated his new wife is. He knew she was smart, but he had no clue just how schooled she was.
“What the hell is she doing working down there?” He says, more to himself than Charlie.
Knowing his place, Charlie stays silent.
“I need Claire to help me with this audit.”
Charlie replies, “Want or need?”
“Both. Of course I want her to help, but she has a master’s in financial mathematics, so also need.”
Charlie nods and leaves the office. He finds the CEO sharing an office with the CFO. There is an assistant at the printer, frantically organizing the documents Tyler requested. The whoosh sound fills the entire floor.
“Can I bother you, gentleman?” Charlie says.
They wave him in.
“That young woman in accounting, Claire. Mr. Henderson wants her for a special project. Please notify her direct manager that we would like her up here in half an hour.”
The CEO makes a phone call and nods. Charlie goes back to the office and waited outside the misty door. Guarding access to Tyler.
Gigi steps up to Charlie, her shirt fixed from before. She rolls her shoulders back and holds her head up high.
She says, “Hello. No one told me your name. I was wondering if Mr. Henderson needs an assistant while he is here. If so, I’d like to put my name in for the opportunity.”
Charlie doesn’t make eye contact but stands like a statue, ignoring her.
“Hello. Do you hear me? I want to work as Mr. Henderson’s assistant.”
She waves her hand in front of Charlie’s face, attempting to get his attention.
He turns to face her. “I would recommend you get back to whatever it is you do here, before Mr. Henderson finds out you are bothering me. He wasn’t joking about firing you.”
She steps away, sighing with defeat. For now, at least.
- Writer
