Caught Between the Ashford Brothers

Chapter 6

Iris

My first day of work came with a lot of emotions. From nervousness to excitement to paranoia to fear. Yes, fear. A lot of fear that I'll mess up on my very first day and get fired, which will lead to me losing my place and ending up homeless, which will then lead to me going back to my hometown, which, oh my God, I hope never happens.

I love my mom, but going back was out of the question, especially if I was going back because I absolutely do not have any other choice.

“Ugh, Iris.” I turned to Serena, who sat up on my bed and glared at me. “I’m trying to sleep.”

I turned back to my wardrobe, which I was rummaging through and continued my search for my blazer. “Sorry.” I already had on my outfit, a fitted skirt and shirt and I just needed to find this blazer and I'll be out of her hair.

“Ugh!” I pursed my lips as she groaned again.

“What are you looking for?” she asked. “My blazer. I thought I kept it here.”

“You already took it out, remember?”

"Huh." I turned to look around the space but there was no blazer. Maybe it was in the living room already with my bag. Nope.

Oh.

I hurried to the little kitchen area where the little piece of clothing sat on a stool.

“I’m leaving!” I announced as I put on the blazer, my shoes and grabbed my bag and I heard Serena groan in response.

"Bye." I hurried down the stairs of the building and out into the street.

Okay, it was currently 6:45 am and it would take me about an hour to get to work. I should be in the office before 8; then everyone will be surprised by my punctuality and become endeared to me, hopefully.

****

That was in fact not the case.

On getting to the marketing and brand strategy department where I was told I'll be working in at the company, not only was I flabbergasted to find that everyone and their mum who worked in the department was already there, but also something was happening because everyone seemed to be agitated and was running from one place to the other with papers and files in their hands.

What?! It was just 7:45.

“You must be the new intern?” I turned to a woman behind me who stood elegantly in a white shirt and pink suit pants with wavy hair and heels. She had a number of coloured papers in her hand. “Y-yes.”

“You’re late.”

Shit. exactly what I wanted to avoid.

“I’m sorry, Ma."

“Emma.” We both turned to a corner of the large workstation setup where a lady reared her head up and she adjusted the glasses on her face. “Ma.”

“Come show the new intern around and tell her what to do. Also, are you done with the slides?”

“Almost, Ma. I’m finishing up.”

“Oh my God, can you be any quicker?! The VP will soon be here.” I jumped slightly as her eyes landed on me and stepped back slightly as she walked away.

"Hi," I said as I moved closer to the station of my guide, Emma. She was seated behind her desk again and typing away. “Give me a minute; I need to finish this," she says without glancing in my direction and I nod.

Jeez, the work frenzy was crazy. I notice as I look around. It was like they were preparing for the apocalypse, not to mention the fact that no one else had acknowledged my presence even though that woman had announced my presence moments ago.

It’s not like I was expecting them to necessarily pay attention to me but it felt like I wasn't even here at all. Like I don't exist. I understand, though; after all, she had mentioned a VP or something like that. That was likely the boss and they probably had a presentation to give to him.

“Okay.” I looked back at Emma, who stood up from behind her desk with a stretch and that was actually when I realised that I was painstakingly overdressed. What? She was literally in loose pants, a shirt and her hair was packed into a ponytail.

“Follow me.” I try to ignore how awkward I immediately feel as I do just that.

“May I ask what is going on?” I say as we get to a large printer in another corner of the workspace. She stacks the paper on the machine and taps some buttons on the surface. It starts running. “Preparations for the brand’s new campaign. We also have a meeting with the executive director in about an hour.”

“Oh. Is there any way I can help?”

She picks up one of the now printed papers from a section of the printer absentmindedly and nods. “Yes, actually.”

“Oh.” I tried to hide my excitement. “What?”

She glances back at me. “There’s a cafe just opposite the company once you walk out. Manny’s. Get coffee for the team. Here.” She dips her hand into the pocket of the jean trousers she has on and brings out a paper and credit card. “That’s the list of everyone’s preference.”

Jeez. 10 different coffee order.

“You can also add yours if you like and please be fast. I’ll need your help putting together these reports.”

“Okay.”

I guess this is it. The work has begun and after all, this was exactly what I wanted, right?

The ride down the elevator was spent adjusting my clothes and hair. I had taken off my blazer before leaving to sort of blend in with the rest of the team, whom I’d also noticed were dressed kind of casually in a formal way, if that makes sense, and now I was at the fifth floor, where the elevator made a stop.

It also made a stop on the second floor, and by the time we made it to the ground floor, the car was full. We all got out once the doors opened and I had not even made it two steps past the huge security guys I'd seen when entering the building when I saw him.

I basically froze for like a whole second before I realised he was coming in my direction and without thinking, I rushed back into the elevator with the rest of the new crowd that had been in front of the elevator when I got out.

What the f**k?! I thought as the elevator doors closed again.

What the f**k was Jaxon doing here at my workplace?!