Chapter 003
1118 Words
"You did what?", Kate asks in disbelief. She's been staring at me for over a minute since I confessed the worst sin of my life. The last time she did this was when I found a boyfriend at school.
"Yeah, I had a little too much to drink and ended up going upstairs with him."
"Did he tell you who he was?"
"No."
"Wow, Ana."
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just…I'm just shocked is all."
"Trust me, you're not the only one."
"Was it good?", she inquires as I push a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
"Yeah. It was", I blush.
"Well congratulations. You just hooked up with Blossom City's most eligible bachelor."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't call it a big deal. It was just a one-night stand."
"How do you know?"
"Because…It didn't, feel real", I confess. Honestly, I can't even say it meant something to either one of us. Sure, it was amazing but why would that have any sort of value for us? We both just did it because the alcohol was getting to our heads. Truthfully, it was no big deal.
"So, what are you going to do about it?"
"What can I do? It was nothing; that's all."
"Whatever you say, Ana. Hey, listen, I'm gonna be late getting home so don't wait up for me, okay?"
"Sure."
"Alright", she says and goes to put the ice cream back in the freezer. Just then, I hear my cell ringing from nearby and stumble to find it. I pull it out of my jacket and check the caller ID; it's Jack Hyde. s**t.
"Hi Jack", I answer as sweetly as I can.
"I need you to come into work. It's urgent", is all he says back.
"Jack, today's my day off."
"I don't care. I need you to come in."
"What's the occasion?"
"Juts get your ass in here in twenty minutes. I'll be timing. Bye", he responds before hanging up on me. Jesus… This is the last thing I want.
I park Wanda in a nearby spot in front of SIP, check myself in the mirror, and carefully make my way inside. An older woman with shoulder-length black hair opens the door for me and I mumble my thanks. I head for the elevators down the hall and step inside, quickly entering the code to ride up. My anxiety kicks in as I contemplate why Jack needs me today. I don't have to come in for another four days so why bring me in now? What did I do wrong this time? Or is he just looking for an excuse to yell at me? Honestly, I wish I knew which.
Finally, the doors open and I make my way to Jack's office. Hannah emerges from the room and looks slightly stunned to see me.
"Ana? What're you doing here?", she asks.
"Jack called me in. Said it's urgent."
"Jesus. What'd you do now?"
"Who knows."
"Well, good luck. He's in a bad mood today, as if that's new, but if you need me I'll be in the breaker room downstairs."
"Awesome. Thanks, Hannah."
"Any time", she replies with a smile before grabbing a stack of papers and heading down the hallway. I take a deep breath, fix my hair, and make my way inside.
"Hi, Jack", I remark sweetly.
"Sit down", he orders. I comply without hesitation.
"Is something wrong?", I ask timidly.
"How do you explain this?", he barks as he throws a newspaper on the desk. I pick it up and look in horror; it's me and Anthony Grey…in bed.
"I can explain…", I begin.
"I'm waiting", he urges.
"I was out with Kate celebrating, had a few drinks, met him and he took me to bed."
"I can see that but how did this picture end up in the paper?"
"I don't know. I didn't even realize we were being watched."
"Ana, you think it's okay to ruin my reputation and company like this? A rising Junior Editor caught in bed with Blossom City's biggest heartbreaker, WHILE drunk? It's unacceptable, Ana! I can't have this floating around."
"I'm sorry…"
"Save it. I already got a call from Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc. and they wanna settle this quietly and carefully. I understand your roommate is interviewing Mr. Grey soon?", he inquires. How…?
"Um, yes sir. Later this week."
"Good. I want you to accompany her and take care of this as soon as possible. One more wrong move and you're fired. Understand?" As he says this, I quietly gulp and hide my expression. This has always been my dream job but this has been my third account at inadvertently embarrassing the company and I can't risk anything else after this, not with what just happened. I gotta stay on Jack's good side, for now.
"Yes, Jack. I promise, I won't let you down."
"You better not, Ana. You got a lot of potential here and I would hate to see it perish from your recklessness, even when you're just starting out in your career. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes."
"Good. Glad we understand each other. Now get out and get to work. Since you're here, I figured you could make yourself useful for once", he orders. I quickly stand and make my way out. s**t. All this over a one-night stand? Has is it ever been this bad? I haven't gotten in this much trouble since my junior year of college and even that was different from now.
I shake my head at the thought, head for my desk, fire up the computer and start my work.
I'm able to read two manuscripts today and make some notes while answering calls, sending e-mails, and fetching an occasional bagel for Jack, all within the past three hours. Hannah comes by around eleven and I barely notice her as I'm busy reading an e-mail from Jerry.
"Hey, Ana. You want this?", I hear her ask and look up to see her holding out a cup for me.
"Twining's English Breakfast?", I ask hopefully.
"One and the same", Hannah smiles.
"Thank God", I answer as I take the welcome liquid. I needed this.
"Thanks, Hannah."
"No problem. So, what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, come on, Ana. Jack calls you on your day off and you haven't told me why since this morning."
"Oh, um. It was nothing. Just another mishap."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"How 'bout I tell you later? I got a lot of catchin' up to do."
"Okay. Just text me when you're done, alright?"
"Sure thing", I smile.
"Excuse me", we hear someone ask and Hannah turns around to see an older man standing behind her.
- Writer
