Gloomy On Mars

CHAPTER 4

"Mr Amari is just in a bad mood", Emily offers, and I stare at her in honest-to-God confusion. Bad mood my ass, everyone basically froze when they heard the elevator, and I am not dressed like a pimp!

"That's uh- something" She leads me to a sleek modern desk situated in a quiet alcove outside Zayne's office. The desk was made of black polished glass with a silver trim. And a comfortable-looking dark leather chair.

"Well, this is it; if you need anything, just call,", She says, pointing to the white phone on the table.

She disappears down the hallway and I just stand there.

"What have I gotten myself into?" I didn't even have time to ponder on my newest predicament when I heard angry footsteps coming my way. I immediately straighten my posture.

Zay… Mr Amari doesn't even acknowledge me and walks into his office not forgetting to slam the door.

His scent lingers longer than he did. Citrus and a hint of vanilla. The total opposite of him.

What happened to the charming man that made me laugh my ass off at Villa Azur? Smiley Zayne who told me he'd think of me when he brushes his teeth? Perhaps that's the version of him that only shows up in his apparently occasional good moods.

I go over to sit on the comfy chair. The monitor pings letting me know I have an email from the executive reception. I click on the email, and I see it's a copy of Mr. Amari's daily schedule.

"Hello Mars, it's Emily. This is Mr Amari's daily schedule:

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast Meeting with Executive Team (Conference Room A)

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Design Team Meeting - New Car Design Concepts (Design Studio)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Meeting with Marketing Director - Car Launch Event (Marketing Department)

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Department Heads Meeting - Quarterly

Performance Review (Conference Room B)

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Break

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Meeting with Potential Client - Partnership Opportunities (Private Dining Room)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: R&D Team Meeting - New Technology Developments (R&D Lab)

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Review of Company Performance Metrics and Financial Reports (Office)

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Break

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Meeting with PR Director - Media Relations and Crisis Management (PR Department)

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Wrap-up and Review of Tomorrow's Schedule (Office)

Be sure to always remind him of what he has next at least 15 minutes before, which means you should probably remind him of his meeting with the design team right now.

Seeing as he's not in the best of moods you should probably just call him. His number is already logged on the phone, as with everyone else's number you might need. Make the most of this. Ps, I liked your outfit (smiley emoji)"

I smiled at the last bit, but it dropped just as quickly when I remembered I had to talk to Zayne.

I picked up the phone and scrolled through the names before landing on Mr Amari. I clicked it and it started ringing.

What do I even say? I wish I could say, "You have a meeting dickhead", But that would most likely get me fired, plus a few insults I'll cry about.

He finally picks up and my mind freezes.

"You have a meeting with the design team in 15 min-" He cut the call, and I flinched at how hard he slammed the receiver down in his office.

I spent the next 15 minutes memorizing his schedule and holding back tears, it was a struggle.

I impulsively get out of my seat when I hear his footsteps approaching the door. He doesn't look my way, again, and heads out of the east wing and I'm left to hurry behind him.

We pass Emily in the reception and she gives me a sympathetic smile. I sigh as I enter the elevator with Zayne.

Why must I always find myself in these situations? What exactly have I done to the universe to be rewarded with this?

Could he not have been nice?

I was basically smudged against the wall, trying to stand as far away from him as I could. The ride down was a silent one at least. I don't think I could handle another slut insult.

Once the elevator doors opened, we walked into the main reception, and once again, everyone froze. At least this time, he didn't tell anyone.

We walked past the reception desk and towards a pair of glass doors that slide open automatically as we approached.

The doors lead to a beautifully landscaped courtyard we walk through before reaching the entrance to building C. It was made of silver aluminum panels, with a subtle Amari privé logo etched into the wall above the entrance.

As soon as we enter the design studio, Zayne is greeted by people I don't know and he sits at the conference table while I sit on the chair in the far end of the room.