Signed, Sealed... Stuck

CHAPTER TWO-Ophelia.

I’m getting out of my car three weeks after the James incident, when I run into Ms. Bianca. Quickly, I step behind a pillar, hoping she hadn’t seen me. But when I look around the corner, she’s staring at me with her brows raised. Damn.

“Good morning.” I chuckle awkwardly as I step out, tugging at the lapels of my blazer. Her brows drop as she stares at me and I squint when I see a little smile grace her lips.

“Ms. Langley, I need you in my office in thirty minutes. I expect you can make it on time, despite your current tardiness of recent.” I hoped that she hadn’t noticed but of course – a person didn’t rise to the top of the financial market by ignoring details.

I nod to let her know I’ll be on time and it isn’t until she’s gotten into the elevator that I release the breath I hadn’t known I was holding. I have been in a dark place ever since James and I broke up and it was pretty apparent at work. Everyone is now giving me a wide berth, for fear that I’ll snap at them like how I’d reacted to Chris earlier this week. I am now the office’s terror and have lost a close friend because of James.

I squeeze my phone tight, begging myself to let go of my recent addiction of stalking James and Zara’s social accounts. It’s already ten minutes past when I breeze into my cubicle and I ignore the looks from the other assistants on the floor. My gaze is fixed on the wall clock, watching as the minutes tick by till twenty minutes is up. And now, I’m rushing towards Ms. Bianca’s office, slowly rapping on the door and pushing in when she yells to ‘come in.’

“Take a seat, Ms. Langley.” I watch as Ms. Bianca rounds her desk and heads to her door, pulling it open and saying something to her secretary. She shuts the door, shooting me a small smile as she heads back to her desk. “I hope you don’t mind waiting for a few more moments. Mr. Lowell would be joining us.”

Oh God. Horror washes over me as I try to come up with a reason why the head of the Human Resource department is having a meeting with Ms. Bianca and I. My first hint that something is wrong should’ve been Ms. Bianca’s smile. She’s already daydreaming of having an Ophelia-free work space.

It feels like hours as I sit idle, watching as she taps away on her keyboard, her eyes fixed to the screen as she mutters what looks like numbers.

“In my defense, I really didn’t meant to –“

“Let me just stop you there.” She stares at me from the top of her glasses, her head angled down. “This meeting isn’t to penalize you or call you out for your sour behavior at work. Sit back.”

I do as I’m asked and soon, Mr. Lowell is stepping into the room, a large dossier in his hand. He gives me a wide smile as he takes the seat opposite me. “Ms. Langley, Good morning.Can I just thank you for helping out the company on Tuesday. Most of our files would’ve been lost if you hadn’t recruited that young lad to us.”

I smile sheepishly at him, sure that he’s received complaints about me from other employees and was just trying to sweet talk me before pouncing. Ms. Bianca joins us soon enough and pushes a tray of wrapped sweets my way. I’m too nervous to have anything in my mouth and so I smile gently, turning down the offer.

“The reason we’ve called you here today is to ask if you can spearhead our internship program this year.” My brows furrow as I try to make sense of what she means. One of the senior staffs, Taylor, has been handling it for years and I’ve not heard any buzz about her at the office. But then again, no one is really talking to me at the moment.

My confusion must show on my face because Ms. Bianca continues, “While Taylor has been an incredible asset to us during the program, we’re going a completely new route and need to get in touch with some of the leading voices in the tech world. Hallbrose is launching a FinTech internship program and we want you to head this new… diversification.”

While my major in IT plays a part in why I might’ve been considered for this role, something still doesn’t sit right with me.

“Why?” I could almost laugh by the comical expression that takes over their face. Like they hadn’t expected me to ask. Like they don’t even understand why anyone would ask.

“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to grow, but I just want to be sure I understand your expectations of me.”

The two of them share a look and I know I was right to have asked. They clearly want me in that position for a reason and if I’m to be used, I would love to know what my purpose would serve. Ms. Bianca tilts her head towards me, her eyes locked on Mr. Lowell and I watch as he slides the dossier my way, sitting up straighter once I’ve pulled the papers into my hands.

“These are the names of potential Technology companies that we’re hoping would partner with us once we make the announcement. Whichever company we decide to run with would play a crucial role in solidifying our position in the tech world.” My eyes skim the list, turning pages as I take in the names of well-known companies.

“While we’ll love to have any of these companies reach out to us, there’s one that aligns with our company’s vision but there are hurdles.”

“Which one? What kind of hurdles?” I’m turning to the last page as I ask this and I immediately freeze when I see who’s staring at me from the document – Rafael Moreau, my best friend. Maybe. If he can forgive me for ghosting him for weeks.

I look up at Ms. Bianca and Mr. Lowell, taking in their twin expectant look. “There’s no way you considered me for this roll because I’m a friend of Mr. Moreau. Right?”