4 - UNEXPECTED BOSS
1256 Words
Jorja and Marcy stepped into the main ballroom and glanced around.
For computer tech nerds, they really knew how to throw a party. This wasn’t some dreary and mind-numbing black-tie event. This was a geek costume party times ten. Party goers were dressed as Anime characters, while hardcore tech music blasted in the background. There were also video games lining the walls for entertainment, with an insane amount of food and liquor—all free— being offered by hot wait staff dressed up like those sexy Japanese animation girls.
Jorja had never seen so many women dressed as school girls with garter belts before in her life. Yeah, these people definitely knew their audience.
“Jorja?”
Jorja faced her business partner.
“This is Aaron Campton. Mr Campton, this is my business partner, Jorja Banks.”
Jorja shook the man’s hand and sized him up at the same time. Yum. Alpha male. There weren’t a lot of alpha males in the tech world to Jorja’s knowledge, but the few she’d met were damn handsome.
Using her most charming smile, Jorja asked, “So, is this your business, Mr Campton?”
“Oh, no. No, I’m just a hard-working employee. The owner isn’t very comfortable with the general public. So I’m kind of the face of the company.”
“I can sure see why.”
He gave a chuckle and took a step closer. “I have to say, Miss Banks—”
“Jorja, sugar. Everybody calls me Jorja.”
“Jorja, I have to say I was very glad when your firm agreed to grant our request for security. I know my employer felt much safer with your team being onboard for this event. He’s researched you extensively.”
“Well, we are available for any security needs you may have. Actually, I’m available for all your needs.”
She had to stick her tongue behind her teeth to keep from sticking it out at Marcy when she caught her rolling her eyes in disgust. Before the mess with her soon-to-be ex-husband, it would have been an entertaining competition between the two friends to see who got the womanly wiles to bed the hottie first. But now that Marcy was going through an ugly divorce and custody battle, she’d sworn off all men. So poor Jorja was without her wingwoman.
“That’s very good to know. I’m sure I’ll be contacting you later with a personal need.”
“Any chance,” Marcy cut in, “you two can keep cool until the job is done?”
“Don’t mind her, Aaron. She’s just a bit grumpy.”
Marcy snarled and Aaron looked at her in sympathy. “I guess I would be too if I was around all this booze and revelry and had to work.”
“Yeah,” Marcy said, not wanting to admit her mind was preoccupied with her personal life s**t.
Jorja laughed, remembering the times when she and Marcy were off duty and would drink their fellow soldiers under the table.
“When the event is over, feel free to help yourselves to whatever booze you’d like and, in the meantime, you and your staff can help yourselves to some of the refreshments,” Aaron offered. “I’m sure my employer won’t mind.”
“That’s generous of you. Thank you,” Marcy replied, although she looked like she really didn’t care.
“Yeah, RB should be making an appearance anytime soon. He’ll pop in, greet his guests, make a speech and pop right out back. He hates crowds.”
“Why?” Marcy asked, curious.
“He – oh, there he is now, with some of the executives of the company.”
Surprised, Jorja watched as several men walked into the room. There had to be about twelve of them and she wondered how big the company really was. She was under the impression it was a small tech company, but judging by the number of executives, the company had to be bigger than she’d assumed.
Seeing them all geeked out immediately reminded her of the cute nerdy teenager from her village she used to know. And, like him, they were all tall but lanky. Watching them move as a unit, however, Jorja guessed they were a lot stronger than they seemed.
Behind them, a man burst through the doors and made a beeline toward Aaron. He was gorgeous—Asian with almond-shaped brown eyes and thin, sexy lips. His straight dark hair brushed his nape and he exuded s*x appeal.
Unfortunately, he was married. Jorja could see his gold wedding band a mile away.
“Aaron, it’s time to go on stage,” he said with a Corentyne lilt she hadn’t heard in a long time from anyone not from Berbice.
Aaron nodded, “heading there now.” His fingers gently brushed across Jorja’s own, letting her know he’d be back.
After he walked off, dark brown eyes locked on him and Marcy. “Ladies, a pleasant good evening.”
“Sir,” Jorja answered back. “How are you this evening?”
The male raised one eyebrow. “Are you making fun of my accent?”
“No, I thought you were making fun of me.”
His expression changed quickly when he smiled. “Where are you from?”
“Nurseville.”
He pointed at himself. “Borlam.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Borlam.”
They shook hands and laughed while Marcy looked about two seconds from jumping out the closest window.
“I’m Chin Lee. But everybody calls me Lee.”
“Jorja Banks. We’re handling your security tonight.”
“Oh, that’s right. You’re from the female-run security company. I have to say I was quite surprised when my boss chose your company off of the shortlist he was provided. Not that I don’t believe you’re capable, but your company was the youngest we screened.”
“Well, not to sound too feminist, if that’s such a thing, but most successfully run businesses are led by women. So I’m not surprised we won the contact. We pride ourselves on offering a service that far exceeds those provided by our competitors.”
He glanced at Marcy before turning his attention back to Jorja. “I gather you’re the face of your company.”
“If you were to bet on that, you’d be wrong.”
Lee started to say something else but stopped when the music cut off and Aaron walked out onto the stage at the front of the room.
“Hello, everyone, I’m happy you joined us this evening. I’m Aaron Campton,” he began. “I’m the VP of Promotions. And I wanted to thank you all for coming tonight.”
Aaron continued to ramble for a bit, and Lee grabbed two glasses of champagne off a tray passing by. He offered one to Jorja, but she waved it off. “Sorry, can’t. I’m on duty. Need to keep a clear head.”
“I thought that since the event was almost over, you’d be able to let loose a little.”
“If she gets any looser,” Marcy muttered, “you’ll find her topless on the bar dancing.”
Jorja glared at her. “So now you have decided to contribute to the conversation?”
Onstage, Aaron’s voice rose. “So without further ado, let me introduce the CEO of RICH Security Systems… the man, the myth, the legend – Richard Black.”
- Writer
