Christmas With the CEO

A New Day

Chapter 6- A new day

I woke up the next day full of regret, as last nights revelations played back through my head like some cheesy old movie. Intent on having a good day, I pushed all thoughts of the infamous playboy Jack Hartley to the back of my head as I got up lazily from my bed. Today was a brand new day full of possibility and I wasn't about to let that man cloud my judgment yet again. I got dressed into a fluffy co-ord lounge set that was the most beautiful rich cream colour. It was made of the softest material I'd ever felt and I knew it would provide me with some much needed comfort for the busy day ahead. The co-ord itself was just a crop top and flared pants, but it also came with a floor length cardigan which was perfect as the apartment was freezing this morning.

 Winter was definitely settling into city, I pulled back the blinds as I wrapped the cardigan up around my body to shield myself from the cold and as I did I found myself greeted with sludgy rain. You know the type? Not thin enough to be actual rain but not thick enough to be snow. It wouldn't be long until the city was covered in a plush white blanket of snow, the roads would be clear instead of bustling and gorgeous lights would be twinkling all around the streets; signifying the beginning of the Christmas season.

Once I was finished gazing out of my apartment window, I made my usual morning coffee and pulled out my notebook and pen from my work handbag. I set it down neatly upon the kitchen counter and took a big gulp of my hot coffee greedily. I opened up a page and began to write a to-do list for the day, I'm not sure why but I have been doing this daily since I could remember, I was someone who got overwhelmed easily and writing has always been my favourite vice when it came to clearing my head. 

"1. Look for a new job" I said out loud as I wrote it down. Sadness overwhelmed me as I thought about the prospect of having to re-do my resume, any reputable publishing company would no doubt be getting thousands of applications over the next few days from the collapse of Fredericks. How was I supposed to get mine to stand out from the rest? I already felt defeated and I had only written one thing on my list.

I gave myself an Internal shake as I sipped more of my coffee, I had to stay positive... I didn't come this far just to make it this far.

I put my pen back to the paper and just as I was about to write, thoughts of Jack Hartley began to plague my mind again. "Why can't I get this guy out of my head?!" I said out loud in frustration as I drummed my pen aggressivly against the thick notebook.

 These thoughts were starting to irritate me more than anything. I couldn't help but blush as I thought about my secret bath time escapade last night, I almost never did that. I suppose there's nothing wrong with exploring my sexuality, it's not like I was totally inexperienced when it came to s*x but I couldn't help but feel like I hadn't experienced enough to really know what it was that I liked.

 My eyes wandered to the T.V, I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. I wanted badly to turn it on and see if this stupid scandal had blown over, but I had to remain strong- I knew nothing good could come of this infatuation and the last thing I needed to do right now was purposefully seek out more information. Especially information I knew would make me feel like s**t.

Right on cue, my phone began to ring. I sighed heavily when my Dad's name flashed up on the caller I.D, I wasn't ready to face him yet. How was I supposed to tell him that he had been right all along and that I needed to move back home soon to that shitty town because I couldn't afford to pay any rent.

I let the phone ring off and I instantly felt bad, I promised myself that I would call him back later when I had figured some stuff out.

After the call ended my phone flashed again, it was an email from Francis. Why is she emailing me? I picked up the phone and opened the email, it was as if all my problems had been solved. It was short and sweet, "Our jobs are saved! Office meeting at 11am!". I practically leapt for joy as I hopped out of my seat, I wasn't going to be homeless or jobless before Christmas! I ran to Christians room and began banging on the door incessantly to wake him up, he pulled it open abruptly and was still rubbing his eyes "This better be good." he said, I showed him the email on my phone. As he read what it said and who it was from his eyes widened in glee, and his mouth turned to an excited grin. 

Once we had arrived, we walked briskly through the foyer. Neither of us wanted to stop and chat but as we made our way to the elevators, I noticed that people were giving us the side eye. We made one elevator just in time, no thanks to the people crammed inside. "Gee thanks for holding." Said Christian in annoyance as he caught the doors just in time, I giggled at his sassiness. As the lift climbed up the many floors, I noticed a tall and beautiful brunette stood at the back of the elevator. Her eyes were locked onto mine and boy, if looks could kill I would certainly be dead. I had never met this woman in my life, so I couldn't even begin to guess what the hell her problem was. She kept staring despite me making it super obvious that I'd seen her, so I turned my attention to the floor. I hated confrontation, especially in public places- it just made me uncomfortable and pray for the ground to swallow me up. Right now I wanted nothing more than to hear the sweet bell go off in the elevator signifying that we had reached our floor, just so that I would be free of this woman's gaze.

My prayers were answered as we reached Attractions floor, I rushed out of the elevator before the doors had even fully opened and took in a huge sigh of relief. "What was up with that b***h?" Asked Christian who was following close behind, "I honestly have no idea, I've never even seen her in this building." I explained as we rushed to get to the meeting room on time.

We were running a few minuets late as we rushed through the glass doors, Francis was stood at the head of the conference table looking less than unimpressed with our tardiness. The rest of the editors turned to look at us, "Sorry, there was a lot of traffic." I explained as I went to take a seat around the table. Although I was rushing to get seated I couldn't help but feel like someone was staring at me, so I kept my head down as I felt holes burning in the back of my head. What was with everyone today?

When I finally looked up after taking my seat and getting out my notebook, Francis began to speak. "So, I'm so glad you all got my email this morning and that some of you have not forgotten how to get to work on time." She shot us a look making my cheeks burn an unflattering shade of red. I gave an apologetic awkward smile as I looked around at my fellow editors for the first time, but instead of the usual friendly faces I was greeted with stone cold glares. That explains the holes burning in the back of head feeling, but now I was confused- What could I have possibly done to upset absolutely everyone in this office?

"As you may or may not know, Fredericks has been bought out and the buyer has agreed to keep it as a publishing company. Now the buyer has no experience in magazines, so he is expecting us to help keep the place running exactly as it did before with minor disruption as it changes hands.

That being said he is very interested in how the establishment is run, and plans to make his presence known throughout the various magazines.

So to re cap, your jobs are safe and nothing around here is going to change!" She said excitedly as she clapped, everyone in the room gave murmurs of thankfulness and relieved smiles were exchanged between everyone. "Ahh, here is our new boss now!" Said Francis as the door swung open. I turned around in my seat only for my stomach to fall out of my ass when I locked eyes with the last person on earth I wanted to see, Jack Hartley.