Fading Echoes of Love

Chapter Two Business Trip With The Boss

“Sierra,” Cheyenne said, her arm resting on the window as she smiled at her with one hand on the steering wheel. “This business trip has me a bit on edge. I have to meet my partners outside the patrol cabinet, including Gary from Gary’s Bistro. This meeting is crucial. I thought, if you came with me, it would give me more confidence. You joined the company before I did, you’re older and more experienced. I didn’t have time to discuss it with you, so I took the liberty of inviting you. I hope you don’t mind.”

Sierra looked at Cheyenne’s insincere smile and responded with a matching expression. Without hesitation, she took the passenger seat. “Sure, no problem,” she said. “If you need any help, just ask me. By the way, do you know where I live, Cheyenne?”

Cheyenne drove off and turned on the navigation. Sierra gave her her address, to which she replied, “What a coincidence! I actually just moved into an apartment in the Upper East Side last month. I live on 75th Street, near Central Park. Which floor are you on? We might even be neighbors.”

Sierra couldn’t believe it. Not only were they working together, but now they would be living in the same building? She had no idea what Cheyenne was thinking, and her smile froze involuntarily.

Cheyenne continued to smile brightly. “It’s going to be a bit awkward for you, Sierra. We’ll be spending a lot of time together from now on. I know you don’t like me, but I booked this business trip as a warm-up for us. We’re going to need your guidance in the future.”

I’ve been working with Cheyenne for three years now, and every one of those years has been filled with countless battles between us. We’ve won some, we’ve lost some, but one thing’s for sure: we can’t stand each other. Sierra has always thought that Cheyenne is at her best when she’s playing the devil in front of her and then talking behind her back. But today, Sierra realized that Cheyenne’s greatest weapon is her hypocrisy.

They say you should never hit someone with a smiling face, and right now, Sierra’s teeth are practically itching with hatred.

After they got back downstairs, Cheyenne instructed Sierra to go up and pack her bags. She also told her that she would come to pick her up in an hour after going home to get her own luggage.

But Sierra had other plans. “No, Cheyenne,” she said firmly. “Let’s meet at the Metro-North Railroad.”

Cheyenne didn’t say much and just left.

As Sierra went back to her residence, she suddenly remembered something and looked up to see the note she had left that morning still intact. She picked it up and went inside.

The heated house in late autumn felt cold and gloomy. Sierra turned on all the lights and went to the bathroom. She looked at the toothbrush cup and noticed that the ear was facing left, just as she had left it. There was no strange smell, no sign of intrusion. Everything was normal.

Perhaps it was just work stress that was making her so anxious. Now that she had made her decision about the job, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She picked out a few random clothes to change into, put on a thick windbreaker, and checked the weather forecast on her phone. The temperature in Connecticut had dropped below zero, so she added a cashmere scarf to her outfit. She packed her toiletries and cosmetics into her suitcase and was about to head out when her mother called her.

“Are you planning to come back for New Year’s Day?” Sierra’s mother asked, her voice so soft that the hoarseness in it was audible to Sierra.

“It’s hard to say, Mom. I just started my new job, and I might have to work overtime on New Year’s Day,” Sierra replied in a noncommittal tone.

Her mother seemed to have been expecting this answer for a long time and quickly responded, “In that case, I’ll come to your place. You’re all alone in New York City and don’t have anyone to take care of you. I used to cook and help you clean up the house.”

“Don’t worry about it, Mom. You’ll be tired after traveling all the way here,” Sierra said, trying to dissuade her mother.

But her mother had already made up her mind. “I’m not worried about that. I’ll come and take care of you. You need to focus on your job and not have to worry about these things.”

After a moment of silence, her mother spoke up, “It’s been so many years. Are you still unwilling to forgive me? I’m just a mother like you, dear.”

“Mom,” Sierra interrupted, “I’m currently on a business trip and headed to the station. Let’s discuss this later.” Without hesitation, she hung up the phone and gazed out the French windows of the living room. The leaden clouds blanketing the city sky and the blue-grey atmosphere were visibly cold.

This year’s snow might arrive sooner than expected.

Upon arriving at the Metro-North Railroad and passing through security, Sierra quickly spotted Cheyenne.

Cheyenne had changed into a sleek smoky grey windbreaker, let down her hair, donned a pair of gentle glasses, rolled up her sleeves to reveal her beautiful forearms, and her wrists were adorned with a delicate leather watch. She appeared calm and beautiful, quite different from her lean and resolute demeanor at work.

Standing quietly with one hand holding her suitcase and the other in her coat pocket, Cheyenne’s eyes roamed around with a hint of confusion.

“Cheyenne,” Sierra stepped forward and called out to her.

Cheyenne’s gaze turned towards her. After a brief moment of dullness, she nodded and resumed her composed manner. “Do you have your ID card? Go change your ticket. I’ll wait for you there.”

As it wasn’t a holiday, there weren’t many people traveling, so they swiftly checked their tickets and boarded the train.

It only takes two hours to reach New Haven, Connecticut by train, and only half of the passengers are on board. Cheyenne, who was tall, conveniently placed his suitcase on the luggage rack. On the other hand, Sierra struggled with her heavy luggage and cosmetics. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t lift it properly. Cheyenne noticed her struggle and effortlessly lifted the box for her.

“Sierra, were you an athlete before? You seem to have lost your touch,” Cheyenne quipped, pushing her glasses up with her fingers and flashing her a smile.

Sierra shrugged nonchalantly and took her seat. Cheyenne, still intrigued, leaned forward and asked, “I overheard my colleagues mention that you used to play sports. What did you play?”

“Basketball,” Sierra replied, picking up a magazine.

“Interesting! I run an outdoor sports group. Would you be interested in joining us?” Cheyenne offered.

Sierra was about to decline when Cheyenne quickly added, “We have an activity planned for next week. I’ll let you know the details.”

Sierra was not good at rejecting people face-to-face, especially someone like Cheyenne who seemed nice enough. She figured she could always decline later if she changed her mind. After all, it’s not like they were sworn enemies or anything. Why add another enemy to her list?

However… Sierra couldn’t help but feel uneasy as she thought about spending the entire business trip with Cheyenne, someone she didn’t particularly like. Who in their right mind would willingly subject themselves to that?

Her eyes drifted towards the magazine, but she didn’t bother flipping through it. However, Cheyenne had just interrupted her thoughts, and it was time for her to assert herself. She couldn’t completely rule out the possibility of cancelling this trip altogether.

A sneer formed on Sierra’s lips at the thought.

The journey was uneventful, and there was no communication between the two. As they disembarked from the Metro-North Railroad in New York, they were hit by a gust of cold wind. Sierra wrapped herself up in a thick coat, shivering, while Cheyenne seemed unfazed in her thin shirt. She quickly located the exit and gestured for Sierra to follow her.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by the branch manager and driver, who had been waiting for them as they got off the train. Cheyenne called the manager and located the car. By the time they arrived at the hotel, it was already late and they hadn’t had a chance to grab dinner yet.

“Let’s not arrange dinner just yet,” Cheyenne said to Stephen, the branch manager. “We’re meeting with Gary tonight, and the restaurant has already been booked. Can you arrange for another karaoke instead?”

Sierra looked at Cheyenne, puzzled.

Gary likes to sing and drink, and he’s not the type to talk business. The only way to win him over is by keeping his glass full and his throat busy. Cheyenne explained, seeing the confusion on Sierra’s face. “People don’t sign the bill until they’ve served him well.”

Once Stephen had left, Sierra voiced her concerns. “Why are we doing this? Isn’t this the marketing department’s job?”

“Gary doesn’t care about the marketing department,” Cheyenne replied. “He specifically requested Delilah, but she’s unable to come due to her health. She worked hard with Christopher for a long time to get us this meeting.”

Cheyenne’s words stirred up some sympathy for Delilah, and Sierra couldn’t help but wonder about the little bit of gossip between the two.

“It’s okay, Sierra,” Cheyenne reassured her. “You haven’t dealt with partners much before, but I have. Tonight, we’ll sing and drink and make sure we’re not wronged. And if I drink too much, I’ll have to rely on Sierra to take me back to the hotel.”

Gary was in his fifties, but he lacked the temperament of a successful entrepreneur. As soon as he entered the private room, he had someone bring in wine and offered Cheyenne and Sierra cigarettes. Stephen quickly intervened, explaining that the ladies didn’t smoke, and Gary handed him the cigarettes instead.

Stephen and Cheyenne were both important figures in their company. While Stephen accompanied Gary in smoking and drinking, Cheyenne sang one old-time song after another, dating back to over 60 years ago. As Gary got more and more drunk and nostalgic, he would ask Cheyenne to sit on his lap and wipe away his tears after each drink, reminiscing about everything from his first love to his second marriage. Meanwhile, Stephen had been drinking with him, as he had learned to navigate the business world after many years of experience. Gary was a heavy drinker, and he didn’t seem to feel any effects after mixing red, white, and yellow wines. He even wanted to sign the bill before finishing his drinks or songs, but no one was having it.

After another bottle of yellow wine, Stephen’s face turned from red to green. He waved at Cheyenne, covered his mouth, and ran to the bathroom to vomit. Gary pointed to his retreating back and said, “No, no, his capacity for liquor is too weak. How disappointing!”

Cheyenne was just about to intervene when Gary turned to Sierra with a smile and said, “Sierra, I’ve heard you’re a great singer. Can you sing ‘Be My Baby’? Let’s have a duet, just the two of us.”

Sierra had anticipated that Gary would turn his attention to them once Stephen had left. She wasn’t fond of drinking or entertaining, but she knew the importance of pleasing the boss. She could handle a few drinks, even if it meant suffering from a stomach ache, headache, and hangover the next day.

As they drank with Gary, he grew increasingly jovial, while Sierra felt a fire rising from her throat to her stomach. Despite the tears welling up in her eyes, she tried to maintain a smile. Gary patted her on the shoulder and declared that she was his favorite. He insisted that she must not get too drunk tonight.

Gary was becoming more aggressive as the night wore on, and Sierra had been holding back her frustration all day. Now with the alcohol, he was getting even more difficult to deal with, and he began to say some inappropriate things. After a few more drinks, Sierra was feeling sick to her stomach and struggling to keep up with Gary’s pace. But he kept pouring her more wine, and she felt helpless to refuse.

Suddenly, Cheyenne intervened, taking the glass from Sierra and pulling her into her arms. She positioned herself between Sierra and Gary, protecting her from his advances. With a smile on her face, Cheyenne made an excuse for Sierra’s inability to keep up with Gary’s drinking, saying that she had always been a lightweight and that even Delilah had refused to drink with the team in the past.

Although Sierra was feeling confused and disoriented, Cheyenne’s protective gesture and kind words gave her a sense of safety and comfort. The warmth of the karaoke and the effects of the alcohol began to lull her into a state of drowsiness. Soon, she drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the blanket of her dreams.

Sierra regained consciousness to the sound of the door closing. As she opened her eyes, she was momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. She heard Cheyenne’s voice outside and quickly sat up, fully alert now.

The karaoke room was filled with the scent of smoke and alcohol, and she found herself alone. Had Gary already left?

Sierra stood up, feeling that her recent nap had cleared away a good amount of the alcohol she had consumed earlier. She opened the door and saw Stephen stumbling around with spaghetti legs, struggling to carry Gary. Gary was stumbling along, leaning heavily on Stephen, and pointing back at Cheyenne: “Yes, yes! I like you! Little girl… you have the spirit of a hero, walking in the rivers and lakes, and you can drink like a champ. I admire you! You’re better than Delilah!” He hiccupped and continued, “Little girl, the future is limitless… Hiccup! Hiccup!”

Cheyenne stood straight, holding a folder and waving goodbye to Gary. She told Stephen, “Make sure Gary gets home safe. Gary, say you’re safe when you get home, and be careful on the way.”

Gary’s group had been carried away, but he could still hear his thoughts about Cheyenne as he walked down the aisle. Sierra stepped forward, noticing Cheyenne’s troubled expression, but she seemed at ease. Cheyenne handed Sierra a folder, and upon opening it, Sierra’s eyes widened. “You signed it?” she asked.

Cheyenne let out a sigh. “Don’t let him sign it, or we’ll all be drinking for nothing.”

“You brought the contract here?” Sierra found it amusing.

“Of course. He has to drink a lot and sign it quickly, so he doesn’t go back on his word tomorrow morning when he wakes up with a hangover.” Cheyenne said, “Does Sierra dislike such occasions? Yes, the smoking and drinking make people uncomfortable. You drink too quickly to avoid being asked to drink repeatedly. It must be uncomfortable to drink one cup after another. Are you feeling okay now that you’ve slept? Is there anything wrong with you?”

Cheyenne spoke like an elder, with a gentle expression, as she always took the lead in the company. Her tit-for-tat demeanor didn’t seem to match her personality.

“I’m fine. Sleeping helped a lot.”

“Okay, let’s take a taxi back. Stephen and the driver have already taken Christopher Lee.” Cheyenne pulled out her phone to order a car. Sierra looked at the documents in her hand and asked, “Don’t you keep the contract for yourself?”

After all, Cheyenne had signed it herself and wouldn’t need to invite others to do it.

“The bus will arrive soon. Let’s wait by the side of the road…”