Annie's Story

Chapter Five: Trouble Begins

Chapter Five: Trouble Begins

Annie awoke the following day and grumbled. Stretching, she curled back up and hugged her pillow to her. She closed her eyes again, wanting to go back to sleep. After being blown off by Markus, she slept restlessly. She didn't understand why he turned her down. She got out of bed, showered, and dressed for work.

She needed to talk to Claire and Donovan. She knew they were the ones to tell Markus about what she liked, so she thought they had the right to know about the date. She was leaving her apartment building when she was blinded by the sudden flashing of lights everywhere.

"Hey, what's your name?" a man shouted at her. Annie ducked her head and began walking. They followed her, shouting questions loudly. She increased her speed, almost running to the café. Claire was wiping down the counter when she saw Annie hurrying to the café; opening the door, she ushered her in.

"Annie, go in the kitchen and do not come out until I say," Claire said. Donovan helped shield her from the onslaught of flashbulbs going off. Annie walked past the counter and into the kitchen. She sat on an overturned milk crate. Breathing deeply, her heart raced; tears welled in her eyes, and she sobbed. Claire came in to check on her. "Hey, none of that. Who were those guys?"

"I don't know," Annie said, wiping her eyes. "I-I was coming out of my apartment, and suddenly flashbulbs were going off. I tried to get away from them, but they were relentless."

The kitchen door opened, and Markus was standing there. "Annie, I am so sorry," Markus walked over to her and knelt, wrapping his arms around her. "I should have known this was going to happen."

"What do you mean, Markus?" asked Claire through gritted teeth.

"They are following her because of me. Being a billionaire has its downfalls. I am constantly scrutinized, and the world always wants to know whom I am dating. I tried to keep our relationship private, but that guy the other night must have told his buddies," Markus said through clenched teeth.

"It's okay," Annie said. "They just scared me. I can handle them."

"I am going to hire you some security," Markus paced the kitchen floor.

"No, no, that's not necessary. I can take care of myself," Annie said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Annie, let Markus help. We have all heard the tales of how they hound celebrities," Claire handed Annie a napkin to wipe her eyes.

"But I am not a celebrity. I am just a barista who happens to be dating a billionaire," Annie wiped her eyes and nose.

"Annie, they will hound you until they uncover every detail of your life. Let me help you," Markus pleaded.

"No, they can dig all they want. They would have to figure out my name first," Annie said.

"I have an idea," Claire said. She walked into the office. They heard her rustling around in one of the drawers. She returned with a handful of old name badges. "I say you change your name every day. They will never know what your name is."

"Claire, you are a mad genius," Markus hugged her.

"Hey, look at that! I got a hug. Donovan is going to be so jealous," Claire said, laughing. Markus shook his head as Annie laughed. Donovan peeked through the pass-through.

"Are you okay?" Donovan asked.

"Yes, I am," Annie said. "Claire said to keep them from learning my name, I can change name badges daily. So, from this point forth, my name is no longer Annie. Today, it is going to be Bridget."

"Okay, Bridget, do you want to stay in the kitchen?" asked Claire.

"No. ma'am. I have regular customers to serve. Let's go," Annie said.

"Okay," Claire said. "Donovan, are they still out there?"

"Yes," Donovan said. "Want me to start dancing? It will scare them off."

"No," Claire said, shaking her head.

"You are just no fun," Donovan said. "Why don't we come up with a cover story? Markus, come out here and kiss me. That will rile them up and leave Annie alone."

"Donovan," Annie and Claire said, laughing. Markus shook his head and smiled.

"It was just a thought," Donovan said, shrugging.

"Are you going to be okay?" Markus asked Annie.

"Yes," Annie said. "You need to get to work. I will be fine."

"Okay," Markus said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "I will see you later."

Markus left the kitchen to the flashbulbs going off. Donovan and Claire followed. Then Annie came out looking at the ground. Her first customer was one of her regulars. Annie got him his coffee and breakfast sandwich. He smiled softly at Annie and left. Annie kept her head down most of the day while waiting on customers.

One of the cameramen came into the café and stood in Annie's line. Donovan watched him as he shifted his weight around before looking over to Claire and nodding toward him. Claire shook her head, she did not like the idea of him being in Annie's line.

"Sir, I can help you over here," Claire said. The man acted as if he didn't hear her. "Sir, please step over this way so we can keep the line moving."

The man reluctantly stepped over to Claire. He ordered his coffee and a muffin and waited for it to be done. He kept an eye on Annie, seemingly trying to read her name tag. She handed her customer his coffee, and the cameraman stepped before her. He read her name tag and smiled at her as Annie backed away.

Claire then stepped forward and gave the man his coffee. "You can leave now, sir," she glared at him after the man didn't move. He smiled and walked out the door.

***

Markus arrived at his office to find the board in the conference room. Markus entered the room, annoyed by the emergency meeting.

"What is going on?" Markus asked.

"Have you not seen the news reports?" asked Michael.

"No, I have not," said Markus.

"Tao Pharmaceuticals drug trials have all failed. They are killing the people taking them," Anthony said. "They doctored the numbers. We invested a large sum of money into a company that is killing its customers."

"All drug trials go through this," Markus said. "We have been down this road before. We had to expect it with a new company. You think Philip Morris didn't have the same problems when they first started?"

"Markus, that is not the point. We warned you that it would hurt the company if it failed," Sherry said. "We told you we couldn't afford for this to go wrong."

"It will straighten itself out," Markus said. "Give it a little bit of time."

"Markus, we don't have time. We need to pull out of this deal," Michael said, angrily slamming his fist on the table.

"I will not pull out of it. It is too early to tell where this is going," Markus said.

"Have it your way, but the minute we start purging money and not bringing any in, I will leave," Michael said.

"As will I," Sherry said, standing to leave.

"You can count me out as well," Anthony said.

"Why is it all about the money?" Markus said. "I like money just as much as the rest of you, but sometimes you have to risk it all to get the best benefits."

"Sorry, buddy, but I am going to have to side with them on this one," David said. "You know I am always on your side, but this one is just too risky, even for me."

"Give it a month, then we will go over everything again," Markus said. "If there are still reports of people dying, we will walk away."

"A month is too long," Michael said. "In one month, we could be so underwater that we won't be able to swim to the surface."

"Look," Markus said. "If we start losing a lot of money, then I will take my own money and invest it back into this company until we can pull out of it."

"That is not the point, Markus. We don't want you to end up in the poor house because of one bad decision," Sherry said. "We are trying to help you and save the company from ruin."

"I get it," Markus said. "But this is my company, and I will invest my money where I want to, and I say we stay with Tao for at least a month before considering pulling out of the deal."

"You are never going to listen to reason," Michael said, standing to leave. "Do what you want with your company. Consider today my last day. I will clear out my office."

"Anyone else want to make today their last day?" Markus asked. No one budged. "Good. We will revisit this topic at another time."

Everyone got up and left the room. Markus stayed in the conference room for a couple more minutes before returning to his office. He sat down, crossing his left ankle over his right knee, and sighed. Staring out the window at the city surrounding the building, he tapped his fingers on his desktop. He knew he had to do something to save the company. Michael was his right-hand man and knew the business in and out. He stood by Markus when things were rough before. Markus couldn't understand why this time it was so different. Frustrated with the meeting, he got up and left the office. Walking a few blocks, he came across his favorite eatery.

"Aah, good afternoon, Mr. Belle," said Carmichael, the host. "How may I be of service to you today? I don't see your name on the guest list."

"You're not going to find it on there today, Carmichael," Markus said. "I just need to talk to Luigi, please?"

"Follow me," Carmichael said, leading Markus to the back room where Luigi held all his important business.