Ashes of Ambition

CHAPTER3

During the day Ace Enterprises was full of life and energy. Phones ringing, keyboards clattering, discussions quick and measured. Desks lined up like empty alter spaces,

As evening approached, Mary remained in her office, intent on her computer screen. Almost too quiet. She was ready to leave, but didn't want to. From how James had told her to work late, she couldn't shake a feeling that this was less of a request and more of a demand.

Several minutes ticked, she thought mainly about her brother,she'd be surprised if he had fallen asleep.

It was now 8:15.

"Still here?" James said as he stepped out of his office.

His voice was smooth. He leaned against the frame, looking relaxed. He had shed his jacket, the sleeves of his button-up rolled up to his forearms.

"You told me to stay," Mary said, reminding him.

"And you did," he said, with a smile, "come on,”

She went into the office after him.

James gestured towards the desk. There was a stack of files on it, thick and neatly organized.

Confidential contracts, he said, tapping them with a finger, you will be organizing, creating summaries, and writing drafts.

Mary sat down and pulled the files towards her. Out of her mind she had been conscious of some great relief in thinking silently at least it is real work and not the other thing she feared. The pages with the dense legal jargon blurred in front of her, but she tried to pay attention.

James did not sit at his desk across from her. He was circling the room instead and moved behind her chair slowly. She felt him next to her like a heat against the back of her neck, step by step paced perfectly.

You seemed so nervous, he said after a moment.

She froze. No Just focused.

He laughed softly. Focus is good. But nerves are not a weakness, Mary. They are.... they are useful. They let you know that there is something at stake.

She leaned closer over the contract and willed herself to focus. Her hands wanted to shake; she made herself press them flat on the paper.

For almost an hour she worked and James observed. He would sometimes ask a sharp question about a number or a clause, his tone suddenly cold as if he were assessing her. Sometimes he said nothing, only sipped vodka from the bar cart while watching her as if she were a puzzle to be solved. Those were worse than just questions.

By 9:30, her head ached from squinting at tiny print. She grabbed her phone, which buzzed on the desk, it was a message from her youngest brother.

Rent is due. Landlord is angry. How will this be handled now?

Her stomach knotted, and she quickly faced her phone down, but he had already noticed.

Is everything ok or...?

Family trouble? he asked calmly.

It's nothing, she said quickly.

He came closer, leaning down until his breath was close to her ear. Nothing, he said, is not nothing. Don't forget that.

His words sent a chill through her although his tone was almost kind. She concentrated on the paper, refusing to look up.

She heard a knock and the door opened slightly to reveal Susan’s face.

Mr. James? she said hesitantly. "Do you need something before I go?"

James’s expression softened to that warm public smile. No, Susan. Enjoy your evening.

Susan nodded, but her gaze lingered on Mary for just a moment, there was something in her eyes... Not envy exactly, but something darker, something of a warning.

Before Mary got the chance to reply, Susan excused herself.

The door shut.

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Finally, James broke the silence, “Tell me, Mary. How far do you want this to go? How far do you want to be successful?”

Her heart thudded loudly in her ears. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

James smiled very slowly, and very deliberately. “Don’t worry! We’ll find out together, that would be fun!”

He leaned forward, with his elbows on the desk across looking right into her eyes. “Here at Ace Enterprises, loyalty is so important, and I take it personally in rewarding folks generously for their loyalty. But I do not forgive betrayal.”

Mary’s mouth had gone bone dry. She simply nodded her head without forming any words.

“Good”, he said, softly.

When he finally dismissed her, she rushed to gather her things as she reached the door, James spoke again,

“Oh Mary”

She turned,

“Tomorrow,” he said, his smile returning, “I’d like you to join me at an event. A gala event.You’ll find it… enlightening.”

Her pulse quickened. “Of course.”

James lifted his glass in a silent toast,

For the first time since she had begun working at Ace Enterprises, she acknowledged the thought she had been too afraid to voice until now.

It was past midnight when Mary returned to her apartment. The city that had sparkled for her outside Ace Tower hadn’t followed her home. This neighborhood was dark, and asleep.

As she pushed the door to her apartment open, it got stuck because it hadn’t been opened in a couple of days. The stale air, with the faint smell of last night’s takeout, filled the space.

Her younger brother, Wilson, lies on the couch in a state of half-sleep, the screen of the TV glowing over his face. He turned his head as she walked in.

“You’re late,” he said, rubbing his eyes.

Work, she answered, dropping her bag by the door. She didn’t elaborate on the fact that he meant she had been unreasonably late, or that her boss James had locked her alone in an office and stared at her in an inappropriate manner.

Wilson sat up, reaching for the envelope left from the table. He handed it to her. “The landlord stopped by again. He’s not giving us much longer.”

Mary’s heart raced. When she opened the envelope, she saw the bill in bold red numbers glaring up at her from the page. Rent overdue. Eviction notice, stamped at the bottom

“I’ve got this,” she said hurriedly, folding the paper in half, conceal it

You’ve said that for months, Wilson said in a gentle tone. He was weary of everything.

I mean it this time. She positioned herself on the couch next to him, forced a smile and said: “This job is different. It pays more than anything I’ve had before. Just give me a little time.”

Wilson looked at her tired from life and from raj. He stared at her with eyes worn,

She leaned back in the seat, stared up at the celing and thought of James's words repeating over and over in her mind.

And she wondered how long before her hunger would consume her.

The invitation arrived the next day, in a thick cream-colored envelope with Ace Enterprises embossed across the front.

An Evening of Excellence: ACE Enterprises Charity Gala

James Ace's - Mary Blake

The name did not seem quite right there; She stared at it while Wilson stood next to her, frowning.

"Are you going to some damn rich people party now"? he said,

His tone was incredulous.

"It's for work," she said, holding the envelope tightly.

The gala event was at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel a place of champagne and polished wealth perfuming the air.

Mary had borrowed a white and black dress from her friend, simple, understated, and nothing like the gowns that were sequined and sparkling all around. She uncomfortably felt like she did not belong here when she first walked in the door,

Then came James.

“Mary,” he said in a warm tone while he offered his arm as though it was something they had done a hundred times before. He was a commanding presence. The heads turned around them as he escorted her through the area.

Everywhere, people smiled at James. Powerful men shook his hand, beautiful women burst into laughing too loud and too long at his jokes. He was untouchable.

“This,” he said almost in a whisper when they stopped at the edge of the ballroom area, “This is what it means to remain at the top. Do you see how easily influence bends the world? A single favor and all doors remain open forever.”

Mary nodded although there was self-doubt and a tightening in her stomach.