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Heartstopper(10)

By:Lauren Landish


I leave the two to continue their weird bromance. Their relationship just confounds me.

I walk through the maze and around the corner to my cubicle, glad to  have my own little space that I've personalized a little. My heels are  muted against the tough industrial-grade carpet, and more than once,  I've considered ditching them for flats, except that the company does  have visitors who expect them. I open my computer and login to my  desktop, getting ready for the day. Franklin Consolidated was one of the  first companies to build this city, and despite being bought in a  corporate takeover, it still has prestige. We're in some of the top  floors of our high-rise, and the view out the windows in the break room  are breathtaking. Overall, despite it being corporate drudgery, I could  be doing a lot worse. Besides dealing with Matt's bullshit, this place  isn't that bad.

I'm not gonna let that dickhead get me down. I figure I'll get another  promotion soon and move out of this cube-farm and into the outer ring  offices, and then I won't have to deal with him. Really, I'm just  nervous about this new Regional President. It's been hush-hush about who  he is, the corporation that bought Franklin Consolidated keeping things  quiet. It's like they want it to be some sort of national security top  secret or something. That, combined with knowing I still have Jake's  wallet, is making me a big ball of butterflies.         

     



 

There's a commotion going around the room, and as my email loads, I see  why. The new boss is going to be in soon and everybody is excited. Or  maybe nervous is probably the better word.

"Hey, Roxy, you excited?" Hannah asks. She's dressed to kill today, with  a knee-length pencil skirt that shows off her toned legs and a blouse  that is just a little tighter than normal. I guess she's playing it up  some, but she's certainly got the right to.

"I think I'm holding up well," I say, flashing an anxious smile. "Just hoping he's not a huge pain in the ass," I whisper.

Hannah shakes her head. "I'd be nervous too if I were tabbed to be his  assistant. Well, that and worried that the cops could kick down the door  any minute. Say, how do you think you'd look in an orange jumpsuit? I  hear orange is the new black."

I hold my scowl for all of two seconds before I can't help but laugh. "I  can't be pissed with you," I say, leaning back. Her jokes actually make  me feel less anxious. I'd do the same if she were in my position. "By  the way, if I'm going to jail, you're going to jail too as an  accomplice. Preferably to be cellies with some six-foot-tall girl named  Missy who's hungry for blondes."

Hannah laughs. "Come on, that's why we're friends. We're each other's  spirit animal. And I know if I get Missy as my cellie, you and I can  alternate days on being her bitch."

"We are, I agree. Except you're more of a beast than an animal, and I'm not muff diving for you no matter who it is."

Hannah laughs. "Glad to see you back to normal."

"I have Jake's wallet," I say after a moment, sobering again. "It's here in my purse."

"I'll go with you after work and we can turn it in at the club," Hannah says. "I'll be your backup just in case."

"Thank you."

Right then, we hear talking, so Hannah and I stand up to see Tom Powers,  the CEO of Franklin Consolidated, at the head of the room. He's a tall,  distinguished man with white hair, dressed as always in his dark  double-breasted suit. He's totally old school, but in a grandfatherly  sort of way. I heard that he's taking retirement with the corporate  takeover, and if so, I'm going to miss him around.

"Hello, everyone, if I can have your attention, please?" he says. "Come  on up if you'd like, or if you can see just fine, your cubicles are  okay. Anyway, I'd like to take a few minutes to thank you all. I know  that the rumor mill has been running overtime for the past few months,  and . . ."

I tune Tom out a little, thinking about the day. After this, I need to  finish checking my emails, then there's the report from the agribusiness  division that I'll need to get together for my new boss . . . I wonder  if he's nice? I wonder if he's a he, or maybe a she?

I know who I'd like to be working under. The dirty part of my mind fills  with a picture of Jake in his suit. He was so powerful, so decisive,  but at the same time a gentleman. The way he commanded everything and  everyone without being a braggart or a loudmouth oozed confidence and  masculinity. And yeah, the way he kissed me . . .

"Shit," I mutter to myself as I shake my head. I've missed most of what Tom's said already. Focus, Roxy, focus!

"For over seventy years, Franklin Consolidated has stood as a pillar of  this community, and while our corporate headquarters is obviously  changing, I can assure you that we will continue to serve this city and  its people . . ."

"Oh, my God," Hannah whispers next to me. She jostles my elbow, and I glance at her just as Tom wraps up.

"My Franklin family, it's with great regret to confirm that yes, after  this month, I will be retiring. However, I am confident in the hands  that I'm leaving Franklin in. Without further ado, I'd like to introduce  the new Regional President . . . Jake Stone."

"Is that . . .?" Hannah whispers as Jake steps up next to Tom. I turn  white as a sheet and drop down quickly before he can see me, Hannah  squatting down next to me. "Roxy?"

"I'm dead . . . I'm fucking dead," I whisper, looking at Hannah,  terrified. "What the hell am I supposed to do now? I almost slept with  and killed my new boss!"





Chapter 9





Jake





I stand before the window in my new office, looking out with my hands  clasped behind my back. It's just after lunch, and the whole city lies  before me, sparkling in the sunlight. This is a far better view than  what I had at my old office. I can see the entire city and even the  mountains in the distance.         

     



 

I feel powerful. Like the world is at my fingertips, and while I haven't climbed the mountain yet, I'm getting there.

Even my office is better, a large, classical executive room with a  polished oak desk and a large leather tufted chair. The shelves are  lined with bookcases, and I've found it's more than just the standard  assortment of old law books or regulatory books, but there are all sorts  of things. I've found leather-bound classics of fiction, biographies of  great leaders, and more. This could rival a lot of small school  libraries.

Franklin Consolidated really wanted my talents. I found out that they  requested me specifically, so they rolled out the red carpet for me. My  arrival has been well-received so far, but I've already noticed one  problem.

I saw who was standing in the crowd. It was just a moment. I barely  caught sight of that angelic face. I swear, I blinked and it was gone,  and later on, I couldn't find her when I walked the cubicle maze. But I  know what I saw. She might be in my dreams, but I'm not imagining  things.

I turn slightly when I hear the door open behind me, bringing me back to  the tasks I have at hand. "Is there anything I can get you, Mr. Stone?"  says Elena May, my new interim secretary, an elderly woman dressed in a  crisp pantsuit. She used to work for Tom, and I gratefully accepted her  services from him. "You told me to check in right after lunch."

"Yes, Elena," I say. "I need the report from the property management  division, and the Jefferson agreement. Also, if you could get me a hot  cup of coffee and something to snack on. I skipped lunch. I need  something to get through the afternoon."

Elena bows her head respectively. "Right away, sir."

She turns away, ready to leave, and I know it's now or never. I tense and call out, "And Elena?"

"Yes?"

"Please send in Miss Price."

She pauses for a moment, a question in her eyes. But she doesn't question me. "Right away, sir."

She disappears, and I turn back to the window. I wasn't going to call  her in. I can't even be sure I have the right person. It could be  another Roxy. But I can't resist and I have to know.

It's a miracle from the highest heaven or a curse from the depths of  hell if it is her. I guess it's lucky for her that it's me and not  Nathan. He would have started kicking ass at nine in the morning.

Five minutes after Elena leaves, there's a quiet knock at my door, and it opens behind me.

I don't turn around immediately, drawing out the moment as I hear muted  footsteps on the thick carpet of my office. Instead, I stand, staring  out the window, feeling the sun warm my face.

"You called for me?" Roxy's soft voice asks, and I momentarily close my  eyes. There is a hint of nervousness and anxiety in it, but her sweet,  soft voice is still like music to my ears. I know I should be mad. I  should be raging and demanding answers, but in those four words . . . I  swear I'm hearing an angel again.

"It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?" I ask. "The sun is out. The view from this office beats the one at my old one."