Saxon pulls his keys from his pocket and picks a certain one, slipping it into the lock and turning. He opens the door and waits for me to step in.
Oh my God… the first thing I observe is how open and light the room is. There is a big, beautiful mahogany desk sitting just in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. It’s a different view from Nate and Saxon’s offices but still beautiful. The scenery is of other skyscrapers with a beautiful clear blue sky creeping in as the backdrop and down below is the city park.
Behind the desk there is a high-backed leather chair and two dark green art deco fabric-covered chairs in front of it. On the wall to my right is a three-seater chesterfield couch, and on the left wall are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, already full of what look like text books and pretty ornaments.
I step further into the room and walk right up to the window. I close my eyes and feel the beautiful sun shining through, letting the light warm my face. “We haven’t touched his office.” Saxon’s abrupt comment catches me off guard and my eyes fly open. I turn to look at him with a questioning glance. “I locked the door, and the only person who goes in there is the cleaner once a week.”
I nod, my lips pursed in thought. “When was this all done?” I gesture to the room. “I remember this being storage.”
“I did it after the funeral. After your dad told me of your plans to keep the company. I wanted it to be prepared for you, as soon as you were ready.”
“You did it?”
“Yes. Well, kind of; I picked and ordered the furniture. I hope it’s okay. I left it fairly plain, so you could decorate it yourself—you know, add your own touches. You can change everything if you like, I just wanted you to have something. I wasn’t sure whether you would want Nate’s office or not. I wanted you to have another option,” he rambles, avoiding eye contact with me.
“No, this is perfect. I love it,” I blurt out.
Saxon stares and gives me another nod. “Okay, well how about I give you some time to get settled and you can meet me in my office when you’re ready to start.”
“Sounds good,” I say as I pull out my picture of Nate and me.
Standing there looking down at the picture with a smile, I don’t realise Saxon is still there until I hear him. “Looks like you are here to stay after all.”
I look up as he gives me a warm smile, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes as I simply say, “Looks like it.”
“Well, get settled. The sooner we start, the sooner I can get out of here.” He gives me a lopsided grin, and I get the impression he is laughing at me. He winks and turns to leave my new office, shutting the door behind him. My new office.
After placing my photo next to my computer I throw myself into my chair, already exhausted. Who knew something so emotional could take it physically out of a person?
Pondering Saxon’s last comment, I think he is underestimating how long this takeover is going to take. Or maybe he doesn’t care, and he’s leaving whether I’m ready or not? Even though we aren’t as close as we were in college, we have a history. If nothing else, I’m still Nate’s wife, and Nate was his best friend. No, Saxon wouldn’t do that to me.
Would he?
After two hours of sitting in my office chair, pacing in front of the desk, moving the couch a little to the left, moving the couch a little to the right, and dusting all the brand new dust-free bookshelves, I finally gather the courage to venture out.
Slowly opening my office door, I pop my head out into the hallway looking left and right. I’m not sure what I’m on the lookout for, but my fast-beating heart and shaking hands tell me I’m not ready.
I take a deep breath and straighten my spine; I know the only people on this floor are Ruth, Saxon, and now myself. There might be the odd staff member coming up to drop off some files or see Saxon, but why should that bother me?
Pulling my shit together, I head towards the elevator. I’m going to go make a coffee in the staff room on the lower floor. There’s no need to do this as there is a fancy coffeemaker in the small staff room on this floor, but I want to say hello to a few of the staff I know.
When I step into the elevator my legs shake and I’m wringing my fingers together. Knowing I have to walk through all the cubicles and past the office doors of most of the staff to get to the staff room has me more nervous the closer I get.
The elevator doors open and I briefly consider going back up to hide in my office when my eyes meet Harper’s. Harper is the main receptionist at Argo and filters all the calls, emails, and people entering the office.
My face softens and my body relaxes as I see the familiar, friendly face smiling widely at me. No sad, pitying smile as I had expected and dreaded.