* * *
When I finally reach theninth floor, it's nearly noon. I take a deep breath and frame my attitude to defensive bitch mode. Janet will have stewed all night on what happened yesterday, and I have to be ready for a catfight. Therefore, I need to decide how to move the narrative forward in Bastian's best interest. And then it hits me right between the eyes. The perfect solution for everyone involved.
Smiling, I exit the elevator, and I am immediately hit with the dismal mood hanging over the women who work here. It's one-hundred-and-eighty degrees opposite of the mood in the tech department.
The thought occurs to me that Bastian should offer his employees some sort of program whereby they earn or win time in the testing booths.
"Good morning, ladies. Huddle up." I announce. Chairs begin immediately pushing back from their desks as I wave for everyone to join me.
Janet's door flies open, and she marches out. Humility and manners are not part of who she is, and I brace myself for the barrage of verbal abuse.
"You're late!" She barks.
Her attack flies all over me, even though I was ready. The uncouth viciousness of her delivery raises the hair on the back of my neck.
I dig deep to hide my forming hatred of her and force myself to laugh. Although I intended it to be light and nonsensical, it comes across as 'fuck-off' funny. "Impossible."
She argues, "It's nearly noon. You said nine-fifteen."
"That's right. I said nine-fifteen. Were you here at nine-fifteen?"
"Yes, and you weren't."
My hand twitches to wipe her smug insulting smirk off her face. "Good. You were on time." I look around at the women watching our exchange, dismissing Janet.
But she barks again. "I was here on time, but YOU weren't!"
I turn my eyes back on her, and she feels my laser focus. "Janet, I feel the need to remind you that YOU work on the clock for the company, whereas Bastian sets my time. It's impossible for me to be late for anything concerning you." I look around again, dismissing her, and greet the women witnessing our tiff. "Good morning, ladies. Everyone doing okay today?"
There are a few who respond with "Good morning" and "Yes," but for the most part, no one says a word, which isn't unexpected for this group on the first day.
"That's good. I have nothing to report from our Big Book Boss today. Does anyone have any concerns they would like to share?"
No one says anything, but I wasn't expecting anyone to either, so I simply dismiss them, "Carry on, then. I'll be back tomorrow." Then I press my lips together and lean in closer to Janet. "May I have a word with you before I go?" I nod toward the elevator.
Calculating eyes assess my body language, and she nods, reading my non-threatening demeanor. She walks over to the elevators, and I follow. "Janet, I'm surprised a woman who runs such a tight ship as you do has remained dormant in the industry and hasn't shopped her considerable skills for better pay and benefits."
Her surprise quickly turns to suspicion, and her eyes narrow into thin lines. "What game are you playing?"
I lick my lips and look away. "I was at Hartman & Hartman Publishing House before I came here, and they are in desperate need of an executive to set their sail in the right direction."
She blinks several times, and I smile, genuinely delighted to tell her my idea.
The elevator dings, and I hurriedly whisper to her, "Let's just say it wasn't an accident that I got this job. If you're interested, I know the key players."
I lean in conspiratorially and lower my voice. "If you know what I mean?"
The doors slide open. Bastian stands at the door, looking big, beautiful, and formidable.
I whisper to Janet, "There's a new sheriff in town."
Then I smile my brightest smile, toss my hair, flirting and strutting past Bastian, and say to him, "Hey, Big Book Boss, mind if I ride you to the top?"
He chuckles, and his smirk is sexy as hell, "Not at all, babe. Climb on."
As the doors close, I glance back over my shoulder and smile at Janet. Her lips are puckered, pondering her position.
Bastian pulls me into his arms and asks, "What was that all about? I thought you wanted to keep our relationship secret?"
