Power Play

Chapter One

Setting up the game

'Knowing your opponent before the fight begins is both an advantage and disadvantage.'

Nothing could compare to the tall glass buildings that encaged me. King Cross really did have some of the finest modern architecture in modern Europe. Men and women, dressed designer suits, dominated the pavements. The place screamed money and power and I couldn't believe that I was finally about to become part of it. After five long years of being unappreciated at Parks Advertising, I had finally move on and landed my dream job.

I looked at my reflection on the large glass window, giving myself the once over. My new Ted Baker dressed hugged my curvy body and sucked my belly in. My pale pink blazer matched my pumps perfectly, I wasn't one for heels, I've had to many accident in those things. My black frizzy hair was scraped back into high pony tail and none of my baby hairs had managed to escape yet. My makeup looked okay. I hadn't gone full face, just a bit of blusher and eyeliner to enhance my Caribbean features that I inherited from my parents. Well I looked the part, it was now or never. 

Colossal Marketing Agency's office was everything I expected and more. The reception area was spacious, sleek and modern. The decor certainly reflected the company's young edgy approach to advertising. One large wall of the reception was had all of Colossal's biggest ad campaigns plastered across it, it was clear why many top brands paid them to create their adverts. I smoothed down my dress, and approach the reception desk.

"Hello. Welcome to Colossal, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked me.

"Hi I'm Rochelle Walker. It's my first day here."

"Ah yes. I'll inform Sarah. She will be down shortly to get you. Have a seat." She gestured to the two white couches that looked like something out of a home design magazine.

I thanked her and went to take a seat.

A women, who I assumed was Sarah approach me. She seemed to be around mid thirties, had short blond hair and cat eyed black glasses. Anyone who could look that amazing and stylish for work had my immediate admiration. Image was big in this industry, after all we were selling adverts.

"Hi. I'm Sarah. Welcome to the team at Colossal. I'm your immediate manager here, so I will be showing you around and helping you get settled in." She offered me her hand and gave me a gentle hand shake.

I followed Sarah into the elevator, while she explained to me the basic set up of Colossal; who I would be working with, what my role was, that I would be under her management, and the plans to grow Colossal.

A gasp escaped my lip when I saw the opened planed colourful office in front of me.

"I know it's amazing. The new boss revamped the office"

"Oh new boss?" Opps, I can't believe in my research of the company I didn't find out that they had a new boss.

"Ahh yes. The directors appointed a new CEO. It hasn't been publicly announced yet as they waiting for the ball on Friday."

"Oh okay."

"We'll meet the team now."

"Rochelle, this is Jacobs." She said introducing me to a tall, lean man, with blond hair.

"I'm a Senior Marketing Advisor here too, so we will probably be working together a lot."

He seemed friendly. I gave him a warm smile.

Next I met Dan and Tosin from the digital team and some of the junior marketing assistants. Sarah showed me to where I would be working next. Thankfully they hot desked so they didn't lots of small cubicles squashed together like my old work place. She gave me a folder of campaigns her team had produced, along with the new projects that they were working on. I had to look at them and get up to speed fast as she wanted my input.

By the time the clock stroke 6, I was absolutely knackered. The whole day was overwhelming. I got introduced to so many different people, whose names I definitely I wouldn't remember straight away. Everyone seemed lovely though. Jacobs even explained to me how the office spaced operated, he pointed to all the meeting rooms that were available to everyone, and the offices of the more senior staff, including the boss'. Weirdly I hadn't seen him yes, but Jacob did tell me that his office was the bomb (his words, not mine) and had the most amazing view. But to be honest the whole office was amazing, even the staff canteen looked like it could have been taken from magazine.

I collected the folders that I needed to go over tonight, deciding I would have takeaway tonight, as I wanted to focus on work, without worrying about cooking. My apartment was in archway, about 30 minutes on the underground so luckily it wouldn't take me long to get home. I made my way to the elevator with a spring in my step, this new job had already exceeded my expectations.

Oaff.

I collided with a body. My folders dropped and the paper scattered everywhere. I saw a man bend down and collect them, while I tried to regain my balance.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

I looked up to see who the voice belonged to and see you knocked me down. I was greeted by the most piercing green eyes. The eyes belonged to a face which had a strong, defined jaw line and his hair was dark. My eyes trailed down the rest of his body. The way he filled his suit suggested that his body was well defined too. Damn, now that's a guy who fitted the definition of tall, dark and handsome.

"Oh and here's your papers." He handed them to me. Christ, even his voice oozed sex appeal.

"No it was my fault, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." I apologised.

A puzzled look flashed across his face.

"I'm Rochelle, I'm new here" I explained, as I assumed he was wondering who I was.

"Rochelle, Rochelle Walker right?"

I nodded, wondering how he new my name.

"I'm the CEO here, but I'm surprised you don't recognise me." He stated with smugness.

"I don't think we've met before." I definitely wouldn't forget that face, or that body.

"Karl. Karl Jefferson."

Karl Jefferson, that name did sound familiar, but, oh no, it couldn't be. Karl Jefferson, from my school days. The boy who everyone bullied. Fat Jeff. Spotty Jeffy. And I'm ashamed to admit that I participated in this too. I even embarrassed him at prom, the story is too shameful to repeat. My friends came up with the plan but I had been the one to actually do it. His school days must have been hell for him as the source of everyone's amusement.

Karl Jefferson had certainly transformed. He was no longer the chubby, quiet boy I knew from secondary school. That was not the man that stood in front of me now. It was like he had a completely make over. His braces were gone and he a straight set of pearly white teeth, he had grown in height and there didn't seem to be one ounce of fat of him. And to top it off he was the CEO of an extremely successful firm. He was rich, successful and good looking; talk about triple threat.

I gulped and he held my gaze with such intensity I was forced to look away. He had the power to make my life hell, and in fairness I deserved it.

"Oh I see you met Karl." The sound of Sarah's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Yes. It always nice to personally welcome new employees. I was just telling Rochelle that she should work on the proposal for Discover, get stuck in." Karl lied.

"Oh. That could be the most lucrative advertising deal with ever make. And what a great idea, it's always good to have a fresh pair of eyes."

"Yes I think so, plus it gives her a chance to prove her worth." Karl laughed.

It sounded like a joke, but underneath it lay a clear threat.

"Well I picked her so I have faith." Sarah laughed.

"Come by my office at 8:30 tomorrow Rochelle, and can I talk to you for a moment?" He said addressing Sarah.

I watched the two walk away, with fear bubbling inside me. Would he tell her, or worse fire me? The sade thing is I couldnt blame him if he decided to. He would have thought that the kid I bullied would later become my boss? Tomorrow definitely isn't going to be fun, I guess karma is real.