Nightmare Neighbor

CHAPTER 3 - Alek

The most important day of my career began like any other. I woke up before sunrise, ran five miles, and took a cold shower. Then I sat by the kitchen island and read the newspapers while sipping a protein smoothie, barely able to stay still. My body hummed with endorphins from the exercise and adrenaline caused by the oncoming meeting with Sierra Cabot, a rising star of natural cosmetics. She'd founded her company #loveyourself about two years ago and climbed to the top of the field in a record time. Although she was only twenty-five, her net worth was guesstimated to be over ten million dollars.

She was launching another collection of lipsticks next spring and was looking for the head of the campaign. I busted my balls to get on the shortlist of candidates considered for the job. I knew jack-shit about makeup and had no desire to expand my knowledge, but I would make the sacrifice to score that position. Apart from the mushy personal reasons, my company (which comprised me and me alone) could use a big-shot client like that. Sure, I was doing fine, but I'd have stayed at the international marketing company where I slaved away for over a year if that was good enough. After they handled my promotion to some protection kid, I decided fine wasn't cutting it. I risked my savings and future by starting my business, and I needed a huge breakthrough to shut up the voices in my head telling me I had made a terrible mistake. Landing a job for #loveyourself would do that. I had to get it.

I left my apartment determined to achieve that goal—even if it meant kissing Sierra's ass until I had my nose brown. I usually headed to work before seven because the streets were still empty, and there was no risk of getting stuck in traffic. Scratch that—there was only a slight risk of getting stuck in traffic. I drew a short straw today. Some drunk asshole got himself tangled with a garbage truck, blocking the main road to my office, and I couldn't go around because of the ongoing construction. It took ages before the fire department freed the road, and the fifteen-minute trip lasted for over an hour.

When I finally parked in front of my office building, I thought the shit part of my day was over, but I'd gone out of the frying pan into the fire. A pipe burst during the night and flooded the first floor. My office was in the worst shape as the leak happened directly above it, and everything got soaked beyond salvation.

I spent half an hour on the phone with some pencil pusher from the insurance company until he agreed to come to write my statement and look at the damages. He assured me they would compensate me in full for everything I lost, but the repairs couldn't start until the room was dry. I argued with the building manager for the next hour, explaining that having my office out of order for two months, which he demanded for the repairs, was out of the question. Once I started threatening legal action, he came to his senses and agreed to have it ready in three weeks.

I left the building, so pissed-off steam was coming from my ears. When my phone rang, I had to resist the urge to hurl it against the nearest wall.

"What?" I answered without checking the caller ID.

"Where are you, man? You were supposed to get here at nine. I dragged myself out of bed for your sorry ass."

Mason's question made me stop and check my watch. I swore and picked up the pace, rushing to my car. It was almost half-past nine; my meeting with Sierra was at one. I meant to stop at Mason's beforehand to go over my proposal. His knowledge of cosmetics was even worse than mine; however, he had a business degree and could smell a good deal for miles. He was also like a brother to me, so I trusted his opinion and judgment, knowing he wouldn't let me go out there looking like a complete idiot.

"Sorry, I'm running late." I unlocked my jeep and climbed inside. "My office got flooded overnight, and I had to deal with it. Give me twenty."

"You're lucky it's my day off. I don't feel like doing shit, so I don't mind the wait."