"Welcome back!" My boss, Chris, announced as I walked out of the elevator and into our office. I smiled widely, excited to be back at our corporate office.
"Thanks, Chris," I said. He handed me a cup of coffee which I eagerly accepted.
"I thought you'd need that," he said with a laugh. "How was the flight?"
"I slept most of the way," I said with a shrug. "Or at least as much as I can on a plane." He laughed.
"Well I'm glad you're here," he said. "The board has been eager to hear from you." I nodded as we walked through the office, past cubicles of people typing away at their computers quietly, and down to his private office.
"Hopefully they're not too mad at me once I share my presentation," I said. I set my things down on the floor as I took a seat in front of his desk. Chris walked around the large mahogany L shaped desk and took a seat. His office was massive, with floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the Chicago River.
"I don't think anyone could be mad at you," Chris said with a chuckle. "Especially with how hard you work."
"We'll see," I sighed. We chatted about the upcoming presentation and reviewed some of my deck while we waited for the board members to arrive.
We could hear them down the hallway before we saw them - the drone and laughter of 50 and 60 year old business men filled the quiet office suite.
"Show time," Chris said, as he rolled his eyes. I held back a laugh as the board members filter into Chris' office, each one dressed in a high end suit. They all eagerly shook Chris' hand and started talking about business and catching up. I stood up from my seat and greeted a few of the board members who acknowledged me before Chris pushed me to the front of the group.
"This is Emily, our newest Director of Product and Merchandising," he said proudly. A few of the board members were pleasant and introduced themselves while some others brushed off the introduction and continued with their private conversations.
"We're going to meet in the large conference room down the hall, if you all would follow me," Chris said, cutting off all the conversations. I walked with Chris to the conference room, laptop in hand, as the board followed us. As we set up for the presentation, Chris' secretary brought in coffee and breakfast sandwiches for everyone before disappearing and leaving me to start my presentation.
———
"Any other questions?" I asked the room as I finished the PowerPoint presentation. I looked over at Chris next to me. His eyes scanned the board members before us, waiting for another question. I had easily answered all their questions during my presentation, much to certain members' surprise. Chris looked at his watch and then clapped his hands, breaking the silence in the room.
"Well, if there aren't any further questions, I think we can go to lunch," Chris announced. The board members stood up, gathering their things and resumed their conversations they had started before I started my presentation.
"Nice work," Chris whispered to me as I packed up my things.
"Thanks," I replied tentatively.
"It's not everyday that the board is silenced after a presentation, that means you did a good job,"Chris said reassuringly. I let out a deep breath and smiled.
"Well, that's a relief," I half laughed. I packed up my computer and the men out to the elevator to head out to lunch.
As we stepped out into the busy Chicago streets I instantly peeled off my blazer. I couldn't understand how the men managed to keep on their suit jackets. The humidity attacked my body instantly making my skin feel sticky and the sun glared down on us as we walked. Thankfully, we only went a few blocks down to a nice urban restaurant and sat down for lunch. The board filed into the table we were taken to and Chris and I sat on the end across from each other.
"Their food is good," Chris said, handing me a menu. "Get whatever you'd like, obviously."
"Thanks," I said as I opened the menu. I nervously chewed on my lip, feeling out of place amongst the business men I was at lunch with. I could overhear bits of their conversations - cars, family, finances, and sports key words flying through the air - but not enough to participate. I felt awkward being there and it was obvious I didn't belong at that table.
The waitress came by and brought us all water and I eagerly drank mine. Even my throat felt dry and sticky from the walk over.
"So, Emily!" One of the board members said. I looked over to find almost all of them looking at me.
"Yes?" I said. My stomach was in knots and I hoped my face wouldn't show my nervousness.
"Tell us about yourself," he said.
"Well, I'm born and raised in Los Angeles. I live in Long Beach now. I have my bachelors in Marketing and Communications and a Masters in Business Planning and Strategy," I started.
"Where did you go to school?" One of the board members asked.
"I went to San Diego State for my undergrad and USC for my masters," I answered. Some of them nodded their heads approvingly at the mentioning of USC.
"And how long have you been with the company?" Another board member asked.
"Just over 5 years. I worked at Sony previously for almost 7 years," I said. I took a long sip from my water, my mouth having gone dry and gluey.
"Well, welcome to the team. And congratulations on a successful presentation. You impressed all of us," the board member at the head of the table said, holding up his drink. They nodded and smiled in agreement and I smiled back.
"Thank you," I said. They clinked their glasses together and I clinked my glass with Chris. He winked at me and smiled.
"I told you you'd be fine," he said. My uneasiness inside me settled a little at Chris' words and I tried to console myself that I did belong at this table.
We ate lunch and everyone chatted together. The board was much more friendly now than in our meeting. After lunch was finished I gathered my things and stepped out into the Chicago streets. As we rounded the corner to the office, my shoulder clipped a man as he walked past me in a hurry.
"Sorry!" I shouted as he walked past. He turned slightly towards me, his cell phone on one ear, and nodded acknowledging me. I did a double take as he walked away - unsure if I knew him or not from the way his arm and hand concealed his face. Something about the way his hair was cut and the shape of his jaw stirred something inside me.
It couldn't be...
"Emily!" Chris called, tearing my eyes away from the man walking away from me and ushering me to the open office doors. As we rode in the elevator up to the office suite, I couldn't get my mind off the man on the street and who I thought he might be.
YOU ARE READING
Always You - A Second Chance Romance
Romance"Rummaging in our souls, we often dig up something that ought to have lain there unnoticed." - Leo Tolstoy When Emily Wright married her husband, Nick, she thought he was the man of her dreams. But less than a year into being married, Nick has grown...
