Vegas Lights

Chapter 22

Iris's P.O.V

Half of the work day flew by so quick, I almost couldn't comprehend it. I was just finishing up my late lunch at Brezza, leaving a tip for the waitress. After that, I walked out and made my way back up to my office. Once I stepped off the elevator, I walked down to my office door, unlocking it with the key Brendon gave me earlier. I shut the door behind me and went over to my desk. My open computer screen had a new email notification right in the middle of it. I recognized it as Brendon's because he had sent me an email earlier.

The email contained information regarding a person named Julian Trujilla, along with a phone number. The note attached to it read 'Please try to get into contact with him and get a meeting set up to discuss the possibility of him joining us in the expansion. Be as convincing as possible, it would be great if we could get him on board.'

Looking at the information I was given, I noticed the number wasn't local so I looked it up. After some searching, I found out it was an area code for Miami, Florida. That's all the way across the country. 'How am I going to get a meeting with him from all the way over there?' I thought. I guess I could give Brendon a quick call to figure that out.

I picked up the phone, utilizing the speed dial for his office number. After a few rings he picks up.
"Yes, Iris?" Brendon said in a sultry voice.
"Um...hey...you said you wanted me to get a meeting with Mr. Trujilla, but this number is from Florida." I said.
"That's correct." He simply said.
"Uh, well, how did you want me to do that if he's across the country?"
"Anyway you can. I don't care if he comes here or we go there. Over a video call would be fine too, but preferably in person." He said. "He's also known for being a big party person, huge personality on that guy. Use it to your advantage."
"Okay, I'll get it done." I said.
"Thank you, I'll see you soon, Iris."
After that, Brendon hung up, leaving the dead tone ringing in my ear.

If I was gonna do this, I needed time to think it over. Just to try to prepare myself a little bit. I got up from my desk after grabbing my phone, putting it in my pocket. Yes, I know, a skirt with pockets. When I went shopping and found it, I just knew I had to have it. They're so hard to come by. I opened my door and left my office, making my way down to the break room for a cup of coffee. Once I walked in, I seen Richard standing at the island that sat in the middle of the room with his own cup. I warmly smiled at him and greeted him.

"Hey Richard." I said, while grabbing a mug from the cabinet. I remembered I still needed to bring my own. Richard looked up from his phone and gave me a warm smile back.
"Hey, Iris. How are you?" He asked.
"I'm great, actually. Brendon finally gave me my own office." I felt comfortable calling Brendon by his first name around Richard. He was the only one who seemed to do the same.
I poured some coffee into the cup while I listened to Richard respond.
"That's great! Finally movin' on up I see." He nudged my shoulder in a playful way.
"Yeah, I guess so." I said, turning around and leaning against the island beside Richard. "I'm pretty nervous about it though." I admitted.
"Why's that?"
"Well, he told me that he wants me to get a meeting set up with this Julian character who lives all the way in Florida." I started. "I-I don't know, I guess I'm scared of failing and losing my job."
"Don't doubt yourself, you're an amazing young lady. I know you can get the job done." He said. "And if he wants to fire you just because you couldn't secure a meeting with some douchebag, then he'll have me to deal with." He chuckled. I laughed with him and took a sip of the bitter black coffee.
"Thank you, Richard." I simply said, smiling at him.
"So, what all have you been into?" I asked him while wiggling my eyebrows. He looked at me with a confused look on his face.
"You... Tracey..." I trailed off. His face immediately fixed itself and he smiled a wide tooth grin. But, it was quickly replaced with another look of confusion.
"Wait, how did you know about that?" He asked.
"I saw you two at the front desk together. It wasn't too hard to put together."
Richard laughed and took a sip of his own coffee.
"Nothing gets past you, huh?" He laughed. "We've been together for a while now, almost a year. But, we've been keeping our relationship quiet for now."
"That's so sweet. You two look cute together." I cupped the mug in my hand, taking another sip.
"She's the greatest." He cleared his throat before speaking again. "Ever since my wife died more than ten years ago, I was just a lost, grumpy ole man." He said. "But when I started working here roughly five years ago, Tracey was just a ball of light that unexpectedly came into my life, brightening the darkness I was in."
I looked at him with soft eyes and felt for the man.
"I'm sorry about your wife. I'm sure she'd rather see you happy than anything else." I told him.
"Thank you, kiddo." He said. "Well, I guess I should get back and get some more work done. I wish you luck in trying to get that meeting, I believe in you."
"Thanks, Richard." I said.

I watched Richard walk out of the door, leaving me alone with my own thoughts. Talking to him made me think of my own dad. He never got back to me when I had texted him, asking him how he was doing. I guess since no one is in here, I could give him a quick call. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and unlocked it, pressing the call button under his contact. After a few short rings he picks up.

"Hey sweet girl." I heard my dad's voice come through the phone.
"Hey, dad. I texted you a couple days ago. Did you not get it?" I asked curiously.
"I did baby, but I was hardly on my phone when you did. Trying to get better and all." He said.
"Well, you definitely sound better than what you did." I told him.
"I feel a lot better too." He laughed.
"Good, I'm glad." I changed the subject quickly to tell him about the new things going on at work.
"I've got my own office now."
"That's great sweetheart!" He said. "How's that going for you?"
"Mr. Urie is trying to expand Vegas Lights, so he's wanting me to talk to someone from Florida to do so. I'm pretty nervous about it." I told him.
"Don't be sweetheart, if anyone can do it, it's you." He said.
"Thank you, dad. That means a lot." I said, smiling. "Well, I guess I better go and make that phone call, if I don't do it now I'll probably psyche myself out." I chuckled.
"Knock em dead." My dad simply said.
"I will. I love you." I told him.
"I love you too."

We both hung up and I placed my phone back into my pocket, while walking out of the break room. Talking to both Richard and my dad gave me a newfound confidence that I desperately needed. I walked back into my office, shutting the door behind me. I walked around my desk and sat down, sitting my cup of coffee in front of me.

I looked at the email that was still pulled up on my computer screen, looking over it one more time. I grabbed the phone in my hand while dialing the number with my fingers. I put it up to my ear, hearing it ring. After a little bit, a woman answered.
"Hello, Mr. Trujilla's office, Katherine speaking, how can I help you?" The woman kindly said.
"Hello Katherine, my name is Iris Blair. I work at the Vegas Lights casino and I was wondering if it would be possible to speak to Mr. Trujilla to set up a meeting with him to discuss the possibility of him and my boss, Mr. Urie, working together." I told her.
"Last I heard Mr. Trujilla was in a meeting. Let me see if he's out of it and I will get back to you. Do you mind if I put you on hold?" She asked.
"Not at all." I said.

I heard the annoying elevator music through the phone and rolled my eyes. It was one of the most annoying sounds I could hear. I pressed the speakerphone option on the telephone and put it back down, waiting on Katherine to take this horrid music away. I was just messing around on the computer when I heard the music go away and Katherine's voice replacing it.
"Ms. Blair, are you still there?" She asked. I quickly picked the phone up again and replied to her.
"Yes ma'am, I am."
"Mr. Trujilla was out of his meeting, but he unfortunately can't get with you today. He informed me that he has a free window on Wednesday to speak with you, if that works." She said.
"That is perfect!" I said with a big smile on my face.
"He said he'd be available around three." She continued.
"I will be sure to put in my calendar. Thank you so much Katherine, it was lovely speaking with you."
"No problem, you as well Ms. Blair. Have a good day." She said.
"You too!"
We both said quick goodbyes and I hung up the phone.

I leaned back in my chair letting out a huge breath of air like I had been holding it in the entire time I was on the phone. I leaned back up, fully getting out of my seat and heading out of my office and towards Brendon's to tell him the good news. I rounded the corner and knocked on the door before opening it, revealing Brendon sitting at his desk with his usual glass of whiskey. He looked up at me and gave me a smile while walking towards me, engulfing me in a hug.
"Hey, what's up?" He said.
"Hey, I have some good news. I didn't get to speak with Mr. Trujilla personally but, a receptionist was able to talk with him and he said he would be able to call me on Wednesday to discuss things further." I told him with a grin. He unexpectedly embraced me in another hug with his arms wrapped around me, causing me to not be able to bring my arms up to hug him back.
"Are you kidding me? That's amazing news!" He said, letting go of me.
"I don't know, I didn't really even do anything." I said.
"You're going to speak with him in just a few days, that's enough for it to be amazing. It's not easy for people to get a hold of him."
"O-oh really?" I asked him, furrowing my brows. Hearing him say that just validated my feat.
"Yes, Iris. I knew you could do it." He gave me one last hug before walking back over to his desk.
"Well, I'm gonna head out of here soon. I'll see you tomorrow." I told him with a smile. He looked me over one time and spoke up.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Iris." He said with a small smile.
"Thank you, you too Brendon."

I walked out of his office and headed back to my own to wrap up the end of my day. While walking down the hallway, I smiled to myself like an idiot. Proud of all of my accomplishments thus far and the many more I'd hope to achieve.