Toto and the Boys I: Jackie

Chapter 6

The elevator ride down was totally awkward. Jackie knew she didn’t have to be afraid of the man, but she couldn’t help but feel a little bit of anxiety. He had that kind of power.

She waited in pain for the elevator doors to open and when they did, Dean Gamboa stepped aside to let her pass first.

“Hmm, thanks,” she uttered before she could stop herself. Her words were greatly laced with sarcasm she was sure her boss was able to hint it. But if he did, he didn’t mention it for he walked with her out of the building and to the parking long in complete silence.

  *****

When I saw Jackie coming, I was about ready to turn on my engine. But someone was with her, a handsome fellow. Who is that?

And my girl Jackie was looking tense. Was that because of the man? Was he another stalker?

She almost reached me when the guy called out, “Miss, Ramos, where are you going?”

She turned around in her heels and said, “I’m taking Toto with me.”

The man frowned. He was holding a set of keys in his hand. “Toto?”

Jackie pointed over her shoulder at me. “My car.”

The man looked at me for about ten seconds before he said, “You’re riding with me,” he motioned his head at Beatle, the black Honda Civic.

Oh, so he’s Beatle’s owner. I hadn’t seen that guy ever because Beatle had always been the first car in the parking lot.

“But, sir…” Jackie said.

Sir? Okay, now I understand. He’s the boss. The one with the fake FB account.

“Get in, Miss Ramos,” he ordered, opening Beatle’s front door.

And I knew why Jackie hated him. He was the bossy boss she never wanted and she couldn’t do anything about it.

Before she walked to where Beatle was parked, Jackie turned to me and said, “Sorry, Toto, maybe next time.”

  *****

Jackie didn’t know what to do as she walked to the black Honda Civic.

She was obviously confused which door to open. She got hold of the back door, let it go, stared at it and then walked to the passenger side. She took the handle, paused and stepped back.

“What are you doing, Miss Ramos?” Dean Gamboa’s baritone voice asked as he stared at her over the hood of the car.

“I…sir, where do you want me to seat?” she asked with a grimace.

The sun was bright today and Jackie was not sure if her boss was crunching his face because of the heat or because of her stupidity.

“Get in the front seat,” he said stonily before he disappeared under the hood.

“Oh, okay,” she said, stepping right back to the passenger door. When she finally settled inside, she was immediately bombarded by…how do we put this? Cleanliness? Neatness? Anyway, the interior of her boss’ car was far from Toto’s.

“Seatbelt,” said her boss as he placed the car in gear.

She did as he asked. And the moment they drove out of the parking lot, complete and utter silence followed.

“Can we play some music?” she asked before she could even process the question in her head. Dean Gamboa just turned his head and looked at her for a moment. He returned his attention back on the road without giving her an answer. “Fine,” she whispered, taking out her phone. She groaned when it started ringing. Brian. She lowered the volume and tapped the red button on the screen. Creep.