Stalked

Chapter 1

I woke up to my the piercing ringing of my alarm clock. I groggily rolled out of bed while hitting the off butting on the clock. I squinted my eyes so they could adjust to the glow from the sun through my curtains. I then stretched my arms out in front of me and bent down to touch my toes. There we go all nice and stretched out. I padded my way into my bathroom, the cold floor only helping me to wake up. I slipped my nightie off and turned the shower on. I opened up the blinds to the giant window in my bathroom and peeked outside while I was waiting for the water to warm up. The woods I live in is very isolated and I liked it that way. My closest neighbors are miles away and we are still friends. We even host little dinner parties for each other, sometimes.

I dodged the soaking tub I usually sit in to relax and hopped in the shower. Steam was already forming and the water instantly started to melt the sleep from my body. Once I was done with everything I needed to get done I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body. I went over to the sink and brushed my teeth slowly, thinking about what I have to get done today. Let's see there's work, obviously. I have to also go to the store to get some more food and stuff. Maybe I'll see if Kathryn, my best friend, would like to get our nails done or something after. I brushed out my wet hair, focusing on a couple of tangles my conditioner missed and switched on my hairdryer.

With freshly dried hair I walked back to my bedroom to grab the outfit I picked out before bed. A pair of leggings, a sheer tank top to show off my lacy bralette, and a sweater to cover up a little. Nothing fancy, just nice because thankfully the company I work for doesn't have a strict dress code. It turns out it's more fun to edit books while not wearing a pencil skirt. Who would've thought? I went over to my makeup vanity and dotted some foundation around my face to even out my skin tone, I fixed up my eyebrows, did a nude and brown smoky eye, and brushed on some mascara. I smeared some sparkly lip gloss on my lips, put deodorant on, stepped into my knee-high boots, grabbed my purse and laptop, and hit the road.

On the way to my job I rolled down the windows and listened to the birds. It had just turned into spring so it is still chilly but the birds are as lively as ever, along with almost every animal that lives out here. About 20 minutes later I pulled up to the gate and showed the guard my pass. He told me hello, and I told him to have a good day and I drove on through the gate. I could live closer to town but it's just so noisy and I love my house in the woods. I parked my car and gathered my stuff before walking into the building. The receptionist, Layla smiled at me and I stopped to sign in.

"Have you heard the news?" She whispered to me.

"No? What is it?"

"Well, word on the street is someone is getting promoted."

She pointed at me and my jaw dropped. I shook my head and put the pen back in the cup.

"If you're messing with me I will be seriously upset with you, Layla." I said seriously but I couldn't hold back an excited smile.

She made a motion across her chest to show that she "crossed her heart" and I walked further into the building and took the elevator up to the fiction level. I smiled politely at my coworkers as I made my way toward my desk. I set my purse and laptop down and looked at the pile of papers that were waiting in my 'To be edited' basket. I peeked over to Kathryn's desk and saw her intently reading a packet of paper, it must be good. Her brown hair was tied up into a tight bun and a red pen rested between her thin lips. I cleared my throat and she snapped out of her trance.

"Oh my God! Bri, I didn't even see you come in. Have you heard-"

"Breanna! My office, now." A deep voice boomed throughout the fiction floor.

I nervously stood and Kathryn sent me a smile. I know everyone has been saying it's good news but I can't help but feel like I'm about to get fired. Our boss, Mr. White, is pretty freaking terrifying. I poked my head in his office and lightly knocked on the door.

"Yes, yes. Come in."

He was about 6'5 and he always wore a suit even though the dress code said he didn't have to. He had dark red hair and not a strand of it was ever out of place and his face was cleanly shaven all the time. He walked by me to get behind his desk and sat down and I could smell his aftershave in the air. His office looked pretty close to empty except the desk, chair, computer, and a couple of moving boxes. That looks pretty promising.

"Sit down Breanna."

"Yes, sir.", I did what I was told and put both of my hands in my lap to try and hide the fact that they were shaking.

"So you've worked here ever since you graduated college at, what was it? 20? You sure did fly through those classes."

"Yes, sir. I took dual enrollment through high school so I was pretty prepared for college classes. I also loved the classes I took so it made it go by a lot quicker."

"Right, well I'm getting transferred to a new building that they're building in Los Angeles. I'm going to be the head of all the genres over there. You've proven to me and the other workers here that you are the best to take my place here as head of the fiction floor. No one can really argue that you're not fit for this job especially with your outstanding GPA throughout college."

My whole face lit up and I laughed.

"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, sir! I will not let this company down." I promised.

"I know you won't. All of the books you have edited have turned into bestsellers. I leave tomorrow so today is the time to ask any questions and to get your things moved in."

I asked a couple of questions to try and figure out what exactly I'd be doing as the new boss of fiction and it's not too complicated. It's basically the same thing I've been doing except I get all the ones that the workers push through to me and I choose which ones get to advance to the final stages of publishing. Mr. White took the rest of his things out and Kathryn helped me move my stuff in. I got a lot of happy looks from my favorite coworkers but I also got a lot of envious looks from my not so favorite coworkers. I don't really care though, I could fire them if I so pleased. Nothing can ruin this perfect day or my perfect mood!