I Trust You

The Things You Can't Unsee

"This is the cockpit." Points Mrs. Boards towards the entire Marketing floor. "The other departments call us Marketing but they don't understand how important we are and how without us this plane, Maxwell & Partners, will never fly."

Grace nods and follows Mrs. Boards as she weaves between cubicles.

"We only have 2 meeting rooms." Mrs Boards gestures to 2 glass rooms both bright red with a few yellow and white splashes. "That's because we have 2 main families here in marketing, Social Marketing and Community Marketing, our own invention."

"What's the difference." Asks Grace her brows furrowed.

"Social Marketing uses technology to spread the word about M&P so anything from Instagram, Snapchat, TV, radio. If it needs electricity to work it falls under Social." Answers Mrs. Boards walking away from the meeting rooms with Grace hot on her heels. "Community has to do with the people and tactical advertising so billboards, sponsorships, charity work and even hosting events in the hopes that the people will talk about M&P."

"Oh, okay that's different." Nods Grace.

"Yep it is. The 2 families might work together wonderfully but they're practically mortal enemies." Jokes Mrs.Boards heading for a smaller, yellow cubicle packed in the corner of the 'cockpit'.

"Now, your role is completely new." Says Mrs.Boards stopping at the cubicle and turning towards Grace. "You're the going to be the link between the 2 families. Your role is to build the M&P brand and keep it on peoples mouths. Got that?"

"100%." Grace answers.

"Good then." Mrs. Boards says. "This is your office, you might have a senior role but the big offices aren't simply given you have to earn it." Mrs. Boards gestures to the yellow cubicle.

"And I look forward to that." Jokes Grace. "You better get it ready for me cause I have feeling I won't be here too long." Gestures Grace to the small cubicle.

"I like your style." Laughs Mrs. Boards but abruptly stops and stares at Grace. "I expect a report on what you plan on doing for M&P and the steps you'll take to get it where you believe it should be.You should know something about me, I don't like mediocrity so don't give it to me."

"I won't."

"Good." Mrs.Boards nods. "Anything you need to know about the company is on that computer, the password is in the desk. Good luck."

And with that Mrs. Boards struts away and enters a glass office across the 'cockpit'.

"Whew, survived that." Laughs Grace dropping her bag to the floor and taking a seat on her chair.

The cubicle comprises of one wall which the large desk leans against. On the desk sits a computer, a pen, pencil, a phone and used tape and small drawers sit on each side of the desk.

"Not bad." Murmurs Grace spinning on her chair and facing the desk again. "But first thing is first."

Grabbing the landline Grace quickly types in a familiar number and waits.

"Hello?" A bored voice asks.

"Hello, it's me." Answers Grace.

"I've been wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet." Sings Vic.

"To go over-" Laughs Grace unable to finish the verse. "Hey, Vic." She reiterates

"Grace!" Screeches Victoria. "Is this your new work phone?"

"Yep, thought I should call my bestie first." Grace mumbles staring around the cockpit.

"Aw, you're the sweetest thing."

"I know." Grace laughs playing around with the pencil. "So what's up?"

"Um, strangest thing happened today." Answers Vic.

"Yeah?"

"Raymond came here asking for you."

Grace freezes as her heart pumps twice as fast. She quickly drops the pencil and leans back.

"What do you mean Raymond came looking for me?"

"I mean he came here, to Pocket Marketeers, you know your old work place? And started asking where you were, he looked like a madman."

"Did you tell him where I was?" Grace asks frozen.

"I kind of guessed that I shouldn't since him coming here just showed he didn't know you quit which means you didn't tell him." A silence passes over them. "My question is why would someone not tell their boyfriend about them quitting their job unless that person wasn't your boyfriend anymore."

Grace doesn't answer but stares blankly at the computer screen.

"Grace?"

"Ja?" Grace answers her voice strained.

"You're not with him anymore are you?" Snoops Vic her voice dropping to a small whisper.

"No." Answers Grace her tone matching Vic's.

"Why?"

"I don't want to talk about it, at least not now, okay?"

Grace hears Vic release a heavy sigh and shuts her eyes.

"Grace you're a grown woman and can make your own decisions so I won't push you to tell me what's going on but I want you to know that I'm here for you whether its to be a shoulder to cry on or to help you commit a murder, I'm here."

"I know. Thanks babe." Answers Grace holding back tears. "Now let me get to work before they fire me."

"Okay, bye."

"Later."

Grace puts the phone down and releases a heavy sigh.

Raymond...the bane of my life.

Grace stares at the computer and wills the pain settling on her heart to leave. Opening the drawer Grace grabs the small paper, powers up the computer, types in the password and attempts to learn as much as she can about Maxwell & Partners.

"Oh gosh." Groans Grace. "They're practically none existent."

Grace scrolls through the millionth website since she started 2 hours ago and has come up with absolutely nothing.

"How has the business managed to grow with almost no media coverage." Complains Grace. "Social Marketing my ass."

Powering down the computer, Grace squirms as she quickly makes her way to the elevator and presses the downward button.

I need to pee.

Staring at the number Grace groans as the elevator remains on floor 9.

Girl you can hold it.

"Come on." Grace mumbles squirming.

Another 5 minutes pass and Grace let's out a cuss and spots the small green sign pointing towards the stairs.

Grace had seen a bathroom on the bottom floor when she had spoken to Florinda at the front desk, knowing nobody, other than Mrs.Boards, Grace had opted for going to the bottom floor bathroom than gaining the courage to ask one of the people working with her on the Marketing floor.

Hastily moving towards the stairs Grace quickly grabs the handle and swings the door open.

"Don't pee." Grace repeats quickly stepping into the stairwell and making a beeline for the bottom stairs only to stop at the sight of Mrs. Boards and Mr.Owens entangled in each others arms their mouth passionately embracing.

"Ah." Grace squeals quickly turning around as they whip they're heads towards a wide-eyed Grace.

"Sorry." Sheepishly mumbles Grace scrambling back up the few stairs, pee forgotten.