Z: In The Heart of the Queen City

Chapter 1

I checked on my shoes, they were still wet from the weekend shower, I had accidentally left them out last night after cleaning. They were my good office shoes, orange and shiny with gold 2 inch heels. I frowned, my other pair weren't cleaned at all. They still had muck and stuff after the downpour.

With no choice, I grabbed a pair of Converse that I had bought around 4 years ago in a sad attempt to look punk rock. I shot a look at my sister Elise she was wearing brand new flats that I really wanted to borrow. "What are you looking at hobbit?" She said as she scooted past me. I rolled my eyes, of course I was a head shorter than she was which was unfair but in the real world all your younger siblings were pretty much taller than you.

A chopper had flew past our house while I had breakfast, followed by two others. My mother was desperately trying to work the radio because all satellite programs were down, there were just a few filthy reruns shown in tv that day. I paid no attention, no one really likes watching tv at 6am in the morning anyway.

"Bye Emma! Bye Elise! You two keep safe!" My mom said as we left. Dad brought my sister to school and me to work everyday even though he was working hard at the airport the night before. I waved at my mom when she closed the gate to our house.

I really had no clue of that this probably going to be the last time I'll ever get to do that.

My sister went to University of San Carlos, it was located somewhere in the mountains, since my dad usually never brought her directly there because he hated the traffic, he dropped her off in a place where she could take a jeep. As soon as Elise got down, I noticed two military planes flying so close to the ground. Military planes in this area? It was strange, but I paid no attention to it.

"Your mom wants me to buy Baygon for the mosquitoes at home." Dad said, "I'll buy it after I go play tennis." I smiled at good old dad, he was into fitness and healthy living both things I didn't seem to have any interest in.

When it was my turn to drop off I noticed the major traffic in the area. There were a lot of vehicles and no movement, I watched as my father got caught up in the jam. "That won't be too good for his blood pressure" I said to myself. I got up the elevator after greeting the guard, he too, had been fumbling with his hand held radio when I arrived. "I think all news stations have been down since this morning" I heard him tell the janitor.

I clicked on 7th floor and then the close button but interrupted when the door opened. Oh God no, it was a gang of snooty developers that worked in the "company" with me. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them, they're not all bad being the bread and butter of the "company" but they didn't have to act like less hot versions of Regina George just because they earned passed the 6 figure mark.

June (one of the Regina wannabees) looked at me and smiled, "Did you let the technician set up the unit for me?" She asked in a sing song voice. I looked at her face which was piled up in makeup in an attempt to cover, oh I don't know, the zits that decorated her like the Canary islands? Or the ugly attitude that was locked within? Whatever, I cringed at the word "technician". The boys on my team aren't technicians bitch, they are technical support big difference look it up. She lowered her shades and raised an eyebrow to exert authority or something. Miss Althea, her head was also in the elevator she was also looking at me as if waiting for a reply.

"Yes they did June." I told her. She flashed a million dollar smile that would make all toothpaste companies in the world proud. "Thanks!" The elevator stopped at the 7th floor. June and Miss Althea stepped out. June had her stilettos stomping the floor violently when she turned her back, "Oh and its MISS JUNE."

Oh these bitches love pushing my buttons.

I waved hello to Nicole who manned the front desk, "Everyone on field today?" I asked. "Karen's with Sam in IT Park." Nicole smiled, I couldn't help but envy her. She had a great body and long mermaid waves. Whereas mine had a plain layered cut and bangs, the only thing that kept me apart was my strawberry blonde hair and gremlin eyes. Probably why I never had as much as boyfriends as Nicole did.

When I got to my desk, Mila the intern was there already. The little girl was just the same height as I am, she scrambled when she saw me arrive. "Hey, everything okay?" I asked. Mila was holding the phone when she saw me. "No, it's Mrs G. She's totally pissed her system's not working again." I frowned, Mrs. G was my least favorite client and I already think the others suck so much. "Okay, let me talk to her." I offered and Mila handed me the phone.

As soon as I put the receiver of my ear the woman went ballistic, she was saying about how we blocked her off our phone lines ("No, Ma'am I think this has something to do with the radio lines being down all morning too") and how we all are pieces of shit ("I'm sorry you feel that way Ma'am, how may we help you?") and the occasional shut up and let me talk! (I just shut up and let her talk).

"So you better send someone over before I lose my head and go over there and take matters to my own hands!" She screamed. Sure, her store was just in Ayala, the mall near us. I could imagine her storming here with her bejeweled hands and Prada bag anytime. I massaged my forehead. "Okay, Ma'am we'll send someone over then." I raised my hands in the air, one of the technical supports on my team Chris was laughing. "Crazy woman, wouldn't wanna be married to her" I heard him tell Allen, another guy on the team. I couldn't help but let out a snicker which was a huge mistake because Mrs. G heard it over the phone and blew her top off. "Did you just laugh? Do you know who I am? I own the best freaking restaurant here!" I swallowed hard, yikes this wasn't going to be good. I heard her stuffing things in her bag while she murmured how she was going to kill me and all. "I... I..." was all I could say, quick Emma! Apologize or your dead!

"Angela, why the hell are you late?! I want you to watch over the store! I'm going to teach these idiots a lesson!" I heard her say as the bell to the entrance door swung open. "Angela, why are you just standing there you little..."

Then the strangest thing happened, Mrs. G seemed to have dropped her phone.

Then she screamed.