Beautiful Rose (Elixir Billionaires #1)

1. Rose

1

ROSE

My fingers run across the ergonomic keyboard as I touch-type the latest code while shifting my gaze between the two monitors. On one black screen, the chemical elements get attached and removed in the large cyclic organic compound. On the other screen, I glance through the report that summarizes the effects of the potential drugs developed by these modifications.

A knock on my door startles me, and I jump in my seat. Oscar Hawthorne, chief of staff at Elixir Inc. and my boss and friend, peers at me.

Oscar takes a few steps into my office. “I thought you were off today, Rose. Aren’t you working over the weekend for the live release of your code? Is someone from your team supporting you?”

Heat climbs up my neck, and I rub it through the thick flannel collar of my shirt as Oscar hammers me with questions. My gaze jumps from his perfect face to the cursor blinking on the computer screen.

“You know, I…work best alone.” I hate giving him the same bland response every time and busy myself with ad justing the perfectly aligned monitor to hide the humiliation that is likely palpable on my face.

A moment passes, but I don’t look up. I’d hate to see the disappointment on his face.

“What are you working on?” He perches on the chair to my left. Placing his beloved silver Zippo lighter on the table, Oscar peers at the monitor.

Scooting to the edge of my seat, I turn the screen, ensuring he has a better view.

“I’ve developed a program that simulates chemical synthesis and generates results on the side effects and drug efficiency. It’s using the top three international drug databases to map the information.” I glance sideways to see if he’s following the discussion.

A proud smile lights his face. “That’s amazing, Rose!”

Giving my computer screen one last look, he settles back in his chair.

“Did you reconsider the promotion?”

“I… I can’t take it, Oscar. I’m happy being a data scientist. The new position you’re offering involves having direct reports beneath me. That requires a lot of…interaction.”

Glancing up, I notice his gaze glued on me, most likely wondering what twenty-six-year-old engineer denies a promotion because it involves talking to people. But he surprises me.

“We can always redefine a role more suited to you.”

“It would be unfair to other employees who can”—I sweep my hand to the side—“do much more.” And by much more, I mean not hiding behind computer screens during discussions, their blood not running cold at the mention of presentations, or them not quaking in their shoes whenever someone calls their name in a meeting.

Thankfully, Kristy sashays into my office, looking pretty as always in her teal A-line dress and stilettos and putting a halt to the uncomfortable discussion.

“Didn’t I tell you he’d love it?”

“Why do you get to see everything first, even though I’m the boss?” Oscar leans back in his chair before crossing his arms over his chest.

“You might be the boss, but I’m the roomie. The best friend.”

He shakes his head before getting up. “We have a lunch reservation at Giovanni’s. If you’re both late, I won’t wait for thirty fucking minutes like last time.”

Kristy makes a funny face behind Oscar’s back before following him out of my office.

Luckily, today we managed to reach Giovanni’s, one of the most famous Italian restaurants in Cherrywood, on time.

“So, what’s new with the management?” Kristy asks Oscar as the waiter brings our drinks.“Is Zander Teager’s trip confirmed?” I settle back in my chair at the reserved corner table in the back of the restaurant.

Oscar lightly nods, his gaze focused on reading the label of his soda can.

“You don’t have to be so tight lipped. It’s not like his travel is a secret.”

I bite my lip, trying to hide the creeping smile. If Kristy wants something, even a small piece of information, she’ll get it, no matter how.

Oscar shakes his head.“I don’t like gossip, Kristy. You know that.”

“What’s the gossip here? I’m just curious. None of the Teagers have visited Cherrywood since any of us joined.” She turns in her seat toward me. “You tell me, Rosie. Aren’t you curious?”

Their gazes rivet on me as I take a while to answer and then hesitantly nod. “Has Mr. Teager ever been to Cherrywood?” I ask.

“Yeah. When the Teagers first purchased the office property, all three of them drove down to Cherrywood. That was when I joined the group.” Oscar pauses before taking a sip from his soda can. “Since we’re on the subject, I wanted to run something by you, Rose.” He rakes his hand through his neatly trimmed beard, something he often does when he’s uncertain, and that only escalates my anxiety. “Zander has requested a meeting with senior managers. I’d like you to be there.”

“But—”

Before I get a chance to decline the offer, Oscar interrupts me. “I know it’s outside your comfort zone and also your job description, but I’d really like Zander to know we have you here.” He tilts his head to the side, waiting for my answer.

When I don’t reply immediately, Kristy’s hand lightly presses on mine under the table. I glance up at her, and she gives me an encouraging smile. Something she’s continuously been doing since we were kids.

“Forget it—” Oscar starts to backpedal.

“I’ll be there.” I try hard to ignore the quivering in my stomach and focus on the proud faces of my friends.

The waiter brings our pizza, and I welcome the distraction

I’m pulling a slice of the warm cheesy bread when Oscar says, “Zander will know what an important asset you are to his company, Rose. I’m proud to have you on my team.”

This is something he tells me a few times a week. I don’t know what I’d have done without these friends and this life in Cherrywood. They have accepted me with all my flaws, and I never want to lose the stability I’ve finally found in my life .

After a quiet hour post lunch, Lily from Kristy’s team asks if I can look at her latest code.

I skim through it as she’s perched on a chair next to me. Her tapping fingers on the table break my concentration every once in a while.

When I finally lean back in my comfy office chair, she asks, “What do you think?”

I meet her excited gaze as she bounces on her seat.“You ran it through our testing software successfully. Why are you asking me to recheck?”

Hearing my words, her eyes widen in surprise.

Was I too blunt?

I’m about to apologize when she says, “You catch bugs that our software never flags. Oscar has specifically asked us that no code goes in live release without being reviewed by you.”

“Oh.” This is news.

“We all call you the bug detector.” Her shoulders bunch a tiny bit, and her lips part in an amused smile.

Bug detector. That doesn’t sound too bad.

“So, you don’t mind when I find an error in your work?”

“No, I like it. I learn a lot from your feedback.”

“Oh. Okay.” I wipe my hands on my jeans before fixing my glasses. My heart calms knowing people don’t take me as a know-it-all, contrary to what I sometimes think. Although after over three years, I still can’t believe my colleagues want my opinion on their work.

The rest of the day goes by fast. I do a few more code reviews and update a presentation for one of my team members.

Finally, my cell phone buzzes with the reminder that it’s time to leave for the day.

After turning it off, I follow my daily routine. I power off the computer and check the water level in the moisture sensor of my small bowstring hemp plant. After closing the windows, I give my office a once-over and quickly clean the table using a moist paper towel.

At last, I place my wireless headphones around my neck and my backpack over my shoulders before turning off the light.

I amble toward Kristy’s office, and my gaze lands on a picture of the Teagers on the cover of an international magazine.

Oscar’s words revisit me. “I just want Zander to know we have you here.”

I look again at our CEO, a small smile on his lips that leaves a dimple on his left cheek.

Do I want him to know I’m here?

Do I want anyone to know I’m here?