4. Chapter Four
Iwake up to a distinct scent around me. The scent that came into my home last night. I wake up to happy memories of old times filling my head.
Lea and I had an incredible time last night as we talked about many things. She shared her experiences at NYU and how she navigated the energy company she had earlier worked with.
We spoke about many childhood memories, and I shared stories from different countries I have been to across the world. Before last night, the last time I had this much fun with a friend was a couple of months ago when Kelvin and I met in San Diego.
That was the week he proposed to his girlfriend, Laurel. He was giddy and looked so in love. I was happy for both of them as we discussed wedding plans. That was the last time I had seen him. Four months after that, his parents died in a plane crash.
Both siblings were devastated, but at least Kelvin had the support of Laurel beside him.
Thankfully, the heartbroken demeanor surrounding Lea when I walked into her house that morning had significantly disappeared from her face after dinner. When she left for her house, she looked happier and more relaxed, which was my goal.
Lea was not a natural at making friends, so she didn’t have so many of them. I have to be there for her. Sometimes, all we need is just a time out of our emotions to enjoy life’s finer things.
I am glad to know she would not be carrying a dampened spirit into her office on her first day at work. A gloomy spirit would certainly affect such a big day.
As I get ready for work, I recall she did not tell me the location of her new place of work. I had tried asking when I walked into her house, but Kelvin’s call interrupted.
I hope she still knows her way around Los Angeles. Nothing has changed here except a few new routes and more traffic signs. Looking outside my window, I notice the red Ford Escape car still packed in her driveway. She must still be at home then.
Kelvin must have given it to her to aid mobility. Los Angeles is a crazy place to be without a car. What time did she have to be at work? I contemplate calling her, but I reconsider my thoughts. If my guess is correct, she should be out before 9:00 am.
My first meeting begins at noon, but I have a knack for getting to the office on time. There could be any emergencies that would need my attention.
Dinner with her tonight sounds like a solid plan. I added that I would ask her to join me for dinner and go to the mall to restock some items on my To-Do list on my iPad. I should make something with mushrooms today. She used to love them a lot when we were younger. Hopefully, she still does.
I aim to make sure that she isn’t overwhelmed by grief anymore, and I would accomplish that in any way possible. My ringtone cuts the superhero thoughts short.
“Man, you need to ask your PA to also include a list of things you must tell people on your long list of things to get done,” I say to Kelvin as I pick up the call.
“I’m so sorry. In all honesty, I forgot to let you know.” He says with the most apologetic voice that I almost believe he wouldn’t do it again.
“We just spoke the night before she arrived. How could you forget?”
“No excuses. I have no excuses. I’ll do better from now on.” If I had not known Kelvin all my life, I would have believed him.
“Yeah, right. I bet you will repeat the same thing soon.”
“Trust me this time.” He tries to reassure me, but that doesn’t work.
“Bye, babe,” I hear him kiss Laurel goodbye.
“Get a room!”
“Damien says bye too,” He calls out to her.
“What prompted her to move back? I never would have thought she would want to move back here.”
“The ceaseless court proceedings for our parents’ estate were tiring, and she was losing it. The courtroom is my playground so I could handle it, but it was a different ball game for her.”
“I noticed the pale look on her face when we met yesterday. She’s still recovering from the tragedy.”
“Yeah. She needed a fresh start, and LA was just the best option. Thankfully, my grandparents’ house is still standing strong. You are right next door to her, too.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure she will thrive here.”
“Please, watch over her, bro. Take care of her for me.”
“Say no more. Lea is family, and I will make sure she is doing very well.”
“You still haven’t gotten back to me as regards the deal with the hotel.”
“Haha! That was your punishment for keeping information away. We got the deal anyway. Signed, sealed, and delivered.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about! Way to go, Damien. Congratulations to you!”
“This wouldn’t have been possible without you, Kelvin. Thanks to you as well. Cheers to us!”
“Cheers to us! I sincerely appreciate you. I have to run now. Court calls.”
“Okay, have a great day, and go kill ’em in there.”
“You too, bro.”
I included more items on my list as I figure I might cook a lot more since Lea is next door. This way, I can keep a close watch over her. I prepare a cup of coffee to awaken my mind for the day and skim through the news on the economy and financial markets.
Getting ready in record time is one of the major hacks for working in the corporate world. In the corporate world, it is important to spend time wisely because time is money.
I throw on my white shirt and navy blue pants to match. The gold customized tie clip I got on my trip to Thailand comes in handy. My black loafers lay in front of my door, and I slipped them on.
As I step out to my living room, I mutter affirmations. ‘The day looks bright, and I am confident that I will gain a victory today.’
As I step outside my house, I notice her car still sits in the driveway. Waking her up or distracting her preparation might not be a good one now. We would certainly catch up by evening over dinner.
My car glides gently through the driveway onto the road. I turn on soft music to calm my mind as I approach the office.
Traffic slowly builds up, but I can maneuver it through a newly discovered route. I doubt Lea would go this way. Hopefully, she knows this route if she is.
The parking spot for my car at my company building differs from the general parking lot for clients and other staff. I usually sit in my car for a few minutes before stepping out to take the day’s bull by the horns, and interruptions are not something I enjoy.
The minutes spent there are golden and comprise a considerable part of my day. This is also why I don’t want a chauffeur. My drive from my house to the office and back is almost the only time I have with myself and to set my day right.
I go over the schedule sent to me by my executive assistant to ensure I have not missed out on anything.
Another great thing about my parking spot is that it leads straight to the back entrance of my office. This way, I am not met with too many people to talk to in the morning.
I love my staff and the work they put into making this company stand out, but sometimes the salutations overwhelm me, and I’ll pass.
Right on cue, there’s a knock on my door. I signal for the person to come in, and Jenny, the head of HR, walks into my office. She must have seen my car when I drove in.
Jenny always looks ready to take on the world with the swoop of her finger.
“Good morning, Jenny. Please come in.”
“Good morning, Mr. Stone. Hope your day is off to a great start.”
“I dare say it is. Sun’s out.”
I could count with my fingers the number of times I had seen Jenny laugh at a joke. She was nice and thoughtful, no doubt. However, she just had a significantly stern face.
I wondered if she went out with friends or family occasionally. We should plan a staff party soon so she can let her hair down.
“There will be an orientation for the recruits this morning. It would be nice to have you give a presentation on the company’s core values and familiarize yourself with them.”
Things like these make me arrive early to the office. Meetings might need my attention, and I wouldn’t want to be absent.
“Oh, that’s great. What time would it begin? How many recruits do we currently have?”
“They started arriving at eight. We will begin at nine and end at one. There are twelve recruits. All except one are here already. I do not think she will make it today.”
Another thing about Jenny was that she was highly principled and abhors tardiness. I already felt sorry for this recruit running late as she would face her wrath.
“Okay. I will make some time to be there. Send a reminder note to me before ten.”
“Alright then. I will include that in the order of events.”
“Good job, Jenny. Thanks.”
This was what made Jenny as efficient as she was. She had won Employee of the Year for two straight years because she always produced provable results.
One hour passes after going through files, slides, and documents that need to be signed between phone calls.
My executive assistant, Samantha, walks into my office with a cup of coffee and a note in her hand.
“You called for coffee, sir.”
“Right. Thank you.”
“The orientation for recruits has begun, and Jenny has sent you a reminder note.”
“Oh yes. You can drop that on my desk. Thank you, Samantha.”
After going over the documents for the next meeting I have after the orientation, I arrive at the conference room fifteen minutes past ten.
Jenny goes through the rigors of introducing me to the recruits, and a resounding applause comes right after.
Getting used to this type of reception every time is something I have not done.
She hands the controller for the projector to me as I take them through the beautifully designed slides of the company’s core values.
Again, Jenny was just too efficient and paid attention to the littlest details.
A distracting noise comes from the entrance as all eyes turn to the source of the sound. It appears two people are arguing outside.
The voices sound like a male and a female. The female’s voice sounds awfully familiar.
Turning around to stare at the entrance, I also notice the lady standing outside. She looks like she just got out of a wrestling contest with how scattered her hair looks.
She puts her hand up as if to wipe a tear, and I catch a glimpse of her face.
Lea? What is she doing here?
Oh no! She must be the last recruit who was running late.
I see her standing awkwardly as if contemplating being swallowed by the floor or running away. There must have been an instruction not to let her in if she arrived late.
I know how much she needs this new job and what it would do to help her get over her grief. I would have knocked on her door before leaving my house if I had known.
Conflicted between upholding the company policy that abhors tardiness and helping my best friend’s sister.
Damn! What can I do to help her?
Jenny’s anger is hot enough for me to feel, and I know she is about to dismiss her when she opens her mouth to slam her with some words.
Thinking on the spot is one of my strong points, and I use it at this moment. However, my mouth speaks faster than my brain takes to process what I say next.
“Umm…That is my fiancée. Let her in.”
The speculating eyes turn from her to face me.
“She was out running some errands for me, hence her lateness.” I continue with my incredible lie.
For such a bombshell, I said that too casually.
Jenny’s eyes are wide open. She must be more shocked that I said that out publicly, which is going against my private life narrative.
My eyes also catch Lea’s expression as she tries to glimpse the man who just referred to her as ‘Fiancée.’”
When the door is open for her to step in, she appears even more embarrassed than when asked to leave.
I mouth “I’m sorry” to her as she continues to stare at me.
“Jack, let her in,” I say to the manager at the door while mentally apologizing to her, as this was never my intention.
She walks in and sits at the rear while still staring at me.
She would appreciate this more than Jenny scolding her and eventually firing her before her job even begins.