Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Emery
I hustle along the sidewalk until I reach Mountain Air Advertising. I nearly skip along as I go through the revolving doors, pull out my ID card, and slide it through the grooved bar so I can push through the turnstile and head for the elevator bank.
When the elevator doors open, I step in and press floor eleven.
I could do this route in my sleep. I’ve been working at MAA since I graduated college. I started as an intern and worked my way up the ladder as far as I could go.
No one loves this company more than I do. It’s a part of me, my identity. I love the company slogan “We do it best” and I love the company logo—a snow-capped mountain with a happy sun behind it. I want to take this company forward with fresh, new clients and a genuine focus on telling their stories. That’s where I excel and how I’ve made my reputation in the industry.
And today I’m finally going to get the promotion I want and deserve—I’m finally going to be in charge of the entire advertising department. That means more responsibility, sure, but it also means way more influence over the creative positioning of the company.
“Hey, Emery.”
“Good morning, Emery.”
“Morning.”
I smile and wave at various colleagues as I walk down the hall toward my boss’s office.
Fred Smith.
His personality is as bland as his name.
With thinning gray hair, blue eyes, and skin that looks like it’s never seen the sun, Fred’s been in charge of MAA for thirty years.
Fred doesn’t take easily to change. I’ve had to work tirelessly to convince him of any new ideas our team has had. But I’ve gained his trust, and now I’m about to be rewarded for it.
I knock on his half-open door, waiting until he waves me inside.
I step in with a bright smile and shut the door behind me.
“Good morning, Fred. Lovely day, isn’t it?” I take a seat in the chair across from his desk.
“Good morning, Emery. So…” He steeples his fingers together in front of him, a gesture he does every time he’s worried about broaching something.
I frown.
What could be worrisome about promoting me?
“Here’s the thing. About the Director position…”
“Yes?” The word comes out sharply like I’m holding my breath.
And I am. I feel like my existence rides on his answer.
“I’m giving it to Steve.”
A quiet hiss escapes my mouth as my stomach drops into my butt .
Disappointment. Devastation. Life is over kinds of thoughts invade my brain.
I brace my hands on either side of my legs and rock back and forth on the chair.
“So you’re saying I’m not getting the promotion you promised me?”
I’m shaking so much I nearly topple right off the chair. My phone falls off my lap and hits the side of Fred’s desk.
That’s the second time today, and somehow the darn thing is still intact when I pick it up.
“Emery…” Fred says to me as I’m still bent over fiddling with my phone. “Don’t overreact.”
I jerk back up and straighten my back.
“Don’t patronize me, and maybe I won’t overreact,” I say to him.
I’m not sure where my nerve comes from. I’m a catch more flies with honey than vinegar kind of girl, but maybe this is what happens to me when everything I’ve worked for blows up in my face in a big puff of you’ve got to be kidding me smoke.
“We had an agreement ,” I say. “I bring you Savvy Shoes as a client, and you give me the promotion. I held up my end of the deal, Fred. I worked for freaking months to get those guys. No one else here could pull that off. Not even you.”
“I know you did that,” he says in that soft, weaselly tone I’m hating more and more by the second. “That was a game changer for the company. But Steve has connections that you don’t.”
“You mean Steve plays golf with his buddies, and they cut deals on the side.” I glare at him. “Let’s just say the truth here.”
“Emery.” He leans back in his chair and studies me. “I’ll be honest with you. You want honest, right?”
“Yes. Of course I do.”
“I don’t know that your heart is truly in this work. ”
I stare at him.
That is the absolute last thing I thought he would say to me.
“I’m sorry?” I shake my head, certain I misheard. “What did you say?”
He repeats the same sentiment, and I feel myself boiling with anger.
“You. Are. Wrong.” I stand up. “You’re so wrong I can’t bother to waste my time telling you how wrong you are. In fact, I am giving my notice. Effective now.”
“Emery!” Fred calls after me as I open his door. “Don’t be impulsive!”
I turn back, my hand on the doorknob. “Why shouldn’t I be impulsive? You’re making a huge mistake not promoting me. Good luck with MAA. I truly wish you the best.”
And I walk out.
It’s not until I’m exiting the building with my box of packed things inside that I realize what I’ve done.
I’ve walked away from the most important part of my life.
And I’m jobless. Thus, without an income.
So what the hell am I going to do now?