Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Katherine
“Xander, Marina, come over here,” Cora calls out into the office as soon as we walk in with our slices of pizza.
The excitement in her voice is palpable, and I’m already trying to think of a story that will explain the conversation that has just occurred.
However, my brain is refusing to process as quickly as it normally does because I’m still shocked to have seen Zac after all these years.
And even more than shocked, I was taken aback by the look of admiration in his gaze.
Not to mention the obvious attraction he had for me, did he really think I’d give him a second chance?
At least Jack had the gall to look embarrassed by his brother.
However, I couldn’t deny that both of them were hot as hell.
“What’s going on?” Xander calls out from his cubicle, his voice not its usual upbeat self.
“Yeah, is it important? I was just watching a video on YouTube.” Marina preens her eyes away from her phone and looks over at us. “I’m not eating pizza this week. I want to lose ten pounds before the audition.”
“Come here, you two. You’re not going to believe what just happened,” Cora says in a loud, excited voice, and I attempt not to groan.
She’s obviously going to enjoy telling this story.
I also notice Marina’s frown as she gets up from her desk, slightly annoyed that no one rebutted her comment of wanting to lose weight by telling her she doesn’t have to, which she doesn’t.
She’s perfectly delightful as she is, but I’m too caught up in my own stress to placate her right now.
I suppose that’s selfish of me, but the worry in my stomach doesn’t really care.
“Cora, I don’t want you to—”
“What is it?” Xander asks, looking sleepy, and I wonder if we’ve just woken him up from a nap. Marina’s eyes are bright, and she’s humming something under her breath as she steps forward in her floral dress, looking like she’s ready to be a bridesmaid at a Southern wedding.
“Are you practicing for an audition again, Marina?” I ask her, and she grins and twirls like an uncoordinated ballerina. I sure hope she’s not trying to make it in musicals because, from what I can tell, singing and dancing aren’t her strong suits.
“Yes, I’m embodying Ella-Mae because tomorrow morning I’m going to be auditioning for a role in…”
“Not now, Marina.” Cora shushes her. “I have far more important news to impart to everyone right now.” She practically rubs her hands together in glee. “And I mean far more important.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” My voice trails off as she offers me a dismissive, motherly look. I hold back a sigh as she waggles her fingers at me. “Sit down, everyone.”
“Don’t worry, girl. We got you,” Xander says as Marina mumbles on about being late for work.
“Now what is it, Cora? Did you win the lottery or something? Are you about to tell us that you’re gifting us a couple of million each?
” He sounds perky now, as if he’s convinced himself that his harebrained idea could even possibly be true.
Not for the first time, I wonder who on earth I’m working with.
This is the most oddball group of human beings I’ve ever come across, and that’s saying a lot because my family’s Christmas photo is in the dictionary under “Odd and Goofy families.”
“No,” she sniffs. “I do not play the lottery. I have far better things to do with my money.”
“True,” he says sarcastically. “I guess Ross does have a sale every week.” He looks her up and down and shakes his head. “You might wanna save your money and get some quality pieces at Nordstrom every once in a while.” He laughs. “Not to be bitchy or anything.”
“Listen to me.” Cora shakes her head and then looks each of us dead in the eyes before exclaiming. “Guess who’s friends with the big boss himself?” She speaks in hushed tones as if she’s just said one of us knows the President personally.
“What big boss?” Xander looks confused. “Like God?” He looks at me with wide, almost comical eyes.
“Is this a way to get me to go to church on Sunday with you? I know I told God that if he helped me get over the flu, the last time I had it, I would try to get to church at least once a month and I will admit I haven’t gone, but… ”
“Our boss…” Cora presses her lips together. “On earth.”
“Oh.” Xander wipes his brow. “I was about to say.”
“I’m not friends with the big boss, Cora.
Please.” I give her a look, and she just smiles widely.
“Jack Heathcliff and I barely know each other, and neither one considers the other a friend, trust me on that.” Though technically he has known me more intimately than any friend I’ve ever had, there is no way on earth I will be telling these folks that fact. No way in hell!
“Well, you did date his brother.” Cora sniffs.
“Zac Heathcliff…” She pauses dramatically.
“And he was just here in the office, and he came to speak to us both. He was practically salivating over you like a dog looks at a piece of bacon. And trust me, I have two dachshunds, I know how the saliva drops from their mouths when they are hoping for a bite.”
“Cora!” I glare at her.
“What is going on here?” Xander asks, looking confused. “You dated Zac Heathcliff? Isn’t he like super hot?”
“He’s alright.” I shrug. “And it was a long time ago.”
Marina sings loudly under her breath. “My name is Addie-May, and if it pleases you, kind sir, may I…”
“Marina,” Xander groans. “What on earth?”
“I’m practicing for my audition.” She giggles, and I am grateful she couldn’t care less about Cora’s gossip. “Like I was trying to say earlier, it’s a new musical that’s going to be put on Broadway, and I’m hoping to get a role. I mean, could you see me as a young girl from Kentucky?”
“No,” Cora says bluntly, folding her arms. “Did no one hear what I just said? Katherine knows Jack Heathcliff, our big boss? Guys, pay attention to me. I am in charge down here, and I think we need to talk about this.” I want to ask her why it makes any difference, but Cora already seems annoyed by the lack of excitement she’s garnered.
“Technically, we’re all on the same level,” Xander says, shrugging.
“Just because you’ve been here longer doesn’t mean that you’re the boss of us.
In fact, I think it means—” He presses his lips together and sighs and looks over at me.
“So is this true, or is one of the bosses really Peter from accounting who thinks he’s some sort of golf pro because he met Tiger Woods once in Florida? ”
“Oh, she knows the boss,” Cora says in hushed tones. “The real boss. Like I just said.”
“What do you mean, the boss? Like someone from HR?” He stares at me. “Like, is this a setup or is this real? Did you really do Zac Heathcliff, brother to the man who owns this company?”
“She knows the CEO,” Cora says, clapping her hands. Her voice drops, and she looks around. “She could be a spy.” I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes because who on earth would waste their money to hire a spy to spy on them?”
“Like no lie.” Xander finally looks gobsmacked, and even Marina gasps and stops humming. They both turn to look at me with incredulous expressions on their faces. Even if I wasn’t annoyed, I’d actually be quite amused.
“You know Jack Heathcliff himself?” There’s awe in his voice. “Mr. Executive blue eyes himself?”
“I don’t know him. Not really. Many moons ago, I dated his younger brother, Zac.” I shrug.
“No way,” Xander says, finally believing. “Did he have a big bing-dong?” He grins at me and winks, and I just roll my eyes.
“I have no idea. I was literally in high school, and we didn’t even date very long.” I give Cora a look. “I barely know him, and he barely knows me.”
“How long did you even ban—”
“Xander, be careful with your words,” Cora hisses. “We have young’uns among us.”
“I’m not that young, Cora,” Marina says, giving her a crazy look.
“In fact, I most probably know more positions than you’ve even experienced with that old man of yours.
” She pauses. “Well, anyway, you don’t need to know all about my lifestyle.
” She then turns to me eagerly. “So do you know him well enough to get us all raises?” Marina asks excitedly.
“Guys, I don’t know him well at all. If I knew him well and if I had any sort of pull with him, would I really be here with you all in the junior marketing department working on a PowerPoint presentation?
” My voice drips with boredom. “No offense, but we’re not exactly running the company here,” I say quickly.
“Let’s be real, if he and I were friends, don’t you think I would’ve gotten a more elevated position? ”
“Unless you really are spying on us,” Xander says, looking around suspiciously. “Did you plant microphones and cameras?” He walks over to a stack of files and starts looking through them, and I wonder if everyone in the office actually is hoping to get into acting.
“Why on earth would I do that?” I say, shaking my head. “Is there some reason why they would have me spying on you?”
“That’s a trick question.” He glares at me. “You know that I’m really hardworking,” he says, crossing his arms.
“Yeah, that’s why you were just napping,” Marina giggles. “You were literally snoring.”
He shrugs. “I had a late night last night that went til the early morning hours.” He glares at me. “Anyway, I’m not going to say anything else, just in case I may incriminate myself.” He glares at me. “I have a right to remain silent in case…”