Chapter 3 #2
“She will like that, but you could have told her. She will be sweating all day thinking she is getting fired,” I tell him, and he seems thoughtful for a second.
The elevator doors open, and we step out. Eli is sitting on the end of my desk.
“You look well-rested,” Eli says, making me roll my eyes.
Seriously what is with everyone commenting on my sleep today? I don’t look any different than usual.
“Coffee,” I tell him, passing him his cup and ignoring his statement.
“Sleep well?” he asks with a smirk on his face.
“Yes, I did, and thank you for taking me home.”
“You’re welcome. I have a meeting in half an hour if you want to sit in for it.”
“Do I have to?” They don’t usually get me to sit in on their meetings.
“I would like you to. It is a staff meeting.”
“Staff meeting?” I am a little shocked. Usually, any kind of work announcement is done by email.
“Yes, we let a few things slip that need to be addressed,” he says, stepping closer.
His scent wafts to my nose and makes my mouth water. Why do they have to smell so good? It isn’t fair. I lean in to inhale his scent when I feel his hand touch my face, shocking me out of my weird trance. My face tingles with the warmth of his hand.
“I’ll come to your meeting,” I tell him before stepping away.
His hand drops back to his side, and he sighs before turning on his heel and walking to his office along with Cyrus.
I turn my computer on and check a few emails before Cyrus’s phone buzzes on my desk. A text message is sent to everyone’s phone for an emergency meeting in Boardroom 3. It is the largest in the building, more like a hall, and is mostly used for functions. Eli and Cyrus step out of their offices.
“Addie, are you still coming with us?”
I nod, getting up and making my way over to them.
Eli has a folder full of papers tucked in his arm. We make our way to the third floor to see people filing into the boardroom. Even the security guards are attending, meaning they will have had to lock the building up while everyone is in the meeting.
The crowd of people parts as Eli and Cyrus walk in, heading toward the stage. Cyrus grabs my hand, tugging me after him, and I see Bella and Taylor looking around nervously as they sit at the front. I go to sit next to them when Eli calls me over.
“Hand these out for me, please,” he says, handing me a folder of papers.
I nod before turning back to everyone as they take their seats.
I open the folder to see it full of pamphlets on workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
I look up at them, but Eli is too busy eyeing the crowd of people.
There are roughly 250 people crammed into the room, and those are only the ones rostered on today.
I start handing handfuls of papers to the first person in each row, telling them to pass them down the line.
“It has come to our attention that some employees have been acting inappropriately toward their colleagues. So, in light of this information, you are all here to be warned that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.”
I see Cyrus fiddling with the projector before pulling a screen down on the wall behind Eli.
He then goes on to tell them that an anonymous drop box will be set up in an office that only he and Cyrus will have access to, and the main floor manager—hopefully, Bella if she accepts the promotion.
A mail slot will be put in the door with a box, so anyone with any complaints or even suggestions to improve things around the workplace can use it.
Those using it won’t be singled out as the box will serve two purposes.
They then make everyone watch a few workplace bullying and harassment videos, explaining what is and isn’t appropriate behavior.
I watch a few people become nervous, and a few women have smirks on their faces as they outright stare at some of the men.
But it isn’t just the men. The women working here can also become quite catty toward each other.
Even a few women I know personally are bitches and known to sling threats or names at others are also sinking in their seats.
By the time the meeting is over, it is almost lunchtime.
Eli eventually dismisses everybody, the room clearing quickly.
I walk over to Taylor, knowing we usually have lunch together, when Eli calls Bella over.
She looks at me nervously, and I give her a reassuring smile before she follows him.
Cyrus, however, comes over to Taylor and me.
“Come, I want to show you something we had done while the meeting was on,” he says. We follow him to the foyer.
He takes us downstairs to the ground floor before walking us to the office Maya is usually in after school. Only it has been completely transformed. Colorful pictures hang on the wall, and there are toys, a drawing station, egg chairs, and even a daybed.
“Your mother told us you would have to pick up Maya more soon. That her shifts are changing again.”
Taylor nods, looking into the kids’ play area.
“Well, now she has somewhere to play while you work, and I will give you the key since you’re always down here anyway. So, anyone coming in with kids has somewhere they can play.”
Taylor nods.
“We have also organized a driver to pick her up, so you don’t have to use your lunch break anymore,” Cyrus tells her.
“You did this for Maya?” Taylor says, quite shocked.
“Yes, she is our niece,” he says, looking at me.
I am a little stumped at his words, but it also makes my heart do little backflips that they consider my family theirs.
“It can be used by anyone if they have to bring in their kids,” he says, handing her the key. She takes it before hugging him.
“Thank you,” she says, stepping back before realizing what she has done.
“Shit, no contact. I’m sorry. I know we just watched that whole thing on harassment—”
Cyrus laughs at her, and so do I.
“I’m just going to be quiet now,” she says, her cheeks turning red.
Suddenly the elevator doors open, and Bella comes running out excitedly, squealing. She starts running toward Taylor before spotting Cyrus, calming herself down, and straightening her blouse like a sophisticated lady.
“What are you so excited about?” Taylor asks.
“Troy got fired, and Bella is replacing him,” Cyrus tells her, and Bella can’t keep the happy smile off her face.
“Awesome. Can’t say I am sad to see him go, but yay,” Taylor tells her, joining Bella in her excitement.
“Come have lunch with us?” Cyrus asks, grabbing my hand as we step into the elevator.
The doors close, yet all I can think about is his hand touching me. His manly scent fills the elevator. How are their scents so much stronger to me now? Like my senses are consumed with them and them only.
I step closer to him, the overwhelming urge to touch him, any part of him, making me feel extremely hot and bothered.
Pain washes over me, and the painful throbbing between my legs and pelvis returns with a vengeance. Cyrus pulls me to him, wrapping his arm around me.
“Addie?” Cyrus says.
“It will go. I just need a sec,” I tell him, and I feel him nod before his lips press against my head.
The elevator doors open, and I hear the familiar bing, making me step away. My entire body is burning the moment I do.