1. Chapter One
Chapter One
Addie
“ A re you nervous for your meeting today?” Maggie asks, pushing her perfect, wavy blonde hair off her shoulders. Crossing her arms, she leans against the counter.
I turn to the mirror and fluff my hair, then adjust my blazer and smack my lips to even out the gloss. The bathroom at work is some high-class shit. We get real towels to dry our hands with instead of paper towels. The countertops are covered in marble, and it is always impeccably clean. Being that we work for some of the biggest names in law in Colorado, that shouldn't be a surprise.
“Surprisingly, no. But at my annual review they basically said that I would be getting the promotion. I’ve been here long enough, and I think they know it’s time for me to move on up. I’ve played the field as the admin assistant, then legal assistant. I know how this office runs inside and out, and the lawyers love me,” I reply, looking at her through the mirror.
Maggie nods her head in agreement and averts her blue eyes.
If we’re being technical, they didn’t actually tell me I was getting the promotion. However, I've worked my way up, and I didn’t bust my ass and work all those extra hours for shits and giggles. It was absolutely important to learn the ins and the outs of the office, how each job works, and what the workload looks like, but the time has come. I’ve been here for literal years. And, let's be honest, I kick ass at my job.
“If it were me, I would be shitting bricks. You’ve got HR and Mark sitting in on it.” Maggie hops up on the cold, marble countertop and crosses her ankles.
“Mark is a weasel. He doesn’t scare me. Actually, he gives me the ick, and I think the only person HR is sending down is Patricia. She handles all of the employment side of things, and she gives off ‘best grandma ever’ vibes. So, I am feeling confident.” At least, I was until Maggie came in here and rained on my parade.
Sliding my heels back on after giving my ankles and soles of my feet a break, I do a quick spin in the mirror to make sure everything looks good. I can’t believe today is the day. It’s just in my DNA to be the boss. Some say I’m bossy, but I like to think of it as being aggressively helpful and resourceful.
“Well, when you turn into the big lady on top and become the office manager, remember that I am your favorite, and that Susan is a brown-nosing bitch.”
I laugh at that. Susan is the freaking worst. I reach into my purse and spritz my favorite perfume, Daisy by Marc Jacobs, across my chest.
“Seriously, though, you deserve this, Addie. You have the strongest work ethic here and you take no shit. This place would run a lot better if we all had your drive.”
Maggie is the type who makes it to work at 7:66 a.m. a.k.a. six minutes past eight, and six minutes late. Every. Single. Day. I don’t think the girl has run on time a moment in her life. She does her job and goes home. Pretty much the opposite of me. I have the personality that might be considered a little obsessive.
I reach over and give Maggie a squeeze after she hops off the counter. She has been a great friend the last couple of months. We bonded over venting about work, with most of my complaints being my lack of movement in the company. She has been the best hype girl, listening to me share my ideas about the company. It took years, but I finally made a good in-office friend. Most of my other work besties have moved on to other jobs and law offices as their lives changed.
“Thanks, babe. I need to head up to the big boy’s office.” We walk out of the door and go our separate ways.
The short elevator ride to the twelfth floor is spent hyping myself up. Are you really going to the big man’s office without reminding yourself that you are a boss-ass bitch at least thirty-four times?
No.
I walk up to Mindi, who is Mark’s receptionist. For being the receptionist to the big guy, you’d think they’d give her a bigger desk. Papers and sticky notes almost completely cover it. Mark is the most cutthroat lawyer in the firm. There are three major partners who all own a chunk of the firm. So, when decisions are made, it must be a unanimous decision.
“Hello, dear. Are you here for your four o'clock with Mark?” I excitedly nod my head yes. She leans across the desk and brushes her short brown hair out of her face. “Not to be nosy, but what kind of meeting are you guys having? HR and everyone important are in there.” Her bright smile calms some of my newly acquired nerves thanks to Maggie.
“Girl, you know I am nosy as shit. Own it.” She chuckles in response. “Honestly, I am pretty sure I am getting that promotion.”
Her eyes light up and she sits straight up in her seat. “Well, it is about time. You have been here longer than almost anyone in your current position. We’ve had a lot of faces come and go, you and me.” She nods her head appreciatively. At least someone around here has noticed.
“Yeah, that will be something I want to address once I become office manager. We need to work on our retention rate and ways current employees can grow in their careers without leaving here. I ran some ideas past Maggie on ways we can sharpen up the office, and she loved them all. So, I think it will be a good transition.”
“If you can find a way to make that girl run on time, I will consider you a master of your craft. She had a meeting with Gerald and Sue from HR today and was a few minutes late to that. She was lucky they were running even later. You know how Gerry gets when he has to wait.” She raises her brows behind her cat eyeglasses, waiting for an agreement she knows is coming.
She isn't wrong. Nothing makes that man spicier than being told to wait. When someone’s at his caliber, I guess it makes sense.
“Well, head on in, dear. We don’t need you running late on my chattiness.”
The first thing I’m doing when I become manager is giving that girl a raise. Dealing with Mark alone means she deserves a raise.
Sending her a smile, I turn to grab the cold handle of the large door and walk in. Confidence isn't something I usually struggle with, but it’s a bit of a struggle at this current moment. My time to shine has finally arrived. I did my time, paid my dues, and now I finally get to turn this hellhole around.
The large, oval table is full of three familiar faces. Most of them are staring blankly out the wall of windows, including Patricia and Pam from HR. Pam usually works on the risk management side. So, I’m not sure why she is here.
“Hello, everyone. It is great to see you all. Thank you for having me.” My smile is tight, and I make sure to stand at my tallest. Confidence is key, even if I’m faking it.
“Please have a seat, Adaline. We have some things we need to discuss with you.” The whole room has empty, tight-lipped smiles.
With that sentence, my pulse flickers a little. This is sounding much drearier than I had anticipated. I assumed everyone would be excited to hand out a promotion.
“Please, call me Addie. We are all colleagues here.” The three of them sit on the other side of a long table, leaving one, lone chair on the other side for me. I take my seat and wait to be wooed.
Pam starts the conversation off with: “Addie, as you know, it has been a difficult year for us. We have had different staffing issues and lost a few key clients. Because of that, we are having to downsize some of the team.”
I nod my head in understanding.
Okay, so, they are going to need help running efficiently with less staff? No need to be Debbie Downers. I could handle that shit in my sleep.
“With that being said, we are sorry to tell you that we no longer have a position for you here,” Pam says.
The whole room tenses, and my heart drops.
“I’m sorry, what?” My eyes bug out of my head as I try and process what I am hearing. Surely, I misheard her.
“We have to let you go. We are terribly sorry, but we are making some critical changes in the company, and your position is no longer available.” She plasters on a fake smile that fills me with a bit of rage.
How in the hell is legal assistant number…what, four or five, no longer a position?
“Wow, and here I thought I was getting the office management position.” I blink slowly, while reality sets in.
Mark avoids my eyes. Pussy. Patricia’s smile is genuinely sorry. I have always liked her.
“Oh, I am so sorry we put you under that impression. That position was filled by Maggie at the end of last week. She is finishing off the pay period where she is now, and then will be transitioning roles. She brought a lot of fresh ideas for ways we can maximize our productivity with less staff and improve overall morale to lessen our turnover rates. We are sorry that you made the wrong assumption,” Pam says.
My mouth opens and closes. My brain is apparently lagging from the quick redirection my life is taking.
Maggie .
That two-faced bitch. She listened to me go on and on this morning about getting a promotion, when she knew I was getting laid off today.
“You have got to be messing with me? Maggie? Miss hasn’t shown up on time since she graced the world with her presence thirty-one years ago? That same Maggie? The one who takes an hour and a half lunch. Every. Single. Day?” With a shake of my head, I realize I am wasting my breath.
Looking around the room at the empty faces, I know it is no use. My anger rises and I try my hardest but fail to keep my mouth shut.
“That’s about on par for your decision-making skills, actually. Also, she got every single one of those ideas from me because she has been up my ass for the last couple months, which makes perfect sense now.” They all stare at me with blank, bewildered stares.
Pam starts to talk and do her annoying risk management bullshit.
“Pam, I'm going to kindly ask you to stop talking.” I hold up my palm, just in case my words aren’t clear enough. “Thank you all for doing me a favor and setting me free from your dumpster fire. I hope you enjoy crumbles because this office is about to do just that. I will go clean out my desk.” I get up, not waiting to be dismissed.
Was going out like that a good idea? Probably not. I really should be more professional, since this is the longest job on my resume, and they will have to be a reference. But I just don't have it in me. Actually, I feel like I am holding back. They could get the entirety of my wrath.
Storming out of the office, I turn around to look at Mindi.
“Well, my friend, they fired me and promoted Maggie. They must have had a little get together this morning about my firing, which is why she was here.” With this, her mouth pops open.
“You’re shitting me. Maggie? Are we talking about the same Maggie? I thought she was your friend.” I’ve never in my life heard this woman curse, and her slip brings a small smile to my lips. At least someone here was on my team.
“She was. Now, I have to go pack up my office. And potentially slash some tires.” I start to walk off, but then remember the mini meltdown I just had. Turning to face Mindi again, I say, “Also, I am going to be using you as a reference for this office. I think I just burned the majority of my bridges here.”
“You know I have you covered. Good luck with the vengeance,” she says and waves back as I skitter down the hallway.
For a second, I think about causing a scene when I get into our department, letting all the assistants know what kind of human they are dealing with when it comes to Maggie. But she is probably expecting that. I will not satisfy her anymore. She doesn’t deserve a single breath from me.
I quietly pack my office and take down pictures. I smile at the one of me and Isla. Now, I am wishing she didn’t move across the country last year. She met the love of her life on a vacation we were both supposed to go on, but I missed out because of a stupid boyfriend and a missed flight. She met Cal, and the rest is history. I am happy for her, but I could use our usual chicken nugget and wine pick-me-up.
A big sigh leaves my body. I will call her once I get home and get somewhat of a plan put together. What a shit start to my day.