Chapter 3
Willow gazed at her laptop screen, half hoping that the answers might suddenly spring to life in front of her if she willed it hard enough. The office around her was buzzing, as it always was, with people talking loudly and cracking jokes – everyone was so wired about this new campaign.
Except Willow. She simply felt hollowed out. And tired, so desperately tired.
An hour ago, she had had a meeting with Kirk, where she had outlined some of her pre-launch ideas for the new Noix Noir brand.
She had produced some of her rough plans on her laptop for him to see.
She always felt nervous sitting in Kirk’s plush, highly glazed office and today had been no exception.
Kirk had sat back on his large leather chair, legs crossed.
His expression had looked almost bored, and Willow felt like a shy, awkward schoolgirl trying to impress him.
‘“The smell of tomorrow …”’ she had suggested tentatively. ‘Or perhaps, “Wake up to something new.” We could build up a campaign that focuses on anticipation and enticement, without giving too many details away.’
Kirk had frowned and pushed the laptop to one side. ‘These aren’t very original, Willow. I can’t see our TikTok or Instagram audience engaging with them. We need to build excitement and create that all-important buzz.’
‘Well, that’s what I’m attempting. I want to work on that buzz. I have influencers in mind that would be key.’
‘What? Like Esmae Reed?’ He had pressed his teeth together. ‘One of your favorites, I believe, Willow. You used her on our last campaign. And look what’s happened now. People are leaving her in droves.’
‘I couldn’t have predicted her being canceled,’ Willow had said calmly, picking up her laptop. It was pretty clear that Esmae’s downfall was now starting to bleed into her own reputation. She wasn’t even sure how she felt about that. ‘Leave this with me. I have other ideas.’
Kirk’s dark eyes had drilled into hers. ‘Yes, work on this more. These are too boring. Honestly, Willow, I really thought you would dig deep for this campaign, but it’s like you’ve taken your eye off the ball lately.’
‘Sorry, Kirk.’ She hated that her cheeks had flamed red.
He had muttered something under his breath and then glanced up at her again. ‘Send Toby in. He told me earlier that he had some new ideas to run by me.’
Willow had nodded mutely and relayed the message to Toby.
Now, he was sitting in Kirk’s flashy office and had been there for the last hour, while she was sitting at her desk staring numbly at her screen.
This wasn’t like her at all. Usually, she had too many ideas fighting for attention in her head, but today, only one image remained static there – almost like it was superglued in place.
Jenn’s van.
Willow found herself searching online for something beyond coffee.
Soon her screen was filled with images of matcha.
She adjusted her position in her seat as she settled in to read more.
The barista was right, the history of matcha was fascinating.
She didn’t know it could be traced right back to China, to the Tang and Song dynasties.
Back then it was popular with Buddhist monks and scholars who used it for its calming and energizing properties.
Willow continued to scroll, discovering that the tea had been introduced to Japan by a Zen Buddhist named Eisai who came back from China with the seeds and planted them on Mount Sefuri.
She tapped through the sites, reading even more about Eisai who focused his life on matcha, even writing a book on it.
He claimed that it improved his meditation and gave him mental clarity and longevity.
His teachings even influenced samurai warriors, who used matcha to sharpen their focus and maintain composure before battle.
Matcha would go onto become a huge part of Japanese culture.
Willow sat back on her chair, mesmerized. She had never realized how special this drink was and how it had impacted so many throughout history. She realized with growing certainty that she wanted this special drink to be a part of her life.
Maybe matcha could help her find the clarity and focus she so badly needed.
Kirk’s office door suddenly flew open, and Toby strode out. Willow could tell by the beaming smile on his face that his meeting had been far more successful than hers.
‘Hey.’ She smiled up at him. She could never be mad at Toby, even though he was a complete stickler. There was just something charming in his cheeky grin.
‘That was amazing,’ Toby said, slamming down his laptop. ‘Kirk loved my ideas. He is going to consider them.’
‘That’s really great.’
Toby seemed to realize that he had been a bit too enthusiastic and drew a breath. ‘Oh, Willow. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that your ideas weren’t any good. I’m sure he’s considering those too.’
She laughed softly. ‘My ideas were crap, Toby. Don’t worry about it. Honestly. I’m just glad that one of us is on the ball.’
‘Honestly?’
‘Honestly. We’re a team after all, aren’t we?’
Toby grinned again, his cheeks blooming red. He reached forward to high five her.
‘We are, Willow.’
Willow turned back to her screen and tried hard to focus on the various coffee images and words there, but her concentration was broken. Around her, the office was still humming with life. Toby was singing softly under his breath as he typed up his concepts.
She was surrounded by marketing vibrancy and corporate life.
Yet when she closed her eyes, all she could hear was the soft cascading water of the Falls near her hometown. It was suddenly the brightest, most beautiful sound she had ever heard.
The next day, Kirk confirmed it formally to the office. They would be working from Toby’s brief. His main concept started with the phrase ‘Something is brewing’ and there would be a countdown to the launch with the hashtag #makeyourmorningdark.
‘We will ask our key influencers to talk about their morning routines and run quizzes, like “What sort of coffee are you?”’ Toby announced excitedly. ‘We even think we could fly to France and do some shoots in Paris, really build up the mood.’
Willow raised an eyebrow. Wow, they really were blowing the budget on this one then.
This was going to cost far more than Kirk’s original projections.
Everyone applauded Toby and shouted out their encouragement.
Willow clapped him on the back once he returned to his desk.
It was great to see the team behind him.
‘Well done, Tobes. Let’s grab some lunch to celebrate? On me?’
Toby nodded excitedly. ‘That sounds great.’
Willow didn’t like to admit that her reason was mainly selfish. Although she was pleased for Toby, she desperately needed to get out of the office. The air felt too thick and unpleasant, and the heat clung to her like glue.
She rushed to the bathroom first to freshen up.
As she washed her hands, she peered at her face.
She knew she still looked the part. Her long brown hair was carefully straightened and lay like a glossy shower against her shoulders.
Her pale skin had a soft glow to it, and she had taken time to conceal the freckles that scattered her nose.
She still looked professional and polished, but it was perhaps her eyes that gave everything away.
They seemed to lack the usual sparkle. Willow leaned in closer and stared back at her green irises, flecked with amber.
Jake used to joke that they looked like honey, just like their hometown’s name.
Except it hadn’t been Jake who said that, was it? It was—
‘Hey Willow!’
Willow looked up. Brooke Gardener had just walked in. She was one of Kirk’s rising stars, all bronze skin and white, dazzling teeth.
‘You must be devastated,’ she gushed, widening her eyes as if to emphasize the point. ‘I mean Toby is your assistant and he’s getting all the attention.’
‘I’m proud of him.’ Willow smiled back. ‘He’s worked really hard for this.’
‘But still …’
Brooke patted her arm gently and then disappeared into one of the stalls. Willow knew what she was trying to say. This was a big deal and being pushed aside by her assistant meant Willow was at risk of losing her job.
Willow stared into the mirror again. A few months ago, this would have been a killer blow.
She would have been so stressed, probably lost sleep knowing that Kirk was thinking badly of her.
These jobs were competitive to get and keep and she had worked so hard to keep herself at the top. Yet now, she was wobbling.
She should be panicking. She should be looking at Toby and eyeing him up as her possible enemy.
But instead, she felt the complete opposite.
She felt free.
‘A matcha, please,’ Willow said brightly. ‘I’ll try the blueberry one this time.’
‘Again?’ Toby whispered behind her. ‘You must really like those things.’
‘I’m really starting to like them,’ Willow replied, tapping her card on the payment machine. The barista beamed at her. It was a different one than before. This guy was a sun-kissed blond, who looked like he had washed up on a California beach.
‘You’re not the only one,’ he told her. ‘These things are flying out of here lately. They’re so popular.’
Willow nodded at Toby. ‘Don’t tell Kirk. He’ll be pushing Noix Noir aside for a taste of the action.’
‘No way. This is my baby now. I’m not letting it go.’
They took their usual seat at the table. Toby had ordered himself an espresso for the first time. Willow knew this was what Kirk exclusively drank. Perhaps Toby saw himself as one of the big boys now?
‘Are you OK about all this?’ Toby asked quietly. ‘The last thing I want to do is annoy you, Willow. You’ve been so good to me.’
Willow still remembered when he had started as a nervous intern two years ago.
His shirt still had creases where it had come straight out of the package, and he had struggled to walk in his too-tight shoes.
He had spent the first few days drifting from desk to desk, earnestly trying to win favor and attention.
It had been Willow who had taken him under her wing.
She saw something sweet and innocent in his wide-eyed gaze and even though she was only a couple of years older than him, she felt like his much older, wiser sister.
She didn’t want him to get broken down by the harsh corporate world – her world.
She had seen so many who just hadn’t made it.
It had been lovely to see him slowly blossom and grow.
He was like a sweet little flower blooming in a crazy wild thorn bush.
She reached out and touched his hand. He flinched for a moment and then seemed to relax. ‘Toby, this is it. You’ve made it now. This will be your chance to shine.’
‘Thank you.’ He grinned back, toothy like a child. ‘And I bet you’ll be all over the next campaign. You’ll show them what you’re all about.’
Willow pulled her hand back. ‘I’m not so sure, Toby.’
‘What?’
‘I’m tired. I think I might be a little burnt out.’ She sipped her drink, enjoying the cold taste as it slipped down her throat. ‘I think I just need a break.’
‘A break?’ He nodded slowly. ‘Yeah. A vacation. I get that. I was thinking I might stay out in Paris after the shoot. It will be such a great opportunity. Maybe you could come too?’
‘No Toby.’ Her words were gentle. ‘I mean, longer than that.’
‘Oh …’ He stared back at her. ‘Oh!’
She sat back on her chair, watching as the barista served another matcha to a waiting customer, a young girl with funky braids. Something stirred in her mind.
‘Maybe I have other plans,’ she said finally. ‘I think there is something else I need to do.’
An hour later and Toby had gone. He was itching to get back to the drawing board and was surprised when Willow told him she wouldn’t be joining him.
‘Tell Kirk I have a bad headache or something,’ she said. ‘Please Toby, I just can’t face going back in this afternoon.’
Toby had nodded dutifully, his face etched with concern, and left Willow gazing out of the window onto the busy street scene of Seattle.
She remembered how much she and Jake had loved it here when they first arrived.
It had been like stepping into a brand-new world, almost futuristic.
She peered out now at the same towering buildings and busy streets: it still gave her a buzz.
This was definitely a cool place to be and for five years it had served its purpose.
But it had never been home. Not for her at least.
Willow reached for her phone and scrolled through her messages.
Jake had sent her a picture at midday. He had just returned from a car collision rescue, and he looked tired and drawn.
Willow knew that he would have posted content on this too – relaying his experience and telling the world just how brave he and his team had been.
She quickly swiped away from his image without comment.
Instead, she found herself texting Esmae.
Hey. Just thinking of you! How are things going?
She wasn’t expecting to get a reply very quickly, so was surprised when her phone buzzed almost instantly.
Hey! I’m good, thanks. Can’t believe I’ve turned off all my social media. It wasn’t even that hard. We’re packing right now. I have a job lined up in a beach bar. Think it’s going to be fun. Sun, sand and surf. And freedom.
Willow sucked in a breath. That did sound perfect.
Wouldn’t it be great just to turn off the noise for a bit and focus on something more meaningful?
She glanced around her. The barista was wiping down a nearby table and winked at her.
Behind him, she noticed a picture hanging on the wall of the Olympic Mountains, with a plane cutting through the sky.
Written in the contrails read the word ‘escape’.
She typed back to Esmae:
It’s weird, but I swear I keep getting these signs everywhere that I should go back to the mountains, Es. I’m so tired. I used to love my job but now I’m not so sure.
She took her last sip of matcha while considering this. Her phone buzzed again.
My advice would be, follow your heart. Life is too short. I’ve spent too long in a toxic environment and perhaps you have too. Everyone needs a break at some point.
Willow sat back and sighed. Her body felt like it was buzzing with anticipation. Her mind whirred. This wasn’t like her. She was always so practical and sensible and yet, if Esmae was right and she should follow her heart – it was clear what she needed to do next.
She reached for her phone again, but this time she searched for someone she hadn’t spoken to in a long time.
She looked for Jenn.