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“I hear he took three women out in one night,” she continued. “Or was it four?”
She furrowed her brow as if trying to remember what she read in some gossip magazine.
“I really should be going, Elma.”
I politely squeezed past her and made my way to the stairwell.
“Good luck,” she called after me.
As I walked down the stairs, I could have sworn I heard her say something under her breath. Something like, “He is going to eat you alive.”
Outside, the bright afternoon sun beat down on me as I stepped the sidewalk toward the subway. Elma’s words were repeating in my ears like whispering echoes pounding at the outer parts of my brain.
He is going to eat you alive.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Elma.
I checked the time on my phone and realized I was cutting it close for the next train into the city. I started my descent down the stairs to the subway, taking the stairs two at a time. It was a wonder this skirt let me do it. On the platform, I saw my train already filling up and pushed my way through the doors just as they closed behind me. I breathed a sigh of relief and found a place to stand in the crowd. The last thing I needed was to be late.
Twenty minutes later, I reached my stop and stepped out onto the platform where I felt like I could breathe again outside of the crammed car. I made my way to the stairs and began my ascent to the city awaiting above, the sounds of taxis and live music drifting down the stairwell. Up in the sunshine once more, I checked my phone. I’d be early, but that was better than late.
As I strolled down the sidewalk, a large glass building came into view. It was the largest one on the block, and was most likely the one I’d be entering in just a few moments. Reaching into my purse, I checked the address I had scribbled on a piece of paper this morning and confirmed it. Then I took a deep breath as I walked up to the large glass doors. I went to push one, but the doors automatically slid open, causing me to stumble slightly into the vast lobby. The security guard gave me an amused nod as I walked past him toward the front desk.
“How can I help you?” asked the blonde in the crisp white suit that only she could pull off.
“I have a meeting with Mr. Jacobs at four. I’m a little early.”
She checked her computer and nodded. “He is in a meeting at the moment, but I will let him know you’re here. If you like, I can have someone escort you up where you can wait.”
“Sure. Thank you.”
She waved over the security guard who watched me stumble in here, and he led me to an elevator. We rode in silence to the 90thfloor. I could feel my stomach rise to my throat as the numbers kept ticking by and we still hadn’t reached our destination. Finally, I let out a slow breath as the elevator doors opened to another lobby. I thanked the security guard and stepped onto solid ground, the doors closing behind me.
I approached another desk and a woman impeccably dressed in a black suit to match her raven hair. This place really did a number on my confidence.
“Hello, Ms. Heartly. Mr. Jacobs will be with you shortly. In the meantime, you can help yourself to coffee and pastries. Or you can explore the rooftop garden while you wait.” She waved at a buffet table full of croissants and Danishes that she probably didn’t eat herself, and then to two large doors that opened onto a large terrace.
“Thank you,” I said, opting for the garden.
I doubted this skirt would give any more for a cheese Danish, even though they looked mouth wateringly good. I stepped onto the terrace and was immediately hit with the lush smells of roses and jasmine. I breathed in deeply and took in my surroundings. It was breathtaking. I didn’t realize anything so beautiful and so alive could be this high up from the concrete jungle below.
I strolled down one of the pathways, gently running my fingertips over the flowers. If anything was going to calm my nerves, it was this. I found a bench in the shape of a butterfly and sat down. I closed my eyes and began going over the script I had been memorizing for the past week. I didn’t like bringing notes to these things. It felt like I was unprepared, and I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing, especially with these big wigs.
I heard someone clear their throat and snapped my eyes open to see a man standing on the other side of the bench. I squinted and tried to allow them to adjust to the stranger before me, the sun beaming behind him. He looked slightly older than me, wearing a pair of gray slacks and a white button-down. His eyes were a piercing blue. A violent contrast against his tan skin and dark hair. He was honestly breathtaking, which was why I hadn’t found my voice yet.
“Hello,” he said, smiling down at me curiously.
That smile. If I couldn’t speak before, there was a slim chance I could now.
“Uh…” I stammered, pushing myself to stand.
He studied me with an amused expression as I finally got an actual word out.
“I’m Addison. I have a meeting with your boss,” I said. Judging from his more casual attire, I just assumed he was Daniel’s assistant.
He raised an eyebrow momentarily before it settled back into place on his perfect face.
“Oh?” he asked.