Page 11

Chapter Eleven

Arlo

I stare at the elevator numbers increasing way too fast, waiting for my heartbeat to catch up. Eighth floor of Ridgeland Enterprises. My first job—like, actual full-time paycheck. In an actual office, with an actual chance to ruin everything before lunch.

When the doors slide open, I suck in a breath and try to channel someone cooler. Someone who doesn’t sweat through their dress shirt or overthink eye contact. Someone who’s not me.

The reception area is sleek. Way too sleek. With a polished floor, massive windows, and three people standing near a glass table who all look like they just stepped out of a magazine photoshoot for “people who have their lives together.” I recognize Ridge Ellington straight away, his expensive suit and sharp jawline intimidating. Zeland leans casually against the table like he owns the room and maybe the planet. There’s a woman with them. Long braid, boots that could kill a man, and eyes that flick over me like she’s already decided I’m a puzzle worth solving. Women don’t look at me like that and it makes me jittery.

“Arlo,” Ridge greets, his voice deep and clipped.

“Yep. That’s me. Fully functioning adult. Allegedly.”

I wince. Out loud, I said that out loud. Why do I do this? He knows who I am; he interviewed me for fuck’s sake.

Their expressions barely move, but I swear the woman’s mouth twitches like she’s trying not to laugh. Zeland raises an eyebrow, and Ridge looks like he’s calculating whether firing me now would be paperwork or a mercy.

“I, uh... sorry. Just excited. Big fan of... buildings. You guys really nailed the, uh, architecture here.”

Kill me.

“Hi, I’m Aspen,” the woman says, offering me her hand. It’s strange—the instant we touch is like out of a movie and my palm tingles.

“Arlo, but you already know that, right?”

She nods with a chuckle.

Zeland steps forward and offers me his hand. I already know who he is as well—it’s hard not to when both he and Ridge are my idols. I have followed their careers since they first started out.

“Zeland,” he says with a wink. “Red looks good on you.”

His words make my cheeks heat even more and I try to hide a smile. “It’s an honor to meet you. I have followed you for a long time—I mean your career. I’m not some weird stalker or anything.”

“You wouldn’t be working here if you were, Arlo Atlas Kross. Born December second, twenty-three years old, and you live with your mother, Rowena.”

“Enough with the interrogation, Ridge. We get it. You are the almighty powerful Mr. Ellington who has so much money he can pay someone to get the dirt on people.”

“Stray, you have no idea.”

Aspen snorts and steps up to Ridge, and as he looks down at her, she reaches around his waist. He jumps back like his ass is on fire. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ridge snaps, and Zeland laughs as Aspen points her chin up at him.

“Seeing if I can find that stick wedged up your ass.”

I smirk but suck my lips in when Ridge looks my way.

“I don’t have time for this nonsense. Welcome to Ridgeland, Arlo. If you are as good as the qualifications on your resume, you will be fine. Though if you ever need a new job, I suggest you get a professional to fix that mess.” With that, Ridge strides to the elevator.

“It was nice to meet you, Arlo,” Aspen says. “Excuse me, but I have a bone to pick with the boss. ”

“You too,” I say as she runs off to catch up to Ridge.

“You can pick my bone,” Zeland calls out after her, and she raises her hand in the air and flips him off. “Can you believe it? She’s the only person who speaks to us like that, and yet she is still around.” I don’t answer, simply nod. “So, Arlo, are you excited about working here?”

“I am. My email told me to meet Theo and he would show me around.”

“I can show you around—let’s do the tour. Gem, buzz us in.”

The lady behind the desk smiles as I follow Zeland to the sleek double doors. Once we’re through them, everything changes to a more homely feel, with everyone dressed down. One guy goes flying past us on a hoverboard but circles back around. “Boss, I thought I would find you down here. Oh hello, fresh meat. Is this one on the menu?”

“Eliott, this is Arlo, and no, leave the poor guy alone. It’s his first day.”

Eliott laughs. “Can’t blame me for trying—you’re hot, Arlo. Now, boss, I left your messages on your desk. Harrison called and said it’s urgent and to call him back when you are in your office. Also, can I take off early? I have a date tonight and I have absolutely nothing to wear.”

“You’re a liar—I know your apartment is overrun with clothes. I saw them all when I brought you chicken soup a month ago when you were sick. But yes, you can leave early.”

“Thanks, boss. It was a pleasure meeting you, Arlo. ”

“It was a pleasure meeting me too... wait, no, you... you meeting me, I mean. Ugh, I’ll just shut up now.”

Eliott blows me a kiss and Zeland laughs. “You don’t need to be nervous—working anywhere except Ridge’s floor is fun. I watched that Google movie once, and I wanted that vibe, so I created this. Okay, it’s a few extra floors than just Ridge’s, but they are all suits and show everyone who is richer than whom.”

I nod and take everything in as Zeland poorly shows me around—he clearly hasn’t worked here for a long time. He opens doors and pokes his head in and then closes them.

“Thank god, Theo,” he says, waving at a man who looks old enough to be my dad.

“Zeland, you stole our new hire. I thought he was a no show. Theo,” the man says, holding out his hand. I shake it and just supply him with “Arlo” so I don’t further embarrass myself.

“Let me show you to where you will work,” Theo continues. “I have supplied you with an email, and the login details are on your desk. There is an email outlining what you will be working on and what tasks you need to complete. This one is brand new and we can hire more staff if you need us to. Ridge—” Zeland coughs and Theo pauses briefly. “Sorry, Mr. Ellington has allowed a budget for that. He wants you to run point and will pop in every so often to check on your progress. You must be something special for him to take an interest.”

“I’m not,” I mumble.

Zeland places a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short. If Ridge hired you himself, you must be one of the best at what you do. Now I better get back to work. It was lovely meeting you, Arlo, and I have a feeling I will see you again real soon.”

Zeland winks at me, and I push my black-rimmed glasses up my face and smile. “You too.”

I palm my forehead the second he is gone, and Theo chuckles. “You will get used to Zeland—he is a notorious flirt. Since you don’t work on his floor, you’re fair game. If he makes you uncomfortable at any stage, just let me know and I can talk to him, but he is harmless.”

Theo opens the door to the room I’m working in and my mouth drops open.

“It’s fine, honestly. Thank you for showing me to my office.”

“You’re welcome. If you need anything, let me know. You have my email or I will be around on the floor somewhere. I also left your ID card on your desk. It will get you into the staff elevators and through the lobby doors.”

“Thank you.”

With that, Theo leaves and I close the door behind him and do a happy dance while I pull my phone out of my pocket.

“Is everything okay?” my mom asks as she answers the phone.

“It’s perfect. You should see my office, and I’m the lead on this game—me, Mom. Can you believe that?”

“Of course I can, baby. You are so smart and talented. Now go before you get fired for talking on your phone while at work.”

I laugh. “ Okay, see you tonight.”

I read over the email Theo sent me, and it’s all easy, nothing I haven’t done before.

A new email pops up. And my eyes almost bug out of my head.

Mr. Kross,

It was a pleasure seeing you this morning. I’ve assigned you as the lead on this project. If you’re able to launch the game successfully, we can move forward with negotiating your contract. I’ve sent over the budget, so please proceed as needed.

Feel free to reach out via email if you have any questions or require additional support.

Best,

Ridge Ellington

Chief Executive Officer

Ridgeland Enterprises

I don’t respond. Ridge doesn’t seem like a man who wants you to reply, and before I can overthink it, another email pops up.

Subject: Nice to officially meet you

Hey Arlo,

It was very nice meeting you today. I wasn’t sure what to expect from someone Ridge actually hired—he’s not exactly known for his warm and fuzzy selections. But you? You were a surprise. The good kind.

I’m already looking forward to seeing what you do with the project. And if I’m being honest, I’m also looking forward to seeing you again. Maybe next time without the office walls and awkward introductions between us.

Don’t be a stranger. Unless that’s your thing.

Zeland Reid-Ellington

COO | Ridgeland Enterprises

I don’t know how to respond to Zeland’s email. Is he hot? Fuck yes, but men like him shouldn’t be looking at someone like me. I’m just shiny and new and someone like him would eat me for breakfast and get bored fast.

The day goes by quicker than I expect, and when I clock out, I head straight home. The entire day was a dream, but completely overwhelming. Mom is at work when I get home, so I shower and reheat leftovers before I head down to my room and log into my game, not because I want to play but because of her. I want to tell her about my day and I have never had that feeling before.

“Sup, DarkSoul, how was your first day? Don’t tell me, let me guess. You were amazing and smashed it out of the park?”

I scoff. “Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly. I was a nervous wreck and complimented the bosses on their great architecture. Then I told someone it was a pleasure for them to meet me, and I think one of the bosses was hitting on me.”

“So all in all, it wasn’t so bad. We all get nervous on our first day, and this is your dream job.”

“What should I do about the boss hitting on me? He isn’t technically my boss, but he owns half of the company.”

“Take that, you pussy bitch,” she says as she shoots at the targets. “Well, is he hot? Because the level of hotness can play a part in my answer. And can he fire you?”

“He is more than hot, and if he owns the company, I’m sure he could fire me.”

“That’s a hard one. Maybe see how it goes—he could just be flirty. I worked with someone like that once; they just flirted and never wanted more. Now tell me everything. What does your office look like? What do they have you doing?... You shut your scrawny little mouth. If you don’t want to hear me talking to my friend, leave the party. Let’s face it, I would smoke your ass anyway. Then you would be embarrassed that you got beat by a girl.”

I snort at her as she verbally smites a stranger. He leaves the chat, and it’s now just us. Normally we’re in a private chat, but sometimes we need to group chat with the rest of our squad. Unfortunately, the teens in this game are all mouth, but she doesn’t take their shit.

“Any luck on finding a new job?” I ask her.

She sighs. “I have a few leads, nothing concrete. On the upside, I have more free time. Do you know this obnoxious house has an indoor pool and an outdoor pool? Who needs two?”

We talk for a while until one of her roommates needs her help with something and she signs off.

Ever since I met her, my life has completely turned around. Mom always says, “Sometimes people come into your life for a reason and lead you where you’re supposed to be.” And maybe that’s what has happened with her. I might not know her name or where she lives, but she is quickly becoming the one person I want to talk to every day. And it’s nice to have a person who wants to listen.