Page 96 of When Glitter Meets Gold

I scratch at my neck that feels like it’s suffering from third degree burns. “You liked it,” I confirm to myself, swallowing audibly. “Well, great,” I shriek before composing myself. “But, how do you know about that?”

The light dusting of freckles scattered across Reza’s brown skin wrinkles slightly as he grins. “We saw the details of your pitch. Good job getting the Vandenberg Group on board by the way.”

Two compliments. Zero firings.

Perhaps they have no idea about the leak after all.

As I process this most bewildering interaction, I can’t help but wonder how they managed to get their hands on my pitch. Was it Walter?

“Thank you,” I say at last when I’ve finally controlled my stammering. “I didn’t know Walter told you about that.”

Justin shakes his head. “I don’t think it was Walter.” He shrugs without giving it a second thought. “Anyway, I’m glad we ran into you. Things are going in a great direction for us, and you’re part of that success.” He grabs a drink from a passing waitress, pulling a pink handkerchief from the pocket of his oversized white suit to dab the liquid that’s spilled from the rim of the glass. “We care about details, and we can see that you do too. There’s no way we could have put a Vandenberg establishment on the current app.”

“Yeah, what Justin said.” Reza makes a prayer gesture with his hands. “We’re lucky to have you on board. This isyour first time running a project of this scope, right?” I nod. “If it goes well, it’ll open a lot more doors within the company.”

Sounds like they definitely have no idea about the leak.

“Yes, that’s my goal. There’s an internal position I have my eye on, but I guess I’ll just see how this goes.”

“Oh?” Reza asks.

“It would be a huge promotion for me, but it’s the Marketing Director position,” I say a little quieter.

The pair pause to think for a few moments before Justin appears to come to a realization. “Oh, yeah that. No that’s been filled. But, surely you’d want something a little more creative, something to do with the new app you suggested?”

The music seems to kick up a notch, and the arrival of a cluster of bodies makes the space feel too small.

The position has beenfilled?

My shoulders sag, and my throat works to push down the emotions building up in the dark corners of my chest. I shouldn’t be disappointed. Part of me knew I wouldn’t be considered as a candidate after the Vandenberg blunder. And a couple minutes ago, I thought I was about to lose my job entirely, so really, this is fine. This is fine.

This is…

A fucking nightmare.

“Wait, are we talking about the same Director position? I mean, who filled it? And when?” I ask quickly, ignoring the arrival of people who bump into me as they attempt to get closer to Reza and Justin.

My questions are lost as the attention goes to the new arrivals. A guy with a sharp white suit and hair pulled into a knot at his neck is at the center of everything now. He’s carrying a tray of violet tinted shots which has attracted asmall entourage of keen participants, all eager to devour their contents.

Justin leans back, glancing at me before he reaches for the tray. “Yesterday. I think. Guy from finance. Drew Dawson?”

He raises a shot glass in the air.

“Here’s to you!”

40

SARA

My palms push against the leather cushioned exterior of a door with a brass plaque that suggests I’m about to enter a billiards room. The door moves with a firm shove, and I step into a lounge lit with jade banker lamps and a grand piano next to a window as tall as a two-story building.

A pool table stands in the center of the room where two men bearing identical slicked back haircuts, circle and graze the mahogany edges, plotting and calculating their next play like their fates depend on it.

Beyond the table, I spy a bar.

Setting my eyes on the row of unclaimed barstools, I cross the room, the trail of my dress grazing over the maroon carpet and thick patterned rugs.

It wasn’t hard to break away from Justin and Reza after the shots came out. I’d made an excuse about finding the ladies room and before knew it, I was scouring the corridors, looking for somewhere I could be alone.

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