Page 21 of Corporate Escapades

“Glad I could help. Have a delightful night. I’m going back to bed,” he said with a yawn. Vic did not know what the next day would bring, but he knew if he didn’t get to sleep soon, the next day would be more agonizing than dealing with an entire army of bats.

At six in the morning, Paris awoke to the sound of drilling and hammering. “What in God's name is going on?” she demanded as she stomped across the room. Opening her door, she saw Vic already standing in the hall.

“Lord have mercy!” he bellowed. “They put us on a floor that’s being remodeled!”

Chapter six

Much to his chagrin, Vic could not fall back to sleep and was pulled out of his bleary-eyed gaze at the ceiling by the sound of loud knocking. Rolling over, he noted it was now seven in the morning. Throwing back the covers, he dragged himself out of bed. His head was pounding. All he wanted to do was sleep, but he pulled on the clothes he had arrived in the day before and headed for the door. The knocking continued.

“Hold on,” he barked. “I’ll be right there.” Throwing open the door, he saw Chase standing outside looking fresh as ever, holding a tray of coffee and grinning. He noticed Mya was next door waiting for Paris to answer. She held a paper bag in one hand. He hoped the paper bag would join the coffee shortly.

“Morning, boss. How’d you sleep?” asked Chase.

It was obvious from his disheveled appearance that it had not been well. “What sleep?” he replied. “Paris had an unexpected visitor last night, which jolted me awake, and then this damneddrilling and pounding began at six this morning, which gave me a total of three hours of shut-eye.”

Forcing a frown, Chase said, “Here, enjoy some coffee on me. I should have warned you. You’re the only two people on this floor. It's the last level of the building to be remodeled.”

“That's just swell,” replied Vic in defeat. He bet Chase was laughing on the inside as he divulged this tasty bit of information. The little pissant was enjoying his misery. Swallowing his pride, he said, “Thanks for the coffee. I need it.” Turning away from the door, he motioned for Chase to come inside and have a seat. He was probably getting what he deserved, considering how he’d treated Chase in the past. Kharma had caught up.

“I told Mya we’d come over to Paris’s apartment,” said Chase. “I figured you’d be ready to go before she would.”

“Yes. Indubitably,” replied Vic as he succumbed to following Chase next door. “What are you wearing?” he asked. “Is that pink and purple?”

“Oh, this? Yeah. You like it?” asked Chase, as he did a spin so Vic could see his button-down shirt better. It was purple with pink flamingos.

“I’m really not sure,” Vic replied, feeling perplexed. He felt just the sight of the shirt might be threatening his manhood, but he kept it to himself.

“Oh, well, it’s all good,” he said with a smile. “It’ll grow on you.”

“Doubtful,” replied Vic. “Are all of your clothes that vibrant?” Chase had been his assistant for months, but Vic had not bothered to pay attention to his appearance.

“Yes, they are,” commented Mya. “He’s the most colorful person at ADG.”

Beaming from the compliment, Chase tossed back his dark hair and replied, “Thanks, dear, I try.”

“Have a seat, Vic,” said Mya. “Enjoy a muffin. I have chocolate chip, blueberry, strawberry cream cheese, and pumpkin. Which would you prefer?”

Pulling out one of the chairs at the tiny kitchen table, Vic obliged. “I’ll go with strawberry cream cheese.”

“Great choice,” she replied as she handed him the muffin.

“So glad you didn’t take pumpkin, ‘cause it’s my fav,” said Chase. If Vic had taken the pumpkin muffin, he would have secretly disliked him even more.

“Okay, that leaves chocolate chip for me since Paris always goes with blueberry. I would have chosen that or the strawberry anyway.”

Having a seat, the threesome munched on their breakfast while waiting for Paris. Thirty minutes later, she finally joined them at the table.

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to look presentable in the same clothes I wore yesterday. I took a shower, but I don’t have a curling iron or actual hairspray. Luckily, there was a blow-dryer and some trial-size toiletries. This is maddening,” she complained. “I don’t even have my full makeup kit anymore. Thankfully, I keep an extra eye shadow, lipstick, and mascara in my purse. The rest of my face looks ghostly, though.”

“Girl, you look radiant with or without makeup,” complimented Chase.

“Thanks,” she replied with a small smile.

Chase flashed his pearly teeth at Paris and Vic. “Anyway,” he said, “don’t you worry your pretty little head. We’re going out shopping just as soon as you finish your breakfast. Mikel was happy to allow you to come to work in the same clothes as yesterday, but your mother, bless her lovely little soul, said absolutely not and allotted time for shopping this morning.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” said Paris. Grabbing the last muffin, she set to work polishing it off. “Where are we going shopping?” she asked between bites.

“Andretti’s,” said Mya. Before Paris protested, Mya stopped her. “You have limited funds, and Andretti’s has everything you could need at an affordable price. You’ll be fine.” Paris looked as if she was about to choke on her muffin, so Mya again cut in. “Please, trust me. This is temporary. I know you’re miserable right now, and you feel out of your element, but you’ll make it through to the other side. I’ll help you find things that are inexpensive but still make you look good. Once you have more money coming in, you can then decide to upgrade your belongings. Focus on one hour at a time. You’ve got this.”

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