Page 23 of Corporate Escapades

Finishing in the clothing department, Paris wandered over to liquor. She chose a bottle of tequila and two bottles of wine. She had barely placed the bottles in her cart when Mya reappeared.

“Looks like you’ve found everything.”

“I did okay,” she replied. It was a tad difficult working within the allotted monetary guidelines.”

“I’m sure,” said Mya. “How much are you spending?”

“Four-hundred-and-five,” she replied.

“Okay, just so you know, I went bare minimum with your makeup and bathroom items. I found an inexpensive curling iron and the razor you prefer. I spent eighty dollars, but I think you’ll find I’ve covered most of the bases. Hopefully, the items will be sufficient for now. If you find you’re missing anything, I’d be happy to lend what you need.”

“Thanks,” said Paris. Mya gave her a small smile.

“We should head for the checkout; we’re cutting it close on time. The boys will be waiting.”

Paris followed her to the checkout, where the clerk totaled everything up. Chase added one-hundred-and-ten dollars to her total with food items, which put Paris at five-hundred-and-ninety-five dollars, leaving her with fifty-five until she got paid the following Friday.

“Looks like great minds think alike,” said Vic. He, too, had visited the liquor department. “I’ll share if you will,” Paris replied, looking over the six bottles of wine, case of beer,

and cheap bottle of Scotch in his cart.

Vic’s shopping experience had been easier than Paris’s, taking him half the time she had taken. His clothing purchases came to three-hundred-and-two dollars. With groceries, liquor, and clothing added in, he spent a grand total of four-hundred-and-seventy-two dollars.

Upon checking out and bagging all the items, the group realized they had to carry a lot of bags onto the bus. Chase decided that, to make things a little easier on them, he would call a taxi. Paris and Vic were both grateful to avoid the bus with their parcels.

Back at the apartments, they hurried to unpack their groceries and choose outfits to wear to work. Paris opted for a white ruffle dress with a brown belt and brown ruffle mule sandals. She kepther diamonds in place. She then applied her new cosmetics and was ready to go.

Vic chose to wear grey pants with a blue button-down shirt, brown belt, and brown loafers. He haphazardly adjusted his hair and added some gel, shaved, and headed for the door. He stopped momentarily and tossed a condom in his pocket for good measure. One never knew when they might come in handy, and for Vic, they frequently did.

Forty minutes later, the group found themselves walking toward the ADG building. A nauseating feeling rose up inside Vic’s stomach. He hadn’t been below a managerial position in years. The mailroom seemed beneath him, considering the responsibilities he had previously held as an event planner. Two weeks ago, he’d commanded his team as if they were in a relay race to the finish with planning a last-minute wedding. Two of his charges transferred groups because they couldn’t handle his volatile personality. In one year’s time, he had developed a reputation as the fiercest manager at ADG, though ADG was generally known for employee empathy and kindness. If his style got the job done, what did it matter?

Paris looked over at Vic, a scowl creasing his brow. She couldn’t blame him. She felt their parents had lost their minds. None of her business friend’s families would have ever done such a thing. She wondered what the media would say if they found out about their situation. It wouldn’t look good for anyone, including their parents. She figured it would only be a matter of time before they came to their senses and dropped the silly game they were playing.

“Okay, guys, we’ve arrived. This shouldn’t be too difficult. You’ve both been here before, right?” asked Chase.

“I’ve been here, but never worked here,” replied Vic. “I worked in the restaurants and then interned at Sense of Adventure. I moved up from there.”

“I’ve never done this,” replied Paris. “I haven’t even stepped a foot inside this part of the building. I was a model when I started out, and then I moved on to work as a sommelier and writer.”

Raising a brow and shaking his head, Chase said, “Super. This will be fun. Check-in with us anytime if you need advice or moral support.”

“If you need to find us, we’re helping to cover your positions while you’re in the mailroom,” added Mya.

Paris’s face reddened. “No! How’s that possible?” It was bad enough she had to put up with Mya as a babysitter, but a superior? No way.

“Relax. It’s not that big of a deal. I’m returning calls to your clients and letting them know they’ll be meeting with either Tom or Angela temporarily.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” replied Paris. “We’ll lose our regular clients.” Tom and Angela occupied the other two spots as senior adventure planners, and they were both cut-throats in snagging new clients.

“Need I remind you that you’ve basically been fired,” replied Mya. “The job should be of no concern to you at this time. You have to focus on the task at hand and prove to your parents and the rest of the board that you’re of value to ADG and Sense of Adventure. Anyway, we need to go.”

Pointing, Chase said, “Walk through that door, and Tonya will meet you on the other side to give you your duties.”

“Later, kids,” called Mya as she and Chase walked away.

“I don’t want to go in there,” said Vic. “Everyone will know who we are. We’re without a doubt the laughing stocks of the company.”

“My thoughts exactly. If we don’t go in, things will undoubtedly get worse, right? I don’t think we have a choice, do we? I mean, honestly, do we have any choices in this situation other than to do what we’ve been told?”

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