Page 7 of Alex

Again.

I’m supposed to be at the bar right now to celebrate Kate’s twenty-fifth birthday. Kate was adamant that I get off work at a decent time tonight, but once again, I’m still at work.

She’s going to be pissed. I guess it’s a good thing she’s my best friend and so understanding.

Mr. Strickland drones on and on about plans for the upcoming acquisition, as if the entire company is unaware of what is going on.

We all know the ins and outs of this company, especially when it comes to hundreds of millions of dollars and more.

Mr. Strickland buys a new business every couple of months, but this company is slightly different, as it will bring Mr. Strickland enough money to buy an entire country.

He clears his throat and glances around the room before saying, “We need to wine and dine these clients. I want everyone to go the extra mileand make them feel welcome here. Nothing is too big. The sky’s the limit.”

They must be used to luxury if Mr. Strickland is saying nothing is too big. Usually, we put them up in a five-star hotel in the city and take them to the most luxurious restaurants.

Hell, for the last company Mr. Strickland bought, he arranged for everyone to go on a deep sea dive off the coast to see Blackbeard’s sunken ship.

Everyone loved it and, of course, they were eager to have Mr. Strickland buy their company.

As he talks, I watch him intently.

He’s attractive in an older silver fox kind of way. He exudes confidence and demands attention. His tailored suits fit him like a second skin, while his expensive watches and exotic sports cars show a hint of the wealth he’s acquired over the years.

When he gets to the end of the slides, he pushes the power button on the remote and the entire screen shuts down and recedes into the ceiling, as if this is just an ordinary conference room.

Co-workers sit up straighter, hoping he dismisses them for the day. They are probably hoping to make it home to their hot dinners and loving families before the sun completely goes down.

He turns his attention to me. “Elise, before you go home for the evening, please print out the documents and get the meeting room ready for the team meeting tomorrow afternoon.”

Even though I want to protest and beg to go home, I just nod and say, “Yes, sir.”

He looks around the room once more before ending the meeting. I head to my desk that’s right outside Mr. Strickland’s office to get started on his newest task for me.

But first, I need to let Kate know I won’t be making it tonight.

I open my email because Mr. Strickland has a strict no phone policy at work and type up a message to Kate.

I let her know I can’t make it tonight because Mr. Strickland gave me a last-minute assignment that will take a while. And I tell her we can reschedule our girl’s night for tomorrow since it will be Friday and I’m not working late.

She immediately responds with an angry face, and a string of expletives all directed at Mr. Strickland.

It makes me chuckle, but I miss seeing her. These long hours at work have really hampered our best friend dates. Not to mention her international travels. Tonight was going to be the first time going out in almost a month.

I take a few deep breaths to steady my nerves. There’s no point in getting upset because I need this job more than I need to go out with Kate.

I open the meeting notes for tomorrow and print six copies. While they are printing, I gather up the other items I need to set up the conference room.

The office is quiet and dark. The only lights onin the building are the motion sensor ones in the conference room and the one at my desk.

Of course, everyone already left, including Mr. Strickland.

He doesn’t care about anyone’s time except his own, and even then he’s usually the first one in and the last one out.

Doesn’t he enjoy going home to his family? To his mansion?

I guess he’d rather be here working and acquiring more businesses. That is the best way to keep making money.

And the more I work, the more money I make, so at least all the overtime pay goes to my student loan debt and mom’s overdue medical bills.

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