Page 8 of Chance Happenings
Alex
Over the weekend,I’m able to find a living room set and desk at a local furniture store. Now I’m back in the office fielding the twenty or so questions Chance sent back to me in response to my project updates. I’m glad I stayed late on Friday because today I have time to go to lunch with Cacey, who’d been M.I.A. for most of the weekend.We need to rehash everything that went down Friday night. This will be the perfect time.
We meet at asmall cafe down the block instead of having her come to me. She’s fashionably late, coming into the cafe glowing with a floral sundress, oversized shades, and wedges on. She makes an entrance, and her attire is a stark contrast to mine. As she approaches the table, she’s oblivious to all the admirers she has as she takes in my outfit and the expression on my face.
“Alex, how was your weekend?”
I side eye her and respond. “I had a great weekend if we’re going by any of the fake plans we had. But judging by the look on your face you definitely made out better than me.”
“Since you’re getting snarky, I’ll just keep my weekend to myself and get back to the main reason I asked you to lunch... which would be my brother,” she says, keeping her eyes focused on the menu.
“I know he’s had many complaints aboutmy work.”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly qualify the unfocused rants as complaints, but your name did come up many times.” I just roll my eyes and let her finish. “For one, he definitely noticed you in that shirt you wore on your first day of work...you’re welcome… and the short shorts you had on Friday night.”What is it with this family and clothes?
“Don’t remind me about Friday night,” I say as I look around, trying to get the waitress’ attention.
“Sorry about that again and thank you for running interference for me. I’m just at a point where I don’t need Chance inserting himself in my business,” she says with a frown, like she’s holding in the worst news in the world. I know she wants to talk about it, but I don’t know if I’m in a comforting mood right now, so I let that statement hang in the air without trying to push her to elaborate. She continues like the silence isn’t awkward at all. “Anyway, let me get back to the point. What’s going on with you and Chance?”
“Um, absolutely nothing. I actually need you to let him back into your business so he can figure out something better to do with his free time than harass me in person and through the very, thin wall that separates us… you have no idea.”
With a knowing grin, she responds. “Girl please, why do you think we’re at opposite ends of the block. But anyway, he seems to think you're tempting him relentlessly for fun. I see now judging by your outfit, it’s just his imagination gone wild.” I don't know how to respond to that, so I stay quiet for a second before changing the subject by letting her know Pearce has my number, knows where I live and has been having me watched. By the serious look on Cacey's face and her change in demeanor, I know she wasn't expecting that bit of information.
“What did the police say?”
“The police didn't say anything. I told you I'm not calling the police.” Cacey's frown becomes more pronounced as she stares me down. Looking at me like I’m crazy.
“Well, if you won’t go to the police, I'm going to tell my brother at least and he'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious.” I try to make my argument against that, but she gives me a rare, hard look, letting me know that this is non-negotiable. I could either go to the police or she would go to Chance.
“I told you, I don't know why you think your brother would care or bother to do anything for me more than make my life miserable.”
“And I told you… that my brother has been, and still is… infatuated with you. Believe me, he’s just in denial right now, but he cares. Besides, he lives right next to you. You both work together for Christ sakes. Why wouldn’t he be able to do this?”
On the way back to the office, I don't know what to expect with this new bit of information. But my once comfortable power suit feels all wrong, and I’m taking even more precautions than normal to not run into Chance. Unfortunately, the odds are not in my favor to avoid him today. When I get to my office, he’s perched on the corner of my desk, reading through some documents like he owned the place. Which he technically does, but that’s not the point. As I stand at the door staring him down, he gets up and throws the documents back on my desk. Then he looks at me.
“Check your email. Miranda sent over your plane ticket, hotel reservations and itinerary information for New York. We’ll be leaving on Friday. Clear your schedule for Thursday so you can brief me on the fine points of the presentation.” Dumfounded, I just continue to stare.
“I thought you said two weeks!! This is a week's notice at best. And why are we leaving for New York on a Friday?”
“This is a competitive opportunity that we’re trying to land. The CEO is requesting all candidates be present for some event on Saturday and then again on Monday for proposals. If you can’t get things in order by then let me know I'm sure I’ll be able to get Madison up to speed,” he says, baiting me.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll be ready.”No matter how much I don’t want to go to New York this weekend, I’m not letting that fake ass, social climbing, bottled blonde take my place for potentially heading the biggest account this company has ever seen.
I log into my email and start to freak out over the extensive itinerary for the New York trip. There’s even an event on Saturday that has a more formal dress code than I expected. Knowing I need to get a lot of ground covered before Thursday, I forward the itinerary to Cacey with a message...
* * *
From: Alexa Wilde
To: Cacey Sullivan
Subject: Have fun with this.
Cacey,
Because I am running low on time, and this is right up your alley can youlook around for a dress or let me know of some spots that I can get something formal off the rack? (Reference the event on Saturday night in NY)
Thanks a Bunch,
