Page 11 of Under the Mistletoe
5
Jessica
I run into the marble foyer, feeling and looking like a drowned rat.
“Morning, Frank!” I pass the hot coffee over as I shake like a dog, trying to dislodge the rain from my coat. The subway is mostly efficient, cheap, and relatively safe and easy for me to take each day. But on days like today, when the rain hasn’t stopped, the four-block walk from the station to this fancy building is long, especially when the wind pulls my umbrella inside out.
“Morning, Jay Jay. Mmm… you know me too well.” Frank grabs the hot coffee, groaning as it hits his lips. While everyone else rushes in and hits the elevators, ignoring him, I try to take two minutes each day to say hello. He’s the night security guard. His shift ends just as my day is starting. The hot coffee is something I deliver to him each day because I know how tired he must be, and I also know he has a long subway ride home now too.
“Yeah, well, I thought you needed it.”
His smile is wide, grateful, and my heart warms. It’s the little things that matter most.
“You know it. Don’t work too hard up there, alright?” He settles back into his seat, his hands wrapped firmly around his coffee.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I throw my useless umbrella in the nearby trash and join the throes of Corporate America as we all file into the elevators. Looking to see if my floor button is pressed, I start to relax seeing it already lit. But then I stall, because I’m going to the top floor today, and as I eye the wall of buttons, I spot the executive level and CEO level floors not lit up. As I push through and hit the button, I feel every set of eyes shift to me.
Catching the eye of a woman who I think works in PR, I swear she used to be an international model. Her gaze is critical, and I shrink a little, my glasses fogging in the humidity of this small space. I try to brush my wet hair away from my face as I take her in. She’s dry, her hair bouncing and styled to perfection. Her clothes fit her like a glove, her heels high.
But I have little time to admire her as the doors of the elevator open and most people disembark. I shuffle back and take in a breath as floor by floor, people exit the elevator, until I’m the last one left and the elevator ascends up to the top floor.
When the doors open this time, I step out, not feeling as out of place as I did last week. Until my eyes land on his assistant, Ashley, seeing her assessing me almost immediately.
“Can I help you?” She looks entirely disinterested, like I’m nothing more than a piece of dirt on her shoe.
“I’m here to see Donovan.”
Her face sours, eyebrow cocking at my voice that sounds more confident than it ever has.
“Mr. York is not to be disturbed.”
I frown, looking at my watch, seeing it’s almost eight.
“I have a meeting with him at eight.”
She looks at the computer in front of her, tapping a few keys, but her attitude doesn’t budge.
“No. You don’t.” Blinking at me, she scowls like I’m deliberately here to waste her time.
“It may not be in his calendar. Perhaps you can just call him?” I suggest. I don’t want to be late on my first day.
“Mr. York is not to be disturbed. Especially by someone who… works down on the finance team.” She rolls her eyes, looking down her nose. Clearly, she hasn’t checked her emails because I’m almost positive that she was copied on an email between HR and Donovan about my start date that was sent yesterday.
“I’ll just wait, then.” I try to appease her somewhat as I look toward the leather seat off to the side. I don’t want to cause an issue, but I can tell we won't get along.
“I can assure you… I know every detail of Mr. York’s day, and you’re not even a mention…” It’s only day one, and I’m already at a roadblock with a woman who seems to think this is a pissing competition.
“Jessica, good, you’re here.” Donovan strides out of his office, coming right for me like he’s been waiting for my arrival and I’m urgently needed. I bite back my grin, really wanting to say I told you so, but I don’t need to be making enemies, especially of Ashley, who seems to know everyone in this building.
“Ashley, can you grab us coffee?” he asks, then turns back to me. “Jessica?”
“Yes. Coffee would be great. Thank you, Ashley,” I tell her as Donovan lifts his hand, indicating the way to his office. I walk forward, wondering if Ashley is about to stab me in the back with her letter opener as her face reddens while she watches me walk away.
I feel the dampness of my feet squish with every step across the marble floor, but I ignore it, praying that this corporate suit I got from Mabel at the thrift store a few weeks ago will last the distance today. It’s so well made, the fabric too beautiful to remain hidden in my closet. Mabel said she knew it was meant for me the minute she saw it. It’s comfortable and the material keeps me warm, so I can’t complain.
“I don’t know if you heard the news last night, but—”
“Jasper is expanding into Asia? I saw,” I finish for him, and he looks at me with pleasant surprise as we step into his office.
