Calliah stepped into the company building, her heels clicking against the marble floor. As she walked past the grand staircase, memories flashed through her mind Axel's eyes, their last encounter, the kiss that still made her cheeks burn.
"Axel?" she whispered under her breath, trying to remember when she'd last seen him.
"Did he come too?" she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
She reached her office, opened the door, and started rifling through documents and files. Her phone buzzed.
An email notification from Raines Company blinked on the screen:
"You've been invited to a party at Golden Hour Palace ."
"Uhm…" she nodded, a mix of surprise and excitement filling her chest. Maybe the boss is finally arriving… Another memory of Axel kissed her unbidden, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!" she shrieked, just as Autry, the new secretary, appeared.
"You have a meeting," Autry reminded her, calm and precise.
"Ok," Calliah said, dropping the documents on the glass table, still flustered.
All the executives stood as Grandma entered, wearing a pristine luxury gown, white necklace glinting in the light, hair cascading down her shoulders. She seated herself at the chair Calliah was supposed to occupy.
The meeting was underway when Calliah's phone beeped. Her eyes met Grandma's sharp gaze.
"Calliah won't be in charge of this again. I will handle it all," Grandma declared.
"Uh… our business has been growing slowly since the incident…" one executive tried to interject.
"Calliah will handle that. Out," Grandma's words were ice. She shook her head, dismissing all objections.
The meeting ended. Grandma met Calliah in her office.
"Go to Raines Company. Ask why they stopped negotiating with us. And remember you have a date tonight at the bar."
"Uhm," Calliah nodded, swallowing her unease.
Calliah grabbed an Uber, bag in hand, and arrived at Raines Company.
"Were you invited?" the bouncer asked, blocking her path.
"I need to talk to your secretary," Calliah said firmly.
"You can't enter unless you're staff or an important guest, ma'am."
"Ahhh!" she yelled, frustration flaring. She thrust her phone at him, showing the invitation.
"You must be…" he began.
"Yes. Calliah from Hollow Bridge," she interrupted.
"You still not allowed"
"Uh"
Before he could respond, another man whispered to the bouncer. A nod, and the door opened.
Calliah stepped inside. The company was massive bigger than her father's, with towering glass panels and glinting chrome accents. Every step she took brought back flashes from yesterday… the party, the pool, Axel…
She accidentally bumped into someone.
"Sorry!" she said.
The person ignored her, moving quickly.
She reached the elevator.
"You can't go in unless you're staff or important," another bouncer warned.
Glancing at the endless staircase beside her, she groaned.
"Where's the secretary's office?"
"Upper floor," he said, walking away.
She climbed, floor after floor, chest burning.
"Which floor is this?" she asked, panting.
"Floor two. Secretary's office is on floor four," the woman replied, disappearing.
"Stupid rules," Calliah muttered, gritting her teeth.
Finally, breathless, she reached the top floor. The Secretary's Office sign loomed above her. She pushed the door open.
"Uhm… what do I owe this meeting for?" the secretary asked, standing.
"What the hell… am I unimportant?" Calliah demanded.
"You didn't inform us you were coming," he said politely.
"Leave that aside," she said, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it in one go, catching her breath. "Back to business. Why did you drop out of the deal and cancel the partnership?"
"Your product has been slipping. And rumors about your company…" He slid a tablet across the desk, displaying blurred photos and questions from his team.
"Who's the CEO? She or her?"
It was she and grandma
Calliah's grey eyes sharpened. "It's my company. Tell your boss to resume negotiations immediately. Or I'll drag the deal myself and make him come back here," she threatened, tossing her hair and leaving the office.
The secretary breath
The phone caller spoke stunned. "Uhm… she's so bold. Who is she?"
"From the rumor company," the secretary answered.
"Continue the partnership," the secretary said, nodding.