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I sigh. “I’ll pick up some after work. I hope I can be home by seven.”
“Thanks, babe. I’m up to my eyeballs in paperwork.”
I watch as he walks toward the bedroom. I’m tired, but if we want to eat, I better find the energy to pick up food tonight. I wash my bowl and put it on the drainboard then fill up my travel mug with much-needed coffee.
The subway is more crowded than usual, and I stand, holding onto the strap with one hand while balancing my briefcase and coffee in the other. The office is a flurry of activity when I get in and I wonder if I missed a meeting. Typically, when I get in at eight, it’s quieter than it is today.
Before I can even sit down, JC is in my office asking about the two campaigns I need to finish. I tell him that I’m almost done, and I should have the copy to him in an hour or two.
“What’s going on? Did I miss something?”
“Neil Barker is coming in today.”
“Who’s Neil Barker?”
“He’s the majority silent partner. He put in a good chunk of the funds to get this place rolling.”
“I wasn’t aware they had a silent partner. I thought Vincent and Marco were the owners.”
“They are, but Neil does have a stake in the company. He’s a good guy but usually comes occasionally to assess operations.”
“Should I be concerned?”
“You? No. I’m sure he’ll be impressed with you. Just finish the copy, please. I have a meeting in the conference room at 9:30.”
He walks out, and I sit in my chair to finish my work. Nikki comes by, and I farm a few minor details out to her so I can concentrate on completing my items. I get up and close my door so I can work in silence. At 10:45, I get a knock at my door.
“Come in.”
In walk JC, Vincent, Marco, and one other man who I can guess is Neil. He’s dark like Vincent but taller and thinner with long brown hair tied back in a ponytail.
“This is Alexa Stanford, our new marketing director,” JC says.
Neil holds out his hand as he comes towards me. I start to rise, but he waves me to sit back down, which I do.
“Alexa, very nice to meet you. I heard you did a wonderful job with the Kingston Group. I received a personal call from Kingston himself. Anyone that can satisfy that man is worth their weight in salt.”
“Thank you. It was a challenge, but JC was very helpful with his assistance.”
“Ah, you’re one of those who can’t take a compliment without thanking the little people.”
I wonder if he’s joking, and the smile on his face tells me he is. I smile back and he chuckles. We make small talk and then everyone but JC leaves my office.
“Do you have that copy for me?”
“I told you I would. Check the server. You can proof from there.”
“Neil likes you, but what’s not to like.”
“Thanks, but I hope you’re referring to my work and not something else.”
“He isn’t like that.”
“I wasn’t talking about him.”
He scowls at me and rises to leave. I feel a pang of guilt for making that snide comment, but he’s out the door before I can apologize. Oh well, I don’t have time to chase after him.
I don’t see him for the rest of the day, and when it’s time to leave, his door is closed with no light illuminating from under the door. He might have gone but I didn’t even see him pass by my door which has been open since this afternoon. I’ve been glued to my seat and forgot to eat lunch or pee for that matter.
