9.
Over the next couple of weeks, while they were finishing up the audit, everybody, at Apex, stayed in edge. Everybody, including Kate, were worried that they would be demoted, or even end up fired. She was snapping easily at people during this time, and this was confused by my attitude. I wasn't worried, I was just my normal, nonchalant self about the whole situation. It wasn't that I didn't care, but the way that I looked at it was, "whatever happens, happens." I told her, " we did everything that we could, it was in their hands now." This seemed to calm her down.
After those weeks, everything seemed to calm back down, it seemed like everybody had completely forgotten about the audit, then Monday happened. I got to work, and headed in and noticed some people leaving like they have been fired. I got to my floor, and headed off the elevator and started walking towards my 'shoebox'. I noticed Kate sitting at her 'shoehorn' busily working, going through emails and the daily mail. "Good Morning, Katie," I say as I'm walking up towards her desk.
She's dressed gorgeous as usual. Her hair is as usual, straight, silky-smooth. Her face has a touch if black eyeshadow that highlights her, sharp soul-piercing, green eyes. A little bit of red cherry lipstick to finish her face off. A golden brown blouse, with two buttons undone, a hip hugging golden brown skirt that come a few inches above her knee. Her legs are covered in black stockings, with her feet wrapped in black 3 inch pumps.
"Good morning, boss," she smiles, but doesn't look up, because of what she is reading, "how was your weekend?" She says as she pulls herself away from what she is reading to glance up at me.
"It was uneventful, but fine, stayed in and watched some baseball, but that's it, really," I say as I look through the mail, "how was yours? How's your mother doing?" I genuinely say, as I look back up at her amazing eyes.
"She's, um," getting a little choked up, "she's, ah, the same. The doctors say, that they are going to try something. But I think that they are just trying to keep me hopeful."
Her mother was in a major car crash, she was hit on the driver side door, the driver was going close to seventy miles per hour. The driver was drunk, walked away fine, but now he's in jail, and he may be in there for longer, too. For the past two years, Gloria Martinez, Katie's mother has been in an unresponsive coma.
We talk for a few more minutes, as I look at the mail, then we start the day as I head into the 'shoebox'. I open the door and with my head down head into the 'shoebox', sit down at my desk, while still going through the mail. A few minutes later, finished up and laid the mail on my desk, and then I saw it, a manila envelope.
What the hell is this? I thought to myself, as I looked at it, "Hey Kate?"
"Yes, boss?" She comes in quickly.
"Do you know what this is," I say as I hold up the envelope, "I just noticed it, and I'm wondering if you put it here?"
"No, I haven't been in your office since I got in, and nobody has entered your office, since I've been here."
"Hmm," I as look at it, "lets open it and see what it is, then." I say with a smile on my face. I open it up:
__________________________________________________
To: Aden Jones
From: William Verlander, CEO of Apex International
To, Mr. Jones,
I was impressed by you straight forwardness, during your audit. That is something hard to find in the line of business. So, I've talked to Mr. Spencer in what position, your talents would be put to use here at Apex, for the near future. Mr. Spencer and I have looked over your contracts and have decided where to move you.
Starting immediately tomorrow, Tuesday, you will be moved to the 34th floor. Your new title will be Senior Marketing Coordinator for the Southeastern U.S.A. of Apex International. You are a little 'wet behind the ears' at only 25, but I have a 'gut feeling' that this will be the right decision in the long run here. My authority is making this possible, Mr. Spencer was not thrilled of this, which that means you are going to have to make even a better impression to him. You will be reporting directly to; myself (CEO of Apex), Mrs. Michelle Wilson (President of Marketing), and Mr. John Spencer (Vice President of Marketing),
These benefits are included for this position:
β’Salary of $100,000
β’Traveling stipend
β’Use of a Learjet
β’The Manager Benefit Package( see attached package for details)
β’Bigger Office
Best regards and good luck, and I expect results.
Best Regards,
William Verlander, CEO of Apex International
__________________________________________________
I almost faint, Kate looks at me terrified. "What is it, Aden?" I almost vomit, but I hand the piece of paper, and in a daze I drop to my chair like a rock.