Chapter 9

"I assume that's something you might add to the official report copy, am I right?" Jessica said to the owner. "You probably don't need to go over that now unless––Charles, do you need that information now?"

I felt my neck start to flush. I didn't know there were differences between official reports and the presentations. Jessica had once again highlighted my ignorance.

"I'm okay with waiting for the official report, but I think Elena is onto something in that we will need to look at those numbers carefully seeing how we will have multiple events happening at once," Charles said.

"In fact," he said, turning to the presenters, his Alpha power beginning to radiate again, "I'd like a few more numbers with that report regarding what Elena brought up. This needs to be profitable or there's no point."

Jessica frowned at the mention of my name.

"Of course," the manager said.

"If we aren't at twenty percent then there's no chance of consideration." Charles' voice was cool.

Once again, dominating and intimidating. I still couldn’t connect this side of Charles with my memories of him.

The owner nodded, made a note, and the conversation continued.

After, I tried not to let the matter get me down. I'd done better than any of them expected, and made it clear to Jessica that I could handle whatever she threw at me.

It was silly to let such a small mistake get to me, and yet it did. How could I be expected to know what reports would come later?

When the vendor left an hour later, I decided to take a small break and took the stairs.

It was a quick and mediative walk down. I had to pay attention to my feet and it forced my brain to stop racing.

I forced myself to be pleased. I had essentially beat Jessica at her own game and showed Charles I was worth some of the money he was going to pay me. Even if I hadn't done a perfect job, I wasn't useless.

I went out the stairwell doors into the vast entry and crossed the echoing floor to the coffee cart. I didn't need more caffeine, but the herbal iced tea drinks looked good.

It had been a few days since I'd been down to the communal areas and around my ex-coworkers. It still took a moment for them to notice me, but once they did, I could feel their looks and hear whispered words.

"Assistant..."

"... what does she..."

"... can't believe..."

Jessica's voice came from behind me in line. "You think you did a good job, don't you?"

"Not really," I said, turning to look at her. "I still have a lot to learn."

I could sense ears turning toward our conversation even as eyes remained firmly on their phone screens.

"I hope you see the difference now between yourself and the real players," she said.

I knew whatever I said was going to be instantly texted to dozens of people, so I bit back any sarcastic or harsh remarks.

"Trust me, I have no idea why I'm there. But I really appreciate you stepping aside and letting me ask questions about the environmental impact. It was generous of you to let me shine."

Jessica's lips pursed and she went quiet for the rest of my wait in line. She made an excuse and didn't ride up on the elevator with me.

It gave me time to think. She was more correct than she realized. I wasn't one of them. What's more, I didn't want to be one of them. I wanted to be a journalist.

True, I loved being around Charles, even craved it, but it was only a matter of time before Jessica started to win and I didn't have the desire to fight her.

When the elevator opened, I went directly to his office, knocking quietly on the open doorframe.

He looked up and beamed.

"You were magnificent!" he said, holding his arms open wide.

I felt my face flush. "Thanks, but it's really thanks to Amy that I knew any of that. And I felt stupid about the official report thing."

He waved his hand, dismissing it. "How would you know?"

"That's actually my point. Can I talk to you?"

He got up and gestured for me to come in. I checked behind me and saw that both Amy and Jessica were elsewhere.

I sat down across from him, looked into his blue eyes, and took a breath.

"I really appreciate this job, Charles. I do. But I can't help but feeling I'm not suited for it."

"Nonsense. Judging from today, you're a natural."

I smiled. "Thank you. But that's not it. I also want to be a journalist, and this isn't, well..."

My voice faltered as a puzzled look came over his face.

"Elena," he said gravely. "You're a valuable member of my team now. If you want an increase in salary..."

"No," I cut him off. "That's not it at all. I just don't think I'm suited."

He shook his head. "Stick it out for a bit. You'll see what I'm talking about."

I could tell I needed better ammo then what I was currently bringing. I nodded and got up to leave, feeling his eyes on me as I left the office.

Why wasn't I able to turn him down? I fumed at myself.

As I got ready to go, my mind a whirl, I knew I needed a day or two away to get my head straight, to think about things without his powerful influence in the same space.

I talked to Amy on the way out the door, explaining I wasn't feeling well, so when I messaged her later that I was sick she wasn't surprised and simply texted back, Get well soon!

I'd been on an emotional roller coaster and was exhausted. I was both surprised and not when I woke the next morning I found I'd slept until almost 11:00 a.m.

Maybe I am actually sick, I thought, as I pulled on my most comfy clothes and wandered into the kitchen to get a mid-morning snack. It had all seemed like a confusing dream.

I was just about to make some eggs where there was a knock at the door.

Confused, I looked out the peep hole.

It was Charles.