Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Yes, I am.”
“Why did that change?”
“New system,” I said with a smile. “Why, I’m not privy to. Above my pay grade.”
“You put me straight through when I call, do you understand me?”
“I work for Mr. Bane, not you. I will follow the protocols he sets out for me. If he is available, I will, of course, put you through. If not…” I trailed off with a shrug.
A dark flush saturated her cheeks. “Who do you think you are?”
“As I said, your son’s assistant. Your very busy son. I suggest you call before you drop by next time. Even better, you should check in with security.”
“I’ll do no such thing. I am not some common visitor off the street. I am his mother, and as such—”
I held up my hand. “As such, you should understand how busy he is and that he can’t just drop everything for you. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to work. He’ll call me from the airport, and I need to be ready.” I held the door open. “Good day, Mrs. Johnstone.”
She stomped by me with a glare. She had the same color eyes as Mr. Bane, but if I thought his were cold, hers were the frozen tundra that hadn’t seen light for a decade. Everything about her was rigid. Her posture. Her way of speaking. Even walking. There was nothing motherly about her. It explained Bane to me a little bit—helped me understand why he was the way he was.
She slammed the outer door on her way out, and I sighed. I shut off the coffee warmer and pushed in his chair, making sure his desk was tidy. He’d left in a hurry, but I did notice his plate was empty, so he’d had lunch.
I wondered where he’d gone. Home? A bar? He was smart enough to know there was no car waiting for him, so perhaps he was simply using another office.
I sat down, feeling tired. It had been a day. Between tripping, the meeting, the mean girls, and now Bane’s mother, I was weary.
And I had a feeling Bane would be in touch. I wondered what he would say.
I shook my head and went back to filing. I’d know soon enough.
My phone buzzed with a text a short while later.
Is the coast clear?
I chuckled. He was being funny. I could be too.
Yes, the ice storm has passed. Where are you?
At my club. I didn’t dare go home in case she checked. She’s called four times, and I haven’t answered. I’m waiting for her to get tired.
I pursed my lips. He had a club? I didn’t know there were such things anymore. Unless…
My fingers flew before I could change my mind.
Like a sex club?
I could almost hear his teeth gnashing and see his eyes rolling.
Completely inappropriate, Myers. And no, there is a private dining club downtown I belong to. I’m sitting in the lounge, working.
Fine.
I’ll work from home tomorrow. I’ll see you on Monday.
Fine.
I realize you think you’re being coy, but I know what you’re doing.
No idea what you are referring to. See you Monday.
I waited, disappointed he didn’t return my text. And feeling oddly sad I wouldn’t see him again this week. I returned to my task, working quickly and sorting the files. The afternoon flew by as I did. I put on some quiet music while I went through papers, separating into current, past, and future files. Putting older ones in storage boxes I found in the supply closet down the hall. It was small but well stocked, although the door stuck a little. For a moment, I panicked since I didn’t like enclosed spaces, but I got it open. I made a mental note to take something to stop the door from fully closing behind me next time.
I kept busy all day Friday. I rearranged my little outer office to better suit me. I shoved the desk over a foot to cover the cord that kept tripping me. Angled it a little to make it look more welcoming. Adjusted the two visitor chairs. Called building maintenance and had them hang some framed photos I’d found in the walk-in storage area behind my desk on the empty walls. I had no doubt the pictures were of Bane’s work. They needed to be shown off, not hidden. When I sat at my desk, it gave me something nice to look at rather than the modern art print that used to hang on the wall opposite me. Once I cleaned out the desk drawers and added a desk lamp I found in the storage area, it looked nice. Part of me wanted to add a few other personal things, but I had a feeling my boss wouldn’t like that. He preferred a more minimal style. I thought the small space looked much improved.