Chapter 4

The rush hour was simply the worst. It had taken her two years to adjust to this buzzing city. It was very different from what her life used to be.

The company has been on edge since the new CEO arrived last week. Everyone was trying their best to meet the demands of the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

“Hey! Over here, Red!” screamed a petite lady from the crowd. Her only friend and colleague, Jane. She had dyed her hair red this year and earned red as a nickname among her colleagues. It was amusing watching the petite figure squeeze through that thick crowd like a child, but everyone knew better than to treat Jane like a child. She bit harder than she barked.

“There you are, Layla. Everyone has been waiting for you,” said Jane after she had finally caught up.

“What’s up? Why is the lobby so crowded today? Someone’s getting married or what?” Layla asked as she rolled her eyes. She glared at the crowd and shuddered at the thought of sweaty bodies rubbing against themselves.

“Now, don’t be a pain in the ass, red. This is better than a wedding. We get to see the new CEO and guess what?” Jane screamed with enthusiasm.

“What? He’s going to set up an espresso machine, so we don’t have to join the rush hour crowd anymore?” Layla asked, trying to give her best smile to show interest. It was one thing to meet a CEO, but this crowd was a bit dramatic.

“You really can’t read the room. It’s not just a CEO that’s coming today,” said Jane as she rolled her eyes. “He is fucking Jack Lockwood!” she screamed.

What was much worse? Watching everyone behave like a bunch of teenagers who just met their favorite celebrity crush.

What’s the big deal with him anyway? I just want my goddamn salary, and I’m good, she thought to herself as she tried making a seat on the stairs in the company’s lobby.

“Come on. You can’t tell me you don’t know the Lockwoods. The two brothers are in the top 20 hottest young CEOs in the world. What do you use your phone to do? Jack Lockwood is a powerful CEO of one of the biggest construction companies in New York. I never imagined marrying a construction worker. What would I look like in their clothes?” said Jane as she held tightly to the collar of her designer shirt as she struck a pose.

“You look silly, and FYI, the only tools you would be handling with a construction guy are BDSM tools,” Layla said, smiling at the frown that formed across her colleague’s face.

“Welcome, sir. Please accept this as a token of our appreciation for taking the time to visit the company’s workers,” said the chief director of the graphics department. A forced smile spread across her face as she handed the bouquet over to a man dressed up in a designer suit like a doll.

This is a sight you get to see once in a blue moon. The grumpy director can smile. I’m sure as hell taking her picture to edit for my sticker collection. Layla thought to herself as she took a photo.

“Hey, Red, I mean, Miss Layla. Do you mind giving the CEO a quick briefing about the department?” asked the chief director. The director had turned and pointed her out, to everyone’s surprise.

Shit! Why am I always in her line of sight? She does this every time. I’ll just say the same old shit then. Layla thought as she tried to make her way towards the director. She glared at the director as if to warn her.

The man who held the bouquet gave her a warm smile as if to welcome her. His muscles pressed against the fabric of his suit. It wasn’t hard to imagine he had a rigorous workout routine. The way he responded to the other guy made it obvious that he was just a secretary or probably a bodyguard.

As she began her little speech from the little podium, she noted how she had never taken notice of how wide the lobby was. She’d usually just rush by without taking even much of a glimpse. Those icy green eyes seemed to want to see through her as though she was transparent. That was the CEO.

He had an obnoxious grin that seemed to hang on his face like it was surgically fixed there. His jet-black hair was gelled and pushed to the back, with only a strand of hair hanging from his scalp to his face like a Superman hairdo. He yawned through most of her speech as though he was taunting her.

The speech was old and read most times, but it had substance and this was his first time hearing her speech. So why continuously roll your eyes and yawn? I hate his type the most. A New York City playboy, she thought as she quickly ended the speech.

After the gathering, Layla quickly grabbed the chance to sneak out of the crowded room. It wasn’t difficult since she was heading the other way, and everyone was struggling to see Jack Lockwood. That brat.

Tap, tap, tap. The keys under her fingers sang as she tapped away. Her headphones played pleasant country music to her ears. It was much better than the heavy metal that played on the streets of New York City. She would just finish up with this and rush back to her sacred abode. The only place that allowed her to be herself. Home.

Knock, knock. The director knocked to draw her attention.

“Yeah, what’s up, Dee?” Layla asked without looking up from her laptop screen.

“Dismiss her,” said a deep, hoarse voice with a California accent.

She sprung up from her seat to understand the situation. “You can’t do that. I have done nothing wrong,” she cried out, ignoring her informal tone.

“Poor customer service. You were supposed to show me around, weren’t you? Yes, I can dismiss you because I am the CEO of this company. I don’t like sparing people’s mistakes. Ignore it the first time and start counting losses. I’m a businessman, and this is business. Don’t take it personally,” Jack added, that obnoxious grin never leaving his face.

“Where does your file say you come from again? Ah, West Virginia. You know I love that Country Road song. Country Road…” Jack continued, totally ignoring how Layla’s face had gone red like her hair.

“Don’t you dare sing that song around me? Everything you are doing is so childish, you spoiled brat. I will leave then, golden boy, but this company needs me. I am one of the best talents here,” said Layla as she furiously packed her things, ready to leave.

It was clear that her dismissal shocked everyone. Jane couldn’t handle it and cried like she was the one.

“Don’t be a stranger, ranger. Let’s keep in touch, okay?” said Jane, who was now behind her.

“Sure thing,” said Layla as she waved goodbye.