Chapter 1: Simply Business

I rush into work with a little more pep in my step than usual. I’m greeted at the door by Thomas our doorman who is wearing his usual sour look on his face. Poor guy probably doesn’t even know what it means to smile.

“Good morning Thomas .” I greet him with my usual smile and a gentle pat on the arm.

“Ms. Sinclair.” He responds with a simple tip of his hat.

“Thank Goodness your here. They’re in the boardroom now preparing for the meeting. Chloe has been keeping them entertained.” My best friend Kelsey says as she falls in step beside me.

“Why are they here so early? The meeting isn’t supposed to start for another half hour.” I ask her. My heart is starting to beat a little faster with every step we take heading towards to boardroom.

“I know, but they wanted to get a jump on things seeing as you’re a busy woman with a packed out schedule for today.” She states as she hands me a fresh cup of coffee and the business contract folder just as we arrive at the door of the boardroom. “You got this girl. We’re going to go in and close this deal.”

“We have to Kels. This merger will be the turning point for our firm.” I say as I place my hand on the door knob.

“Them let’s go get it done.” She says. I push the door open and the hard ass lawyer and business woman I was made to be emerges.

“Good morning gentlemen. I see that Chloe has already handed you copies of todays proposal. So let’s dive right in.” The men immediately begin to list their questions and concerns. Kelsey and I answer them with reassuring ease. After their questions were answered things picked up and moved rather swiftly. Before I knew it the deal was done and I was now the CEO of my former rival firm. The men stood from their chairs as we shook hands and exited one by one. Once they were gone Kelsey, Chloe, and I all began to celebrate.

“We did it guys! “Kelsey exclaimed

“We sure as hell did! Man Addyson you were on fire man. The way you owned them was unreal.”

“Guys this is amazing. Now that the celebration part is out of the way the real work begins. We need to start digging into their files and see why they went bankrupt in the first place. I really do——“

“No no no no no. You my friend are going on a vacation to celebrate properly.” Chloe exclaimed excitedly.

“No Chlo, I don’t have time to go on a vacation now. We have so much to do now that the merger is complete. We have to get things in order. We have to prepare for new employees, get the books started, and we also have to—“

“Learn how to take a break and enjoy life.” Kelsey interrupted. “Listen Addy, I talked to your Mom-“

“Oh God, you and my mom having a conversation is never a good thing.”

“No no, hear me out. She thinks you’re working too much and not enjoying the life you’ve been given and quite frankly I agree with her. It’s time for you to unwind and enjoy yourself. Things happened here pretty quickly for us. Since our opening you’ve worked nonstop and I truly mean non stop. When was the last time you took a vacation?”

“Or just a break for that matter?” Chloe mumbled while looking away guiltily.

“Okay I admit it’s been a minute s—“

“A minute? Try four years! And I know, I counted.” Chloe says very outwardly.

“I think what Chloe is trying to say Addyson is that we see you and we acknowledge what wonderful things you have done, but as your best friends we also see and know that it’s time for you to take a break and enjoy the fruits of your labor. So, with that being said we’ve already planned your getaway. Your bags are packed and your flight leaves in an hour.” Kelsey says.

“ So you guys are just going to send me away and not even knowing where I’m going? And you’re also going to assume that I’m going to be okay with it?”

“Hell yes! You most absolutely are going and you’re very well going to be okay with it because it’s already paid for. Two weeks in Bora Bora for you to just unwind and relax. Chloe and I will run the office and get things set up for when you return. Please Addy, let us do this for you.” Kelsey says while ushering me to the door. I accept my defeat and head towards the front door. When I make it to the door, I see Thomas who is wearing some what of a smirk on his face. If I’m being honest it’s a bit creepy and it is also the closest thing to a smile that I’ve ever received from him.

“Ms. Sinclair, your car is waiting for you.” He says and he opens the door for me and that’s when it hits me.

“Thomas, you knew about this too?” I exclaim. He gives a curt nod. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“We’ll Mrs. Evans threatened to harm a… certain part of my anatomy if I so much as breathed on syllable to you. Now if you will,” he ushers me out the door. “We don’t want to keep the plane waiting.”

“I’m going to kill Chloe!” I grumble as a stomp out of the door and climb into the awaiting car. After the door is closed I grab my phone and immediately dial Chloe’s number. She answers on the first ring.

“You told Thomas that you’d harm him if he told me about this?” I semi scream.

“If I remember correctly I told Thomas that if he so much as uttered one syllable to you I’d castrate him and then feed it to him. I really wanted to make it stick seeing as he has a habit of ruining surprises.”

“That’s exactly what I pay him to do. Don’t threaten people who help me! That’s not cool Chlo.”

“Ahhh hogwash! It was just a little scare. Not one hair has been harmed on his pretty little head.”

“Ugh! Give the phone to Kelsey. She seems to be the only sensible one in this situation.” I grumble.

“I’m here Adds and Chloe is right. Thomas would have spilled the beans the moment he saw you this morning if she hadn’t given him a scare.”

“Addy we just want you to go and enjoy yourself, get some sun, some fun, some di…” Chloe’s words are cut off by the thunderous sound of a slap. “Ouch! Damn it what was that for?!” I hear her scream and I start to giggle.

“We want her to do those things but the last one you were about to name she will do in her own time.” Kelsey says in a stern voice. I can almost picture her with her hand on her hip and a finger pointing a Chloe like a parent does to a naughty child. I can’t stop the laughter that bursts out of my mouth.

“No more speaking of the sex. Got it! Maybe say it a bit softer next time would ya?” Chloe says

“Anyway Adds we’re going to let you go. Call us when you finally get to your destination. We love you!”

“Love you Addy, and don’t worry about work. We have everything handled.” Chloe says.

“ I’m still not happy about this guys but I appreciate what you are trying to do. I love you crazy asses and I will speak with you soon!” I sit back in the seat and look out the window as the city I’ve grown to know and love passes by. Before I know it, the driver is standing at my door gently shaking me awake.

“Ms. Sinclair, we’ve made it to the airport. You luggage has already been sent it to be boarded.”

“Thanks Jefferson. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” I climb out of the car and walk into the airport. Shortly after I board the plane and we ascend into the air. Hopefully this can be the relaxing trip everyone thinks I so desperately need.