5. ROSALYN

Martha is thankfully not so grumpy. She didn’t introduce me to everyone or show me to my table for that matter but at least she seemed pleased with the new helping hand.

I have a small cubicle with a PC and three frosted glass walls that I’m allowed to decorate on my own accord. I got a new laptop (employee benefits) and a credit card to purchase custom brushes if the team already doesn’t have them.

“Use this carefully,” Christian instructed while handing me the yellow credit card. “Once an employee used it to pay in Walmart thinking that nobody would find out. She was fired 2 hours later with a bad recommendation. Poor thing didn’t get a job after and had to run to her hometown with her tail between her legs.”

“That- that’s bad. I don’t know what to say,” I exclaim.

“You’ll have to be careful. Our CEO is very particular about employee ethics. Once, he fired a man for wearing his tie the wrong way.”

“Oh my god- That’s awful.”

“And he fired another woman because she asked for a 2 day leave when her kid was sick.”

“But leaves are part of the job contract.”

“Apparently, he thinks that you gotta be serious enough for the job or you don’t belong here.”

“He does not sound like a good guy.”

“Good? He’s very bad. And you don’t wanna come into his radar. I’m sure he has a dungeon where he keeps humans captive and eats them for breakfast.”

“Alright Christian, you need to stop scaring the poor girl,” a woman who looks like she’s in her early 20s says glancing up from her laptop screen.

Christian mumbles something about his right to speech but leaves anyway.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s still grumpy about a rough encounter with the CEO,” she explains, pushing her chair forward.

“Good to know I won’t be sued for not dressing according to his taste.”

“Oh no sweeties, that bit was true. He did fire the man and the woman,” she pushes closer to cover the remaining distance between us and whispers, “but what Christian won’t tell you is how hot the man we work for is.”

“Is he now?” I say, looking bored. Carter crosses my mind and I don’t want his reminders on the first day at my workplace.

“Hot is an underestimation. He’s perfect from every angle.”

“Introductions? I’m Rosalyn Shay. You can call me Rosie,” I put an abrupt halt to her swooning.

“Hey Rosie, I’m Donna. You can call me for anything, anytime, and anywhere. I know everything about everyone.”

“In that case, what should I do right now? Martha didn’t say anything.”

“We’re working on the advertisement campaign to be launched in November. Which means that we have a maximum of two months to prepare for it.”

“Okay, where do I get started?”

Donna helped me get all the basics of the campaign rules and demands in place. By the time we finish, it’s already lunchtime.

“Wanna grab something from the canteen?” She asks standing up.

“Yup, my treat,” I reply standing up as well.

“No way, you just joined.”

“And you helped me so much.”

“Pay me back some other time. Oh my god,” she stops suddenly, “You haven’t had the tour yet.”

“Umm no.”

“Let’s grab a bite and then I’ll take you around. If we’re lucky, then we’ll get to meet our hot CEO too. Otherwise, we’ll have to settle for the less moody version of him.”

“Less moody version?” I ask with raised brows.

“Luke Carlson.”

“Oh him, he seemed nice.”

“He is nice,” she says, swooning again.

The canteen is on the 10th floor. I make a mental note so I don't have to ask people every time. The menu is never ending which is quite uncommon for commercial buildings. But I guess things work differently when it’s a food company we’re talking about.

“I have always been a fan of their bakery products,” I say, examining shelves after shelves of pastries and brownies.

“They are available to us for half the MRP in this canteen,” Donna tells me.

“Really?” I exclaim. And sure enough, a burger and a small piece of brownie that would have normally cost me $25 came for just 12$ and a few cents here.

“Choose between the two- 1) sit and eat and have the tour some other time or 2) walk and eat and have the tour now,” Donna gives me the options.

“Walk and have the tour now,” is my immediate reply. My excitement won’t let me rest.

Donna takes me floor after floor, pointing out all the interesting and important rooms. Conference rooms are on the 18th floor. Employees are not allowed to go on the 20th floor until called for because it’s the CEO’s floor. Luke sits on the 19th floor.

There is a gym, another small canteen, a daycare facility, and a restroom. Floor 8 is the best because all the food testing happens there.

“If you’re lucky or unlucky depending on how the experiment goes, you get howled on the 8th floor once in a while.”

“Unlucky?” I ask sceptically.

“They once made avocado ice cream. The guy didn’t know he was allergic to avocados and had it bad.”

“That’s terrib-” 

I crashed into a wall. I reflexively close my eyes and rub my forehead. When I open my eyes, it’s not to find a wall, but a man standing in front of me. His oddly familiar scent fills my nostrils.

And to top it off, his perfectly ironed blue shirt has a brown mark on it from the chocolate syrup of my brownie. 

“I’m sorry,” I’m quick to apologise but when I look up, it is to clash with the familiar blues.

His eyes widen as he too recognises me.

Carter?

What is he doing here?

Didn’t he say that he worked at a small firm? Does he work here? If so, then why did he hide it from me?

“Good afternoon sir,” Donna greets and I’m suddenly reminded of her presence. I break eye contact and take a step away.

“Good afternoon,” he replies, his gaze still fixed on me. 

“Sir, this is Rosie. Our new graphic designer. And Rosie, this is Mr. Carter West, our CEO.”

I inhale a sharp breath and my eyes harden.

Carter?

The CEO?

What is happening here?

“Donna, Luke has some files in his office. Please bring them to my office?” Carter says in his signature husky voice.

The reality registers.

I slept with my boss.

Donna takes her leave and it’s the two of us again.

“Rosie-” he starts.

“Don’t. Just, don’t,” I say, backing away and bringing my hands up. I’m fuming with rage and if I say anything right now then it won’t be good.”

He must sense my state of mind. “Rosie, I’m sorry I had to lie-”

“You didn’t just lie?”