Chapter 1 - Change

CHAPTER 1

Change

Cleo

Change is good it allows you to grow; if you are willing to be flexible and roll with the tide, and look at how you can evolve. Sometimes change can be bad if you don't have a backup plan, you either have to start from the bottom or in some cases you don't know where to start and you feel overwhelmed. It's okay to break apart; but we as humans aren't built to break. We can bend and adapt, but what remains unbreakable is our spirit to fight until we win.

The past week at work has been hectic. The CEO told us on Monday morning in a meeting that the there are going to be changes and we should wait till Friday... Can Friday please come sooner, I really need a break. My boss Ruth; has been so excited lately and it's not because she is giving me a raise, however it has to do with the bosses son. All I've been hearing lately is how she wants to kiss him everywhere, and how he can touch her anywhere. She doesn't realize she's already playing a role she hasn't auditioned for, but I have to support her. Being the person I am I never want to be a wet blanket and I always believe anything is possible and anything can happen. Including Ruth jumping Angelo's bones ... I need to keep my job .I luckily don't have any black tax to pay although I make sure everything at home is taken care of in terms of bills and food.

I snapped out of my train of thought when Ruth remarked about my hair.

"Cleo I didn't notice you removed your braids .You look so nice with your cornrows .They just bring out your eyes and cheeks. Mr. Massa junior is coming through to our department today I need some of that coffee you bring me in the morning to stay alert. Oh and can you make yourself scarce when he comes, as in you should be here but not here. "

"Got it Ruth, anything else?"

"No Bamby . He will be here in thirty minutes. Are you on a diet? "

"No Ruth."

I was on the threshold of the office on when I noticed Ruth fixing her hair and dress...

"Cleo you look thinner than last week. Please eat something. Michelangelo loves curves and chocolate."

"I will when I go get your coffee. I will find out what type of chocolate he likes. That dress just brings out your curves .Excuse me."

This woman really knows how to brighten up any day. I thought I was crazy until I started working for Miss Jenkins. Just the other day she called herself Queen B and then Just this Wednesday she called herself a diva, today she's Miss I'm all curvy and hot. First of all there is only one Queen B, secondly I'm the hustler therefore true diva because I do all your work for you and cover for you when you are busy going to the spa during work hours and thirdly ... can I not say it ... You do look hot and I am not Bamby I just have obsidian dark browns which you normally don't see because I have my glasses on most of the time. I need air.

I was making my way downstairs and I noticed everyone's energy was iffy. They were all working extra hard instead of being laid back When I made it to reception I asked Susan what was going on .She told me MR Massa junior was not as cool as his father . He has been cleaning up most departments and ours was the last before tomorrow's big announcement. My normal day suddenly was off balance.

Walking in the elevator I spotted a teddy bear at the far corner of the elevator. Picking up the stuffed toy I looked at for any names on the toy to identify if it belonged to anyone's kid. It was written Cuddles GM

Taking it with me to the coffee shop and back to the office before four pm; I made sure everything was set for "Mr Massa and Miss Jenkins and I called in a favor from one of the guys in the department to cover for me just in case I don't come back cause I've passed out due to not fuelling up all day. I was seriously running on empty. All I had were two yoghurt smoothies and a cup of black coffee with one sweetener. Way to go Cleo;

I'm sure Queen Cleopatra would have been fed three meals by now and had some gold too on the side. Holding the stuffed toy named cuddles. I entered the cafeteria only to find Mr. Massa senior with a mini version of him refusing greet anyone. He was hiding behind his leg when I went to the vending machine to get a cereal bar and a packet of rascals .When I was done I saw a sight that was so heartwarming .MR Massa talking to his grandson and comforting him. I walked pass them when I heard something.

"Nano ."

"Si Giovanni?"

"I miss cuddles .We have to find him. Mommy gave me cuddles, before she left me and papa."

Cleo stopped in her tracks and walked toward where MR Massa was and bent down to Giovanni's level.

"Hey Giovanni .I'm Cleo."

"Hey Cleo. I'm Giovanni."

The little boy stretched out his hand but I tickled his tummy and he laughed.

"Guess who I found looking for his friend?"

I gave cuddles to Giovanni who was almost a spitting image of his father, from his curly dark hair, blue eyes down to his smile. Well almost he looks like his father because he doesn't have the mole on his upper lip.He took the toy and hugged me.

"Cuddles! Thank you Cleo."

"Welcome angel. I have to go. Hope to see you soon buddy. "

"You found cuddles and now you're leaving. Please don't go. "

When I looked up MR Massa was giving me the thumbs up and he was happy.

"Giovanni; Cleo will take you to your dad .I will see you later."

Reaching out his hands for me to pick him up, I stood up and picked him up while he was mumbling something to cuddles.

"MR Massa isn't your son going to lose it?"

"Giovanni trusts you and that's enough Cleo. I trust you too. Just because I'm not here on weekends doesn't mean I don't see or know what's going on."

"Nano can Cleo join us for dinner?"

Not knowing how to respond MR Massa smiled at the request.

"Cleo?"

Claudio asked me too, and I looked at Giovanni .I just couldn't say no at all.

"Okay Giovanni."

"Let's go ask my dad. He's cooking and I haven't had dinner with him in days."

"MR Massa. I don't think Angelo wants to see me after what happened the other weekend. Just to be clear I didn't know he was your son and I Just happened to..."

Before I could finish he interjected.

"He likes you. I know what happened and I was with Giovanni all weekend. When he didn't come and pick him up in the morning. I got worried. He wouldn't tell me anything and he was coming down on Nicolai like a ton of bricks. Everything made sense when I saw the way he looked at you on Monday. I know the look from anywhere. He's just being Angelo."

"I need to apologize to him, then again I don't feel like I belong in his world."

"My grandson already invited you for dinner. He trusts you enough to fall asleep on your shoulder. "

I hadn't noticed Giovanni had dosed off, besides feeling at peace, I was surprised at the level of trust Angelo's son had towards me.

"I will see you tomorrow. You can tell me how my son's cooking is... I promise not to tell him anything you say."

I held Giovanni and made my way upstairs back to the office. When the doors opened, I saw a Susan pretending to work and field calls and everyone at their desks working.

On the way to my office; I saw Blake in the office with Ruth seated behind Ruth's desk and Angelo on Ruth's chair talking he looked serious. When he locked eyes with me ,I pointed to my office and when he saw the precious cargo I was carrying , he pulled a thumbs up sign and I went into my office with Giovanni placing him gently on the couch unhooking my jacket I covered him warmly . I sat behind my desk and started munching on my cereal bar, I was walking to the file cabinet to arrange files for up and coming presentations in the next four weeks because my boss only gives me instructions and her computer has nothing. I keep the files in hard copy and in cloud storage.

I was feeling a bit dizzy shaking it off I was making my way back to my desk and half way there I felt weak.

A couple more steps before I made it to my desk, I hit lights out ...