HOT BODIES AND BOARDROOMS

CHAPTER ONE

DENNIS' POV

The bar was louder than I had expected when I stumbled through the doors. 

The sound of the loud music caused my heart to thump against my chest.

I stood at the entrance and watched as the lights flashed over the crowd.

People were laughing, shouting and clinking their glasses together. 

Some of them were there, swaying lightly or hard enough on the dance floor. 

I didn’t feel like joining in.

But still, I needed something to drown out the thick mess building in my head.

About forty minutes ago, the promotion I had been waiting for since I had been working at my job was declined

My heart had been palpitating like a tap whose control was not in order when I had received the anticipated memo.

DENNIS, WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP BY HR BEFORE YOU LEAVE?

My face beamed instantly.

This was it, I had thought, This was the moment I have been waiting for.

If only I knew it wasn't as I straightened my tie and went to HR after work hours.

"We truly appreciate everything that you have done for Calli Holdings over the past few years," Sarah, head of HR said.

Her voice had been calm, too calm—and the knot that formed in my stomach should have already told me where this was going.

But I prayed I was wrong.

"However, after much consideration," she continued, "we have decided to appoint someone else as head of department."

Myy heart stop immediately those words had left her mouth.

"He will be starting tomorrow."

Only one sentence, and it was as if my five years of service to the company was gone with no reward.

"Someone else?" I asked.

I tried to steady my voice.

"Yes," she said carefully. "He has a strong leadership experience and outside perspective that the board feels will be rather valuable."

I wanted to hold myself together but failed.

A tsk sound left my mouth as I leaned forward.

"With all due respect, I have been running this department," I began.

My voice broke.

I paused and took deep breaths.

"I have covered late nights, trained staff and handled clients others couldn't."

She nodded.

"If experience is the question, I have actually put in more than enough. What exactly disqualified me?" 

I could already feel my eyes stinging.

She folded her hands. 

"It wasn't about disqualification. The board just wanted a fresh set of eyes."

My brows lifted.

"It is about long-term vision."

"Fresh eyes?" 

I let out a bitter laugh. 

"So five years of my loyalty counts for nothing?" I demanded.

My chest constricted as rage, frustration and disappointment mixed together.

"Five years of missed milestones, ruined relationships and sleeping in this office? And it still doesn't matter now?"

I was trembling now.

Her expression softened.

The pity flashing in her eyes irritated me. 

"It does matter. This was a difficult decision."

"It doesn't sound difficult," I muttered.

"Dennis," she said gently, "I know this isn't what you hoped for."

She was right.

"But you are valued here and your work is recognized. There will be other opportunities."

I stared at her.

The bitterness rose in my chest. 

"All I have ever done I worked hard, and every time it is not enough."

Silence filled the room as I stood there feeling suffocated in my own suit. 

The expensive navy blue suit I had bought because it looked like success itself in it.

But I was yet to finish paying for it, swamped in numerous debt that I had acquired as I hoped for this promotion.

A tear slid down to my cheek.

She gave me a sympathetic smile as I reached up and wiped it away. 

"Thank you for your time," I said.

She opened her mouth. 

Maybe she wanted to say something but I didn't give her the chance to do so.

The walk back to my office felt longer than usual as I grabbing my things.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and stared at the caller ID.

My heart leapt in my chest.

It was the Landlord.

"Great," I drawled.

I took the call.

"Dennis," came his cold voice.

It was all business and no greetings.

"The rent. You are late again."

My heart raced.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead.

"I know. I will have it ready for you soon if just give me until the weekend."

"That is what you have been telling me for the past two months. Weekend huh?"

I swallowed hard.

"Yes."

There was a small pause.

"Don't make me come looking for you."

"I won't miss this time. I promise," I said slowly.

He hung up. 

My heart dropped to my feet. 

What have I done?

All my hopes was to pay the rent with the bonus that came with the promotion.

But things was different now.

I hadn't gotten the promotion.

What do I do?

I closed my eyes, inhaling and exhaling.

"I'll find a way," I whispered.

When I opened my eyes, I grabbed my stuff and headed for the elevator with tense shoulders.

The paycheck from the promotion didn't come through so there would be more debts and bills for me to handle.

The sound of the elevator closing added to the building ache in my head.

And when it closed, I finally let my tears drop freely and cried so hard.

I recalled all the nonstop working, sleepless nights without love and happiness.

I had worked for them as if my entire life depended on it, because it does. 

I had given this company my everything.

And for what?

To be replaced? 

Now all of it would be passed to someone they thought was more experienced.

Tomorrow they will appoint someone else as head of the department.

But tonight I was just another man who had put my trust in ambition and lost it all.

I felt pathetic. 

I was the biggest fool in the world.

I needed a drink. 

Maybe two or more.

That was why I was here.

I slid onto a stool that was placed at the counter and signaled the bartender.

“Whiskey, neat.”

He whispered something like "cummin' right up mate" from across me.

I said nothing.

I sat there, numbing my self in order to forget everything that had happened.

The sound of the glass hitting the bar with a sharp clink drew me back to the present. 

"Yer drink," the man drawled.

I took it down in one long swallow and the warm burn spread through me. 

It stung, sharp.

But still it didn’t take away the sting of the rejection from the office.

All it did was to dull it just enough.

I was still staring at the empty glass I had just put down when a voice cut in.

“Care if I join you?”

I raised my head slowly upwards to see a man was standing there beside me.

And for a moment after our eyes actually met, I forgot how to breathe.