Chapter 4: Darren

I wake up and realize that I didn't hear the alarm go off.  "Fuck!"  It's 7:15 and I have to be to work in 45 minutes.  Usually I wake up at 6 and go to the gym first, take a shower and eat breakfast before going in.  This morning though will screw up everything.  No gym and no breakfast.  

Not having a choice, I have to skip the gym.  Taking a shower is the number one priority, considering I smell like sex after last night.  I guess I didn't realize just how tired I was.  That is a mistake I can't afford this morning.  My meeting with the owner is of the utmost importance.  

He is trying to decide if we downsize or expand the company.  Depending on the numbers in my report, it could mean a big payout for me.  Hoping that he decides on expansion, I prepare for the day with a shower and a donut from last night.  When I grab the donut out of the brown paper bag, I notice the note discarded on the table from yesterday.  

Mr. Hamilton.  I won't be coming in to work tomorrow.  My mother is ill and I need to go to the hospital to see her.  I hope you have a good day and I will see you the following day.  Signed Ms. DiAngelo.  

Hmm.  I hope she gets better, but now I have to get to the office.  Wiping the crumbs off the corners of my mouth and making sure in the mirror that my tie is straight, I pick up my suit jacket and head out the door.  After leaving the elevator, I hear someone behind me but I don't bother looking and leave as fast as I can.  

When I reach the outside, I briefly forget that my car is at the shop and go to the parking garage.  No such luck.  Oh well, I quickly go to the street and hail a taxi.  Waiting, I watch as an older woman tries to steal my cab.  She grabs the door handle after sliding in front of me and opens it.  

"Excuse me.  This is my cab."  I take ahold of her arm and move her out of my way, then I sit down in the cab and shut the door.  She looks at me angrily and stomps off to grab another taxi, just down from mine. 

The taxi driver glances back at me, "Where too?"

"The Denver Building, please."  I smile and after he pulls out, I stare at my phone.  With only ten minutes to spare, I hope that he hurries and there isn't a traffic jam.  Soon after, we arrive two minutes before I have to be at my desk.  

My boss is a stickler for the time clock, with a knack for showing up out of the blue, just to check up on me.  

Rushing up the stairs, I arrive at my office to see him sitting at my desk.  "Good morning, can i help you?  I didn't think you were supposed to meet with me till a bit later."

He turns to look at me, "I just happened to be in the vicinity, so I figured that I could see if you had the worksheets down for me now."

"Yes, if you can wait a few minutes.  I will print them out for you and we can go over them together."  I rush to turn on my printer and laptop.

He starts laughing, "You do know, I am just messing with you, don't you?"

I glance over at him and put on my fake smile.  I laugh, "Of course, but we might as well get it out of the way now."

After booting up the computer and signing in, I go to the printouts and proceed to print them for him.  I hand them to him and he looks them over.  Looking at my screen, we go over the sheets.  

"So, in your professional opinion.  Do you think we should expand?"  He looks at me with a big smile on his face.

 I look him dead in the eyes and tell him exactly what I think.  "Yes, I do.  Matter of fact, you are in the position of expanding over seas if you really want to.  I would if I were you."

"Hmm, well I am not you.  However, I do believe that we will expand.  I need you to start looking for some fresh faces for the expansion.  Any ideas?"

"Why don't you let me look into it and i will get back to you with whatever I find, say in a week."  I start to riffle through my paperwork on the desk and hand him a couple things I have printed out in case he decided to expand.  "Here, these are a couple of my ideas I have been kicking around."

Mr. Denver looks at them and then hands them back.  "They look good to me, but let's talk about this next week when you put some of the other stuff together.  Just call Eileen and set up an appointment and we will talk then."  He gets up and walks out of my office.  

Now that the pressure is off, I sit back in my chair and relax for the moment.  In the next couple of weeks, I will be so busy my head is going to spin.  Just thinking about it makes me anxious, so I call Theresa my secretary and have her bring me a cup of coffee.

When she comes in I look up and smile at her, "Thank you.  You are awesome Theresa."

"You know I live to serve you."  She smiles and laughs, before she leaves the office and returns to her desk.

For the rest of the day, I work on paperwork and make calls.  When I do take the time to relax for a few minutes, I find myself thinking of last night again and the woman.  I really wish that I had taken the time to get her name and her phone number.  Maybe, then I wouldn't be constantly thinking about her every time I have a spare minute.  

Six o'clock rolls around and I start to get hungry.  With my stomach growling, I shut down the computer and call it a day.  Theresa has already gone home, so I just shut the door behind me and walk downstairs.  

Not really knowing where to go for dinner, I pick a bistro just down from the office and grab a quick bite to take home.  With coffee in hand and my brown paper bag, I find a taxi waiting for a fare and get in.  Telling him where to go, I relax and can't wait to get home.  

The warmth of the bag on my leg reminds me of last night and how good she felt and tasted.  Boy, I sure am hungry.  Opening the bag, I unwrap the sandwich and take a bite.  It has to be one of the best chicken sandwiches I have ever tasted.  Finishing it, I notice that the driver has pulled over to the curb and we are at my stop.

I pay him and get out, "Thanks for the ride."  I shut the back and walk up to the building.

Opening the front door, I wait for a second while I grab my key to the elevator.  I turn around when I hear a crash behind me.  Someone had dropped something on the street corner and they are picking it up.  I shut the door and make my way to the elevator.  

Inside my apartment, I kick off my shoes and collapse on the couch with my dinner.  After eating, I fall asleep and have strange dreams all night long.