Cold Weather

Antonia Leighton

She had missed MJ so much. After their weekend of shopping and movie marathons, a week later, she announced she will be taking a gap year and will be leaving for Switzerland. There was nothing she could do since her parents insisted on a vacation.

Antonia couldn't believe it. She knew her friend. Something must have happened for MJ to make such a life-altering decision in her life. She didn't prod. Not her style. The princess will tell her when the time was right. She respected that.

Four weeks had passed and she still heard nothing from her. The pressure from her new job was wearing her down, she just wished she could talk to someone other than her five other female co-workers. They took her under their wings, made her life easier, and taught her all she needed to know in her new environment.

Tomorrow would be a tough challenge for her. The whole finance department will convene at the CEO's conference room for the monthly report and she will be the main speaker. She had been doing re-runs for the past few days and she was a nervous wreck. He'd be there. Plus, she was the only female in the group and she would be surrounded by hot corporate men in an enclosed space. Everyone towering over her 5'4" frame.

At Cage Delight, it really was not a big deal if she was in the presence of the rowdy crowd of men. Antonia would close her eyes, feel the music, take off her clothes and imagine she was alone in her bedroom, studying for exams the next day. Or solve complicated Math problems. Despite the hungry gazes of customers devouring every inch of her naked body, none penetrated her senses. She had her escape. Her safe room. No one could touch her there.

But when she presented her case tomorrow at the meeting, she wanted the men to listen and take her seriously and earn their respect because she was brilliant at what she does best. She studied and sacrificed for four years and she would be damn if such a simple financial report would affect her.

With a heavy sigh, she pressed her thumbs on her temple, trying to massage her headache away. It was past 8 PM. She had to go home. Eat, sleep then prepare for the big day. Closing her laptop, her documents secured on her filing cabinet, she stretched her stiff muscles and got up. She bid her workaholic colleagues goodbye and gathered her things.

Antonia was waiting for the elevator to go down from the top floor while she thought about ordering Chinese take-out. Hot meat buns sounded nice plus sweet and sour chicken. Yum. Her stomach growled, she chuckled lowly.

"Coming in? I don't have all night to wait for you." Said an irritated voice. It's him!

Her tired eyes collided with his and she felt like melting on the floor. "I...ah...I will take the next one, sir."

"Suits you." Why was he so rude?

"Logan," his companion warned and held the door open for her. "It's okay, Ms. Leighton. The next one will take a while and it's already late."

She nodded her thanks and joined them. But she made sure she occupied the back of the elevator car. Her heart was thudding so loudly from the thick tension inside the small space and she was looking anywhere but them. 5 4 3 2...ground floor. Ding!

Mr. East's companion held the door open for her, murmuring her thanks, she escaped from the angry CEO's presence as fast as her legs could carry her, she whistled loudly and hailed a taxi. Luckily she found one and got inside with a sigh of relief. This was her second encounter with him and he really strangely affected her. She was afraid of him. Not only in the physical sense because he really looked like he wanted to throw a punch at her every time he saw her but he was a threat to her job. One wrong move and he would fire her in an instant.

What was wrong with me? Why does he unnerve me so? She had to bring her A-game tomorrow and prove her worth. Damn you Logan East! If only MJ was here. She would know what to say to ease her fears.

***

I love this job. I adore love this job! Her mother's medical needs were met. Her two-bedroom condominium was very nice not to mention very spaciously chic. She had only been working in this company for a total of four weeks and she was already earning way more than what she was making as a stripper in a year. So, she had no choice but to worship this job.

Since her beetle was in the shop, she decided to walk the few kilometers going to EAP Corp., knowing the exercise will do wonders for her jittery morning. On the way to work, she passed by a café and decided to buy herself a large size Machiatto and two bags of piping hot pastries. MJ was really rubbing her habits on her. In a good way. Antonia thought fondly.

Their floor was fairly quiet when she arrived. Well, she came thirty minutes before clock-in.

"Hey, early bird." Rick, Mr. Thompson's secretary greeted cheerfully. As usual, he was immaculately dressed and looking spic and span in his dark coat and tie. They had become friends and he was one of the guys she trusted these days.

"Morning, handsome. Here, brought you something. Make sure to share it." She dropped the pastry bag on his table and roll her eyes when he grinned devilishly.

"Damn. This tastes good. Where did you buy this?" He mumbled while he filled his mouth with the fresh bread in two bites. Childish.

"There's a small cafe down the block. You should try and check the place sometimes." He only nodded and continue stuffing his face. "Hey, are we still on this Saturday?"

"Yup. You wouldn't mind some guys and their m...wives going with us right?"

"You mean my girl club here?" He nodded. "Of course not." She loved her female co-workers and she would have had invited them herself.

She had promised Rick she would show him around the nightlife district of LA and he had taken on her offer eagerly, admitting he hadn't had the chance to visit any of the high-end nightclubs the city offered. Since Antonia knew one of the bartenders in one of the clubs, she promised to get them in without any problems.

"So, you ready for the presentation?" He asked while dusting the crumbs from his hands and chest.

"I think so." She had to be.

"Hey. Why the long face?" Toni shook her head, denying the obvious. "I know you are not a fan of our CEO and trust me you are not the only one. Just avoid eye contact, he hates that and you must pretend he is not even in the room, okay? Come on. I know you can make it."

Easy for you to say. But she just nodded her head to let him know she appreciated his tips. "I better go. See you later, Rick."

***

Her throat was itchy and her lips were starting to dry because she had been speaking for almost two hours. Shit! Her presentation was long. She already covered the statement of financial position, monthly income charts, and cash flow statements. So far, everyone was listening attentively. Even Mr. East was following each topic with no interruption. His face was unreadable, reading the report in his hands thoughtfully.

Her last report was the company's and stockholders' equity. The balance sheet provided a snapshot of an entity as of a particular date. The calculation of equity for EAP's total assets minus its total liabilities were highlighted on the whiteboard shown by the overhead projector. They were making a lot of money. Huge amount. During her research a few days back, it was then she realized her employer was a young billionaire which was also confirmed by Forbes. Because of her curiosity, she also googled him and found out he was the usual brooding, elusive and aloof type as painted by the media. He declined interviews and avoided paparazzi at all costs. Odd thing was, she had not seen even a single photo of him with a woman. Be it on galas and charity events he usually attended, he was always accompanied by Mr. Frederick Marshall, his secretary. Is he gay? Such a waste. He was easily the most panty-dropping gorgeous man she had ever seen. There were a lot of things she could do to him in bed if given the chance. She wouldn't even think twice about giving...

"If you are quite finished staring at me. Ms. Leighton." He snapped. Again his voice was harsh. A dismissal. Fuck! What did Rick say earlier? No eye contact and don't look at HIM. And she was practically drooling and eye-raping Logan East.

"No...I...I mean yes." She uttered in a small voice. She was doing just great until she made a muck of it.

"Are you done?" His voice boomed in the oh-so-quiet room.

"Yes, sir. I emailed the copies to you." Her hands were trembling and she wanted to run away from here.

"Good. I told you before to know your place. If not for Mia, I would never have hired you. Now, get out." He gritted his words through his teeth and he covered his nose with a handkerchief. Oh, god! He didn't need to tell her twice. With a nervous nod to Mr. Thompson, tears making her eyes blurry, she gathered her laptop, hightailed it out of the conference room, and ran to the nearest restroom. There, she sobbed her heart out. The first time she was ever attracted to a man and he made her feel like a piece of shit.

If not for Mia...The humiliation she felt was terrible. Maybe she should resign? No! Never. She liked her job and everyone made her feel welcome. Except HIM. The asshole CEO. The testosterone on this place was sky high but not one had made a move on her. Everyone respected each other.

No matter, she will not give up on her career. She was in her element and MJ believed in her. She would cling to this job until they kicked her out.

Antonia wiped the tears from her cheeks and splash her face with cold water. She wouldn't want him now even if he was the last man on earth. She will make sure not to cross paths with him ever again.

_______________________