Chapter Six

Nicole

"Excuse me?". I couldn't have heard that right. The chairman chuckles like it's such a delight to see me surprised and leans forward. 

"You'll be transferring to Mr. Van Lewis' company, Miss Webster. As a project supervisor and brand….".

"Yeah yeah I got that". If he repeats himself one more time, I might just put my hands over my ears in annoyance. My teammates' eyes are all fixed on me. I can just imagine what's going through their heads. If it was me, I'd be thinking the same thing. 

How did she get such an opportunity?

We might be teammates but in the end, we are only humans. We've all got that competitive streak in us. Regardless, I hate that they are probably giving me the side eye now and all because of a stupid "opportunity" I never asked for. A furious blush rises up my cheeks and I look back up at the chairman, squaring my jaw defiantly. 

"I'm afraid I won't be taking the offer, sir". Just like mine earlier, I see the smile fall off his face. My teammates glance at each other in confusion and again, I can tell what's going through their heads.

What the hell has gotten into her?

But I don't care. Alex is back in my life and is determined to ruin it. I'd be damned if I let him. 

"What are you talking about, Nicole? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity". Dave says from beside me. Yes, I bet I would have thought the same thing if it wasn't Alex's company. I'd have probably thought someone crazy too for declining such an offer. But I'm the one in my shoes and I sure know how it hurts. I sit up straighter and pin the chairman with a cold state.

"I said what I said, sir. I'm going to have to respectfully decline the offer". I see his nostrils flare and I know I'm in deep shit. 

"This was a personal request from Mr. Van Lewis himself". He whispers angrily. "That's the only way he'll agree to sign with us. What the hell do you think you are talking about?!!".

Again, I understand where he's coming from. But as proud as I am, I'm ready to step back this time and let anybody, Aurora, Dave or whoever take up this opportunity in my place. I solemnly refuse to work with Alex. I get to my feet, my mouth set into a line, and bow my head in respect.

"I'm sorry sir. My decision is not going to change". I'm not going to stick around more than this because nothing is going to change my mind anyway. With a quick, reassuring smile to my teammates, I turn to go.

"I'll give you one more chance, Miss Webster. To take back what you said and go represent us dutifully at Van Lewis Galaxy". I don't turn around to face him. I sigh softly and don't hesitate in giving him my answer.

"Nothing is going to….".

"Even if it means losing your job?". My eyes widen in alarm and I turn to face him swiftly. When he sees my face, his lips stretch into a small smirk. He knows he's got me. He sighs dramatically and gets up to his feet, sauntering towards me till he stops where I'm standing.

"You heard me right, Miss Webster. By declining Mr. Van Lewis' offer, I'll take it that you are no longer interested in being a part of this workspace anymore". He's quiet for a few seconds, letting that sink in slowly. "So again, this is your last chance. You will transfer to the Galaxy and be our representative... won't you?". 

I'm simply speechless. How dare he throw my job at my face right now!!!! My heart thumps in my chest as I consider my options. I could still stand by my decision and risk losing my current job as well. I think of the woman I've made myself into within the last few years and then think of the woman I was back then….8 years ago. There's a stark difference and deep down in my core, I know it comes from money. I got a job, began to make money and watched myself slowly evolve into a better version of myself. I remember the uncertainty that accompanied every decision I tried to make with my life back then…..simply because I wasn't always sure of the affordability. Fast forward to now. I'm not filthy rich but I can definitely afford whatever I want without batting an eye. Every step I take is filled with an obvious level of confidence that comes from knowing I'm not depending on anyone financially. I love my work space, but that's because it can serve me two very important purposes. Keep me busy and make me more money. In the end, it all boils down to the monetary aspect for me. I love money.

I don't want to go back to slouching in on myself because I'm not sure if I'm exuding way more grandiose than I actually possess. I don't want to go back to hopping on buses and I definitely don't want to go back to eating sleep for dinner. Perhaps then, I'd realize it wasn't worth letting Alex ruin my life all over again. By letting go of my job, I'd be letting him win again. I'd slowly spiral down and become a shadow of myself. And all for what? Because I was too scared to face my fears. I pride myself on being a strong person, what better way to prove that than facing the very situation I've been trying to avoid? The thought of working with Alex practically gives me a panic attack but I'm going to charge down that path with my head held high. I will not let my life be ruined.

By my extended silence, the chairman knows he has won. He gives me a wide smile and turns around to walk back towards his desk.

"Congratulations on your new job, Miss Webster. Please come to my office later in the day to sign the necessary documents. Mr. Van Lewis will be expecting you at the Galaxy first thing tomorrow morning". He settles into his seat and jerks a head at us. "You may all leave now".

The smile that had been on my teammates' faces earlier is gone as they push to their feet and file out the door. I keep standing there, my shoulders drooped in defeat as I glare at the chairman hotly. Before the door closes, I turn around and follow them out the door, my mouth set into a tight angry line. None of us say a word to each other on our way down to our office. When i get to my desk, it's only Dave who's leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He offers me a small smile.

"Congratulations, Nicole". The last thing I want now would be felicitations. But he's the only one who felt gracious enough to even talk to me. I respect that. I give him a small nod and a tight smile.

"Thanks, Dave".

He glances around my small office space. "You'll be missed on this team you know". I'm just about to tell him that they'll forever be my team no matter what when the door to Aurora's office bursts open and she comes into sight.

"Nicole". Her voice is hard and….angry? "Let's talk for a minute". She goes back into her office, leaving the door open for me. I can't help the sinking feeling in my stomach as I stare after her back. I have a feeling I know what this about. She is the team leader, if anyone should have gotten this job, it should have been her. But of course, Alex is a sick ass bastard who is determined to put me in everyone's bad book while he can. I sigh softly and offer a last smile to Dave before following her into the office.

"Shut the door behind you". She says before I'm even fully through the door. I oblige quietly. She's leaning against her desk, her arms folded across her chest.

"What the hell was that about?". 

"I don't know myself…..".

"Don't give me that!!!". She snaps. "You came back from the chairman's office yesterday being all weird. And today, you miraculously secured a job at the Galaxy? Something is damn well going on and I'm not going to be fooled". 

I think I do understand how she feels but it's getting quite annoying that nobody believes that I had nothing to do with this. Me and Alex's history can never come up. It's like a chain reaction that'll end up ripping away the protective skin I've developed over myself all these years. And all over again, I'll be back to being Nicole, the pushover. Not happening.

"What do you want me to say to you, Aurora? I really don't know anything about this!!!". My voice rises just a pitch higher and I take a breath to regain control. My whole life is playing out in a very unexpected way right before my own eyes and I have zero control over it. The last thing I need right now is somebody else screaming down my neck for an opportunity I didn't even want in the first place. 

"Look…..". I continue. ".....I'm sorry for what happened back there but believe me, I'm just as surprised as you all are. I never saw this coming….".

"You didn't give us the full details about your meeting with the chairman and the Galaxy owner yesterday, did you?". I sigh softly. She's right. I didn't. 

"I did. I don't…..".

"Get out". Aurora hisses, her voice menacingly low. "Get out of my office now!!!!".

"Aurora….". She doesn't wait for me to finish before she stalks forward towards the door and yanks it open. She jerks a head towards the passageway. "Out". There's no way I'm going to be reasonable with Aurora without having to tell her a good portion about my past with the Galaxy owner. I guess it's really no use wasting her time then. With a sigh, I storm out of her office and  I'm barely out the door when I hear it slam hard behind me, almost rattling it's hinges. Great, even my co-workers hate me now. And my misfortune started when that son of a bitch waltzed into my life. Barely restraining my anger, I reach for my purse and car keys and make my way out the door. For someone rapidly ruining my life, the least Alex owes me is a proper explanation. And I'm going to get it.