Chapter 2

Hiccups

"Sir... I... I.. don't think I can do this," I said, stuttering at the beginning of my statement.

Asher and I already had one problem to settle. I didn't want to add another to the mix.

"Are you saying that you cannot accept a promotion from your boss?" Henry asked, and his brows were raised in a manner that told me he wasn't going to accept my plea. 

Well, that sounded like something I wasn't supposed to refuse. Who in his or her right mind would refuse a promotion from the boss?

Clearly, no one.

I couldn't even say anything to that. 

"I thought as much," he told me. "I wouldn't think that a pretty lady like you would refuse an offer like this."

This made me blush. It's been quite some time since a man had given me a compliment about my looks. 

"I need you to start looking into that file the moment you get back to your office."

I nodded my head. "And who do I report to, sir?" 

"Directly to me," he said. "And don't use the company's official email. Don't take it to my secretary. Make sure you bring it to me. Is that clear?" 

"Yes, sir."

He said nothing but returned to his chair. I took it as my cue to leave. Just before I got to the door, I heard him say, "I need a report from you before the end of day."

I walked out of Henry's office. His secretary, Nelissa, was in her chair but the look that she gave me was one of utter disdain. I looked away quickly, not wanting that to plaster itself in my mind. 

On the floor where I walked, the stares that greeted me, I knew that word had gone round that I had been given the promotion. But how? 

I covered the file with my hands anyway, and walked straight to my desk. 

I knew that my life had suddenly changed. For the better or for worse was something that I would have to find out. 

***

I got to work on the file that Henry had given me and realized that it wasn't bogus.

The one for the PR job I had presented on was even more tasking. But Asher didn't let me concentrate. 

He came to my desk, sat on a chair and propped his legs on the table. Then he watched me. 

It was uncomfortable and I couldn't bring myself to concentrate. 

"Is there something you want to get out of your mind, Ash?" I finally asked.

"So it is true," he said cryptically.

"What are you talking about, Ash?" I wondered.

He waved a finger at me and made a circle. "All of this."

"All of what?" 

He dropped his legs and sat forward. "It's agog that the CEO has moved you to my level, and because of what?" 

"Because of what? Ash, we should be celebrating this feat, you and I. We have always celebrated your wins. Why does this time have to be any different?" 

"That's because you didn't get this in a genuine way," he accused. 

"What?" 

"Oh, don't pretend like you don't know what I am talking about. You might claim to have worked your ass off to get in Henry's good books but I know it is more than that. You have always wanted to have your way and that's why you went behind my back to seduce Henry, didn't you?"

I was shocked to hear Asher say all that to me. 

"Are you high? How could you say a thing like that to me?" 

"You haven't denied it, Naomi."

"I would never do a thing like that! Whatever I am getting now is as a result of my hardwork and determination."

He didn't look convinced at all. "I really don't blame you, Naomi. I blame myself, you know. For getting you in here."

"Is this jealousy I smell?" I demanded to know. 

"Jealousy? Why would I be jealous of you? There's no way you can achieve more than I have in this company." He leaned both hands on the table and stared down at me. "Henry might have shown you some favors but that doesn't mean you get to eat with those at the top of the table."

The words he was throwing at me were hurting me more than anything. We had been together for almost a year. And there have been times I had given all my support to him. 

Even helped with his own PR assessments. Right to the point he currently was. Now that I have gotten my chance to pursue my career and do something worthwhile, he said I earned my promotion by trying to seduce Henry Vance? 

"This isn't fair, Ash," I told him. 

"You broke the rules of fair play, love," he said. "And this is what you get."

He left my corner and I spent the rest of my day half-embroiled in the file that Henry had given to me. 

I didn't do a good job and had to spend more hours after most people had closed to collate my findings. It was thirty minutes past six in the evening when I finally got up and stretched. 

I cleared my table and put my things away. Then I grabbed my hand bag with my laptop, and the file and headed out. 

The elevator doors opened and Henry Vance walked out of the door, his secretary in tow. He looked up at me and that was when I realized I had made a mistake. 

"I am so sorry, sir. It took me more time than I expected."

"Take my briefcase to the car, Nellissa," he said. 

Nellissa shot me a look and walked off. 

"Do you know that I hate disobedience?" Henry said. 

"I didn't disobey you, sir."

"I said bring me a report by the end of day. Look around you, Miss Naomi, we are the only ones left in the building."

I didn't have to look to confirm that. I felt bad for myself. Henry had given me an opportunity to prove myself and I messed it up. 

"Well," he said and moved to sit on a desk. "You probably have my report. Let me hear it."

"You want to hear it here?" 

"Yes."

I had to admit, Henry Vance was an handsome man. And being in such space alone with him gave me goosebumps. I understood why Nellissa kept giving me wicked stares. She probably had her sights on him. 

I placed my things on the table and gave him my report. By the time I was done, an impatient Nellissa walked back in. 

"It's time to go, sir," she said. 

"Says who?" he asked. 

"I thought..." 

He held up a hand. "I'm not done here yet. If you're tired, go on home. See you tomorrow, Nellissa." 

Henry's secretary wasn't happy with his response but Henry wasn't looking at her. His eyes were on me. 

"So you're telling me that the assessment in that file is nonsense?" Henry asked. 

"No, it's not nonsense, sir. I just meant that it would not work." 

"Hmm. I see. Asher James made that report."

"Asher James?" 

"Yes, you know him. Raised his hand during the board meeting."

Of course I knew Asher. But this wasn't his report. I knew that. His assessments were always topnotch. Why the hell would Asher write something like that? 

"Sir, there must be a mistake," I said. "I know what Asher's assessments are like. I've read all of them."

"Really? Is he your mentor?" 

"Not really, sir."

"Then, I'll take it that you didn't know about this one. Anyway, good job. See you tomorrow."

I was left standing there, thinking about the reports Asher had made me read as his, and the one in my hand. 

What the hell was I missing?