POV: Raven
When I arrive in the lobby of my office building, I walk briskly to the elevator doors, smiling my greetings to the security officer and the lobby concierge as I whiz by them. The lobby is virtually empty, because at 6:00am, most New Yorkers are fighting traffic, in line at the local Starbucks or still in the bed recovering from the night before. Luckily, I managed to get out of Lola's early enough to rush to my apartment, get dressed and make a coffee run for me and my secretary Julie. The coffee is sort of a peace offering for asking her to come in so early; and because of the hectic day that I know is on the horizon.
Most people might deem me the world's worst boss for calling her in so early, but unfortunately, all of my employees were made aware of the earlier launch date at the same time everyone else learned about it...during Dexter’s interview on ESPN yesterday. Thankfully, they all understand the predicament that we are now in (thanks to my impulsiveness) and have graciously agreed to do whatever it takes to make this launch a successful one. I'm usually not such a dictator, but Dex pushed me over the edge...and this time, I decided to pushed back. So now it's crunch time and everyone is on call; Because not only am I worried about Dex's combustible reaction to the launch and his never ending plan to make my life miserable, now I am agonizing over the threats that Hugh made last night at the restaurant....And about the dream I had about him this morning. I cant afford to let my guard down.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt9eRnL4r9
By the time I arrive at the elevators, I’m completely flushed. "Get it together Raven!" I demand angrily of myself, as I press the "up" button with my elbow while trying to balance 2 cups of coffee in a paperboard holder, my MacBook under my arm, my purse on my shoulder and my phone in my hand. I impatiently look up at the descending numbers above the elevator, as my phone begins to ring. I turn the phone over in my hand and see Lola's number glaring back at me. I take a deep breath, because I know I am about to get an ear full because of the way I left this morning. I am sure she has a few choice words for me. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmwzSnYgej
I press the green phone icon on my phone, before placing it to my ear. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4li7mro70
“What the hell Raven? Why didn't you wake me up? We could have rode in together?" Lola demands.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLncVOrzAeV
“Lola, I wanted you to sleep in, that's why. You were so good to me last night that the least that I could do was let you sleep a little later. I can handle things until you get here. Julie is already upstairs in the office, so don't worry about me; I will be fine. These next few days are critical, so I wanted to get a jumpstart on things; because if Hugh is serious about trying to stop this from happening, I need to double check and confirm everything."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUdGHv44kL
“Bullshit Raven; don't give me that! You could rule the world-with a Laptop and a Carmel macchiato-from anywhere in New York. What's the real reason you snuck out of here and ditched me this morning like a freaking one night stand?''226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwd9e3FlHy
I think back to the dream I had this morning and roll my eyes at Lola's unfailing intuition as the elevators doors finally open, inviting me inside. I carefully stroll into the rectangular box, trying to make sure that I don't drop anything, before pressing floor 42, then stepping backwards until my back touches the mirrored wall behind me.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLjaVGACt2
“Okay Lola, the truth is, I needed a distraction and a few minutes of me time this morning. So after I left your apartment, I went home to change my clothes because if I walked in the office wearing the red mini dress I had on last night, our employees would have misconstrued it as a walk of shame; and living that down would have been a virtual impossibility. I also didn't want to talk about Hugh anymore because when we spoke last night, you sort of seemed like you were "team Hugh", and I didn't know how to wrap my head around that and I didn't want to start the morning off arguing about him."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z1Da71TyQ
Taking a a deep breath into the phone, I try desperately to temper the anger that is slowly resurfacing. Lola clears her throat before strangling back a moan. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5iQdYxVnb
“R-a-v-e-n...., I am your best friend and will always back your play no matter what. But the girlfriend code also states that I am also suppose to tell you when I think you should back the hell up and reconsider whether or not your feelings for Hugh has anything to do with this launch. Because if it does, you need to figure out how you really feel about him before things get more complicated than they already are." She chuckles nervously before continuing. "I am just worried about you honey because last night you sounded like a woman who might be in love... and if Dex finds out...."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgg31K4rZ2
Growling at Lola's accusation that my feelings for Hugh might complicate things, I happily put her in her place.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2gN0fNKa1
“First of all Lola, I don't give a rats ass about Dexter, how he feels or what he thinks; and second, I believe the popcorn and wine we had last night totally fried your brain because the only feelings I harbor for Hugh at this moment is anger and resentment! He left me and now it's over...end of discussion —" I explain carefully, as the elevator finally makes it to the 42nd floor. When the doors open, I walk out of the elevator, adjusting everything that I am holding in my arms, trying not to drop anything.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkQlWiijsB
“Really?" Lola's one word allegation, ,hijacks the mantra that I have been reciting over and over again this morning in anticipation of this conversation. Her inquiries about my feelings, forces my mind and heart in a direction that I have been trying to avoid. But inquisition doesn't stop there, she reminds me of the emotional confessions I made to her last night.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkfPrTfBT1
"Because last night you said that that you felt empty without him...remember?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk962Uu5kV
“See...that is why I left your ass in the bed this morning!" I mumble to myself, as I push the glass doors of my office suite open with my rear end; before walking to my secretary's desk. I smile at her as I lowering the cup holder in front of her so that she can grab a cup of coffee.
“Look, I am in the office now Lola, we can continue the Spanish Inquisition later. I'll see you when you get here."
"Wait...Wait...Dexter called me this—-"
I ignore her final statement and make kissing sounds on the phone before hanging up. The last thing I want to talk about this morning is Dexter Cunningham.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpbH6FmIVP
“Hello Julie, any messages?" She hands me a stack of post it notes before looking nervously at my office door.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBdCK7BShb
"Good Morning Ms. Cunningham...you have a visitor in your office. I tried to stop him, put he insisted." She says apologetically. 226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5tRD6FK2P
“Who is it?" I ask, with a disapproving expression on my face. I look at my watch in confusion because no one knew I would be coming into the office this early. I think for a moment about who it could be before realization hits.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0ANxS40Rg
“Dexter Cunningham." We say together, as I glare at my phone again before whispering Lola's name in anger.
I look at the glass door and then at my office door, trying to figure out what door I am going to take.
