People begin to clap after the announcement, and Addy nods in acknowledgment, still wide-eyed with shock. But then, of course, Marissa tries to snatch the spotlight back for herself.
“Alright,” she says sourly. “That’s enough. Addy’s good, and we wish her the best.”
Quite a few people nod politely. They know that my ex can be vindictive, but it’s too late. Marissa’s already sold me her shares, the money’s been transferred, and the business is all mine. She’s out, and now Addy is in. But my ex doesn’t give up very easily.
“Okay, okay,” says Marissa again, holding both hands up. “Thanks everyone. Goodbye cocktails for me are going to be at the Hobarth Lounge at five p.m. today. You better be there, otherwise I won’t be giving you a good recommendation for your next job.”
Never mind that actually, she’s the one leaving. People nod and murmur, affirming that they’ll be there for drinks. Marissa smiles again, pleased, and people start leaving the conference room. Meanwhile, I signal to Addy. The curvy girl makes her way to me, and I smile.
“Was it a surprise?”
She bites her lip, looking at me through her lashes.
“Yes, Mr. Steele. I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you.”
I laugh.
“I hope it was a good surprise? But we’ll iron out the details later. For now, just enjoy your promotion.”
Addy nods, shooting a look at me, and then at Marissa. But she merely says another quiet “thank you” and then departs. With that, a new chapter of my life has begun because it’s out with the bad, and in with the good. I look forward to getting to know my new designer and working with her one-on-one.4Addy* * *This has been the strangest week of my life. I’ve gotten the promotion I always dreamed of, and not only that, but my boss is gone! Marissa and Marcus are getting divorced, and Marissa’s lost her job. Her ex-husband said they were parting amicably, and maybe that’s true, but the long and the short of it still stands: Marissa’s no longer a part of my life, and I now occupy her old position.
It’s surreal. Sure, I’ve been thinking a lot about a promotion, but I had no idea it would happen so soon. I didn’t even realize that Marcus Steele knew my name, much less that he was familiar with my work. I expected at least a few more years under Marissa’s thumb before anything would happen. And even then, I expected that I’d have to leave the House of Steele to make headway in my career.
But now fear makes me queasy, and I pick nervously at a loose thread on my sofa. What if I fail? My official first day is on Monday, according to the papers HR presented me with. People are going to expect me to take charge, and I can’t let them down.
My phone rings and I immediately pick it up.
“Hi, Mom,” I say a bit breathlessly. Pam’s voice comes over the line, tinny yet comforting.
“Sweetheart, hi! I’m so sorry I missed your calls. You know how service can be on a cruise.”
I laugh. “It’s okay, Mom, because I have some good news. I got promoted to head designer!”
Mom squeals. “Oh, Addy, that’s wonderful! This is the position you’ve been wanting for years. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom. My first day is on Monday, and I’m really nervous.”
My mom merely chuckles again, and I hear the blast of a cruise ship horn behind her.
“That’s perfectly normal. You’re going to be amazing, though, sweetheart. I know you can do it, just try not to let your nerves ruin the excitement.”
“You’re right. I need to be more confident. When are you and dad headed back to New York, by the way?”
Pamela says something in the background, but then she turns back to me.
“Sweetheart, it’s funny you ask because we just docked here in New York! Dinner tonight?”
I shake my head ruefully.
“I’d love to because I hardly see you and Dad anymore, with all the cruises you’ve been taking. But I’m having dinner with my new boss tonight. He wants to get to know me since we’ll be working so closely together.”
My mom’s voice fades for a moment, but then comes back on.
“That’s sounds nice. Are you going somewhere special? And who’s your new boss? Did she get promoted too? I can’t remember her name right now.”
“It’s Marissa. She was my old boss, and it’s a long story, but she and my current boss are getting divorced, and basically, I got her old job. She’s not working for the House of Steele anymore.”
My mom pauses for a moment, although I have no idea what she’s doing.
“My, my, my, that sounds complex! It’s a shame their marriage failed, but you get to reap the rewards. Enjoy your dinner. We’re about to disembark, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay sweetie? Lunch? Call me.”