Miss You Much

Chapter 1

Tori

Red light.

A string of cars slowly begin to halt a few feet in front of the stoplights. One after the other, like falling dominoes, stopping behind each other in unison. I shift in my leather chair, resting my hands on my face. I watch absent-mindedly, while vaguely checking the clock on my laptop for the time.

Green light.

The cars, one by one, start up again and cross the intersection. Some going straight, others turning into the right lane. The cars continue to move for a few minutes, until the green lights turn into yellow lights. Then red again.

I sigh. For fuck’s sake.

Am I really so bored that I’m watching the cars pass by on the massive road below? I cringe at the gaping casement windows that overlook the streets and much of the city.

I totally am.

I was seated at my medium-sized cubicle. As a Junior Cosmetics Consultant, I would usually be answering customer questions on the phone...or determining sales tallies for the Vice President of Sales. But today, I was patiently waiting to present my own ideas for a new product line.

My boss, David Kendall, called me last night with the news. I was excited, but also nervous about what he would think about my proposal.

I’ve been working at the Make-Me Over beauty company for almost two years now.

I applied for the job with hopes of receiving my own income, and eventually debuting my own ideas for the make-up lines. Cosmetics has always been my passion...and having my own product ideas approved for shipping has been my dream since I entered college.

Now’s my chance, I coached myself. Some people never get this opportunity. I need to knock it out of the park!

After another twenty minutes, the overhead speaker dinged. The sound of Mr. Kendall’s prominent New Jersey accent came through the intercom.

“Will Tori Kendall come to my office for our scheduled meeting?” He said nonchalantly.

I straightened up in my chair, smoothing out the bottom of my elegant pencil dress. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. You can do this, Tori!

I quickly walk down the aisles of the shared creative office space. Each person in their cubicle continued their work as if nothing was going on. I approached the elevator and push the button almost 10 times before it opened. Despite my efforts to calm myself down...I was still nervous as hell.

I step into the elevator. As the doors close I pull out my phone. My proposals were saved in my virtual notepad. I checked them again...and slowly rehearsed what I was going to say to Mr. Kendall.

My idea for the Fall/Winter line will be extremely beneficial because...

It will increase demand and provide enough supply for the whole season...

Seasonal colors are typically very profitable...

The elevator doors open again on the 6th floor, where Mr. Kendall’s office is located. I tuck my phone back into my pocket and finally reach his office door.

I knock. After a few seconds, Mr. Kendall opens the door. I was surprised. He usually calls for people to come in. Was he as eager as I was?

“Ms. Sinclair...how wonderful to see you again.” He says politely.

“Good evening, Mr. Kendall,” I extended my hand for him to shake, “The pleasure of mine.”

He looked at my hand with a confused smirk. “Shaking hands won’t be necessary today, Ms. Sinclair. This is a...more casual meeting. It will only be 10 minutes at the most.”

I was suddenly confused. Casual? What’s casual about presenting a product idea?

“Yes, sir. Of course,” I follow him into his private office, examining how luxurious it was compared my my work space. “Your office is immaculate.”

He chuckled. “Thank you.”

He gestures to the chairs in front of his desk. I sit in the left one, crossing my legs. Mr. Kendall plops into his brown executive chair, fixing his glasses.

I smile. I didn’t know what to do. How to start my proposal. I figured we would get right into it, but after a solid three minutes, we were still silently seated.

Shit! Maybe he’s waiting for me to start pitching...

I clear my throat anxiously. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t realize that you wanted me to start.”

Mr. Kendall furrowed his large eyebrows. “Start...what? We’re waiting for him.”

I paused. “Waiting for who?”

He rolled his eyes. “You did read your email this morning, right? About your promotion?”

My heart jumped in my chest. “Promotion?!”

His eyes narrow. “Yes. Promotion, Ms. Sinclair. Are you feeling well? We discussed this on the phone.”

I forced a grin. “Of course I’m feeling well. I’m just...a little confused. When am I giving my proposal? You said that you wanted to see me about a new line.”

Mr. Kendall raised an eyebrow. He pondered for a moment. Then chuckled again.

“Oh, I see,” He faced me in his chair. “You thought that I was asking you to present a new product line for the company?”

My lips twisted. “Yes. That’s exactly what I thought. That’s what you said, sir.”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid that I may have worded what I meant incorrectly.”

My heart dropped. What was he saying?

He stood up from his desk and walked to the glass windows behind him. He stared out into the city for another moment. I wondered for a brief second if he were watching the cars like I was earlier.

Then he spoke. “I’m promoting you to Assistant Business Developer.”

I didn’t know what to say. Really. I had no clue. Here I was, ready to present a new product for the company...only to be told I was really getting a promotion. I was appreciative, but also disappointed that I wasn’t in Mr. Kendall’s office to propose my own ideas.

“Thank you, sir, ” I said, trying to sound as reassuring as I could. “I’m sorry...something must’ve gotten lost in translation. I will absolutely take this job and put all of my effort into it. Anything for the company.”

He turned around, meeting my eyes. “I know. Otherwise I wouldn’t have considered you.” He walked towards the edge of his desk and crossed his arms. “But you won’t be working alone.”

This surprised me. I felt myself growing extremely curious. New position? Now I’m...what? Getting some kind of partner? Whatever it was...I had to say yes to it.

“Of course...who will I be working with exactly?” I inquired.

“His name is --” A knock at the door cut off his sentence. “Give me a moment. That’s probably him now.”

I don’t turn around at first. I simply look at my phone. The notepad with all of my presentation points came up from the last time I had it out in the elevator. I felt a bit of sadness as I realized that they won’t be needed. Not for now, at least. I turn my phone off as I heard voices from the door.

The sound of two pairs of footsteps walking back in was my cue to finally stand up. I smoothed my pencil dress again, and turned around. Whoever this mysterious partner will be, I will just have to be cordial with.

“Ms. Sinclair...” Mr. Kendall announced,” This...is Mr. Meyers.”

I stopped completely in my tracks.

Oh, no....not him.