by Emma Vikes
I never thought I will trust any other men with my heart when I came to know about my ex-husband’s affair, especially so soon after my divorce.
My focus should be on my dream job which I absolutely L-O-V-E, right?
But it’s so difficult to not fall under Mike’s spell when we are working on a same project.
My head and heart are in constant battle.
How can I deny what I crave the most?
“Too Bad... I Screwed It” is fourth book in the Too Bad Series of standalone contemporary romance novellas with no cliffhanger, no cheating and guaranteed HEA.
CHAPTER 1
Mike
FOR THE FIFTH WEEK in a row, I woke up ten minutes before the alarm began blaring.
With unusual ease that most humans lack, especially this early in the morning, I got out of bed and headed straight for the shower. I’d shut the alarm off so it wouldn’t ring out while I was in the shower.
As soon as the cold water hit my skin, the remaining feelings of drowsiness disappeared instantly and all my senses came alive. I showered, and brushed my teeth with lightning speed and was out of the bathroom in a little under ten minutes.
I didn’t slug around in getting dressed and was downstairs in another ten minutes, at my kitchen counter and making myself a cup of coffee.
Fully dressed in a navy-blue suit, sky blue shirt and a red tie, I spied my reflection in the glass of my kitchen cabinet. For someone who’d dressed up in record time like he was trying to break a Guinness World Record, I looked good.
The coffee maker made a sound, indicating my coffee was ready, thus dragging my attention to the task of fishing a cup out of the cupboard. Soon I was bringing the cup to my lips and savouring the exhilarating taste of my early morning coffee just the way I liked it—black, no cream, no sugar. With every sip, I paused to exclaim in satisfaction before treating myself to another sip. Soon, the cup was empty and I quickly refilled it, before stepping away from the front of the coffee maker and taking a seat at my kitchen counter.
I fished my organizer from my suit pocket and set it on the counter in front of me, as I took another sip from my cup. I glanced at my schedule for the day; a presentation at 8 am, a meeting with the senior management team at 10 am, an interview I needed to chair at 12 noon and a sales pitch to one of our clients at their office at 3 pm. Between all this, I still had to get my daily work in as General Manager of Alpha Consults. Mondays always had the most tasks scheduled.
My company offered strategic management and business consulting to other firms, handling just one aspect of a number of aspects, or their entire business operations from end to end, depending on our agreement.
I’d been at the company for just four weeks after being poached from my previous company by the Managing Director himself. Gregory Kline had started Alpha Consults over two years ago. After slugging it out for two years, he’d decided he needed more capable hands on board and that’s when he had come for me.
Besides his intelligence and charisma, Greg was a natural salesman. After all, that was the reason I had left my Senior Analyst position at Ernst and Young to come be the GM in Greg’s company, long before I had even seen the offer. He’d sold his vision for Alpha Consults and the role I would be playing, perfectly.
Another thing he had sold was the amount of work that was needed. He had tried his best to apprise me of the work on ground, yet nothing would have prepared me for what I met. However, I’d easily adjusted, hence my getting up earlier than usual and arriving at the office before anyone else so I could get the day started promptly, but even I gradually realised that I was going to also need help. How Greg had led the company alone for 2 years was beyond me.
We’d discussed, and I’d informed him of the need to hire another individual to fill a mid-level management role that I’d created when I’d first arrived and modified the organogram of the company; the role of Sales Manager.
Greg and I had executed the role to the best of our abilities, but it was increasingly apparent that a professional needed to be hired to cater to the growth sprout we were currently experiencing since I arrived. To add urgency to an already pressing need, most of our new clients that had come on board, were engaging our services in the capacity of a sales consultant. They either had new products they were trying to introduce into the markets or existing products that weren’t doing so well in the markets. For that, we needed a professional sales person who would not only create a sales roadmap, but would also led and direct our sales efforts towards achieving set goals and success.
That was the reason for the interview scheduled at noon. I hadn’t met the candidate nor had I ever heard of her; a certain Miss Theresa Lopez.
Truth be told, I already had a preferred candidate that I was intent on luring from my previous work place. However, this was Greg’s preferred choice. He’d identified her himself and even though I knew nothing about her, he’d convinced me to interview her first and foremost. The deal was that if I wasn’t impressed, then I was free to go about luring my preferred candidate to Alpha Consults. That wasn’t good news for the candidate as far as I was concerned, but I had resolved to keep an open mind so as to present her with a fair chance.
I drained my coffee cup, set the cup on the counter, took my organizer and headed for the front door. My maid was going to come in to take care of the little mess I’d made in the kitchen, but for now, I needed to get to the office and start the day. I shut the door behind me and pulled out my car keys from my pocket. The smart lights of my Mercedes Benz CLS 450 blinked coupled with a beep sound, indicating that I had pressed the door open button on my key remote.
I opened the door and pulled the hanger in the back to hang my suit, just as my maid Alberta walked up my driveway. She was a beautiful Latin lady in her fifties who had been my maid for a little over five years.
“Morning, Mr. Gordon,” she said, cheerily.
“Morning, Alberta,” I responded, pausing to turn and look at her.
“Up early again, I see?” She queried.
“Coming from someone sauntering unto my driveway at 6:30 am?” I fired back, mockingly.
According to our contract in the beginning, Alberta was supposed to be at work from 8 am to 5 pm, yet she had never arrived at my house later than 7 am on any given day. According to her, she liked to settle in and start early. I didn’t mind and had in fact cherished the little moments we spent talking when she got here early. I’d even begun permitting her to leave whenever she was done with her work, instead of waiting around till 5 pm. I still paid her for the full hours though, because I knew that she needed the money.
Now that I’d also begun leaving the house early, the little moments we’d used to converse had reduced to a mere exchange of greetings on the driveway on some days, or a wave as I drove past on others.
“Have a great day, Mr. Gordon.” She chuckled as she turned and headed for my front door.
“You too, Alberta,” I responded as I got into my vehicle and shut the door.
I watched her fondle with her set of keys as I started my engine. By the time she’d got the door open, I’d pulled out of my driveway. A little honk from me to her, and I was on my way.
CHAPTER 2
Theresa
DAWN MET ME AT MY TABLE, reading and sipping on a cup of coffee. I flipped the page of the text I was reading in preparation for my interview which was scheduled today at noon.
Normally I wouldn’t have been preparing this hard as I was an accomplished sales lady, but I had to impress the interview panel today seeing as I really needed and wanted this job. I’d been out of a job for over six months, because I’d resigned after my divorce was finalised, to take a break and cater to myself. I’d come back into the job market about two months ago and I hadn’t gotten any leads, till now.
Initially I’d thought it would have been easy to get back into employment, but the dynamic world of business and sales had left me behind and almost obsolete in just four months.
My heart sank. Going back to Woodrow was my last option, if all else had failed. The same Tony, as well as the Managing Director had told me that I was always welcome back and that there was always going to be a place for me at Woodrow.
Apparently, that offer lasted as long as it took me to walk to and out the front door. He’d even cut the call on me, before I could request to speak with Martin, the MD. Knowing how Woodrow worked, Martin was most likely already aware that I’d called, that’s if he wasn’t listening in to the call himself.
I’d walked in a haze and at a loss for what to do till last week; that was a whole week of moping around, forlorn and dejected.
Then I’d received the call.
Someone called Gregory Kline had called me sometime last week. Before last week, I had neither heard of Gregory, nor his company Alpha Consults. His call was simple and brief. He’d known of me and my time at Woodrow. To say the least, he was impressed and had courted the idea of employing me for a while. However, I was still going to have to impress the General Manager who knew nothing about me, else I wasn’t going to get the job.
I was sold on working at Alpha Consults, not just because I was desperate for a new job, but because of the way Mr Kline had spoken to me. I’d immediately gone online after the call to do a little research.
As expected, I knew nothing about Gregory Kline but he had an impressive resume from what my findings revealed. However, not everyone on Mr. Kline’s team was a stranger to me.
Mike Gordon. My whole body had frozen as I saw his name and picture on the company’s website.
That was the name of the General Manager Mr. Kline had said I’d need to impress. It also wasn’t the first time I’d run into him, hence my nervousness.
Back at Woodrow, we had made a pitch to an energy company. On D-day, we’d arrived to see that the company had chosen to have their auditors, who were also at the company for an audit, sit in during the pitch. Mike Gordon and his team had walked in and taken their seats.
And so, it began.
Martin himself had been leading the pitch but even the great Woodrow MD was reduced to nothing as Mike picked him and our presentation apart. In spite of the fuming faces in our team, I’d sat in wonder and amazement of Mike’s intelligence and perspicacity. He definitely hadn’t taken note of me, but I was never going to forget him and that experience. In the end, we lost the deal but that failed pitch had shaped me into a better sales person.
Mike wasn’t one who was easily impressed or bullshitted and his high intellect wasn’t a joke either. And now, I and not Martin, was going to be the one facing him with my prospective job hanging on the line.
I flipped the page again, willing myself to be calm and concentrate harder on what I was reading. My coffee had long gone cold, but I kept sipping on it. As I continued to struggle with staying calm and concentrating, my phone began to ring.
A cursory glance at the screen of the phone as it lit up on the table beside me revealed that my best friend, Marissa, was calling. I heaved a sigh as I picked up the phone and answered it.
“Morning, Marissa,” I said, not bothering to modify my voice and hide my stress and nervousness.
“Oh mama, I can tell your nerves are about to explode,” she responded, her voice laced with concern.
“It’s only my career that’s on the line after all.” I joked, dryly.
“Don’t worry, sweetie. He’s going to love you. No one gets to meet you and not fall in love with you. There is no need to fret, not even for a second. You got this,” Marissa continued, making a strong effort to encourage me.
“Thanks, Dear.”
“So what time is the interview again?”
“Noon,” I responded, simply.
“And what time are you heading out?” She asked, softly.
“I’m thinking 9 am so I can get there early enough, giving my nerves all the time to calm down as I get a feel of the office.”
“Wait, 9 am today?”
“No, Idiot! 9 am yesterday.” I chuckled.
“It’s half past 9 already,” she responded.
It took a while for what she said to register.
“Oh No!” I exclaimed as I shot out of my seat.
The time was indeed 9:15 am as the clock at the top of my phone screen indicated. Somehow the day was already off to a flying start all the while I’d been studying, and my nervous state had made me completely oblivious to time’s passing.
I ran for my bedroom even as I could clearly hear Marissa shouting through the phone for me to calm down and take it easy.
“Theresa, slow down. Even if you leave your house at 10, you’d still get there on time. The job isn’t running anywhere. Relax!” She screamed.
I brought the mouthpiece to my lips and cursed into it as I ran.
We were cut from the same cloth and that was why she was my best friend after all. Not only were we kindred spirits, our friendship had lasted since childhood. She was my entire support system and I couldn’t love her any less, for whatever reason.
“Just relax, girl. You’ll be fine, ok? Meet me at the shop as soon as you are done so we can celebrate. Good luck!”
“Thanks, honey,” I responded, extremely grateful to have such a true friend in my corner.
As soon as the call dropped, I stepped into the shower. Speaking with Marissa had lightened my mood. Even though some of the nerves remained, I had grown more confident than I’d been before the phone call. And I am all set to grab this job.
I whispered as the water cascaded down my skin.
“I am going to fix my life.”
CHAPTER 3
Mike
I WALKED INTO THE CONFERENCE room that had been set aside as venue for the interview at exactly 12:10 pm, with the HR Manager in tow. I was ten minutes late because the management meeting had dragged on longer than expected.
I hated keeping people waiting, most especially considering the circumstance that this was supposed to be an interview. Even though the candidate wasn’t my preferred choice, it was important to still give her a proper impression of the company.
I sat down and opened the candidate’s file that was already placed there by my assistant who had prepped the room for the interview. I glanced to be certain that the HR Manager also had a copy; one he was currently flipping through as well.
Since Greg had told me from the beginning that he wasn’t going to be part of the interview, I’d asked the HR Manager to sit in. We’d come in straight from the management meeting together. Two heads are better than one after all, plus it was only prudent to get the impression of another member of senior management on the prospective employee, besides Greg.
Who better than the HR Manager who was in reality supposed to be the one handling staffing and recruitments?
I took a sip of water from the glass on the table in front of me before asking my assistant to go and usher in the candidate.
While my assistant walked out, I heard the HR Manager make a comment which was a little more than a whisper.
“Impressive. Very impressive.”
I said nothing and continued to flip through the file as I awaited my assistant’s arrival with the candidate.
Soon, they both walked in. My head remained down, looking at the file as I heard her greet, and the HR Manager directed her to take her seat.
“Good afternoon, Miss. Please take a seat.”
After a moment, I lifted my head and acknowledged her for the first time since she walked in. She was staring straight at me and there was something very familiar about her gaze.
“Good afternoon, Miss Theresa Lopez. My name is Mike Gordon,” I said
with a straight face.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Gordon,” she responded, courteously.
“I want to apologise for keeping you waiting. We were held up in a meeting,” I continued, indicating that I was referring to both myself and the HR Manager. “Shall we proceed then?” I finished.
CHAPTER 4
Theresa
I PULLED OUT MY PHONE as I exited the elevator, frantically searching for network and hitting the redial button.
The last number and call to my phone had been Marissa’s who I was trying to reach at this very moment.
The interview was over and my hands were still shaking from the intense grilling Mike had subjected me to.
The call connected and she answered almost immediately. She’d obviously been beside her phone waiting on any news from me.
“How did it go?” She asked.
“Not good. Not good at all,” I responded, dejected.
“Oh, honey. Where are you now?”
“Just walking out of the office building. I’m going to try and get a cab and head straight home.”
“You are not going home. Get the cab and come straight to the shop. I’m waiting for you,” she insisted.
“I don’t feel like...” I was saying, before she cut me off mid-sentence.
“This isn’t a debate. Just get the cab and come here. Ok?”
After a brief pause, I agreed. “Ok.”
I ended the call just as an empty cab rounded the corner, heading straight towards me. I flagged it down and jumped in the back after giving him the address to Marissa’s salon. She always called it a shop, but it in fact was a beauty salon she owned on the other side of town. She, in spite of all odds, was doing well for herself.
I settled into the back seat of the taxi and closed my eyes as it sped away, trying to shut out memories of the interview. I was failing, woefully. In spite of all my preparations, I had performed miserably. I kept looking at Mike’s face as I answered the questions I was asked. I knew I had not impressed him one bit.