Fight to the Top

by S. L. Gape

  “What am I going to do? I feel so lost and alone,” she sniffed, annoyed that she was crying and upset in front of one of her staff. She hated letting her guard down.

  “Which was exactly my point. I’m not here for anything other than what you need. And like I said, if that’s just someone to sit on the end of the couch with so you don’t feel alone, then that’s fine. Come on, come with me,” she said, pulling her up.

  Julia walked Georgia to her bathroom and led her into the darkened room, lit only by candles. “Get yourself in there, but please don’t do nothing silly,” she said seriously and left, shutting the door behind her.

  Julia put music on the TV. She didn’t know if Georgia would be up for listening to club classics when she got out of the bath, but for now, she was happy to listen. Lighting the candles in the lounge and dining area, she finished off the last of the prepping.

  Julia sat down with a bottle of beer from Georgia’s fridge, remembering that she had forgot about the other bag. She put the giant tub of cookie dough ice-cream in the freezer, and put the giant bar of galaxy on the coffee table. Next to the huge, movie-sized bag of Doritos, the tub of Pringles, and the big bag of Haribo. She knocked on the door of the bathroom. “You decent?” she asked.

  “Hmm,” Georgia said lazily.

  Julia walked in to the room. “You okay?”

  “Yes. This is nice, thanks, Julia. You really shouldn’t have, but I’m glad you did. I hope you know that the beach sound won’t sell it to me. It’s nowhere near a beach,” she said seriously.

  “It wasn’t for that reason. I love it. It always relaxes me, so I went with that. And yes, well aware of that, approximately forty miles I think. Anyways, I didn’t want to disturb, but I got you these. I wasn’t really sure what was your thing. So, I got Diva, Good Housekeeping and Hello,” she said, handing the three magazines to Georgia shyly. “Erm don’t worry, if they aren’t any good.”

  Georgia sighed lightly, “They’re perfect, thank you. I can’t honestly tell you the last time I ever stopped long enough to read a magazine. Seriously, thank you for everything.” She smiled softly.

  “Can you see enough with the candle light or would you like me to put the light on?” she asked.

  “NO!” she scoffed. “Sorry, please don’t. Just by the TV, there is a giant candle. Could you bring that in and put it here? That will be more than enough light then.” She smiled.

  Julia returned with the candle as requested and smiled to Georgia. As she turned to walk away, she felt the wet arm on her, and turned to look at Georgia.

  “You want to join me?” she said shyly.

  Julia didn’t know how to respond without doing more damage. She kneeled down beside the bath and rested her arms on the side of the panel, and her head lazily on her hands smiling. “You know, there is nothing in the world, I can assure you, that I would love more right now. But I think it may complicate things a little more. And I don’t want to put any more pressure on you. How about you enjoy some you time with your mags, and I leave you to it?” she said, squinting her nose slightly up at her boss.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” she said sadly.

  Julia could feel the pulls and was struggling to fight it. She wanted to hug her and tell her it would all be okay, and just be with her. But the fact of the matter was, she didn’t know it would be. She knew for sure it certainly wouldn’t be for ‘them’; not that there was a them. But definitely, not any future possibility of it now. “You want anything else before I go?” she smiled.

  “No, I’m good thanks,” she said.

  ***

  Georgia walked out of the bathroom an hour later, disturbing Julia who was laid on the sofa reading her book, and tapping her foot along to ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.’ She got up quickly, “Hey, you okay?”

  “Yeah, much better. I’m going to get changed,” she said.

  “Yes, I think that would be a very good idea,” she smirked, causing a slight curl on Georgia’s lip. “Dinner is ready. I was just waiting for you, so I’ll set it up.” She smiled.

  “You should have come and got me.”

  “It’s fine, just get dressed, I’ll sort this,” Julia finished. She went and retrieved the large candle from the bathroom and brought it back into the lounge. Then, she went into the kitchen and plated the dinners up, and set them at the dining table, just in time for Georgia to appear.

  “Wow, that smells incredible. Can’t say I was hungry, but I most definitely am now. It looks great. What is it?” she asked, looking over at Julia.

  “Cheese and onion stuffed chicken breast, wrapped in pancetta. Boiled potatoes, and roasted veggies,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted a drink or not so I got some Coke and some wine?” she said in question.

  “Actually, I could really do with a beer now that I’ve seen you drinking one. But a Coke would go down well too,” she said.

  “Okay, well you pour us some drinks and I’ll grab you a beer,” she said, going to the fridge and pulling one out. “You feeling any better?” she said awkwardly. “Sorry stupid question, dinner and a bath really isn’t going to make you feel any less like your world isn’t falling apart,” she sighed, taking a bite of asparagus.

  “Easy, it’s me doing the whole sorry for myself act,” she said, resting her hand on Julia’s. “I am actually, the bath was perfect. I never think of having one. Certainly I never do anything like that, and it was amazing. And, FYI so is this,” she said, pointing her fork to the dinner before her. “Hmm, seriously, this is too good,” she said, removing her hand and digging back in.

  “Thanks.” She smiled. “So, you thought anymore about things? What are you planning to do? If you’d rather not talk about it, we can leave it.”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. I feel massively backed into a corner. If I stay, they will get rid of me sooner or later, or I’ll impede any opportunity I have of furthering my career. If I go, I’m going to be on the other side of the world with no friends, family, nothing. In a country where I know nothing about, a state that sounds very ‘old school’ and scary. And ultimately, be hated because this bitch of a woman thinks that I’ve stolen her job. In reality, regardless of how they sweeten it up, she’s right. I don’t want it, and they have given her job to me. Unless she’s a complete and utter ogre, she will be no different to me. She’s doing the same job, granted in a different office, but will be established and have relationships with her staff, like I have, all of whom will be indebted to her. And what will I have? Sweet FA, that’s what,” she sighed.

  “Have you considered calling her?” Julia asked between bites.

  “God no, why would I do a thing like that?”

  “Because, as you say, she is in exactly the same boat as you. She’s at home herself with her world crashing down too. And at least that way you can gauge how things will look if you go. I mean, I’m not trying to make things worse here, Hun. But, I don’t really think you have a choice,” she said sombrely.

  “That’s my problem,” Georgia sighed, thinking about her words to potentially call this Erika woman. Maybe, when she had calmed down too, they could just work through it. Screw those idiots over, and complete the task in half the time, then she could come back home to Manchester where she belonged.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. Look, I’m sorry I was a bit shirty earlier, but thanks for all of this, you have been an incredible friend. Which given the circumstances, speaks volumes.” She smiled.

  “What do you mean? Speaks volumes? What, just because we were fuck buddies for a couple of weeks and you are leaving, I can’t do this? Look George, I don’t know how many times I can say this. I really like you; not like that anymore. Although, if we continued and this situation hadn’t have happened, that may have changed on my part. But for now, I really enjoy spending time with you. I’ve always liked you, you’re an awesome boss, and a good laugh. So yeah, I would class you as a friend also, in wh
ich case, you help friends out in their time of need,” she said seriously.

  “Thanks. I can’t believe you left London and a night out though,” she stated.

  “How come? It’s London, and I’m there every bloody week, plus it’s so expensive and manic, it stresses me out half the time.”

  “I’ll drink to that, and my thoughts exactly.”

  “Well, one positive is that you don’t have to do that for a year then.” She smiled.

  Georgia sighed again as the realisation hit of the situation unfolding before her.

  Houston, USA

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Nonnnnnnnnn-aaaaaaa,” Dulcie was screaming as she ran down the pathway into her grandmother’s open arms.

  “Mia preziosa,” the woman said, hugging her darling granddaughter.

  “Ciao, Momma,” Erika said sadly.

  “Mia bambina, come here, come here,” she said, pulling her daughter closer. “Don’t get upset in front of Dulcie, bambina. Let’s get her set up and we can have some tea outside, you can tell me everything,” she whispered softly, holding her daughter’s cheek.

  Dulcie and Erika went to their respective rooms and unpacked for the week ahead of them. Dulcie’s grandmother put the TV on for her with a juice box and left her to it. She met her daughter on the front porch and handed her a mug of tea. “Dimmi? Tell me?” her mother said, and Erika was unable to control the emotions, which poured out of her.

  Her mother pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, soothing her, and trying to calm her down. Erika never relied on anyone, not even Dan. She had lost her father a number of years ago, and from then she went all out to provide a solid, stable life for herself and her family. Her mother included.

  Erika had bought her mom her house so she didn’t need to worry about money. Her mother had never had a job, she had instead stayed at home and looked after her and her five siblings. So when her father passed, it was incredibly difficult for her mother. But she was a strong Italian woman, and very adaptable. Erika and her siblings were all still close, albeit she was the only one who had moved away from her hometown of Dallas. So, it was rare that they were all together. Even holidays were spent with Dan’s family, due to them being close by.

  Erika was glad that they brought Dulcie’s Frozen DVD, as it gave her ample opportunity to go into detail with her mom. They had always had a close relationship, and although she was concerned coming home, she knew her mother would break her on a whole other level. She knew her mother would make her take the blindfold off and pay attention to everything unravelling before her. Which, came with the fact, she knew her life would be incredibly different upon leaving.

  Leaving nothing out, Erika had shared everything with her mother, who merely listened offering tissues, tea and occasional soothing sounds. Her mother was a very wise woman and the one that all of the children came to in their search for help and advice.

  ***

  They spent the best part of two hours, discussing in full, her marriage and her job. Her mother had offered her some words of wisdom, and made valid points inclusive of the fact that there was nothing she could do with the situation. So, she either accepted it and moved on, or rejected it, and become a stay at home mom, allowing Dan to support them. Erika kissed her mom, “Grazie, Mamma.”

  “Per cosa?” her mother said, smiling slightly.

  “You know what for, Mamma. You know the whole reverse psychology will always work on me more than most. You say anything that relates to me having to rely on someone, and I’m always going to power through.” She smiled. “Ti amo, Mamma,” she said, kissing her mother again.

  “Mommy, what are you crying for? You wanna hug?” Dulcie said, wandering out to the porch sleepily and spotting her mother.

  “Ohhh, I’m okay, baby. Did your movie finish?” she said, lifting Dulcie up to her lap.

  “Yup. Nonna can we make cookies today?” she said excitably.

  “Well, maybe not today. We won’t have anything left to do if we do it all this day,” she said, stroking her granddaughter’s face.

  Erika looked to her ringing phone and saw Taylor’s face appear. “Go to Nonna, I need to speak to Tay to let her know we arrived okay,” she said, walking off, answering her cell.

  “Hey you, how goes it?” she said into the phone.

  Erika spent a long while on the phone to Taylor. Telling her about the three-hour journey back home and how her mother had managed within a couple hours to have made her see sense of it all. Erika detailed what her mother had said and what their plans were for the week, before ending the call and returning to her mother and daughter, who were making the evening’s dinner.

  Manchester, UK

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Georgia hadn’t been in work for almost a week, and she was feeling it. She was unable to move on and she couldn’t remember the last time work hadn’t dominated her life in this way. So getting out of her trackie and into work clothes, felt somewhat strange. Derek had called the day before, requesting a meeting, which she agreed to, however, caveating it with a meeting off site. She didn’t want to go to work, knowing everyone would be speaking about it. But equally, she did need to do something about the situation. And after speaking in length to her family the night before, she had decided to basically go in, forget about the “whys” and just hear him out. Then she would find out what the offer was, and rather than going in with her mind made up, base the decision upon the conversation.

  Georgia had agreed to meet Derek at Cloud Twenty-Three in the Hilton. Clearly, he was pulling out all the stops. Sure enough, she’d make sure she got the most expensive cocktail on the menu. The lift guard put her in the lift to the twenty-third floor, and she was taken to Derek’s table.

  “Hi,” she said, taking a seat and putting the envelope before him.

  “That’s not what I think it is, is it?” Derek asked, concerned, looking down to the three-fold envelope.

  “Yes, it is, Derek. However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and at least hear you, before I decide what is the most pertinent decision for my future with the business,” she said gravely.

  Derek and Georgia had worked together for a very long time, and throughout that period he had been her teacher, her coach, her mentor, but most significantly her friend. Which is how she knew this was taking a toll on him also. Georgia wondered if he had genuinely been a part of this decision, or whether it was forced upon him. Either way, he looked older, as though he had not slept throughout the whole process.

  Derek sighed, rubbing his temple. “What would you like, George?” he said to her.

  Picking up the menu she went through the cocktails and told the waitress what she wanted.

  “So, I guess it’s pointless wasting any more of either of our times, so why don’t you begin? I have, understandably, had plenty of time to… Now I’m not going to say accept this, but well, I guess for want of a better word, digest it. Well, I suppose as much as I’m ever going to be able to. I understand I am not going to be able to change your mind, or whoever’s idea this was, and I won’t push that any further. But I think the least I deserve is to be given an explanation. Additionally, I have not even opened the envelope with what I believe was the contract, etc. Again, I think I deserved more than just giving me an envelope for me to go home and sign. I mean, Jesus, I would have thought that putting me on a development plan, giving me a project to manage on the basis that if both of those things were achieved, I would be given a promotion. Then, achieving said objectives. Honestly, Derek. Honestly, I think the least I could have been afforded is some form of discussion. Potentially a negotiation? But clearly, I fucked up majorly along the way, or we wouldn’t be sitting here now,” she said, taking a sip of the drink that had just been put in front of her.

  Derek sighed. “Georgia, it really isn’t like that. Look, get comfortable, and I will start at the beginning, cards on the table, warts and all, and then you can make the de
cision. Or go away and think about it, whichever you’d prefer.”

  “Agreed, I would appreciate that,” she said, sitting further into her seat.

  Derek removed his jacket and took a small sip of his scotch and went back to the beginning.

  ***

  An hour later, Georgia suddenly felt stranger than when she had been initially told the week before. She didn’t really know how to compute the information, but equally she wasn’t surprised at the turn of events. Nor Derek’s involvement, or lack thereof.

  “So, that’s the story, beginning to end, no more no less. I’m sorry you feel so defrauded, it would have never been my intention, and I hope you know this. However, I’m going to caveat that with, George, if anyone can do this, you can. The contract you haven’t looked at, incorporates this information. It is guaranteed. And hell, you want to negotiate, then go ahead. I’ll get you whatever you want. You want a home with a pool? A range rover? Bloody hell, your own stables with horses? I’ll do it. I do get it, Jill has had me sleeping in the spare room all week, due to how poorly I’ve handled this, and I just genuinely didn’t.” He stopped and rubbed his eyes. “I guess I can only apologise, I’ve been spineless, Georgia,” Derek sighed. “And given our relationship, the least you deserved was the truth.”

  She was annoyed that he was making her feel bad, when ultimately, she had nothing to feel bad about. But he was right, she was like his protégé, and he was like her step-father. Always had been. He always looked out for her, which is probably why Jill had now got involved. So it was difficult to be annoyed at him.

  Houston, USA

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Ti amo, Mamma, Ti amo,” Erika said, kissing her mother again. She didn’t really know how she was going to face the situation ahead of her. But like her mom said, she needed to go home and face everything head on. She knew what she needed to do. She felt sick to her stomach, which was never ideal with a three-hour car ride ahead of them. She’d spoken to Dan the day before and said they needed to talk that night. She’d also phoned Mike to request a meeting for tomorrow at lunchtime. Erika had done exactly as her mom had suggested and had the two completed envelopes on the passenger seat alongside her. She was actually going to do this. Jesus, this could potentially change her whole life forever, and Dulcie’s.