“Wow, never thought you had it in you.” Emily laughed.
“Shut up you whore. You have been screwing him since the senior management position opened while planning behind my back to steal this deal.” Aurora cut Emily down.
“Aurora wait...” Rick tried to step in.
“No you wait.” You two have been planning this from the beginning. Waiting until I had everything ready and then went behind my back and closed the deal.“ Aurora screamed, drowning out Rick’s voice.
“Emily tried to get a hold of you on Saturday after the clients phoned her. They could not get a hold of you. The clients needed the meeting done Saturday. One doctor had to leave the country. What was I supposed to do?” Rick yelled back.
“You could have personally come and search for me, postpone the meeting, anything but call that slut in.”
“Aurora you are going too far with your name calling. Please calm down.” Rick held his hands up and took a step closer to Aurora.
“Don’t you come near me with those hands.” Aurora hissed.
“Maybe you should take the vacation you planned. It is already approved.” Rick suggested.
“Vacation, vacation! So that you two can screw each other in my office while I am gone.”
“You are valuable to this company, but you have gone too far now Aurora. You leave me no choice but to report your behavior to the board.”
Emily snickered behind her hands. Aurora threw a death stare at Emily, then turned her gaze to Rick. The two locked eyes for a moment. Aurora launched forward and landed a solid punch on Rick’s jaw. He dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
“I hate you for sleeping with her. I loved you.” Aurora yelled while Emily rushed over and hugged Rick. Shit, what did I just do? What did I just say? Aurora took a step back and covered her mouth with her hands.
“I am sorry Rick.” Aurora blurted out.
“I did not know you felt this way about me Aurora. Please go before you do something that will get you arrested.” Rick said while he slowly stood. He held his jaw with his hand, in obvious pain. Slowly he leaned back against his desk to stabilize himself.
“What is going on here?” Pat, the company security guard yelled from the door.
“Please escort Aurora out of the building as quietly as possible and revoke her access pass until further notice.” Rick said softly, trying to move his jaw as little as possible.
“Are you firing me?” Aurora gasped.
“Take the week off Aurora. You are a manager. It is not for me to decide your future in the company. There will be a formal board hearing when you come back.”
Pat took Aurora by the arm and then gently led her out of the Rick’s office. People bumped into each other while they scurried to get back to their cubicles.
“Best you walk out by yourself. It will look better that way Aurora. I will be a distance behind. I like you, but if you do not go, I will have to drag you out.”
“Thank you Pat.”
“Good luck Aurora.”
Aurora squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. She held her head high while she walked to the reception area where she stopped in front of Candice.
“Can I please use your phone?”
A tear formed in Candice’s eyes when she handed over the phone. Aurora smiled and placed her hand on Candice’s shoulder. She gave Candice’s shoulder a little squeeze, then dialed Jeni.
“Jeni Hello.”
“Jeni, its Aurora.”
“Hi, what’s up sugar? How did the meeting go?”
“Can you meet me for a drink?”
“Oh shit. Yes, half an hour at our normal place?”
“Thank you Jeni.”
“For you, anytime.”
Aurora cut the call and handed the phone back to Candice then turned towards the elevator.
“I am sorry Miss Aurora. You deserved the promotion.” Aurora slowly turned to face Candice.
“Don’t worry Candice, it is not over.” I have enough dirt on Emily to bury her at the hearing. Turning to Pat, she smiled. “Let’s go Pat.”
Chapter 3: Moving On
Freezing wind howled and tucked at overcoats and jackets while boots crushed ice under a grey sky. Inside the upscale New York restaurant the atmosphere was warm and inviting. A jazz band played music in the corner. Aurora slowly turned the wine glass in her hand while she watched life pass by through the floor to ceiling windows. She gave the red velvet liquid another swirl, then took a big sip.
“So, stop keeping me in suspense, what happened? You barely said a word since I arrived.” Jeni demanded from across the table. Aurora finished her glass and then took a deep breath.
“Emily did the presentation on Saturday.”
“What?”
“She closed the deal, and the board approved her promotion this morning. Rick actually had suggested her for promotion. By the time I got to the office, my stuff was already being moved out.”
“Oh Aurora. I am so sorry.” Jeni took Aurora’s hands. “But when did Rick put the suggestion in?”
“Must have been the last week or so. They have been dating for a month.”
“That cow. What did you say to them?”
“I called Emily and Rick a few names, and I punched Rick.”
“You punched Rick, the company director? Crap. And now?”
“I sort of got suspended for a week. There will be a formal board hearing to see if I keep my job.”
“Bloody hell, what a day Aurora.” Jeni let go of Aurora’s hands and called the server over by holding up her empty glass. The server nodded and quickly brought a wine bottle over and refilled their glasses.
“Have you decided on what you would like to eat?” The server asked.
“We better, or this wine is going straight to my head.” Jeni laughed.
“I am not really hungry.” Aurora mumbled then stared out the window.
“Two grilled chicken salads, extra feta, and keep the olives.” Jeni ordered for both of them. The server gave Aurora a questioning look as to confirm the order.
“She will eat, don’t you worry sugar.” Jeni winked at the guy. Red faced the server glided away. Jeni had an Amazonian warrior’s body and was well endowed. Together with her wild spirit, she gave the impression that a night with her, would be a night never to forget. Jeni studied Aurora for a moment, then leaned back in her chair. She ran her thumb over her lower lip while her mind switched into high gear.
“Do you think Rick will press charges?” Jeni asked.
Aurora went white and cupped her mouth. “I did not even think about it. I don’t know. If he does, my career is destroyed. I will never get another job as an investment broker in New York. I would be a failure losing such good a job. I would never get a man, for what man would love a failure like me? Jeni, I am scared.”
“Calm down sugar. What did Rick say after you punched him?”
“Well. Before he could say anything, I said that I loved him. He said that he did not know I felt that way about him. He seemed more shocked about what I said than the punch.”
“Well, there you go. I am sure he will not press charges.”
Aurora opened her mouth to reply but held her breath when the server placed their food on the table. With the adrenalin in her blood mostly depleted, hunger woke up in her. Aurora started on her salad while watching a couple enter the restaurant.
“Today is like the door Jeni.”
“What do you mean?”
“Here we are all warm and cozy inside, and when we pass the doorway, in an instant, we are in the cold and harsh wind. Today my life changed from cozy to disaster in an instant.”
“Okay, that’s it. You are going to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat.”
“I am?”
“Yes. I know you. When you get all philosophical like this, you crawl into your cocoon and sit at home eating ice-cream then cry yourself to sleep while hugging your pillow.”
“What else is there to do?”
<
br /> “Exactly. Can you do anything until the hearing, no. Will you have the time if you prove you did the work and get the senior manager position, no. Will you ever go if you lose your job, no. So, now is the time to go.”
“What are you doing?” Aurora’s eyebrows dipped when Jeni pulled out her cellphone and let her fingers run a marathon on it. Jeni ignored Aurora for a while, then looked up.
“Right, there is a flight later tonight to Siem Reap. We will finish our meal then go and pack your bags. We can book the ticket on your computer. You are going tonight.”
“Just like that?” Aurora’s heartbeat quickened. A mixture of excitement and fear flooded her body.
“Just like that.” Jeni smiled. “It will be fun. Who knows, maybe you will even meet someone to wipe away the cobwebs down there and clear your mind of Rick.”
“Cobwebs?” Aurora coughed and almost dropped her glass. Tears formed in her eyes while wine came out her nose. While trying to catch her breath, she cleaned her face up with a napkin.
“Honesty, when was the last time you had sex, and I do not mean your hand.” Just then the server arrived to check on them. Aurora and the server both turned bright red.
“Close your mouth sugar.” Jeni winked at the server. “Aurora, if you are afraid that you are out of practice, I am sure sugar over here will be glad to help you remember the bedroom moves.” The server tried to protest and brought his hands up, knocking Aurora’s wine glass. Red velvet bled into white table cloth.
“I am sorry.” The guy stuttered and grabbed a napkin then patted the tablecloth down.
“Calm down sugar. She did not say yes yet.” Jeni snickered and gave the guy a light pat on the bum.
“You are unbelievable.” Aurora giggled. The server gave the two a confused look, not knowing what to do.
“You can go. I will call you if she says yes.” Jeni waved him away with a smile. When the server scurried away, Aurora and Jeni looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.
“There’s my bubbly friend.” Jeni said and hi-fived Aurora.
“Okay, seriously now. You really think I should go?” Aurora asked, then started on her salad again.
“Definitely. You have that guide book I told you about, and I will give you my itinerary and hotels I stayed in. Nothing to worry about.”
“This is actually so exciting. I do not even know what to pack. I have never done anything without triple planning.”
“Aurora, sugar. Cambodia is hot and the backpacker men even hotter. The less clothes you take, the better.” Jeni smiled, causing them both to burst out laughing.
“You make it sound like I am going on a sex trip.” Aurora said when she finally stopped laughing.
“Well, there are nice temples to see between sheets and naked massages.”
Aurora let the comment slide. They finished their wine and salad in silence, and then sat for a moment looking at the snow coming down outside.
“Shall we go pack?” Aurora energetically asked.
“You betcha.” Jeni motioned for the server to come over. “Sorry sugar, Aurora has a headache, maybe another day. You can bring us the bill.” Jeni’s comment drew a stern look from Aurora. The server’s shoulders hung slightly when he walked away. Minutes later, he was back and silently placed the bill on the table without looking up. Aurora and Jeni settled the bill, splitting it, then stood.
“Thank you.” The server smiled when he saw the generous tip.
“This is for being a good sport.” Aurora said, then grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him.
“Wow.” The server uttered when Aurora let him go and walked away.
“What was that?” Jeni laughed and gently hit Aurora on the shoulder when they left the restaurant.
“I have no idea what came over me.” Aurora blurted out, then did a twirl.
“Girl, you are hornier than I thought. Have you actually ever asked a guy out for even a coffee?”
“No.”
Jeni shook her head, then flagged down a cab. “Let’s go argue about what goes in your backpack.” Jeni laughed while they climbed into the cab.
Jeni stretched her legs out on Aurora’s couch, then wiggled her toes in her pink and orange striped socks while she balanced Aurora’s computer on her lap. While balancing a cup of green tea with honey in her left hand, her right hand tickled the keys on the laptop. Jeni shifted her weight, and then glanced at Aurora next to her in the bean bag.
“Aurora. When are you going to get some proper furniture in this place, like a decent couch?”
“I have what I need.”
“Sugar, just because your grandmother did not allow you to have anything in life when she raised you does not mean you cannot allow yourself some luxuries. You deserve to spoil yourself. You work hard for it.”
“Please don’t go there, not tonight. Leave my grandmother in her grave please.”
“Sorry. Right, over two years on your passport as you said, should be enough.” Jeni changed the subject and replaced the plaster on a festering wound in Aurora’s heart.
“Should be?”
“Depends on how difficult it is to get Rick out of your mind.”
“Jeni!”
“Just saying.”
“It is okay Jeni. You do not need to buy the flight tickets for me. I can afford it.”
“I know, but if I leave it up to you to buy, then you are going to fret for days about what the best flights are and what hotels to stay in, and never go.”
“Hey, I like to plan ahead.” Aurora countered.
“Like 50 years ahead.” Jeni laughed.
“I like to plan every detail. That’s what makes me good at my job.”
“And boring on a date.” Jeni snickered. “I am also booking you a room in a dorm with the flight, lots of hunks just for you.”
“No, No. Not a dorm in a backpacker place. I want a single room in a hotel.” Aurora gasped then struggled to get out of the bean bag. She rolled onto the floor and rapidly crawled on all fours to Jeni who laughed while she held the laptop in the air and pushed a button.
“Done.” Jeni exclaimed proudly, then furrowed her brow when she lowered the laptop. ”Houston, we may have a problem.” Jeni said under her breath.
“What have you done Jeni?”
“Well, I accidentally booked you a ticket to Bangkok.”
“Bangkok? I don’t want to go to Bangkok. I want to go to Siem Reap and see Angkor Wat. How did you manage that?”
“It is not my fault. It is yours. You rushed me when I was checking to see the price difference in flying to Bangkok first.”
“Cancel it....Jeni?”
“It is nonrefundable.”
“What? Why?”
“I wanted to make sure you do not change your mind sugar. Just looking out for you.”
Aurora shook her head and then crawled back to her bean bag.
“Now what Jeni?”
“Just hang around Bangkok for a day then take a bus over to Cambodia and fly back from there.”
“No, if I am going, then I am going directly to Angkor Wat. That is why I am going over. To realize a dream.” Aurora snapped.
“Okay okay. You are as stubborn as you are meticulous. It is not a problem. Almost all hotels and backpacker places sell bus tickets from Bangkok to Siem Reap. When you land, just ask a tuk tuk to take you to the hotel I booked you a room, and then buy a bus ticket and off you go, simple. And if you are tired, you already have a room booked, see.” Jeni smiled.
“How long is the trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap?”
“Eight hours about.”
“Ahhh, you are killing me Jeni. Now I need ice cream. You want some?” Aurora said then lazily got out of the beanbag.
“Vanilla?”
“Only for you Jeni.”
“Thanks sugar.”
“I do not know how you can eat that stuff.”
“I open my mouth, chew, and then swallow, easy.”
“Very funny.”
<
br /> Aurora opened her fridge and took out two small tubs of Haagen-Dazs ice cream. She turned the chocolate-chip ice cream tub twice over. She loved chocolate ice cream with the same passion she hated vanilla. Each, reminded her of a person she lost. Aurora walked back and handed Jeni her ice cream and a spoon, then ran her hand over the back of the couch. The thick woven fabric was slightly rough to the touch. Memories of her mother cradling her and breasts feeding her flooded back. Strange how I can remember that from so long ago, and I cannot remember much of my life growing up with grandmother.
“You done daydreaming? Shall we pack?” Jeni asked and stood.
“Lead on.” Aurora said then followed Jeni to the bedroom where clothes were already spread out over the futon. Aurora scoffed her ice-cream down on the way.
“Is the backpack big enough?” Aurora asked and glanced at the blue Eagle Creek backpack next to her futon. She had bought it two weeks before on a recommendation from Jeni.
“Was for me. It’s 70 liters with an added 24 liters removable day bag. Now, let’s get started.” Jeni picked up a bunch of underwear and threw them at the top of the bed. “These can stay.”
“No. I want extra underwear.” Aurora countered.
“You are going for a week. Why do you insist on taking so much clothes?”
“You never know. They may not have a washing machine. I like being clean.”
“Aurora. They have laundromats all over, and a little dirt will do you some good. Now forget about all those warm clothes you set out. It is warm there.”
“I read it is the rainy season and cold now.” Aurora countered.
“Sugar. Their winter is our summer. Let me handle the packing.”
“No. If I leave it to you Jeni, you will pack only skin tight T-shirts and shorts.”
“That will improve your chances of getting a guy.” Jeni snorted then picked up a pillow. “Dam you are stubborn.” Jeni knocked Aurora over the head with the pillow. Aurora’s jaw dropped and she grabbed a pillow as well and returned the favor. A full-on pillow fight erupted ending with Aurora and Jeni panting where they lay spread out over the bed.
Untamed Love Page 3