bustling; with everyone scurrying around making the

pper management decided to diversify the company's interests, and expand into other industries . so, along with the real estate aspect; it's no

reed to get the best of them; and, blind them from properly handling company operations more sensibly . the Sikkim Group was gradually losing money

cturing' . which I'm truly thankful for. Because . besides other than the obvious fact that it would suck to be unemployed . I t

company; ready to earnestly work hard, and prove myself to be . not so much indispensable; because, truth is, there's no such thing

er from its losses . at the very least, stop losing money . and perhaps, even become profitable, again; as the Sikkim Group once was,

s some sort of a 'financial wizard', who's become somewhat of a legend in the industry. He's a professional corporate business strategist and financial analyst; with an outstanding proven track record for

per handsome; which has most of my female colleagues eagerly excited to see him. T

excitement permeating the atmosphere, the c

h all of the company's shareholders to contribute a small number of their shar

ay . r

esides being offered a six-figure salary; they'r

his guy reall

, who knows. Only tim

es in his hands. . Then again, if you think about it; those dumb ass executives always had the ha

give that much of a damn, anyway. Fact is; whether this guy actually saves the company,

hole arrangement . and, start worrying about my future in the company; or, if the company will even have a future. . Okay; so

accepted the job. Essentially, his reputation is equivalent to his livelihood; so, I'm certain that he wouldn't want to tarnish it by failing this task. Sur

him. But now, it's almost time for a lunch break; and, there's still no sign of him. We're all 'on pins and needles', at thi

his first official day at the Sikkim Group ... is this really the first impression he wants to ma

ine' established throughout the entire company to tap into the entire proverbial 'grapevine', in order to

here . the new CEO just pulled into the parking garage

aback and stunned . t

the restaurant; gave me a ride back; and, loaned me his coat to wear for my walk home . who had essentially enamored me; and, had me swooning ove

ss is finally starting to pay off..." Tom Jackson . our department ma

r way through this. I'm sure under his direction the company will once again become stable . possibly becoming more pros

give it until the CEO was in earshot to hear him deliver it. Tom's notoriously famous for being a 'brown

rings . and; calls out, whe

planning on stopping off on every floor to conduct a quick walk through of each departme

die; then, once again speaking

ce when were you promoted to Department Manager . what

rmurs under

, be transferred out of my department. Man, I

eying an expression of contemptuous disd

me lip balm? I wouldn't want you to chaff your

. I can't help it; I always find their spats amusingly entertaining . especially when I hear Andie's saucily flip remarks .

ed mutually felt between the two of them; making them some kind of sworn mortal enemies. Andie soon revealed to me something that very few people at the company

ly; that's not being totally fair to the male species . after all; 'it takes two to Tango'. So,

lting in Tom falling victim to a brunt of her jokes; and, frequent

fellow female colleagues excitedly chatt

es! God, he's

some . like a

absolute

at I'm talking about.

ly rising . anxiously wanting to find out if 'this Calvin Smith' was really 'my Calvin Smith' from last n

lly is him! No

find myself a shovel, and dig a hole to bury myself in . wond

he cubicle partition; and, our eyes lock. In an instant; that amicably mischievous grin of his emerges upon

in his path, extending out his hand to greet him . but, is brusquely bru

tare of those 'dreamy bedroom eyes' fall on the bare nape of my neck; as my skin starts becoming heatedly flushed.

p, hypnotically magnetic v

your head, a

y eyes for a moment; and, I can feel my face rapidly becoming flush . virtually feeling my complexion redd

wards my head. I instantly become frozen; like 'a deer trapped in headlights'. . Then; I feel

pin doesn't

y whispers aloud, "Unlike the c

even closer . merely an inch or two from

t a time aside for us to meet again, so yo

my chest; as I feel a moistening h

hless . so; I respon

n me; while displaying that amicably mischievous grin

s as collateral, until I

and heads back towards the elevator . w

dly frantic Andie rushed over to my cubicl

us?! How come you didn't tell us you two already knew each other?! . Wa

anting to know about the 'relationship' between me and the new CEO . although, they're still not a

he defensive, and deny

know him .

ht for a short amount of time . so, technically; I really don't know him. Anyway . I don't

's got the 'nose of a bloodhound' when it comes to 'sniffing out' potential gossip; and, once

etched on her countenance. Suddenly, a huge impish grin stretches across her mouth; and then, she b

, what was all

ght; still displaying t

Alexia; what's going on be

sation . although; I'm probably

's going on. I . I

brief reprieve; as T

up and finish up what you've been working on so we can break on time. . Unless you

kly dissipates from around my cubicle . leaving only the 'Queen of

o obviously know each other; there

. no; like I said bef

ther. Seriously; what was that all about . no CEO would ever just go u

entire department, to boot! What was he thinking? What's the purpose of taking away my hairp

that impish grin

can understand where he was coming from. I suppose 'hottie CEO' . besides be a magnificent hunk of 'eye candy' . has a surprisingly good fashion-sense,

mpishly grinning; then, playfully squeeze

cious pretty littl

as I instantly blush from the embarrassment. I quickly p

n of Gossip'! Like I said... there's noth

she's gone a little too far; and, she decides to back down off, for now. Sh

is slide . for the

quickly calming down. And; once I fully regain my composure . no

let you go to lunch. . I'm sure you don't want to miss out on your lun

rightly r

ot today, I won't . I hear that they're serving fish sticks and mac and cheese in the caf

aughing; then

nd at least pretend to look busy . otherwise 'Mas

h; you're right . I

office; sternly staring at us. His lips are t

er 'stink eye'; then, he

***

me a cup of coffee, and bring it to my desk before she went down to the cafeteria . but, I suppose the 'mouthwatering' temptatio

all by myself in the office ... since no one else wa

cup of wate

ime that Tom has shown even a shred of kindness towards me . which had me wondering what he was re

eery eyes for a moment;

. I should

ing 'Alice in Wonderland

thank me; it'

'So; what do you want

at I brought you a cup of water. That's understandable . and; I guess that's my

t uneasy; while still waitin

have been like that with you..." He patted me on my shoulder. "I apologize. I hope you don't hold

a bit uneasy to tot

rief pause

u guys are pretty close; huh? . If that's the case: I hope you wouldn't mind putting in a good word or two on my behalf for me

is true colors. . I softly chuckle

n before. And; you're mistaken . I didn't know the CEO, before;

ke-looking 'Alice in Wonderl

t talking. Relax . 'mum's the word' . I won't say anything about it, again. Your secret's safe with me. . And, besi

eally made my feel uncomfortable; and, turne

or you and mind; and, please be so kind as to r

elf about what he said about Andie . and,

en she gossips; she 'proudly struts out in the open like a peacock' while doing so . whereas, To

n hour to go before this workday en

hairpin . and, unable to focus on my work; as I mulled over, and struggled to figure out why he did that. Calvi

building; and, the incessant gossiping commenced. I'm not really surprised by this . in fact; I was already expecting th

ental stares out of the corners of my eyes, and overhear the murmured whispers

hear my cellphone 'chirp'; alerting me t

u've become the most popular top

exi

everyone's referring to

ia: ?

re also saying that he purposely

ell . don't tell me they actually be

eally don'

fanfare; and, enjoy the ride. Besi

w . so, come on; la

xia:

x-injected, Silicon-enhanced, lif

and pissed off. Ha!

nkly, they're making me feel worse than before. I think it's time for me to take

eartedly determined . yet still; admittedly nervous . to speak with Calvin, in the privacy of his office; and, ask him

and, I step out onto the Executive Fl

ompany is in such the dire financial situation that it is . because, there's 'no one at the helm steering this ship'? Has 'the captain

in the first place; as I become angry just thinki

s of the company; and, expect us to clean it up. And; not only that . they don't even have the

oughts; when I hear an unfamiliar voice

a . what bring

vaguely familiar; so, I try to r

thing I can do

still can't 'place his face'. I'm starting to feel a bit un

y; but, yo

f I'm being honest, is almost as bedazzling as Cal

have I? Sorry; that's an oversight on my part . my apologies

's entourage, when they stopped by our department. That explains why h

e to meet you . M

no

ing; I'm curious . how is

gly elegant smile . then; smoothly avoids my

xia? Surely you didn't come up here

y reply, "Oh, yeah; r

y uneasy and embarrassed again to bring it up . even though I'm sure he's aware of what had transpired earlier today

m sure you saw it too, yourself . that is; when

no

n't figured out why he would do that . and, truthfully; it's been kind of both

iefly befor

up here on the Executive Floor must have heard some of the gossip about us previously kno

n; he

anted to ask him if he could possibly help m

you're in now . as I'm sure Calvin can, as well . and; I'm certain he'l

auses before

sn't here, at the moment. But, as soon as he returns; I'll be sure let him know

e all this as quickly as possible . but, what can I do. I le

be on my way then. I guess I'll have to meet

o the elevator; when Wa

second; A

once again displaying his

already; and, are free . would you do me the ho

. why would he want to take me out to dinner, all of a sudden? I don't get it. . Oh, well; at least

e notices the demonstratively awkward expression that I can feel etched in

tion. The thing is; you possess a striking resemblance to an old, school friend of mine . and,

ut a brief chuckle. ... Warren fo

. too

little more relaxe

ust the right a

the company . and, other than Calvin; I really don't know anyone else, here. I

. I sup

if the idea of dining with me alone makes you feel uncomfortable; why don't we do this . f

her with a colleague . even one that you've just met for the first time . and, go out for dinner. And, now that Warren suggested that I brin

esides . a girl's

laug

e, "So . I'll pick up you and fri

we'll b

, I'll see you

ee you la

dly smile; then, head ba