Chapter Six

Zara

The past few weeks have been hectic. After the events of that night, I threw my self into work the next week and in the weeks to follow. The only time I had to unwind was when I met with Valerie and Emily. The thought of my new friends brings a smile to my face. I never thought I’d be so open to having other people in my space but I seemed to like it so far.

The girls had teased me endlessly on the first night we met. It was definitely hard to keep up with the amount of profanities Valerie dropped in each sentence. The girl swore like a sour grandma but I found myself smiling whenever she spoke. I would say she is a ray of sunshine but she puts the entire sun to shame, that one. Emily on the other hand is gentle, with the prettiest smile. They balance each other out perfectly.

A knock sounds outside my office and in walks my Secretary, Leslie. My position in the company is not the highest but being a Senior Associate meant I was entitled to my own assistant.

“ Ma’am , the CEO is asking for you in his office”

“Alright , Leslie. I’ll be there, thank you”

Our CEO and Senior Partner, Mr. Rogers is a Luminary in New York’s Law sector. His excellence is the reason I came to work at Rogers and Sanders Co. in the first place. I wanted to be at the top of the food chain . Besides, your environment determines the opportunities you get. Working in one of the top law forms did have it’s perks.

On the entire elevator ride to the top floor, I keep pondering on why Mr. Rogers asked for me. It is rare to get called up to the CEO’s office . Am I in some kind of trouble?

I knock on the door and walk in at the sound of Mr. Roger’s “come in”

There is a man sitting on the couch opposite him.

“ You called for me, Sir “

“Yes, Miss Parkinson. Please, sit I have a job for you.”

I take a seat beside the stranger.

“ This is Mr. Michael Black. Head of PR at Paradise Group”

“ Paradise Group? The one owned by…”

“Hernandez Andres. Yes, that’s the one”

Paradise Group of Companies was the biggest conglomerate in all of New York, if not the United States. “ Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Black”

The man merely sends a smile my way and nods in acknowledgement.

Mr. Rogers continues, “ Mr. Black is here as a representative for his boss, Marcello Andres and they will like to form an alliance with our firm”

“Okay…?”

“ Don’t look so surprised, Miss Parkinson” , Mr. Rogers chuckles “ I’d like you to take on this client”

Did he just say he wants me to take on a client from Paradise Group? Oh. My. God

“ You have shown excellence in the duration of your stay with us. This is a chance to prove yourself in a bigger arena.”

A huge grin breaks out on my face at the compliment. “ Thank you so much, Sir. I promise I won’t let you down”

“ I’ll hold you to that, Miss Parkinson. You can see Mr. Black here to your office to work out the details.”

I thank him once again and leave with the man who is yet to say a word, behind me. Once we’re outside, he stops me. “ Miss Parkinson, was it?”

I smile politely “ Yes , Sir”

He stretches a card in my direction. “ Please, call my office later in the week and set up a meeting with my secretary. I would love to stay and chat but I have a meeting to get to .”

He moves towards the elevator but before he steps in, he turns towards me with a smile, “ It was lovely to make your acquaintance too, Miss Parkinson.”

Strange.

I press the button for the elevator and just as I am about to step in, a sudden feeling of vertigo envelopes me. I stagger for a second, gripping on to the wall for stability. It takes a few minutes for me to gain my bearings. I have been neglecting my health due to work . I think I even skipped a few meals.

I just got a VIP client, I will not let something as minute as forgetting to eat, rob me of this opportunity.

Luckily for me, it’s break time. So, I walk straight to the Company Cafeteria to grab a bite. Today’s menu is pasta, so I order a plate with a bottle of water. My stomach growls at the aroma of the steaming pasta and sauce, as I grab a seat by the door. I lift a forkful to my mouth but the aroma becomes a nauseating smell that makes my stomach churn.

I must have gone so long without food.

I lift the fork to mouth again but my gag reflexes kick in and within seconds, I am hunched over the toilet, puking my guts out. With every retch, my stomach tumbles violently, threatening to fold in on itself.

Could it be ulcer? Food poisoning ?

During the last week, I have been running fevers on and off.

I return to the cafeteria and trash my food. I still have a few hours to be at work, so I go to work on a document I was working on earlier.

I don't know how long I sit there, reading and typing on my computer until Leslie knocks on the door to my office.

" It's time for your two o'clock appointment Miss Zara"

"It is? I totally lost track of time. Is the client here yet?"

"Not yet, ma'am"

I hold my breath at the sharp pain that pierces my stomach. The pain lasts for a short while but it leaves me momentarily disoriented.

"Is everything alright, Ma'am?" Leslie asks

Is everything alright? I guess not.

" Leslie, please reschedule my appointment for another day. Apologize to the client on my behalf"

I guess it’s time to visit the doctor.