The Promotion

Chapter One: THE PROMOTION

Rojean was feeling all sorts of emotions course through her at the moment and she wasn’t certain on what she should be feeling. But nonetheless, she packed up her things, putting them neatly in the box provided to her by the office she’s working at-- well, now the appropriate word would be ‘worked’ as she was being called to the higher ups for her promotion. She didn’t file for one, although confused, she was still glad to get one this early. Her mind hadn't processed what was happening at all and she didn’t seem to question the odds. Pulling out her phone from her front pocket, she texted her fiance, constantly updating him on the current situation, planning to eat out after it was all over.

She put the phone away once she noticed one of her co-workers approaching her, a smile appeared on her lips. “Is it really better there?” she asked, chuckling a bit at how excited her co-worker was for her. “I’m honestly scared.”

“Don’t be! It’s rare to have someone appointed to their department and you’ll have more opportunities there than here. Don’t forget us, okay? Also I’ve heard there are a lot of cute guys there.”

“Shh~ Lucas will get mad if he finds that out. We’ll both get into trouble” she hushed her co-worker jokingly before looking at the address her head gave to her earlier written on a piece of paper. “Is this really their building? It's at least four times as massive as our building here.."

“Well, rich people and their need to impress. The CEO's filthy rich but no one knows who it is. That’s the mystery the whole corporation is dying to know about.” her co-worker pouted a bit before walking by her as they started walking to the elevator. “Rumours said that the owner’s still young.”

“Really, already a CEO at a young age?” Rojean’s eyebrows furrowed for a bit before chuckling. “They’re probably just rich! I’ll go ahead, I’ll call you guys. Thank you for everything.” she bid farewell to her co-worker, pulling her into a tight embrace before getting into the elevator, her heart beating faster against her chest at how scared she was.

Once her phone was out again, she texted Lucas that she was going, oblivious to the fact that Lucas was already waiting for her at the lobby, the guards and receptionist were used to him going there every so often to bring Rojean her food for the day. The elevator doors opened and Rojean instantly smiled at the sight of her fiance, looking at his phone as he asked where she was. 

“I said I could do it by myself, why are you here?” she joked when she got closer to him. “Wait until your boss talks to me about you always slacking around and it’s my fault!”

“I told you I was already clocking out~” Lucas pinched her cheek before helping her with her things. “Where’s this building at?”

“Can you go with me? They told me I can already put my things there.” she smiled at him before showing the address as they were heading out from the exit.

Lucas looked at the address if he knew where that was before nodding his head. “Looks like they're going to have to get used to me going there frequently too.”

“Hey! They’re stricter there, they won’t allow your arse in there so have some shame on yourself!” she frowned slightly before looking at her phone when a number texted if she could go there as fast as she could as someone was waiting to talk to her. “They need me there now. Give me that!”

“No!”

She just laughed it off at how childish Lucas can be. “Can you even carry those boxes? You look like you’re as frail as a stick.”

“I’m still bigger and taller than you’ll ever be,” he stuck his tongue out before opening the door when they got to his car for Rojean. 

He went ahead and put her belongings at the back of the car before climbing in the passenger seat, buckling his seatbelt then driving off.

“I wonder if there will be cute guys…” Rojean whispered to herself, loud enough for Lucas to hear just to tease him.

“Why?” Lucas frowned at her. “You're plotting something, aren’t you?”

To say Rojean was confused by his reaction was an understatement but she just brushed it off with a hearty laugh. “Our plans for tonight are going to be a little delayed. Would that be okay for you?”

“I could go for a midnight snack, we haven’t had a date at midnight since we’ve both got work.” Lucas shrugged his shoulders. “We could do lots of things whilst we’re at it.”

“I know your appetite as much as I know you, you’re hungry now. I don’t want you to starve.” she dramatically said before giggling.

“You pay this time,” he looked at her with a slight smirk on his face. “You’re the first one between the two of us to get promoted.”

“Do I get paid on the spot once I get promoted??” she frowned before pulling down the mirror in the car so she could see herself. “Do I still look okay?”

“You look beautiful,” Lucas cupped her cheek before pinching her chin, turning his attention back on the road. “There is not a day that you’re not beautiful.”

“Well alright,” she smiled happily before scooting closer to him and hugging his arm.

“Won’t work there be a little more tiring?” he just asked, taking a glimpse at her. “We were okay with our schedules before.”

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. “I’m assuming it’s just the same workload. But give me a massage later.”

“Even if I were the one who brought your things, you’re the one that needs the massage?” he asked, chuckling as he checked out the maps on his phone to make sure they weren’t getting lost. “I will always bring you your food though.”

“You always bring me food! I told you I should be going on a diet!” she complained with a pout on her face before looking out the window to see that they had already arrived.

“I don’t want to make you look sickly,” he slowed the car down before looking out ahead. “It’s massive. Is that where you’re going to work?”

“Babe, I’m scared! What if I don’t do my job properly!?” Rojean, now, felt the panic overwhelm her.

“That’s why you got promoted, baby, you do your job well. You’ll do great now. Come on.”

Once they found a parking spot, Lucas still helped Rojean with her things but was distracted enough by the buildings ahead. He swore he felt the buildings were going to fall on them, they were basically skyscrapers to put it in a simpler description. 

“Remember, you’re not an employee here. Don’t make it a habit to go here every single day!” Rojean reminded him though she really appreciates him often bringing food over but it was different this time with a different environment she has to get used to again. “I’ll be back. Wait for me here.”

Lucas nodded his head, urging her to go on seeing how scared she was and he just wanted to be there for her in case she backs out or something. Rojean told the receptionist her name and soon enough called up an employee to escort her to the top of the building where the higher up who wanted to talk to her was. It was a dreadful journey in the elevator as neither of them spoke, Rojean was afraid to stumble her words and the employee was either occupied with the documents he was holding or that he just didn’t bother enough with her.

They reached the office and the employee knocked, a male’s voice at the other end of the door. “It’s open, come in.”

Rojean first fixed her attire, cautious with her steps, then walked in, greeting the man there which she was a little shocked to see. He was still young, perhaps around her age. Though his eyes were fixated on the documents on the table, he hadn’t a chance to get a good look at her.

“Sit down,” he said, putting away the papers so his focus was on one thing. As his eyes caught sight of her, the expression on his face softened and he found himself staring.

“U-um, hello. Are you my contact here?” Rojean asked, feeling a little conscious that the man was staring at her like that but she couldn’t really complain now. It was her work over the line. ‘I thought he’ll be a lot older.’ she thought to herself, shifting to her seat at how uncomfortable she was at the moment.

He cleared his throat once he had gotten back to reality and sat up straight. “I guess, yes. I’m the president’s secretary.”

Rojean smiled before nodding her head. “It’s nice to meet you. W-what is it that you wanted to discuss with me, sir?” she just asked, still perplexed that it was now that he wanted to talk to her and couldn’t wait the other day just like what she was told.

“I just wanted to make sure I got the right person.” he just said before sighing a bit as his eyes were still on her. “What do you do back at your company?”

“I’m a marketing specialist.” she answered proudly before a thought came into her head, and she cursed it was the fatigue talking. “So, can I put my things here? I brought them already.”

It was stupid for her to say but she couldn’t help it, the day’s work was taking a toll on her especially with all the emotions that she’s been feeling all throughout. 

“Uh, sure.” he nodded his head, smiling at her for a brief second before standing up and gathering the documents laid on the table. “I’ll lead you to your office.”

Rojean followed suit, still feeling a little embarrassed that she demanded. At least she felt like she demanded. 

He was taking short glances at her direction and he couldn’t help the smile forming on his lips when she really looked like who she looked like, thinking to himself how he’ll approach her with the favour. “Your office is on the top floor. I’m Krister Usoro by the way.”

“Sir Krister, okay.” she nodded her head, looking around. ‘Even the elevators feel expensive’ she thought to herself. “But who am I going to report to?”

“To me,” Krister replied, looking at her through the mirror in the elevator. “In fact, I want you to do this one job.”

She looked at him. “Uh.. okay. Can you kindly write down what I’m going to do? I’m a fast learner, I promise!”

It was another occurrence that she felt embarrassed that she was asking too much from her employer. 

“It involves saving the company.” he just said before walking out of the elevator once they got to the floor they needed to be at. “So it will be a tough job.”

“Why? Is it going bankrupt?” she asked, following behind.

“How did you get to that conclusion?” he asked, looking at her with a confused look. “No. When we get inside the office, I’ll spare you the details.”

“Why? Is there something else you want to talk about with me?” she asked, eyes widening slightly on how big the office was even on the outside before coming in when he opened the door. 

“That’s why I called you here,” he said, turning on the lights from the switch by the door. “This is your office.”

“I’m the only one here?? Okay..” she didn’t question further on what she did to deserve such luxury. She was betting, though, that was a catch. There has to be in exchange for everything she was getting in just one day. “I have my stuff with me down, can I get them?”

“I’ll help with your things, it’s going to be a long talk. Do you also want to eat?”

‘He’s so nice.’ Rojean thought to herself, just looking at Krister. “But there’s someone waiting for me.”

She just guessed that maybe she was that comfortable around him as the atmosphere around him wasn’t really heavy compared to her bosses before.

“I still need to talk to you about something. We can talk over dinner. You can do whatever you’d please after. How does that sound?”

“Oh.. okay.” she nodded her head. “That would be fine.”

It was an awkward meeting between Lucas and Krister when the latter wanted to borrow her for that night. Lucas, being the calm and chill guy he was, didn’t even notice that Rojean wanted to go home and lends Krister permission over her for the time being. The restaurant they went to was a high-end one and was the perfect place for any private meeting if anyone may. There was already a reception, seeing as Krister had connections there and they were both led to an exclusive area so they could converse without anyone else hearing about it.

“This is going to be a difficult job and I am willing to compensate you to your desire. Anything you have in mind, do not hesitate to tell me how much. You’re the only one who can do this.” Krister sighed a bit when they got to their table, him not wanting to beat around the bush anymore so he would think about convincing her more if she’d decline.

‘But what’s going to be harder than being a marketing specialist? But what do I know, that’s the only thing I fully have grasp on.’ Rojean looked around for a moment, not really certain how she would respond to that.

Krister pulled out a picture and showed it to her, waiting for her reaction. “The resemblance is uncanny, isn’t it?”

Rojean took a minute to respond, seeing herself in the picture with a familiar outfit, though noticing the background. “Where do you get that picture? Is it me? Wait, I’ve never been to this place before.”

“This is Sei.” Krister said, his eyebrows meeting in the middle. “She is… well was the owner of the company.”

“Owner?” Rojean’s eyes widened, looking at the picture once more. “I thought it was really me. She does look like me. Umm… where is she now?”

“...she’s gone.” he offered the menu over to her direction. “Just recently. It’s not only this company she left. She had many.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.” she felt embarrassed once more before clearing her throat. “What help do you need from me?”

“She didn’t die unexpectedly,” he replied before looking at his bag for a moment to see if the documents were there. “I need you to pretend to be her.”

“What!? Me?? Are you sure? Maybe something just happened to her or what. Doesn't her family know anything??” she asked, quite obvious that she was panicking. Of course, it was expected from her seeing as it was a serious thing and she couldn’t possibly pretend to be someone else.

“Give me a frown.”

“What?”

“Give me a frown right now.”

Rojean did as he asked but not because he said so but because she was still confused. ‘Is he really serious? I’ll go to jail when I’m caught pretending to be her!’ she thought to herself.

Krister, noticing her expression, laughed slightly. “Yeah, you’ll definitely pass her off. I’ll pay you, don't worry. More than what you bargained for. I just need you to do this stuff for the sake of all her businesses.”

“What!? But I don’t know anything about her business! The people who know her, aren’t they going to be suspicious of me!? I’m not good at pretending, I can’t even lie without making it too obvious. They’ll immediately know what’s up!”

“No one knows her face except me.” he smiled at her reassuringly, letting her take in the information she needed to know and deciding against telling her what else because he knows she’ll definitely back up from the plan. “We’ll have you rehearse what you have to say in meetings.”

“Then, you don’t need me if people don’t know what she looks like if you were the only one who saw her face often.” she pointed out.

“Well yeah,” he licked his lower lip. “If I’m the only one who knows her face, how sure were the people who killed her that she’s Sei?”

She understood now. “Can I at least think about it?”

“Of course, no pressure.”