Haley James looked up as the elevator doors opened on the familiar 42nd floor. A fresh coffee warmed her hand, while the other held her ebony colored brief-case.
"Ms. James...you have a one-o'clock with Pierre and Mr. Keller called. He moved your meeting back to next week..." A small girl, early twenties with thick glasses, informed Haley of her daily changes while she followed her to her office.
Haley let out a breath and took a sip of her coffee, "Figures."
Haley entered her office, hung up her coat and took a deep breath. Her office was inpecably clean but also cold...lacking anything personal. There were no pictures on her walls and no cards on her desk...just a simple computer and telephone. She remembered getting a plant once from a colleague...but it naturally died and Haley tossed it into the waste basket.
She's worked at Davis Industries for nearly two years now, but all the other employees knew about her was she was the youngest CEO in the companies history. People in personel were able to give a little more description...but that was only because they had her resume on file.
Haley Elizabeth James, born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. Graduated validictorian from East Side High School and attended NYU on a musical scholarship. She recieved a Bacholar's degree in both Music and Business.
Haley sat at her desk tapping a pen on the solid oak as she looked through the list of messages her assistant, GiGi, had given her. Nothing out of the ordinary, a few calls from clients or their lawyers and a message from her mother. She let out a deep sigh when the sound of the intercom turned her attention else where.
"Ms. James?"
"What is it GiGi?"
"There's a Ms. Peyton Sawyer here. She was sent to see you by Personel."
"Ok..." Haley replied, slightly annoyed.
"Mr. Davis left a message saying you were to interview her."
Haley was now more than irritated. She hated when her boss would send her wanna-be Music Exec's into her office when his business partner, the one and only Chris Keller, was just too damn busy, "Fine. Send her in."
Haley looked down to make sure her white, button-up blouse and black skirt were free of wrinkles. She ran a quick hand through her long, honey-blonde curls and stood right as her office door opened.
She was surprisingly greeted with a tall, thin...curly blonde. At first glance Haley would have told her she was in the wrong place. The young woman was not dressed in a standard business attire. Instead she looked like she had just come from a rock concert. She wore faded, dark blue jeans and a Cheap Trick rock t-shirt, covered by a black leather jacket.
Haley was a tad turned off by the lack of professionalism, but put on her best smile and reached out her hand, "Hi, Ms. Sawyer was it?"
Peyton laughed, "Ya, but just call me Peyton."
Haley agreed, "Ok...shall we sit." Haley pointed to the chair in front of her desk.
Peyton walked over but not before she took in her surroundings, "Nice office.." she stated then followed it with a laugh, "Who's you have to sleep with to get this view?" She joked as she took in the site of Central Park 42 floors up.
Haley ignored her comment, because frankly...she got it alot. Her colleagues couldn't comprehend how someone so new to the comapny could move up so fast. None of them taking into consideration, Haley's own musical talent and her eye for seeing it in other people.
Haley retook her seat behind her desk and proceeded on with the interview. "So do you have a resume with you?"
"Yea," Peyton handed her the white piece of paper which contained the power to make or break her career.
Haley took a second to look it over and then looked up with her classic smile, "So it says here you graduated from the Savannah School of art and Design?"
Peyton nodded in agreement.
"So what exactly were you looking to do here at Davis Industries?"
"Anything really. I haven't been in New York long...but I gotta pay the bills one way or another, so its not like I can be exactly picky."
"Right" Haley sighed, "Well I don't if you know anything about Davis Industries bu-"
Peyton proceeded to cut her off, "Davis Industries. Founded by Robert S. Davis in 1984, along side his business partner Frank Gatinna. In 1991 Mr. Gattina left their partnership to pursue a family. Leaving Mr. Davis to run the business alone until 3 years ago when an up and coming musician Chris Keller joined the reigns. Robert was married but divorced 3 years ago. His daughter lives in California, in which he commutes there alot to spend time with her. Davis Industries has become one of the largest talent agencies in the United States, concentrating on finding the newest musical talent but will occasionally dable with actors and maybe a model here and there."
Haley had to take a breath, this girl had definitly done her homework. But that didn't mean she had anything to offer them. What she had just stated could have been looked up on any web engine in the world.
"Ok, well...I'll have to check with some of your former employee's and run this by my boss so we should get back to you in a few days." Haley again...smiled.
Peyton nodded, "Ok. Thank you..." She stood and shook Haley's hand and began making her way towards the door but turned her voice must quieter then it had been, "Ms. James?"
Without looking up from her desk Haley questioned back, "Yes?"
"I really need this job."
The way she said that made Haley's brown eyes meet Peyton and for the first time since Peyton walked into her office she gave her a genuine smile, "Just leave you cell-phone number with GiGi."
"Thanks. Oh...and I really admire you. I was just kidding about what I said earlier...you must be really talented to make it this far...being what...my age" Peyton laughed and made her way out the door.
Haley leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, "Yea..."
"You're on in five Haley." The tattooed covered woman called from outside the dressing room.
Haley smiled into the mirror, "Thanks Linney!" She yelled back. She took a deep breath in and grabbed her guitar, "Here we go."
The club was packed as it was most Saturday nights and as Haley walked onto the dark stage she could hear the applause begin. She had been performing at "Smoothe" for about 6 months so she was well known amongst the crowd.
As she started strumming the guitar the room fell silent as she began to sing. Her voice was angelic but filled with soul. She performed her usual 3 songs as she did every weekend...never knowning there was a man in the audience that would change her life forever. Chris Keller.
The day had finally come to an end, usually 5 o'clock comes quickly to Haley but today just seemed to drag. She gathered up a few contracts she had to look over at home and shoved them into her brief case. She turned off her light and headed to the elevator. It wasn't unusual that she was one of the last to leave the office. GiGi left around 4:00...Haley knew that GiGi had to pick her younger sister up from daycare. Like the rest of the employee's GiGi knew little about her boss...except that her tough exterier was covering a very kind heart.
Haley got off the elevator on the 1st floor but was immediatly bothered by the ringing of her cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hales?"
She sighed, "Who else would it be Chris. What do you want, I'm just heading out."
"You work too much."
"Well contrary to popular opinion...we aren't actually suppose to leave until now so..."
He laughed, "Whatever, hey do you have the contract for Heidi on you?"
Haley rolled her eyes, "You mean the bimbo actress you're making me sign, just because you want in her pants?"
"That would be the one. So do you have it? I need her number."
Haley put her brief case on the ground searching for the document she needed and relayed it back to Chris.
"You're a life-savor Hales!"
Not watching where she was going as she picked up her brief case and continued on the phone while trying to put the document back in place, "I told you Chris don't call me tha-"
And the next thing she knew she was on the lobby floor.
"I'm so sorry! Are you ok?"
She heard a deep voice from above but couldn't make out the figure before her. Her vision was blurred for a brief second from the fall.
"Ya jeez, watch where the hell your going!" She barked.
She heard a slight chuckle and immediatly wanted to knock this guy out. He grabbed her hand and helped her back to her feet, "You know when someone offers an apology...you might want to take it."
She brushed off her clothes and looked up, "Yea well most peop---" She stopped. She was met with the most piercing blue eyes she'd ever seen. His tall frame towering over her.
"Are you ok?" He questioned pulling her out of her daze.
"Wha-. Ya, ya...I'm fine."
"Well thats good, I wouldn't want to have to make a trip all the way down to the emergency room on our first meeting." He smirked.
"Wha-, You know what nevermind. What are you doing here the offices are all closed, you'll have to come back tomorrow."
"Well lucky for me I'm just delivering a package." He responded showing the brown box occuping his hand.
"Whatever. Just leave it at the front desk." She stated as she gathered her things and headed towards the revolving doors in front of her.
"Wait!" He called running after her.
"What is it now?"
"Do you know where I can find a..." He looked down at the box, "Haley James."
She growled aggrivated as she looked up to the sky, "Do I ever get a break!?" She set her brief case down once more, "Where do I sign?"
He smirked once more, "So she has a name?"
"Cute...Again where do I sign?"
He took out a pen and pointed to the white box on his clipboard, "Right here."
Haley did as instructed and took the box from his hands, "Thanks..."
"No problem" he responded watching her struggle with her brief case and box, "you know I could help you..."
"No thanks. I think I can manage just fine by myself." She turned once more and headed back for the doors.
"The names Nathan by the way!" He called out.
Not turned around she answered, "Nice to know..." and walked out the turned doors. Leaving him standing there with only his "smirk" to keep him company.
"Don't worry. She's like that with everyone." A voice came from behind, catching him off guard. The old man whom he had seen sitting at the front desk joined in watching Haley hale a cab.
"Wonder why?" He said not meaning it to be aloud.
The old man laughed, "What? Don't you like the cold New York attitude?"
Nathan smiled, "Actually " He watched her get into the taxi, "I was thinking the complete opposite.
-------------------------------
Haley closed the door to her sleek apartment, throwing her keys and brief case on the table beside it. She walked into her, larger than needed, kitchen and threw the box down on the counter. Without a hint of excitement she quickly opened the box to reveal its contents. She let out a small sigh as she picked out the object.
A picture of her family at the annual "James Christmas Party" she had failed to attend last month. Along side it was a card that simply read, "Happy 25th Birthday Haley-Bob..."
She tossed the contents back into the box and sighed, "Ya, Happy Birthday."