Welcome to my story, I just wish to say I do not intend to break any copy right laws, this is my own idea and if anything else is similar then it is by coincidence. I have made most of the places and names up, now enjoy...

Chapter 1: Expect the unexpected

"I have my lunch, check. I have my briefcase, check. I have my keys, check. And my laptop...not check." I muttered as I spun around the room making sure I had everything. Then I walked back into the kitchen and found my computer on the counter. A simple, silly mistake. "Check." I smiled and grabbed the handle. Then I was out the door and into the car in 15 seconds flat.

I was on my way to work and felt worried that I had forgotten something today. I would be making a presentation that might make or break my career. Then I would be with clients for the rest of the day. Just 15 minutes and I would arrive to work. The traffic was normal and everything was right on schedule, except for my minor forgetfulness of my laptop, but that was already made up in time for the speed I was moving today. It simply put me exactly on schedule.

I pulled into my parking space and then was taking the short, 20 second, walk to the security gate, flashed my ID and was walking to my office to prepare.

I was nervous, but not behind—the most important factor. I would keep my presentation simple and concise and would be finished at approximately 9:36 am. Everything was already going perfectly.

I was at the office, 7:00 am, saving time for later as I complied all of my cases into separate folders on my office computer and then cleared my desk after checking every stray paper to make sure I wouldn't be forgetting anything important. I was all about deadlines.

Then I pulled out my laptop and set it adjacent to my office monitor. When Henry Benzel walked in. "Hi Henry." I greeted him.

"Hi, uh Amalia. Mr. Henderson wishes to see you." He explained quietly and left. I stared after him, a surge of worry washed over me. But I would still be on schedule even after this odd meeting.

I walked into his grand office with a perky smile set on my face. I was the youngest co-CEO of Henderson and Cabal Industries. Now I was in my zone, I could accomplish anything and was willing to take risks.

"Amanda, nice to see you." He began with an uncomfortable grin on his face. "Please sit." He sighed. I was already working out a way to tell him politely my name was not Amanda.

"Hello sir, it's Amalia." I explained shortly after shaking his hand and sitting.

"Ah, yes, Amalia, sorry," He apologized but didn't look very sorry.

"Sir, may I enquire what this is about?" I asked counting the seconds as I spoke.

"You see Amalia, we have had to make some cutbacks," He began. "I am sorry to say that you were included." His gaze was glued to the wall behind me. I was speechless. They were letting me go? I had the highest efficiency, none of my clients had ever complained and I hadn't taken a sick day in 3 years.

"M-me?" I repeated—completely shocked.

"Yes, I'm sorry." He stood up from his comfy leather chair and walked around his desk to give me a pat on my hand. "You will of course be paid for this unexpected situation, I mean you are one of our brightest minds, and I will be sorry to see you go." His face held no emotion though. It was like he had forgotten I had helped the company out of so many problems but none of that mattered anymore.

"Of course, I will go clean up my desk now." I offered, standing up.

"Atta girl, a young thing like you won't have any trouble finding a job." He encouraged. But all I could think of was, what possible reason did he have to get rid of me? I left the large office and walked back to my own, already finding all of my things packed in boxes on my desk.

I felt like I was about to break down, but that wouldn't be an option. I needed to go out and find a job now.

I grabbed the boxes and was out the door and in my car with 10 seconds to spare. I checked my keys, that I had everything and then drove out of the parking lot, holding myself together only by a thread. I was in my driveway and with just 10 seconds I was inside the apartment holding my boxes only to break down inside the door and slide to the floor.

It wasn't fair. I had put my entire life into this company and now they had the nerve to get rid of me? Wasn't I a good asset? I had pulled out of scrapes and never made a mistake I couldn't fix with seconds to spare.

Now I had all the time in the world and my time-management schedule was out the window. I needed to figure this out.

I set up my laptop in the living room and was typing so fast my fingers became a blur. I first typed 'Henderson and Cabal Ind.' with the latest hits on the top I clicked the very first link.

As recent events have shown, Henderson and Cabal Industries do not know how to handle finances. With over 300 employees losing their jobs today, it is a tragedy. It seems that H & C Ind. haven't clued in to the many signs that they should up their prices and keep their mouths shut.

It was reported they have fired even reliable and important employees like Miss Amalia Darling, one of the company's top co-CEOs. She is lost and now every other company will be working hard to snap her up.

With such problems H & C Ind. will be in deep trouble and the business may end with similar results to the Enron case.

By: Jamey Banks.

I blinked back the tears, even this Jamey Banks knew how important I was to the company, yet somehow this awful greed had happened.

The article delved deeper into Henderson's greed for money and how he had taken many cuts on salaries keeping the money for himself. Apparently Cabal hadn't known anything, but it might be a tactic to keep a lawsuit away from him.

All I knew was that I needed a job—sooner rather than later.

First I would go and pig out over some ice cream.

I had sat down and was watching the movie channel, with no real clue as to what movie was playing. I had a bucket of rocky road ice cream sitting in my lap and it felt like a moment I really wished I had a pet. A cute little kitten...

The ice cream however, had been long freezer burnt. I had only kept the bucket as a reminder of my past life. I had given up any sweets or candy when I began my job. But after so long all I had now was an awful stomach ache and tear-stained cheeks.

The movie ended and I just watched the credits yet couldn't remember any of the names that showed. I hadn't even had time for TV in years. I hadn't even read a magazine in 4 years well at least not one that talked about actors or many celebrities, mainly I read about entrepreneurs.

I was back on my computer and almost went to employment sites, but decided to look into this Jamey Banks person. I wanted to know everything about them, and then I would track them down and find out how they scored this information.

My first search gave millions of results so I narrowed it down and found this:

Jamey Banks is one of the Daily Chromes top investigative reporters, he is renowned and has earned one Nobel Peace Prize on an article entitled 'The ins and outs of life'. Now Jamey is looking for a secretary to help: if you are looking for a job or have any information please call the number below:

phone number here

I quickly snatched my cell phone and began dialling the numbers, but before I pressed send I rehearsed what I would say when the person on the other line answered.

"Jim Banks speaking." He answered and I was short of breath. I felt like I should have done more research.

"This is Amy Darling, I saw you were looking for a secretary and wondered if I could arrange an interview." I explained politely.

"Ah, of course, that could be arranged, now what times are you available?" He asked.

"Any time." I replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly.

"Great, then I will see you in one hour at the Panda Bar, in downtown New York; if you make it there then I can almost guarantee that you will have the job." Jamey hung up. I still had the phone to my ear and was listening to a dial tone, but felt someone in shock.

I was back on my computer and typing in the Panda Bar. It didn't actually come up with many results but the most popular was an ad for the Panda Bar in Scotland.

Then I took those results and narrowed my search, eventually I saw that it was about a 15 minutes drive from my apartment. I quickly printed out a map, hopped in my car and was on my way to the bar.

Now, let me tell you it was much more difficult than it had seemed on the map, but I made it to the bar with minutes to spare and was sitting in a booth near the front when I heard a voice behind me.

"Pretty good, I assume you are Amy Darling." Jamey's voice was behind me, I quickly stood up and turned around, "Or should I saw Amalia Darling?" Jamey had short chocolate brown hair and reminding me of some typical athletic American. He was tall and seemed really fit—as I said, athletic. His eyes were a very warm brown and his eye lashes just invited you to continue staring.

"Amalia, and would you prefer Jamey or Jim?" I returned briskly.

"Ah, so a sharp tongue to go with those lovely eyes." Jamey laughed. "Call me Jim." He finished. "Now sit..." He gestured to the booth I had already occupied. I sat, almost in a robotic way.

He waved for the waiter and ordered something that I didn't catch as he spoke so fast. "Right, how did you find this place?" He asked, his arms crossed on the edge of the table and he seemed to be slightly leaning forward.

"What do you mean? It wasn't that hard once you have a map." I retorted. Something about him was just putting me on edge and making me cranky.

"You actually found a map, I am impressed. Maybe you have what it takes to be my secretary after all." Jim mused.

"I actually came to talk about that article you wrote earlier today." I explained.

"Oh, that Henderson and Cabal Industries one?" He seemed to roll his eyes.

"Yes, that one." I responded.

"I suppose you would be curious about that. Now tell me, what do you want to know?" He seemed lazily relaxed and set at ease.

"How did you find that information and have the article printed before even I found out I was being fired?" I asked in the same brute like manner I may talk to an interviewee with.

"I am a very good investigative reporter and I have an inside source." He responded mysteriously. I just glared at him; it was no help that he was acting like such a know-it-all.

Then the waiter came round and had a tray full of drinks. He set down a brown bubbling mixture in front of me and something else, likely alcoholic, in front of Jim.

"Enjoy." He winked at me. I just glowered this time, trying to get one of my evil stares going, but it didn't affect Jim at all. I tentatively took a sip to find out it was simply coke. I stared at Jim's and tried to guess what his might be.

"Don't worry, I don't drink this early in the morning." He smiled, "It's soda water." He explained. I didn't pursue that fact that maybe he was lying.

"Anything else you wish to tell me?" I asked then took a sip of my cola.

"You have the job." He answered his face dead-pan.

Now it was my turn to burst out laughing.