I do not own anything from JE. I am just having fun with her characters and make no profit off of them, the only thing in this story that I own is Eden Burlington.
This story came from a dream I had. It was just a little blurb I had before waking up, but I made a story around it. I hope you all will enjoy it.
Special thanks to Financebabe and At8c for their support on this story and to my husband who helped me think of the title to this story.
My name is Eden Burlington and I am on my way to Trenton New Jersey for a very important meeting with Mr. Ricardo Manoso the CEO of RangeMan INC. Mr. Manoso and I have been communicating by phone several times a week and now it has come that we need to meet face to face, so that I can present to him the stuff he has asked me to find out for a project he wants to do.
The flight attendant came over the loud speaker of the plane and told us that we were in the final decent into New Jersey. When I heard the landing gears descend from under the plane, the nerves I had about meeting Mr. Manoso skyrocketed and I began to sweat. I started smoothing out my clothes and hoped I looked presentable enough for my client. Mr. Manoso struck me as a powerful man and I felt the need to impress.
Once I got into the airport, I quickly found a restroom, going inside I took care of business, plopped my carryon up on the sink counter, found my brush and make up, refreshed everything that I could, and went out to claim my other bag. When the bags began to finally come and I retrieved mine, I walked away from the return, and began to scan the crowd.
"Mr. Manoso said he would be sending a car for me" I said to myself looking over all the people who were standing there holding signs with names of who they were there for, none that I saw said Burlington.
I started to feel a little queasy as I though about being stranded alone in a state that I knew nothing about and had no contacts in whatsoever. I grabbed my phone out of my purse and decided to give Mr. Manoso a call, as I searched through my call list for his name a big man came to stand next to me making me feel very uncomfortable. I took a few steps away with my bags and he followed me. Great I thought, my first hour here on the east coast and I have someone harassing me.
"Ms. Burlington?" the man asked as I fumbled with my phone
"Yes" I said surprised that this man knew my name
"I've been sent by Ranger to pick you up"
"I'm sorry there's been a mistake, I don't know anyone named Ranger"
"Excuse me " he said and relief flooded through me that he was from my client.
"And your name?" I asked holding out my hand
"Tank" he said and I almost laughed…almost.
"Well Mr. Tank I am already to go" I told him
"Just Tank"
"Ok Tank" I corrected as he took my bags from me and lead me outside the door to a big black SUV.
When Tank placed my bags into the back of the truck, he came around, opened the door for me, and helped me up into the seat. He then got in beside me and we both placed our seatbelts around us. Tank pulled away from the curb and pulled into the line of traffic that was leaving the airport. We rode in silence and I would glance over at the big man at the wheel, I had never seen someone like him before, I was used to the tanned Sunkist blond haired surfer guys that hung out on the beach by my condo, this man was obviously not ones of those. This man named Tank wasn't fat by any means; he was just different, lost in my musings about how different it was here a ringing jostled me out of my thoughts.
"Yes" Tank said punching a button on the rearview mirror
"Did the pick up go as planned?" a familiar voice to me said
Tank looked over at me "Yes" he said turning back to the road. A man of very few words I was getting.
"See you in ten" the familiar voice said and then I heard him disconnect. What have I gotten myself into?
"That was Mr. Manoso wasn't it? I asked and a small grin came across Tanks face.
"Yea, Mr. Manoso" he said and I laid my head back on the chair, looked up at the ceiling, and asked God to help me.
We finally made our way to a building that was seven stories tall (I counted). We turned the corner and came to a gate, Tank punched another button on the trucks dashboard this time and the gate lifted. As we drove down the ramp and parked, I let out a breath and smoothed out my suit.
"Ranger er Mr. Manoso is waiting for you on the fifth floor" Tank told me as we got out of the truck.
"Ok" I said grabbing my purse and my portfolio that sat next to me. Following Tank to the elevator, I almost had to run in my heels to keep up with him. In the elevator the two of us rode in complete silence as the elevator lifted us to our floor. As we neared the fifth floor, I ran my hands over my shirt once more to smooth out and wrinkle's and pulled on the hem of my jacket to straighten it.
"Right this way" Tank said when the car stopped. We walked up a long stretch of hallway that was lined with a maze of cubicles. We stopped at two big wooden doors; Tank opened one of them and walked in. Inhaling a breath and letting it out, I straightened my back and walked in.
(Ranger's POV)
Sitting in the conference room with my legs up on the table, I send out a text to all of my core team telling them to come to a mandatory meeting in ten minutes. Shutting down my phone, I slide it back onto my belt and sit back and think about the plan that I want to do. My thoughts were interrupted when the conference room door opens and I watch as Tank walks in, jumping to my feet, I see the woman who I assume to be Eden Burlington walk in behind him.
"Ms. Burlington' I said greeting her
"Mr. Manoso it is good to finally meet you" she said stretching her hand out for me to take.
"Your flight was good?" I asked
"Yes long, but good"
"Would you care for a drink?"
"Water if you have it" she said and I smiled. Tank left the room to get a bottle of water from the kitchen.
"My team should be arriving soon, sorry for the meeting so soon after the flight, I'd like to get the ball rolling as soon as possible on this"
"Not a problem Mr. Manoso" she said as Tank came in followed by Bobby and Cal. I waited a few minutes more until everyone came in and took their seats. Stephanie walked in and sat down next to Les, I know she really isn't "Core Team", but she's my woman and a very integral part of RangeMan. I also wanted her in on this meeting, because being the only woman here I thought she may be able to befriend Eden while she was here and it wouldn't be so awkward for her.
"Gentlemen and Steph this is Eden Burlington" I said and they all turned and looked up the table at us.