Ace High by K. Jessica Ramirez
Chapter 2:
"Rise and shine Mrs. Hawthorn"
The noise brings me to surface from my dreamless slumber. I had barely managed to catch three hours' worth of sleep last night. I couldn't stop or even control my mind. I tighten my eyelids in hopes to return to sleep but this only make Gale shake my shoulders.
"Gale" I mutter in annoyance as I blindly swing my arm at him.
His laughter fills the room as I feel his weight being lifted off the bed. When I don't answer Gale he sighs in annoyance now too.
"Katniss it's six, get up." He mutters in my direction before making his way out of the room.
I force my eyes open and stand up stretching my limbs to further wake myself up. I turn to my vanity grabbing my iPod. I always love to wake up to music gives the day a little hope. I click open my playlist named 'Inspiration' and scroll down to play.
I walk into the living room to find Gale sitting at the kitchen table on his laptop. This is our first day engaged and work still comes first but then again work has always come first for us. You could almost say that it was due to our work that we even got together.
Imagine it, Gale as lowly school teacher in a no body state like Arizona. I'd never have turned in his direction. I'm not a fool, I know the only reason we're even together is because of our good names in New York. We're both successful so it'd only make since to tie the knot so to speak.
"Babe you're not going out for your run today?" Gale addresses me watching me curiously as I bring out my laptop.
"Nope, I have a ton of work to get to today." I reply not bothering to turn in his direction as I check my emails.
"You working from home or are you going into the office?"
"Home Office till midday and then I'm flying to the beach house for a little inspiration and to check in on a couple of deals but I'll be back in my office by five." I answer turning to look at him.
I watch as he gives me a brief nod before turning back to my work.
"And You Gale?"
"Work Office until five"
I nod in his direction before pulling my attention back to my work. I allow my mind to wonder to everything I've been holding back since Gale popped the question last night as his car pulls out of the drive way. My fingers fly across the keyboard replying to emails, doing edits, and making appointments.
I always throw myself into my work when I can't or don't want to face reality. So the fact that I'm doing just that means I've completely lost my mind. When your perfect boyfriend of three years asks you to get married I'm pretty sure a normal response wouldn't be to hide inside of business trips, appointments, check ins, and calls. All of which need to be done anyways but any other girl would have dropped work for the day, spent it with her fiancé.
I decided to put my insanity on hold as I call in Clover. The phone only rings twice before I hear Clover's voice on the other end.
"Miss Everdeen may I wish you a good morning. Will you be coming into your work office today or shall you say home?"
Her voice is filled with fake overly cheeriness. How I wish women could be like the women I wrote about in my novels; brave, tough, and strong willed. You sound like such a hypocrite Everdeen.
"I'll be home until midday then I plan to take the company jet to the beach house to work on a new project and check into the deals we have running in that area while I'm there. I will however be back in the office late afternoon. I only called to receive the morning check in" I answer her as my fingers move across my keyboard.
I was replying an email response to Roy, my chief editor in charge of my entire editor level, the list of the new Novels arriving in Summer just as our latest novels are released.
"I'll have the jet ready for you at eleven sharp for takeoff and your return at five. I'll also notify our team in Miami that you'll be in the area and will be checking in on the branch and the deals. I'll also have the evening report for you when you arrive." Clover replies to me steadfast.
"Perfect. What are the rates like?"
"Romance novels are high as always, Mystery has kept steady but our History novels are lacking by three percent."
"Today's appointments?"
"One at six with Cecilia to seal the deal with the new shipment of novels for winter. Another at eight to finalize the design for The Darkest Heart."
"Time?"
"Ahead of schedule"
"Keep it that way Simion" I reply
"Always Miss Everdeen" She replies.
I end the call as I open another email this one Adam from the media branch. Adam is the head of the media branch. He controls all publicity our novels get and pretty much anything to do with how the audience sees the Novel. Seeing as we have the best ratings in New York I'd say he does his job pretty well.
I quickly type a reply to him. Next on the agenda was something I'd been dreading all morning, delivering the news to my mother. I can already imagine her over excitement for my marriage to the guy she's always dreamed of for me, one that I don't love. I know it's stupid for me to sit her and complain when I literally have everything I could ever need and want. Plus I know love like the one I lose myself in in my novels doesn't exist. Gale is my closest chance at any fairy tale ending.
Why is it I feel like I'm always trying to convince myself of that? I sigh to myself. For the first time I notice just how big my home is and how lonely it feels. Maybe it's a good thing I'll have Gale to occupy it. That is unless he wants to move into his home, something that I'd seriously hate. I literally built my home to match my dream. I wasn't giving it up anytime soon. Plus it's not like Gale is home very often anyways.
Were alike that way. Our offices were almost our second home pretty much. I shake the thought from my head as I ring up my mother as I make my way to the platform where the jet will be waiting.
"Isabelle Everdeen speaking"
"Hello Mom"
"Katniss darling what a pleasant surprise"
That's mom. Stay at home mom but still acts as if she'd own the whole damn planet. No matter who you are she'll always address your properly almost like she's making a sale.
"The pleasure is all mine mother"
"Not that I don't enjoy our talks sweetheart but what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
I feel myself scowl at her words. I don't know if I can do this. Telling my mom is like signing my marriage contract or saying I do. I take a deep breath counting to ten before slowly exhaling on the count of five.
"Other than returning your call I called with news"
"Yes?"
"Gale proposed last night..." I hear myself whisper into the phone.
My voice is quite and weak and it's a voice I almost never use.
"Proposed what darling? A new job? That you move in together?" My mother replies into the phone.
Her voice goes off untouched while I struggle to answer her. She sounds annoyed at my voice and truthfully so am I. I can stand in front of a room of thousands of important people and deliver the best most heartfelt sincerest speech and yet I get choked up during a conversation with my mother. I mentally chide myself and begin to give myself a prep talk.
She's just your mother Everdeen you can do this! You are powerful New York business women Katniss Everdeen owner of Everdeen Publishing. You are strong. You are brilliant. You are invincible. You can take on anything. Your mother is nothing compared to all you've achieved!
"He asked me to marry him and I told him yes" I answer into the phone proud of the confidence in my voice.
"Oh honey that's great!"
I feel my face break out into a smile at her approval even though I already knew she'd approve of this. All she's ever wanted was for me to marry well and now I am.
"Yeah it is"
"I can already hear the bells ringing!" My mother exclaims and then rants on "I picture a winter wedding. We can hire the best photographer in California. You are coming back home for the wedding right?"
"Hold your horses' mom"
"Katniss have dignity! You are Mrs. Hawthorn now stop speaking like your trash." My mother lectures at me.
I can already imagine her waving a finger in my face. Her big green eyes fill with displeasure as her natural blonde hair falls around her face as she scolds me. I've seen this image so much it's hard not to picture it.
"Sorry mom"
"Don't apologize Katniss you know how I feel about them. If you were-"
"If I were really sorry I wouldn't have done it, yeah I know mom. It won't happen again" I reply almost bored with the conversation now.
"I shall hope not, Gale has enough to deal with he shouldn't have to deal with an ignorant wife too"
I force myself to hold in a scoff at her comment. Yeah my mom made a lot of nasty comments towards myself and other but this just pissed me off. She knows I'm a strong feminist. Gale does NOT have to 'deal' with me. If he wants a perfect stay at home wife he should have known better than to marry a woman as powerful as myself. I mentally note how both Gale and my mother addressed me with his last name. They'll be angry and disappointed to find I strongly plan to keep Everdeen as my sur name.
I choose not to reply to my mother nasty comment. I did not need her to top off an already stressful day.
"Mother I shall speak to you at a later time I am about to board the company jet for a business trip so I'm afraid I must let you go" I reply to her in my most professional all business and no play voice.
It's the same voice I use when scolding an employ.
"Of course. Goodbye Katniss Honey." Her voice just like mine no longer holds emotion.
It's proper as ever and honestly at the moment it doesn't even bug me. I even prefer her that way. At least right now. I end the call and signal for the pilot who's been waiting for me to take off.
I pull out my laptop as we steady in the air. I have three hours until we land and I plan to take full advantage. I notify the house keeper of my arrival, and contact the head of the south branch to have a personal assistance ready for me at my arrival. I also decided to plan lunch with an old friend, Thresh. Might as well while I'm in town.
I spend the rest of my time looking over a new novel named The Next Light.
A young man stands by the platform waiting for my arrival.
"Name?" I ask as I hand him my suit case holding my laptop.
I pull out my phone and check my emails.
"William Allgood Ma'am"
I look up to briefly catch his eyes. I nod at him and motion for him to follow me. He does quickly accelerating his speed to match mine. I didn't run three miles every morning to be thought of as slow now did I?
"Occupation?"
"Today? Your personal assistance, normally reception for your southern branch." William replies looking kind of nervous.
"Age?" I ask as I quickly reply to Clover's email to make sure everything is going fine.
"Nineteen"
I look up at him again with curiosity. He was young. All my personal assistance are usually twenty-three and up.
"Let's check in with the branch"
He nods giving the driver directions as I pull out my phone to text Thresh and confirm our lunch plans.
May 31, 2013 2:48 PM
Katniss: Hey Thresh we still on for lunch at 3 right? (:
*2 Minutes Later*
Thresh: Oh, Shit. I'm so sorry Kat but I can't make it I got backed up at work. But rain check?
Katniss: This is why I own my own company. Free Rang of hours ;D But yes rain check, but soon! I miss you.
Thresh: Not everyone can run a multimillion dollar business! And I'm sure none of those people who can still make time for their loser childhood friends.
Katniss: Well they aren't are efficient as I am, Duhh! That's why I make the big bucks (; & No not loser childhood friend more like annoying brother who you love anyways because he's simply amazing.
Thresh: Whatever, I gotta go. I love you Kat take care and we'll meet up soon okay I promise. Don't forget about me yet!
Katniss: Okay. Love you too. Don't I always? We better:P Never.
Our conversation ends after that. He has work and just like me I do too. William and I come up to the building. Edward the manager of my southern branch is ready for me when I arrive.
"Good Evening Miss Everdeen"
I inwardly cringe at the mention of my last name. I can already feel our fight over it. But I don't give up this one. They say you have to choose your battles to win the war. Well this is one of those important battles.
"Evening Edward. Give me the full report as we make our way to the head office please. Allgood fetch me a cup of coffee. Black no sugar." I order as I step into the building.
I watch as employs stiffen at my presents and I can't blame them. I'm known to be a hard ass but only because I care about my work with a passion.
I notice that Edward has not started talking as we make our way up to the head office.
"Marriott the report!" I bark at him.
I'm not in such a great mood knowing I'll be spending lunch alone instead of with Thresh.
"Of course forgive me" Edward apologizes.
I remember my mother words in an instance it does nothing to sooth my irritation. I try to take deep breaths but with every breath irritation settles over me until I can no longer handle it. I cut Edward off in the middle of the report. I couldn't pay attention anyways.
"My apologize Marriott but my presence is needed elsewhere. It was a pleasure I'm sure." I inform at professionally as I can muster as my irritation grows larger.
I need to leave here. Maybe leaving the house wasn't a smart call. I could still manage to make it back home cancel all my appointments and alert Clover I wouldn't be in the work office today. No, I should go things need to be done. Wait. I'm the boss If I want to take a day off well damn I will!
I turn my attention to Edward to see him visibly relax at my words. He hurriedly escorts me to my waiting car. William follows in suit but I shake him off.
"Your back to reception I'm afraid." I inform him offering a small playful smile.
"No problem. It was great to assist you today." William replies automatically returning my smile.
I give him a brief nod before stepping into the car.
I feel a lungful of air finally reach my body as the jet lands on the platform in New York. Home sweet home. I don't think I've ever felt so relived to be home then I have now. I chuckle to myself at my silliness.
I'm escorted home by my usual driver which I'm thankful for. I should be use to the new personal assistance, house keepers, and drivers but I never am. It always stresses me out to not know who I'm working with really.
I step into the house moving into the bedroom. I fall back onto the made bed the housekeeper most likely just made. But I don't really care. I just want to sleep away the worries of my marriage, my mother's rude words, and just the overall stress of today.
I feel myself fall into uncountiousness I make out a small noise resembling the opening of the front door but I can't be bothered to get up and look. I feel added weigh on the bed and this causes my eyes to snap open. I eye Gale laying on his side next to me.
I close my eyes again. Gale pulls me to him and I lay my head on his chest. Gale isn't one for public display of affection so he must have bad news but at this moment engulfed in the arms of my fiancé I can't make myself care.
Gale starts to idly play with my brown hair tugging at it at times. His arm slides up and down my torso as he combs his fingers through my waist length hair.
"I have news" Gale announces.
His voice sounds off. Like it's in a distant land or something. This peaks my interest and I open my eyes to watch him stare at a corner of the room. I continue to hold my gaze until his eyes meet mine.
"What's up?" I reply in an attempt to get him to continue.
"I was thinking we personally deliver the news to my family..."