The next morning I woke up feeling tingles from my head to my toes. Despite the lack of caffeine in my body, I bounced on my flexing feet and rubbed my hands together. My facial expression was that of a small child on Christmas morning. Deciding to look professional, and yet still true to my age, I wore a white pencil skirt that went down to my knees, paired with a long-sleeve grey V-neck top, cream coloured high heels, a tommy hilfiger navy blue handbag. Spencer had come over this morning to style my hair into curls that fell stylishly around my face and pinned back by bobby pins. When I looked in the mirror, I felt grown up and confident, a very promising mood for the rest of my day. In my handbag I placed the brief we had been given yesterday. I caught the subway to manhattan, and onto wall street. The building in which the firm was in, towered 50 or so levels above, being one of the tallest buildings. Upon my arrival, reception took down my name and gave me an employee badge, then instructed me to head to the 42nd floor. The elevator opened to reveal cubicles on either side, and behind them, large glass conference rooms. I walk to the receptionist desk to my right. At first she does't look up, so I say, "Hello."
She continues to busy herself with something on her laptop but manages to say, "Can I help you with something?"
"I'm here for the college internship program?"
She presses a button on her telephone and says, "Mr Sommers, your interns here." She continues to ignore me, so I stand still as a rod in front of her.
"You must be Emma!" I look over to my left to see Grayson Sommers making his way towards me. The man was short and plump. His face was slightly reddened as if he had come from playing sport. The suit he wore stretched over he belly and his hair was slicked back, causing it to slightly recede.
"Yes, that's me!" I reply, matching his enthusiasm.
"This is my first time, doing the mentorship program, so we are going to have to figure this out together. Follow me, I'll show you to your very own cubicle." As we walked many people smiled or said hello to Mr Sommers, illustrating his kind, impressionable nature. When we arrived to the associates room, my cubicle was on the left as I walked in. The space was generic, with only an L-shaped desk, chair, filing cabinet and computer. "I hate to be the kind of person, who puts you straight to work, but in 5 minutes we have a meeting with the company your doing your project on. Your not required to add anything to the meeting for today, but please do pay attention, and if you have anything to add, maybe run it by Felix just for today." As if a quick thought, Mr Sommers adds, "Ah, yes, Felix." He signals over the tall boy with crew-cut brown hair, green eyes, intellectual complex and yet extremely attractive in the sweet-boy kind of way. "Felix, this is the new intern Emma. Emma, this is Felix my associate."
He gives his hand out to me and I shake it. This was the first time I had ever shaken a hand and it felt epic. "Hi," he smiles warmly.
"Ok, you to, don't get too warm and fuzzy with each other," Mr Sommers said sarcastically, and I tucked my hair behind my ear nervously. "Felix, would you please take Emma, to conference room A, that's where the meeting with 'REH' is?"
"Sure thing." While Mr Sommers took off speedily in one direction, we went the other.
"So how long have you been working here?" I asked trying to make idle conversation.
"Well, I'm actually doing the same internship as you."
"Ah, where do you go?"
"NYU, and yourself?"
"Columbia."
"Do you like it?"
"Well, I've only been there a few days, but so far, it feels like weeks, so, yeah, I really love it."
We arrived at the conference room. It didn't look like the other ones I'd seen when I'd walked in. instead, this room, had wooden floors and walls around it for maximum privacy, and a single oval wooden desk, with chairs to fill it. We sat down and continuing our conversation to a point where we hadn't even noticed Mr Sommers arrive with the CEO. When I see who is at the door, I literally want to scream. How is it that the universe keeps on forcing me into situations that involved, Jacob Reynolds. However, the surprised look on his face did bring some measure of enjoyment. "Emma?" Jacob asks, ignoring Felix's polite introduction of himself.
"Hello, Mr Reynolds," I respond professionally
"Do you two know each other?" Mr Sommers asks curiously.
"Very-well," Jacob adds quickly, not taking his eyes off me to address him as he spoke.
"What a small world," I add.
Everyone sits down, Jacob to my right at the head of the table, and again my body begin to ache for him. For him to be so near and yet so far away is unbearable. Throughout the meeting, from what I gathered, Mr Sommers was trying to sign Reynolds Enterprise Holdings as a client. He spoke precisely, confidently, and with so much passion and dedication that I smiled in awe the entire way through. The way he spoke radiated control and power, "Every lawyer in the city has tried to dazzle you, but your still looking for your right fit, because... they don't know what your looking for."
Jacob raised his eyebrow and asked, "What exactly am I looking for?"
Mr Sommers continued with absolute certainty, "Loyalty."
"Your not wrong. I built this company from the ground up. I'm young and that makes people naive to my capabilities, and my needs." Jacob said impressed.
"And, I know why. You don't downsize in the bad times, so you prosper in the good times, and no other lawyer has figured that out."
"Not a single one," Jacob noted, clearly impressed by his mojo.
"Well I'm the one Mr Reynolds, which is why I know you don't want a lawyer who will hit it and quit it. You want someone dedicated, and someone who cares about what you have built."
"How do I know you wont drop us for a different client down the line. A bigger one?"
"Well, one, that's not the way I work. And two, I think you'll find, companies don't get much bigger than yours."
"Well, that was a nice sentiment. But how do I know that your not full of shit?" he asked constructively.
Mr Sommers simply smiled wider and replied, "I'm glad you asked, because here's my powerpoint presentation." On the TV on the screen, a scanned image of a high-school yearbook was displayed. In the middle was a young, graduating Mr Sommers, and below his photo is a quote, "Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable, than loyalty" - Cicero. Mr Sommers continued with the presentation as if it was as easy as breathing. When I uncross my legs, my thy brushed against some part of Jacobs leg, though his face remain inscrutable and focused on the presentation, I saw the large gulp he took, and watched as he flexed his perfectly chiseled jaw, however, I was quick to turn around, it all may have just been a trick of the light.
That moment haunted and stayed with me for the rest of the meeting, I was alarmed when it ended and, what brought me out of my trance was Jacob's smooth, velvet voice. "Well, Grayson, that was all very interesting."
"Thank you, do you have follow up questions. We can give you a moment with your team if you wish?"
"No time with my team is necessary. But I do have one question. Will Emma be working with you, on my company?"
Everyone looked my way, and Mr Sommers said, "Yes. Yes she will be."
"Well then. Where are the papers for me to sign?"
Everyone looked shocked by his decision. He's signing a billion dollar company to private council... because of me. For the rest of the meeting I kept my head down, avoiding the gazes of other people in the room. For the next 4 hours contracts were read over and signed, and the next thing I knew, I was now technically working for Becky's brother.
Once Jacob and his advisory team had left, and had been escorted out by Mr Sommers, I headed to my cubicle to try and wrap my head around things. But moments later both Mr Sommers and Felix joined me. "How do you know Jacob Reynolds?"
"I'm best friends with his sister," I reply tiredly.
"You realised you just signed a billion dollar company! I mean, the guy practically owns half the buildings in New York. Including 'Rising Sun', the very building we are in now!," Felix added flabbergasted. Admittedly, this was news to me, because before yesterday, I hadn't gone as far to think about who the world saw Jacob as. To me he was just Becky's brother, but to the world he was a ruthless, young, business mogul. "The guy practically buys a building a day!" he adds.
"Well whatever your connection to him is, you just helped us big time! So thank you," Mr Sommers said gratefully and walked away. Felix pulled his chair over to my desk and we talked more about each other and our interests. I received a text fro Becky telling me that she was waiting out the front in an Uber to pick me up for the party I had agreed to go to. I sighed. I had forgotten about the commitment I made to go.
"Is everything ok?" Felix asked me.
"I promised a friend I would go to a college party with her, but, I'm not going to lie. I hate parties."
"You hate parties!" He asked shocked. "I don't think we can be friends anymore." I laugh at his joke and he smiles.
"You should come to the party with us! Show me what's good about them," I say flirtatiously. From what he's told me, he's not in a relationship, but I'm not sure if he's looking for one either. But to be honest, am I?
"Are you sure?" he asks eagerly.
"Please, do put me out of my misery and show me a good time."
When we met Becky in the cab, I introduced the two of them, and I told her all about working on her brother. Working FOR her brother. Just thinking about Jacob Reynolds has me hot and hungry. Since we had three hours to kill, Becky took both myself and Felix to a restaurant for dinner. Figures it's one of Jacobs, called, "Rising star". The place buzzed alive with indistinct chatter and the clinking of utensils on plates. We were guided to a booth, where Becky sat on one side and I sat on the other with Felix. While they picked up the menu to order, I looked around at the intricate, fascinating architecture. The place had a mix of both historic and tradition, mixed with elements of the modern world. The sandstone walls had large one-way glass windows and black, low hanging lights that filled the space. The 10 meter bar stretched along one side, while tables and booths filled the other. "Well considering that I'm drinking tonight, I'll probably get burger and fries." Becky said responsibly.
"Same," Felix debated. After not eating all day I was starving, but deciding that I hadn't exercised lately, I went with a caesar salad with chicken. I'm glad Becky and Felix got along, because despite their polar-opposite personalities, I liked having them both as friends.
When the waitress came over to take our order, she politely did so until, she came to me. "And you?" Unlike my friends, she didn't address me as Sir or Miss, which I didn't read much into. However, she then said to me, "You're going to have to pre-pay for your meal."
"All of us?" I asked confused.
"No-"
"Why does she have to pre-pay," Becky asks upset.
"Because lately, people like her have up and left after they've eaten and didn't pay, so management has asked staff to take precautions by being-"
"Racist!" Becky interjects flustered and shocked. "Your disgusting."
The waitress calmly says, "If you have a problem with the system, I can get my manager."
"No need," Becky practically hissed, "my brother owns the restaurant, and you'll be hearing from his attorney." As she said that, I realised the irony in her statement, and struggled not to let out a small laugh. We immediately left and headed off for the party, needing an immediate hit of booze. On the cab ride back the university, Becky ranted about what a bitch that woman was, and in light of Felix's kind nature, he mainly just apologised for how I was treated and put his arm around me. What I was shocked by, was when Becky called Spencer and told him all about what happened. I mean, I knew that they were friends, but I had no idea, A) that she had his number, and B) that their friendship extended past me. Spencer told her about the man in the suit store and then they both just lost their heads.
Eventually I grabbed Becky's phone from her hand and said to Spencer, "We are going to a party tonight, you wanna come?"
"Which Frat Darling?" He asked, "because if it's Delta Sigma Phi, then I am in..." he paused considering something and the shamelessly added, "I want to get some Thomas dick tonight," and I laughed.
Once I cut the call, Felix turned to me and asked, "Is Spencer your boyfriend?"
I laughed hard at the absurdity. "No! What would make you think that?"
"He called you darling?" he said timidly.
"Mhm," I giggle, "he just calls me that."
"Oh," he added with optimism. Strangely, his response made me giddy and blush.
As I had presumed, the party was already well underway, and by the time we had gone back to the dorms to change, and Spencer had given Felix some clothes to borrow, we all looked ready to have a good time. After the first hour or so, Felix had become a lot looser with the alcohol coursing through his veins, Becky and Spencer were partners for a beer pong game, insisting that I be in their team, but figure that I had never been very good, I politely declined and went outside. The cool breeze that him we as I walked outside was legendary. The beads of sweat which painted my skin began to stick to my skin. I had had about 5 cranberry vodka drinks, and my mouth was defiantly stained a bright red by now and my stomach unrested. I took out my phone from the jeans I had decided to wear and call Jacob.
"Emma?" he answered clearly focussed on something else.
"Jac-Jakey," I burped, "pardon me!" I yelled and laughed.
Sternly he said, "Your drunk. Where are you."
"None of your fucking business," I snapped, but my harsh tone only made me amused and start laughing. "You, are a bloody head case. Did you know that? One minute your all fuck me then your all Mi amor then you fucks with my head and screw the-" I lost my train of thought so I just hung up the phone. He tried calling me back, but I silenced my phone and placed it back into my jeans. I felt sick to my stomach and light headed. I began to walk up the pavement back to the house, but as I made it to the lawn I saw Felix emerge from the house flushed and clearly drunk. I let him tumble to me, "Having fun?" I ask.
"How do you not like parties!" he yells at an over the loud volume, "I mean, you rich people sure do now how to throw one!"
"They sure do," I looked over at the house with multiple bodies moving in and out of it leisurely, drunkenly and dangerously. We talked for a while, mainly he talked and I focussed on not throwing up. I hadn't even notice Felix lean into kiss me until I felt his warm breath close to my mouth, and despite my slow reflexes, I move out of the kiss awkwardly. Don't get me wrong, I want to kiss him. Really bad. But he's drunk and in no way, shape or form to remember any of the event from tonight. He leans in again, but this time I push him back slightly. But he sees it as a flirtatious challenge and this time grabs my neck and pushes him mouth closer to mine. "No, stop please." I ask and again try and move out of the hold he has my head in. Before I knew it, someone's fist connected hard with Felix's face, when my vision focussed on the person, I realise it was Jacob.
"She said get the fuck off her man!"
"Jacob!" I yelled, but instantly turned away as bring vomit began to take its revenge on my earlier abuse of alcohol. I felt the familiar hands of Jacob rub my back and hold my hair. "How did you get here so fast?"
"Emma, you shouldn't drink like this," he said worried. "And, I was around the corner." Likely story. After I had completely lost all contents of my stomach, and had now drawn quite a bit of attention to myself, I felt very light headed. I shut my eyes for a moment, and the next thing I knew, was that I had fainted, into Jacobs hold.