Michonne POV
Rick wakes up at 5 AM every morning, weekends included. That's about an hour before me and he gets dressed in less than 30 minutes during the week for work. I envy his weekday morning pep; it takes me an hour to dress and at least two cups of coffee before I'm chirping the way he is. Today is no different, Rick is standing at the counter tangibly appraising me.
"Good morning, beautiful Miss McQueen," a slight smile playing at the seductive corners of his mouth; at the same time, he's pouring me a cup of coffee.
I'm wearing my Ann Taylor black and white suit. The jacket is a long one-button blazer in bi-stretch material, so it fits me like a glove. The skirt is knee-length, the material is refined with just enough give so you stay polished looking, yet comfortable.
"Good morning, you're looking like Mr. GQ yourself," I lean over to give him a meaningful kiss.
He's dressed in sleek black slacks, loafers and a crisp, white dress shirt with the top button undone. I don't think I'll ever get over how incredible he looks and smells in the morning, the shampoo he uses, the aftershave, and deodorant mesh so well. No wonder those hoes be on him like sauce on ribs. But that's the least of my worries right now.
"Thanks, sweetheart, now stop worrying, you're going to have a fantastic day;" he says with that rich thick southern twang; his voice is more soothing than a hot cup of cocoa.
"Does it show?"
He nods, "You look like myself when I have tough decisions to make, but my advice to you is to play it cool. I'm sure your return has the right people rattled. Now just sit back and strategically make your next move."
"Easy for you to say, you're not sharing your company with a bunch of insufferable stubborn assholes."
"The hell I'm not," Rick counters, "As a matter of fact, the day you walked into my B&D meeting we were deciding on a succession plan for our Chief executive, at the time-"
"Oh my god, Rick, that's it!" I cut him off by grabbing a handful of curls and pulling him in for the mother of all kisses.
"Hell, yeah baby!" He broke away to look at me, his eyes hazy and lustful.
"You are brilliant Mr. Grimes," After taking his breath away and mine too, I grin and peck at his bottom lip. My effect on him was like pure female power.
Dashing out of the kitchen, I find my keys on the mantle and grab my briefcase off the table, "Bye Rick, see you tonight," I yell out from the foyer before closing the door.
Down the front porch stairs, I go as quickly as my designer stilettoes will allow. I jump in Katana, start her up, listen to the sweet purr of her engine before I rollout. My drive to the office is a quick 20 minutes. When I pull into my designated parking space, I turn up the volume and let my favorite song finish while I sing along.
'I'm bossy,
I'm the first girl to scream on a track,
I switched up the beat of the drum,
That's right I brought all the boys to the yard,
And that's right I'm the one that's tattooed on his arm,
I'm bossy, I'm the bitch ya'll love to hate,
I'm the chick that's raised the stake,
I told young stunna he should switch debate,
I'm back with an 808 'cause I'm bossy…
Uh uh, watch the beat go…uh...uh…'
It's 7 AM and I'm the only one here. I smile realizing I've often been the last to leave but never the first to arrive. I like this much better, so I add coming into the office extra early to the stuff and things that will be changing around here. I unlock the main door, flipped the switches in the lobby adjusting the thermostat and turning on the lobby intercom music. In the break room, as I'm brewing a fresh pot of coffee, I made a mental note to bring donuts tomorrow. Today, I'll order deli sandwiches at lunch for the meeting.
I didn't have to check any of my emails because I have a company phone from which I checked emails frequently. Morgan had me removed from the company distro list when I took my leave. But he has no idea I have access to everything in our IT department so it was easy to add myself back on.
I've been able to keep track of business for the most part. There is just one missing piece and if my plan works, I'll be able to figure out my next move. I log in and send my emails to my intended subjects. When they arrive, my urgent email will demand their attention and action.
My door opened, just a crack and I saw a familiar face poke in, "Morning Miss McQueen, I'm a lil' embarrassed you beat me here, I'm normally here at 7 sharp." Axel our beloved and most importantly, the reliable custodian/maintenance/groundskeeper says with his signature cheerful, crooked smile.
"No need to be embarrassed Mr. Andrews, I'm trying to turn a new leaf," I say swiveling my office chair to face him, "How are you?" I ask my trusted employee, Axel has worked for us since I was a teen, father said he was the most humble man he knows.
He looks utterly shocked. I guess I've never asked him how he was before.
"I'm fine ma'am how are you…" he beams, strolling into my office and taking a seat in the chair on the other side of my desk.
"I'm great, thanks for asking," I lean in, "so tell me, has anything interesting happened around here since I've been gone.
His smile widens even more, "Well, Tammy Rose and I are an item, and she's told me a few things that go on round' here," He giggles and it's quite hilarious, high pitched and all. I'm not sure if he's all giddy about his new relationship or about chatting with me. I deduce a combo of both. "I hear that one of the big-dogs is messin' around with a lady here. Now Tammy knows who the lady is but not the fellow. The lady is tightlipped on account that the big-dog is married."
I was shocked. I had heard about the shenanigans going on with the interns, everyone one screwing around with each other and I feared one of the ambitious millennials would get the bright idea to try and screw their way to the top.
"Is the lady one of my interns?" Since I hired all of them, that could be the reason Morgan is being dickier than normal. All of the board members are married or old enough to be all of my intern's parents.
"No, no," Axel, waves his hand, "it's Connie, I reckon she's a little younger than me, so no big age difference. Tammy said Connie got drunk and spilled the beans a couple of weeks ago when she and the accountants went to happy hour. Tammy shared with me because it bothered her. She said Connie's been seeing the guy for a while now and made it clear she had no intentions on ending it, in fact, she was hoping that the guy would leave his wife for her."
"Axel, no one else knows about this right.?"
"Right, no one, Tammy swore me to secrecy, I telling you cause'," he paused for a moment, giving his scruff a healthy scratch, "Well, I feel like you shouldn't be left out."
I was rendered speechless, Axel is a lot more observant than he's probably ever gotten credit for.
"Thank you, Mr. Andrews, I appreciate your openness, and I assure you I will handle this in confidence."
Feeling satisfied, Axel stood up and nodded.
"Mr. Andrew's," I grab the $100.00 gift card from my desk, "Please take this as a token of my appreciation," I show him the Visa card that has been sitting in my desk for a year. My brother's friend Dr. Harlan Carson gave it to me for my birthday. I would have gladly accepted it if he wasn't a married man trying to secretly woo me by sending me 'dick pics' and buying my affection.
"Oh, no I couldn't," he waved his hand again.
"Please take it, it'll just sit here otherwise. I can't think of anyone more deserving."
Axel's cheeks turned a beet red, "Well, I'm going to spend it on Tammy."
"Great idea," I said as I walked him to the door, "Thanks again, Mr. Andrews, stop by the conference room at noon, I'm having sandwiches delivered."
"Your welcome, Miss McQueen, I'll see you later."
I immediately added Connie's little sister Kelly to my email and sent it to the group.
It's a little after 9 AM and the office is bustling. All of my email recipients have confirmed and will meet with me at noon.
The email Morgan sent calling all the 'big-dogs' to a 10:30 had me cracking up. This fool titled his email 'Michonne'.
'Greetings Team,
As you all know Michonne has returned.
I will address all concerns at our Monday briefing.'
Best Regards,
Morgan'
His dumbass still has no clue that I am on the distro list. 10:30 comes around and I make sure I am front and center. I watch the men file into the main conference room. As they pass Rosita's desk they don't seem to notice me as most of them are engulfed in their phones or tablets. So, I wait until they all arrive and are seated.
I walk into the conference room and primly take my seat at the head of the table. Now I have their attention. The look on their faces is downright sidesplitting, I could hardly suppress my amusement. No one speaks to me or each other; they just stare at me. From shocked, to annoyed, every facial expression is represented. Remaining silent I smile evenly at them all.
When Morgan walks in and sees me, he drops his briefcase. That's when I lost it. I chuckled out loud, but recover quickly. We eyed each other for what seemed like forever, the room held a deafening silence and I refuse to remove my gaze. I know what he wants and I dare him…I dare him to ask for his seat. The only way he'd get this chair is if he had the balls to remove me.
"What are you doing?" He says in a deadpan tone. But he's not fooling me. He's shocked.
"I got the email tilted in my namesake, so here I am," I replied calmly. Vowing that no matter what, I would do exactly what Rick inspired me to do.
"Michonne, we will talk later, I need to speak with the board."
"Last I checked, I'm a member of the board, so speak freely."
"Morgan," Shane pipes up, "Please call me when this situation is handled," Shane stood from his seat.
"If I were you, I'd take a seat, Mr. Walsh, because this defiantly involves you." His eyes get as big as saucers. I pretend to clear my throat before I go on, "There are only nine chairs in the room and ten people. Someone will have to call Rosita to bring an extra chair."
Gregory and Dale the two baby boomers who should have retired 5 years ago, visibly get upset; they both began mumbling irately under their breath. While Ezekiel and Simon, bust out in a fit of laughter like two frat brothers. Justin, Luke, Larry, and Daniel reclined back in their chairs, arms crossed, eyes level and lips tightened; they look as if they are sorely inconvenienced.
"Connie, please bring an extra chair for Michonne," Morgan calls on the speakerphone.
"Yes sir," she replies and hangs up.
A moment later Connie opens the door. It feels like Deja Vu, only Connie is in my place. Every guy in the room is ogling her. Including my brother. Connie is naturally a pretty woman, I believe she is in her late 30's. She's worked for us a little over a year and unlike what I was accustomed to, today she's dressed very proactively. Her dress is cleavage-bearing and barely covering her thighs, her make up is dark and heavy and her heels are shiny and platformed. She looks like she's going on a date or to a nightclub. Her change in the dress really has me wondering. Are Tammy and Axel just gossiping or is Connie really sleeping with one of these married men in here? She swiftly wheels the chair to the table; all eyes are fixed her; her eyes darting about nervously.
"Thank you, Connie," Morgan says, unable to contain his lustful gaze.
"Your welcome, Sir," She quickly leaves and Morgan watches her backside until she closes the door behind her.
I get a sick feeling in my stomach. Would if it's him? No… I refuse to believe he'd do something like that. He told me when we're kids that he loves and respects everything about Dad except for his infidelity. No... He's just looking, being a man, no harm in that.
"Are you happy now Michonne," he says, sitting down and crossing his arms in a defensive manner, "Now speak your peace so we can get on to serious business."
"Evidently, I'm serious business, again today's meeting was titled 'Michonne', so please, speak your peace" I shrug my shoulders and mimic his posture.
"Goddammit, Michonne I swear if you fuck this up for me!" He pops up from his chair so hard it falls over and he slams his balled fist on the table. His breath turning from quiet and regular to a panting gasp. "This is my company now!"
Oh, now look who's having fit and acting like a volatile maniac…