CARLY
I had quite eventful weekend after an unexpected visit from my boss. I was shocked to see him in our living room because of what my roommate did.
After my outburst, Heera went quiet for a while, and I thought she would apologize. Instead, she laughed her butt out at me. And I couldn’t stay angry at her. She was the only best friend I had left. So I literally forced her to participate in tree planting for my revenge.
“One day, I wanna visit your country,” Heera said. Her words squeezed my chest painfully.
I have always supported green initiatives in my country and non-profit organizations focused on reforestation projects.
“Of course. One day, I will tour you around the cities.” I dug a hole with my trowel. Once deep enough, Seth came over to give the sapling he had already removed from the container.
Heera filled the hole, gently stumping around it. “Do you ever get tired of doing what you do?”
I looked at her. “I did too many and wanted to give up a million times. I asked myself, what did I really accomplish? I felt like I was wasting my time, and no one seemed to care, and I didn’t see any result. But at the end of the day, it’s not about who appreciates what you’re doing. You are helping without asking in return, and most victims of those flash floods, lose their homes to soil erosion. And those animals affected by the wildfire-they have nothing to do with deforestation. I realized I should not lose hope in humanity.”
We’d started early in the morning with almost one hundred volunteers in the inland, Southeast of Haiti, and the others were in the coastal area to plant mangroves.
I felt like everyone was responsible for global warming. Even if I was far from home, I did my best to help in my own little way. I’d planted thousands of saplings and seeds and helped built nurseries and grow seedlings in many countries.
“And you’re not only doing these. You also help and inspire kids, Princess.”
I looked away to the empty field, guilt twisting my stomach. “Not anymore.”
“Hey.” She put her hand on top of mine. “It’s not too late. You can do it again. Look at what we are doing. You dragged me all the way here into a country that I’ve never been to, helping people we don’t even know, and whether we get thanks or not, the important thing is we did something good. And that’s not someone who just does it because she’s bored. Deep in your heart, this is important and what you always love doing.”
“Hey guys,” a volunteer named Champ joined us. He was around our age, and Heera said he was a cute environmental activist. He’d been doing this since college, and we flew here together. “We can take a break. Here, I got some food distributed by local farmers.”
“Thanks.” I got three bottled water, and Seth took the packed lunch from him.
We share some rice and vegetable stew, apples, and oranges.
“You work in New York.”
“Yeah. Executive assistant.” To the most grumpy and striking man, I’ve ever met.
“Oh, cool. I’m chief marketing at SH Solar.”
“Wait. You work there?” Heera asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
Heera widened her eyes at me before she answered Champ, “It’s one of the major companies the SH Global owned.”
“Yup. Rome Langston owned the company.”
“He’s nice, isn’t he?”
Champ bounced his gaze between Heera and me. “I don’t know. I mean, I saw him visiting the company, and we shook hands, but that’s all. Girls at work like him, though.”
“And you don’t?”
“I’m not paid to like him, but he seemed a good guy. He supports renewable energy and hydroponic farming. So yeah, I guess he’s likable.” He then asked me. “How about you?”
“Me? I agree. I can’t say I know him. I’m not paid to judge him but to do my job. I guess people have good and bad sides, and he’s giving thousands of people jobs.”
After we had our break, we continued planting. Champ joined us. Seth did most of the digging.
“I can’t help but notice he never left your side.” Champ was talking about Seth.
“I knew him since I was a kid. And he’s our landlord.”
“Oh, okay.”
Heera and Seth went to plant the last sapling.
“So, where is your next planting destination?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. If I’m not swamped with work, I’ll check it out online.”
“Maybe we can have coffee or drink after this?”
I was about to reply when Seth called my name. “Just a sec.”
He chuckled. “I should have known. You’re dating someone, right?”
I chuckled, too, shaking my head. “No. I’m not dating anyone. It’s just my last relationship didn’t end well.”
“Well, if you’re looking for a companion for a coffee, just call SH Solar, and look for Champ Niles.” He walked backward and waved at me with a smile.
“He’s cute but not your type.”
I glanced over at Heera. She had a smile on her face. “What made you say that?”
“He’s lacking alpha male quality.”
“So?”
“Really?” She propped her hands on her hips, and her brow raised. “You’re an alpha female, obviously. You need someone with the confidence and intelligence as yours to debate with you, and you need a more successful man in a high position with power. Sounds familiar? Should I go on?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever floats your boat, Princess.”
***
I met Seth in the lobby before I went to work.
“Why did he visit you?”
“You should have asked him.”
“It would look suspicious.” He opened the door to my car. “Stay safe, Your Highness. Let me know if you need anything.”
“You should stop calling me that. Someone might hear you.”
“I’m careful, Princess. Drive safe.”
At the office, I reported early, like always. I checked some of his office emails and forwarded them to his personal email. I placed the files on his desk and went back to mine.
It passed over an hour, and my boss had not arrived yet. I dialed his number.
He picked up after a few rings. “Yeah.”
“Good morning, Mr. Langston. Are you reporting to the office today?”
“I’m in the middle of something. Cancel my meetings for today.” He seemed in a hurry.
“I thought you checked your calendar, sir.”
“I haven’t. I’ll call you back.” The line went off.
I checked my phone. My grumpy boss just hung up on me. Great attitude.
I double-checked his calendar. He had no meetings other than dinner with Mr. Galibsky. I also needed to inform Rome in the afternoon if I had to cancel it.
I marked it important for the charity event he would be attending on Friday.
An hour later, he did not return the call, leaving me bored to death. I pulled out the organizer Florian gave to me.
-Loyal, trustworthy
-Boyfriend material?
-Tattoos?
-He likes quiet
-Heroic tendency? Protective?
-Brokenhearted?
-Get to know him!
-He is controlling as f!
I took a break to get a cup of coffee at the cafeteria.
“I haven’t seen our boss this morning. Yet his assistant is here.” I ignored murmurs from the group of employees on the table in the corner. I wondered what that was all about. And it was not in my nature to care for gossip because it was what ruined my life in the first place.
I went back to my desk when my phone rang. It was Rome.
“Mr. Langston.”
“I’ll send you the address and bring the files. You have to give it to the finance tomorrow morning.”
“So you’re not reporting tomorrow, as well?” My question made my cheek burn. I regretted it right away. What came into my mind asking him that? I had a million things to worry about than him while he was making millions.
“Is there a problem?”
“Nope. You’re the boss.” I pressed my lips together.
“Good. I’m waiting for it.”