Shit. I had forgotten about that. I better get there early.
“Charlie…” He frowns, staring at me. “Our secret, ok?”
I flash him my brightest smile. “Of course.”
***
I walk into the ground floor lobby of Nexus, my trainers slipping on the tiled floor. This place is in a league of its own.
The receptionist looks like a hired model. I hand her my details, and she flicks through something on her computer screen, then smiles up at me, handing me a security pass. “Your team is based on the
6th floor.”
Dunley Tech had 2 floors on our previous building. Nexus has all 15th floors, with the top-level being the directors’ floor.
As the Nexus employees line up beside me for the lift, my stomach starts churning. Why didn’t I put more effort into what I’m wearing today? I study myself in the mirrored lift doors. I’m in my old jeans and sneakers that I always wear on a Monday. We got so complacent at Dunley, wearing old jeans and t-shirts without anyone batting an eyelid.
Here, I stick out like a sore thumb in my rags.
These coders, many aren’t suited, but they are dressed sharply.
I get out on the 6th floor and stare straight out at one of the tallest buildings in Europe, the Shard.
What a backdrop for answering IT support calls.
Everything is shiny and sexy.
People are arranging personal items on their desks in an upbeat tempo. There’s a crowd cooing at the coffee machine in the kitchen area while Dan and Alex excitedly try the bean bag chairs in a chillout area.
“You are over there, Charlie.” Jackie nods to a group of desks.
I don’t know why everyone is getting so comfortable” Stevie comes up behind me. “Half of us won’t have jobs soon.”
“What is that thing Jackie is setting up?”
“She’s setting up fucking lighting.” He snorts. “So the light catches her at the right angle, she says.”
“She’s got competition.” He adds as we watch her fumbling with the lamp. “Some of the girls in this office are hot as fuck. I don’t know how the blokes get any work done.” She’s got competition? So do I, I think, feeling totally inadequate.
“I have to tell you something about the weekend,” I say in a hushed voice. “Not here. Lunch.”
“You had that dinner party on Saturday night.” He smirks. “This better be a filthy story and not something your mother has done.”
I flash him a grin. “The filthiest.”
“This calls for an early lunch.”
***
“Don’t see this for more than it is”.
We are eating burritos far enough away from the office so that no one will eavesdrop.
“I’m not.” I tut.
Stevie looks at me wearily. “Did he say he wanted to see you again?” “No,” I admit, biting my lip. “He asked if we could keep it our little secret.” Saying it out loud makes it sound seedy.
“Mmmm,” he muses. “Just be careful…. you have more to lose here than him.”
I flinch. “I know, I know, He’s the Casanova, and I’m the slut screwing her way to the top.”
“You’ve got that look in your eye. Like you’re ignoring all the signs.”
“No I don’t,” I lied. “I’m fine with a casual fling.”
“Look, just let him contact you, ok?” He says firmly. “Don’t run after him.”
“I won’t,” I promise. “Besides, I’ve been holding in my farts all weekend; I need a break before my stomach explodes.”
“Can you die by holding in your own farts too long?” Shit. I better look into that.
After lunch, I settle into the usual barrage of annoyed customers reporting failings in our software.
I apologise profusely for our wrongdoings with each call.
“Look how fast this thing can go.” I look over, and Stevie is spinning around in his chair. “Stop that,” I mutter, waving him away. “I’m trying to work here.” “Have you tried all these levers?” He rams his chair into mine.
“Argh! If I do it, will you piss off?”
I move out from my desk and push my legs around. It does spin pretty fast. Trying out the new levers is more fun than dealing with angry customers.
“See?” Stevie laughs. “Best chair ever.”
We spin around laughing until I feel really dizzy. A few people look up and roll their eyes.
“OK, it is fun.” I admit.”I feel sick.”
“Glad to see the new employees are enjoying their work,” comes an icy female voice from the aisle.
I stop spinning, disoriented, and look up to see Cheryl, Nexus Head of HR, Danny, and some other upper management suits standing in the aisle. Stevie flinches abruptly beside me, whacking into my chair.
In a cold, detached look of recognition, Danny’s eyes meet mine, then a frown of disapproval forms over his face.
How long has he been watching our stupid chair escapades?
He’s different now. The relaxed Danny Walker rubbing my feet last night is gone. His eyes are dark as they flit between Stevie and me.
“Perhaps you can reshare the company code of conduct, Cheryl.” His voice cuts through me, igniting a fire in my cheeks.
I shuffle back to my desk on my chair and hide under my screen as they stride down the office.
Mature, Charlie. Really mature.
I swallow the lump in my throat and shift focus back to my screen. An email flashes up, and just as I’m about to hit delete, I re-read the title from Nexus HR.
Role opening: Designer.
You will all have heard that we have recently taken over Dunley Tech. Now we are looking for a cutting-edge team to shape the future of these products. Do you have an innovative mind that can drive the future design? If so, read on….
I scroll down, intrigued. After listening to a barrage of complaints for five years, I am brimming with ideas to shape these products.
Excitement swirls in my stomach.
Submit a business case with three of your top ideas to apply, I read.
Dare I? It would be humiliating if Danny found out I had applied, but I wouldn’t have to tell him. The applicants would never be shared with the CEO. It’s way more senior than my current role so I have little chance.
My eyes light up as I scan down further. Two months working from the New York office.
I can apply, and they reject me; no harm done?
Maybe I can show Danny Walker I’m more than a chair swinging buffoon, the little voice in charge of hope says in my head.