I stare at them. “Are you sure you wouldn’t be upset if I became your supervisor?”
“We’d love you to become our supervisor,” Marina says. “I mean, as long as you don’t mind that my real dream is to become an actress.” She looks over at Mary. “I’m sorry, Mary. In case you didn’t know.”
“I think everyone in the company knows that you want to make it as an actress, Marina, and we all know that you’re not going to,” Xander says, and I give him a look. “I’m just joking. You’re going to make it. I mean, it might not be on Broadway, and it might not be in an Oscar-worthy movie, but I’m sure you could get into a reality TV show or something.”
“What?” Marina shouts, and I think she’s about to get upset. “Do you really think I could get onto a reality TV show?” We all look at each other and start laughing.
“So I am assuming that you are interested in the position?” Mary clears her throat.
“I mean, yeah. That sounds great.”
“Good, good. So why don’t you guys pack up your stuff, and when you’re ready, head on up to the 30th floor. I’ll show you to your new offices. And then, Katherine, we can go over the paperwork. We really like the work that you’re doing, and we’re pleased that you chose Heathcliff Enterprises. We'll talk about your pay rise and benefits when we go through the paperwork.”
“Okay, great,” I say excitedly. I watch as she leaves the office, and then I stare at my coworkers. “Do you think I earned this, or do you think it’s because I am kind of seeing Jack?”
“That man sees so many women,” Marina grabs a bagel. “Let’s be real. Are any of them getting promotions at the company?”
“I guess not. I just don’t want to feel like this wasn’t earned.”
“Girl, you saved that man millions of dollars,” Cora says as she heads towards me and grabs my shoulders. “I’m surprised he didn’t make you vice president or something.”
“Ha. Funny,” I say. “I’m just going to make a call if you don’t mind.”
“That’s okay. We’ve got lots of packing up to do.”
I grab my phone, and I head out into the corridor so that I can have a private conversation with Jack. Unfortunately, he doesn’t answer. Maybe he knows that I’m questioning this new promotion because I’m 100 percent certain that this was his doing. I’m about to try him again when I see that my sister is calling. I answer the phone immediately.
“Hey, what’s going on. I have some good news by the way.”
“Ooh, what’s your good news?”
“I just got a promotion so I’m going to be able to help you with school stuff.”
“Congratulations. That’s amazing. But guess what I just found out through the school counselor? We’ve been given these amazing scholarships that will cover all our college applications. They’re going to pay for college for all four years, and then if we want to go to grad school, it’s going to pay for grad school, and it’s going to cover everything. Tuition, books, and housing.”
I frown. “Wait, what scholarship is this?”
“I don’t know, but the guidance counselor just let us know. I guess it’s something new to Whispering Haven, but Katherine, I haven’t felt so excited in my life. I told Mom and Dad, and they were so thankful. They said that you called them and told them off a few days ago.”
I press my lips together. “Yeah, I guess I did speak to them.”
“You totally went off on them, didn’t you? I mean, thank you, Katherine. I want to thank you so much. I owe you big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Yes, I do. You’ve always been the best sister, and I wish that you had had this scholarship when you were looking to go to college. I know you didn’t get the experience or the education that you really wanted, and I’m sorry.” “It’s not your fault. Mom and Dad did what they did, and I’m just glad that this opportunity exists for you so that you guys don’t have to struggle and go through what I went through. You both deserve it.”
“Oh, thank you, sis. Anyway, I have to go. I have class. I just wanted to let you know.”
“Cool. Thank you,” I say. “Enjoy class.” I hang up the phone, and I stand there happily. My heart is full. I haven’t felt this happy in a really long time. Everything is coming together. It’s really and truly coming together, and even if Jack is the reason why I got the promotion, I don’t feel bad about it because I know I earned it. I really earned it. My research, my late hours, my early mornings, I did that. I saved him money, and it had nothing to do with us sleeping together or flirting. It had to do with me and my brain.
I feel proud of myself for what may be the first time in my life. I feel like things are finally happening for me, and I feel like I’m floating. I feel like I’ve done something right. I feel like I’m being rewarded for being a good person, and it scares me a little bit. I’m about to head back into the office when the phone rings and I see that it’s Jack.
“Hi there, Mr. Heathcliff,” I say, answering my phone.
“Do not turn down the job,” he says quickly.
I start laughing. “What?”
