“No way.”
“Congratulations. Three to five years, full expat package. I don’t have to tell you how rare an offer it is to work in the fastest growing market. Human Resources will call you with the details.”
“Thank you so much.” Orchid’s imagination unfurled with excitement. A pang reminded her there was nothing keeping her here in New York.
“Great,” her boss said, clapping her heavily ringed hands together. “You have no meetings this afternoon, right?”
“No meetings,” Orchid said, staring at her boss’s tailored pants suit, chains of gold and diamond earrings so heavy they strained her earlobes. She should’ve noticed before. That was a day-to-evening outfit.Crap.
“So, we’re leaving here at four for an agency anniversary party,” Joan said.
Orchid sighed, looking down at her hip-chic leggings and boots under a layered skirt and white summer mini. Mixing and matching pieces from her closet this morning, she pulled together an ensemble that pleased her with its uniqueness. Perhaps feeling Phoenix’s absence more than she wanted to admit, she’d assembled the outfit around the dress she’d worn when they first met at the agency presentation nine months ago.
“Network in New York while you still can. No excuses,” Joan said.
Orchid stood to gather her papers. “Okay,” she said, tugging down her mini and slipping out of her boss’ office.Lots to think about.
At four, Orchid closed her laptop and shoved it into an oversize patent leather bag bound with burnished hardware and grommets as if the contents would have to ninja fight their way out to escape the Fort Knox of purses.
They picked their way through melting piles of snow to walk south along familiar streets. Orchid continued their earlier conversation.
“So, tell me about this assignment.”
“I don’t want to spoil all of HR’s news, but it’s a marketing director role, reporting to Lauder China’s marketing head. You know him, right?”
She nodded, flabbergasted at her good fortune.
“You’d have regional responsibility with a cross-functional team from Singapore, Japan and China.”
“I’m pinching myself.”
“Now don’t make me break my promise of silence. We can talk more after HR calls.”
”Okay,” Orchid said, respecting her boss’ wishes by changing the subject. She brushed lint off her dark coat. “Whose anniversary party are we going to?”
“counterAgency. You met them at a pitch presentation last summer.”
A thump sounded so loudly in her ears that she thought a baby grand had fallen on the sidewalk beside them. Looking up from the snow-covered ground—no piano—Orchid stared at her boss, disbelieving.
“You know, the agency I’d worked with before?” her boss continued.
Orchid snapped her jaw shut and nodded. Was she ready to see Phoenix during a work function? He’d never returned her messages and once she realized he was engaged—engaged—she respectfully left him alone. Knowing Joan had worked with counterAgency, Orchid kept her crush a secret. Now didn’t seem like the right time to bring up some schoolgirl fantasy. No doubt, he’d be professional. She’d do the same and get out of there as soon as she could.
They stepped into the warm building. Joan signed them in and led the way to the elevator. “Five years is a pretty good milestone for a boutique agency,” she said.
Arriving at counterAgency’s floor, a pumping bass line reached them through the enclosed elevator. The doors slid aside to a refreshingly open space, at once warm with the buzz of people chattering, and cool with modern architecture. Sheets of glass contrasted with exposed piping and white-painted brick.
The receptionist greeted them. She tottered on five-inch heels, vibrantly red from underneath, to check a preordained list. “Estée Lauder? Okay, gotcha!” She took their coats.
Orchid peered around the clean white surroundings splashed with pockets of neon blues and greens. Memories swirled with reminders of his personal décor. She didn’t spot the person she both wanted to and was apprehensive seeing.I have it bad.
“Would you like caw-fee? A drink?” the receptionist offered.
“White wine,” the women replied, Orchid automatically choosing the less enamel staining variety. Perhaps her boss employed the same logic.
Dex ambled over, touching cheeks with her boss. “Joan, how are you? Lovely to see you as always. You look smashing,” he said, his eyes nearly closing as his cheeks spread to express pleasure. A tall woman hurried over from another group and hugged Joan with excitement.
As Joan conversed with her acquaintance, Dex leaned over to Orchid. He touched one chubby cheek to hers, his beard bristly against her skin.
