I got to my house not long after and grabbed my bag. I sighed in relief as I changed out of my work clothes and into some sweatpants. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and took off my jewelry but left my makeup on. I hated anyone seeing me without makeup. After I was done, I went into the kitchen and dug through my take out drawer before deciding on one of my favorite Mexican restaurants.
I called and placed the order before pouring myself a glass of wine and relaxing onto my oversized sofa. I grabbed my small tray table and set up my makeshift couch desk. I spread the documents out in various piles around me and immersed myself once more in my work.
It felt like only minutes later that the doorbell startled me and I had to quickly unbury myself to answer it. I gave the kid a nice tip and carried the food back to the sofa. I always worked while I ate.
I worked well into the night eating a few bites here and there. As usual, by the time I finished the food was long cold, but I barely noticed. Finally, after I glimpsed the clock showing it was past midnight I sighed and set everything aside and went to bed.
I took a few of my sleeping pills, I couldn't get a wink of sleep without them, and took off my makeup while I waited for them to kick in. Then laid down and fell asleep for the few hours of sleep I'd get before I would be up and had to get ready for a new day.
When my alarm woke me I shuffled back out of bed and made my way to the bathroom like a zombie to shower and get ready. By the time I was done, I was feeling much more awake and ready for the day, and there were delicious smells coming from my kitchen.
I followed my nose and couldn't help the small smile I got when I saw Ruth behind the stove. She'd been my housekeeper/life saver for years.
"Good morning Jennifer. Did you sleep well?"
"Well enough." I shrugged, she knew I never slept very well.
She sighed as she looked me over. Apparently not pleased with what she saw.
"You look awful. How long have you been spending at work? I've barely seen you lately."
She put everything on a plate and I sat at the counter eating it while looking over some of the reports I'd fetched from the living room. I didn't bother looking up as I replied
"I took over another company awhile back. I've been busy trying to get everything stabilized."
She shook her head, but I didn't notice, to engrossed in the financial report in front of me.
"It's always something dear. Ever since I started with you it's always been you're taking over a company, starting this one or selling that one. When are you going to take time for yourself?"
I shrugged but didn't respond. This was a pretty typical topic for her. Usually if I just ignored her she'd drop it.
As I figured, when I didn't respond she sighed and left the kitchen. Presumably to start on her work for the day. Deciding I'd better get going as well I left my half eaten food and packed up everything from the night before and left for the office.
I was in my head as usual running through my schedule for the day, as I parked and stepped out of my car. Grabbing my bag I went inside and straight to my office. Ignoring the glares and angry whispers of the staff. I knew a lot of them were upset their friends and coworkers had been laid off yesterday but I didn't understand why.
I had kept these ones, they should be happy. It didn't matter though, their feelings were irrelevant. As long as they did their jobs and stayed out of my way they could whisper and say what they wanted.
Unlocking my door, I stepped into my office and turned to close it behind me when I froze. Standing behind the door was a large man clad in black with a mask covering his face. But my eyes were drawn immediately to the shiny silver gun currently pointed at my chest.
"Good morning, nice of you to be on time for me."
My breath caught in my throat and I could feel the fear trying to break through my walls and take over. I shoved it back down as best I could and looked him over with my coldest stare, trying to determine if I knew him or what he wanted.
He pushed the door the rest of the way closed with his foot and stepped closer to me.
"Close the blinds. We don't need any of them interrupting us."
I swallowed and turned my back to him and started closing the blinds that covered the windows into the office. I moved slowly hoping one of my staff would look up and I could try and motion for them to call the police, but they were all actively looking anywhere but at me
Apparently they were still upset about yesterday. Sighing I snapped the last one closed and turned to face him.
"What do you want."
"Oh the ice bitch speaks. I thought you were to good to talk to someone like me. Aren't I too far below you?"
My eyes narrowed at him but I bit back the sharp reply I wanted to say. It wouldn't be smart to piss off the guy pointing a gun at you.
He laughed darkly and moved around me like a vulture circling prey. I turned with him keeping him in front of me and waited for him to say what he wanted. Likely it was just money. I didn't keep much cash on hand here at the office. It wasn't smart.
I remembered the silent alarm I'd tucked under my desk and glanced towards it wondering if I could hit it without him knowing. He seemed busy admiring my office and the view out the window.
"I must say all this is very impressive. It's amazing how much you've spent to make this office so nice for yourself."
I frowned and took another step closer to my desk.
"I didn't build this office. It was here when I took over."
He laughed again waving the gun around as he gestured around the office.
"Oh I'm sure it was. After all you never do anything wrong, right?"
"I didn't say that."
I knew very well I made mistakes, occasionally. I took another step as I looked him over carefully. Something about his build and voice was familiar.
He turned to pace the room and his body language looked like he was switching from the creepy happiness to anger. I may not think emotions were useful but I was very good at reading other people's. And that was a skill that was very useful.
While his back was turned I took another small step. Now my fingers were brushing the hard wooden corner of the desk.
"No, you're the infallible Jennifer Sullivan. The queen of modern business. The cold bitch who doesn't give a damn about the people she hurts."
I paused at the anger and hatred in his voice. Then it clicked and I realized where I knew him from.
"You're one of the ones I fired yesterday."
"Ding ding ding. You are as smart as they claim I'll give you that."
"So what do you want. Your job back?"
He laughed again and shook his head.
"You think I want to work for you again. I was wrong, maybe you aren't smart. No. I just want what I'm owed. I put years into this company and it gets sold off to you and you toss me out like trash."
"What exactly do you want?"
"Money. Now where do you keep it? You got a safe or something in here?"