Neon

At 6, Jade stared up at the tall building before her, clutching the business card Davis had given her in her fingers.

She glanced down at the card before looking up at the building again.

She wasn’t sure what was in store, and she wasn’t sure she had made the right choice taking this job, but she was sure that the money sounded too good to pass up.

She took a deep breath, hoping to ease some of her nervousness before stepping inside the building, offering a ‘thank you’ to the door man.

As she entered, she was met by the large man she had met earlier. “Miss Harris, follow me, please.”

She followed him to the elevator, standing silently as they rode up to the twentieth floor.

As he stepped out, he turned down the short hallway and stopped in front of a door. “Go on inside. Mr. Champion is waiting for you.”

“Oh…okay. Thank you,” she replied awkwardly. The man stood quietly, waiting for her to enter, so she gave him a tight smile and walked inside.

“Ah, Jade! You made it!” Davis Champion cried from the couch.

She walked into the apartment with awe. “So this is how the upper half lives,” she whispered to herself, staring at the high ceilings and crisp white walls.

“You wanted me to meet you here?” she asked, stepping into the living room.

He got up from the couch with a smile and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Welcome to your new place. ” He dropped a set of keys in her hand before walking toward the door.

Jade stared down at the keys in shock before spinning around. “Wait, this is…”

He turned back to her with a smile. “It’s in your contract. The company owns this apartment. It is yours. I’ve already sent David to pack your things and have them brought here.

“Everything you need for tomorrow is here.”

Jade watched him in stunned surprise as he walked out the door, leaving her alone in her new apartment.

“Wait, don’t you need my key…” she called after him, trailing off when she realized he was gone.

“Of course he doesn’t need your key, stupid. The richest, savviest man in the world can get into your apartment with no problem,” she mumbled to herself.

She looked around the space, allowing it to sink in as she walked past the kitchen and into the bedroom.

It had a large bed that looked soft and comfortable, and a walk-in closet already filled with business attire.

“No way…” she muttered as she ran her hand over the expensive clothing. “They couldn’t have possibly gotten my sizes right.”

She looked at a few of the tags and then at the sizes on the shoes. “Again…stupid question. Of course he knows my size. These people…”

She walked out of the closet and sat gently on the bed, staring at the emptiness of the room before a smile spread across her face.

“Yes!” she yelled before throwing herself back on the bed and letting the warmth of the down comforter lull her to sleep.

***

The next morning, Jade woke early to her alarm, groaning at the time and regretting her decision.

After getting ready for the day, she stood in front of the mirror with a sigh. Her long black hair was thrown over the shoulder of her black dress.

She had some gold studs in her ears, making her olive skin look warmer, and her black heels made her feel tall and professional.

It wasn’t what she was used to, and it made her nervous to wear such expensive clothing. The dress was probably worth more than her entire wardrobe back home.

“This is fine…” she mumbled. “We’re fine.”

She grabbed a purse off the shelf and filled it with her things before walking out the door, her coffee in hand as she walked down the street toward the office building.

She liked that it was only a short walk away.

As she stepped into the building, she stared up at the giant Champion Acquisitions sign above the front desk.

“Good morning,” the man said from the front desk.

“Good morning.” She smiled. “I’m new. I’m here for Davis Champion?” she replied, unsure of where to go.

“Your name?” he asked.

“Jade Harris.”

He nodded, holding a phone to his ear silently for a moment before speaking. “Jade Harris is here for Mr. Champion…yes sir.”

He hung up the phone and looked up at her with a smile. “You can go up to see him. Floor sixty.”

“Thank you,” she said, smiling again before heading toward the elevators and squeezing in with the rest of the employees going up.

Then she was the last one in the elevator, quietly making her way up to the top floor.

She stepped off the elevator and turned at the sound of her voice. Down the hallway a bit was the man who worked for Davis.

“Good morning, Miss Harris,” the large man said from behind a small desk that made him look even larger.

“Good morning…” She paused, realizing she’d never actually learned his name. “I’m sorry, I don't know your name.”

“David.”

“Oh, right. Good morning, David.”

“Mr. Champion is waiting for─”

“Jade!”

Jade turned to see Davis walking through the doors of his office toward her. “Good morning,” she said with a smile.

He took her hand in his. “How’s the new place?”

“It’s amazing and way too much. Honestly, you really shouldn’t have─”

“Nonsense,” he replied, dismissing her comment with a wave of his hand. “Anyway, let’s get you settled.

“You will be working over here,” he replied, walking past David and down the hall toward the other office on the floor.

“Lucas and I are the only ones on this floor,” he continued, showing her around the space.

“Here’s the formal conference room, the kitchen, and then next door to that is the supply room. The main file room is downstairs on the floor below us. And you will be sitting here.”

They stopped at a desk identical to David’s and she set her things down before taking a seat. “Thank you,” she replied with another smile.

“Of course, dear,” he replied. “I’ll go in and let Lucas know you’re here.”

He walked into the office, the doors closing behind him. Jade jumped when they swung open loudly just a moment later.

A tall, handsome man in an expensive gray suit walked forward, his honey-brown eyes piercing hers. “I’m sorry, miss, but my grandfather has stepped out of line in hiring you. I’m sorry for the─”

“Lucas Champion, she is your assistant whether you like it or not,” Davis said loudly as he followed his grandson out of the office.

“You’ve chased off all the others. You better be nice to this one or so help me, I’ll live forever and you’ll never be CEO!”

Lucas glared at his grandfather before turning back to Jade. “Fine.” He stormed back into his office, slamming the door behind him.

“See? It’ll be great,” Davis said cheerfully as if they hadn’t just had a yelling match in the middle of the office.

Jade watched him walk back down the hall with exasperation, wondering what she’d just gotten herself into.