Page 1 of Too Old for Love

CHAPTER ONE

Everest grabbed the folder from her desk and practically jogged to the conference room. It was one meeting after another without breathing room in between. Scrambling, she nearly ran over one of her co-workers.

“Sorry!” she said running ahead.

“Slow down, Everest! Geez, there’s no fire,” sneered Adam.

She didn’t bother to say anything because the words coming to mind would have definitely caused her to lose her job. Adam was notorious for bumping into people, drinks and coffee spilling on their work clothes, leaving him in laughter instead of empathy. He was an asshole.

Pushing open the conference room door, she took the last seat available as her boss sneered at her. She mouthed, ‘sorry’, and then opened her folder.

“We have to be able to get everyone up to speed on the new product features before the roll-out,” said Abigail, the marketing director.

“We have a plan in place,” said Everest with confidence, smiling at her coworkers around the table. “This isn’t the first time we’ve launched something like this. We’ll follow the plan that we know will work, launching virtual training sessions first, then regional calls to ensure the training worked, and follow up with more calls after the launch.”

“This deserves something better,” scoffed Abigail.

Everest took in a deep breath and shook her head. Why did she always have to be such a bitch? Everest had been with the organization for years and everything that launched under her direction was successful because of her planning and the team’s execution.

“I’d like to introduce two new members to the team who will add, let’s say, some youthful energy,” said Abigail standing in place.

She wore a tight-fitting straight skirt in white, her lace thong actually showing through the fabric. The brown satin blouse was open dangerously low, her bra visible to everyone only serving to expose her full-D implants. Everest stared at the HR manager, hoping she’d catch it as well.

Everest wasn’t a prude. She understood that everyone had their own style, their own way of expressing themselves through fashion, hair-styles, jewelry, nails, and even make-up. But she also valued respect in the workplace and like it or not, how you dressed earned respect or at the very least, left an opinion one way or another.

Abigail’s insanely high heels clicked on the wood floors as she opened the door and smiled at the two young men, young being the optimal word. They were barely twenty-five, if that. One was tall and blonde, built like someone who only ate organic, no red meat, and worked out more than he actually worked.

The second young man was the complete opposite. Dark mocha skin that only served to highlight his insanely white teeth and deep brown eyes. His head was shaved, the skin glowing like he’d coated it with baby oil. His thick muscles straining the arm of his polo shirt drew the attention of every eye in the room. Then the eye was drawn down to an even thicker muscle.

“Gee, I wonder why she chose them,” whispered Alice with a knowing smirk.

Everest said nothing, just staring at the two young men.

“This is Colt and Jordan. They will be the leads on the launch of this product, reporting directly to me,” smiled Abigail.

“Pleasure to meet you all,” smiled Colt. Jordan looked right at Everest and gave a wide, brilliant white smile.

“You must be Everest. I look forward to working with you.”

“How did you know it was me?” asked Everest with some unease.

“I looked up everyone’s profile on the company website. I like to know who I’m working with.”

Everest just nodded, ignoring him as she turned to Abigail.

“Why are they taking the lead as brand new associates in the company? I’ve been here…” Abigail held up her hand.

“Yes, yes, we know. You’ve been here for ages,” she laughed. Everest frowned staring at her, then back at the HR person who was looking down at her lap nervously. “We need new blood, Everest. New thoughts. New ideas. Younger minds will help us to connect with the technical savvy of our youthful customers.”

Everest was so shocked her stomach nearly hurled her breakfast. New thoughts. New ideas. She was known for creating creative content that everyone loved. What in the world was happening? Tech savvy youthful customers? They dealt with hospital administrators, practice managers, not gaming executives.

She stayed silent for the remainder of the meeting, then walked out with the others.

“Samantha? Samantha!” she called out louder, chasing down the HR manager. “Samantha, were you even paying attention in that meeting? Some of the comments were pretty off-color.”

“Don’t be so sensitive, Everest. We have a job to do and the company has demands that need to be met. If you can’t keep up then maybe it’s time you considered a change in career.”

Everest felt like she’d been slapped in the face as she watched Samantha walk back to her office. Others around them, who’d overheard the conversation, suddenly appeared busy, their heads down.