Page 3 of Too Old for Love

“I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done,” said Jordan. “I make damn good money and I’ve been able to put my mom in a nice home. Believe me, I don’t have an issue getting it up for any woman if the money is right.”

“Everest, just tell us what to do and we’ll make it happen,” said Colt.

“How? How will you make it happen? You don’t know the systems, you don’t understand the process, and you don’t know the names of the players. How can you make anything happen?”

The door behind them opened and Abigail stood there leering at the two men.

“Gentlemen, it’s quitting time,” she said licking her lips.

“Quitting time? It’s only three o’clock,” frowned Everest.

“Taking the new hires for drinks and dinner,” she smiled. “I’m sure you can pick up whatever you were talking about tomorrow.”

Abigail walked out with Jordan right behind her. Colt stopped for a second, looking down at her.

“I’m sure you’re a nice lady, Everest. Please don’t ruin this for us.”

Everest went back to her desk, completely stunned and unsure of what she was going to do. If she didn’t help them and make sure the launch went well, she’d be fired. If she did help them, it would be her work and Abigail and the two boys would get credit for the work.

Standing once again she knocked on Samantha’s door, slowly opening it.

“Do you have a moment?” Samantha let out a long slow breath, rubbing her temples.

“Actually, I don’t Everest. If you’re having trouble with Abigail or anyone, just send me an email.” Everest stared the human resource professional, shaking her head.

“Tell me, Samantha, when did you stop caring. When did you forget that you protect the people of this organization.”

“I don’t,” she said calmly. “My job is to protect the organization. Not it’s people. Organization is always first.”

“Well, then. You’re doing a damn fine job.”

CHAPTER TWO

It was after seven before Everest finally looked up from her computer screen. The rest of the floor was dark, doors locked and no one paying any attention to the fact that she was still there. She was invisible.

At sixty-one, she was one of the ‘old-timers’ in the organization, although she prided herself on looking years younger. She always dressed professionally, her hair fell below her shoulders in soft, brown waves, her lips were still full and pink, and thanks to a lot of expensive skincare, her skin was still void of wrinkles for the most part.

Lately, it seemed all the organization hired were kids right out of college who looked beautiful but could barely find their way to the bathroom and demanded unreasonable things.

Some were smart and learned fast. She’d admit that much. But like Colt and Jordan today, it was clear they had no job-related skills. Skills? Yes. Job-related? Not hardly.

She shoved her laptop in her bag, tossing it over her shoulder. Her feet were killing her. She’d worn a pair of navy pin-striped pants today with a classic white cotton button down. Around her neck was a paisley scarf, tied neatly to the side. She was professional and didn’t expose a damn thing.

It seemed to take forever for the elevator to get to floor ten and when it did, she stepped inside and felt the jump. Shaking her head she pushed the button for the main floor and rested her head against the back wall.

When it suddenly stopped, she waited for the doors to open and someone to enter but nothing happened.

“No,” she muttered. “Not today. Please not today.”

She pressed a few buttons and nothing, then the elevator lurched again. Grabbing her stomach, she gasped, shaking her head.

“Shit!” She pushed the alarm button and then took the emergency phone to call for help.

“Security.”

“John? It’s Everest from floor ten. I’m stuck in elevator three.”

“Oh, crap. Sorry, Everest. Let me call the elevator company and see what we can do. Just sit tight.”