Page 2 of Jade: Chance Are

“At the end of the day, you won’t I guarantee it.”

She leaves as quietly as she came. I look through the file. If this woman is real, then she’s certainly the woman I need. I immediately called my HR to send out an offer letter to her.

I need to know about the brilliant mystery woman because the chance of me getting punched by my stubborn silent partner is high.

two

Jade

My alarm shrills. I hate that sound. I move to a sitting position and grunt a little before swinging my feet to feel the soft rug. I should be pumped. It’s my first day at LaBelle Fleur. I arrived excited at the Kingdom of Rhanaz last Friday, I’m happy and scared at the same time. A completely different emotion from my last year in this country, when, as a teenager, so much came at me. I was unhappy. Guess with age and new beginnings comes a better feeling.

I’m excited about the job, and my team is elated about being in Rhanaz. Beneath my excitement also lies my wary feeling of being here, though, I’ve planned and analyzed every aspect of the role and my time here. Everything should go swimmingly, but I feel nervous when I should be pumped about this glass-ceiling-smashing opportunity? I pull myself up and step into the grey and white oversized shower. As I dress for my day, nervousness hits but … ain’t nobody got time for nervousness today.

Time for my mantra.

I worked my ass off for this moment.

I'm built for this.

I earned the right to be in the room.

I exhaled and faced the girl in the mirror.

“You can do this,” I say to her for the umpteenth time.

If, not if, I mentally challenge when I complete this.

I've ultimately catapulted my team to the big leagues. We can boldly step into the room where things happen, that's for sure.

Yes, I can do this. I mentally chant. Hair in place. Check. Power-blue, two-piece pencil skirt suit set with a white belt to pinch my waist for a boss lady impression. Check. Cropped ten-inch wig with bangs in perfect order. Check. Light make-up. Check. Gut feeling—I paused a moment for it to settle—check.

I grabbed my bag. It is time to crush this day. I head out for my game-changing beginning; my driver is waiting by the company car with the passenger door open.

I greet him with a smile as he nods and smiles back. He drives me to the HQ of LaBelle Fleur Jewelry. My job is to change the look, feel, and enticement of the website. The new app is meant to be the game changer for this luxury jewelry line.

Arriving at the office, I ride alone to the thirtieth floor. Lucy, my PA, already informed me the team was settled in. They had arrived two weeks earlier. I couldn’t come in right away because I needed to get my children settled into their new homes and make everything comfortable for them and my dad.

Getting off the elevator, I exhale. I got this, I remind myself again. Lucy is eagerly waiting as I exit the elevator. She is bright and cheery as always. I call her the world’s best assistant. She keeps me organized and on task. I shine because of her organized skills.

Today, she’s dressed in a navy-blue pantsuit and green shirt with ballet flats. Lucy doesn’t do heels in the office. Her brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and heart-shaped earrings dangle from her ears. Minimal and presentable is Lucy’s style. “Mariam, your office is this way. I have everything you need on this laptop.” She hands me the new laptop and takes my laptop.

“Everything is set up.” She continues without pausing, “Mr Ridgley says there's a meeting with all the partners in thirty minutes and he wants you and Orion there with him.” I nod my understanding. I can handle this. I’d previously met two of the partners via Zoom, Josh Ridgley and Ken Sturgis, and they’d informed me about a third partner, but he only came in once every year. I may never meet him. Josh and Ken are very capable of assisting if needed.

They’d accepted my ridiculous asking price to bring my team over, and they threw in benefits like the company car and personal driver for Orion and me, plus private three-bedroom quarters each. The rest of the team each have a one-bedroom flat. With all the extra perks, I couldn’t turn down the offer, more so, I couldn't tell my business partner Orion why I didn't want to travel to Rhanaz, a small island country of Cyprus. Rich in diamonds, a luxurious and beautiful country, but for me it's a country filled with bittersweet emotions.

I remind myself that though it is a small country, millions of people live here. The possibilities of my paths crossing with Naseer is less than .000001. I can do this project and be out in six months. Mr. Darabi, Naseer’s dad offered me money to walk away from him and I took the money, without second guessing the request. The goal is to be in and out and Mr Darabi won’t know I ever stepped foot in this country. I’ll be long gone with a star on my resume.

I took a moment to check the files Lucy laid out for me, after checking everything I needed. I’m ready for my meeting and notice my engagement ring. I smile and head out with Lucy to the meeting with the partners. On our way, I realized I’d grabbed the wrong laptop.

“Please continue, I’ll grab the right laptop myself,” I say to Lucy and quickly head back to my office before she can say otherwise.

My gut still isn’t fully checked. Something is off.

Today isn’t the day not to check. I seriously need that gut check.

three

Naseer