I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Meredith met Reese at a cafe beneath the Falconer Holdings building. Since it was during work hours, Reese had sneaked out to see her. Arriving first, Meredith waited for a while before Reese appeared, breathless. “Sorry, Meredith, the marketing team is swamped right now, and it’s tightly controlled; I barely got away. Ever since you left, everyone has been working overtime almost every day for a month.”

Meredith casually asked, “Is it that busy?”

Reese complained, “They hired a new marketing manager who definitely got the job through connections. He’s incompetent and only good at flattering Miss Chaucer, turning the whole team into a mess.”

Meredith was surprised; the usually reserved Reese was openly venting her frustrations. Reese felt free to speak her mind to Meredith since she had left the company.

“Joy Chaucer is back at the company?” Meredith was surprised, knowing that Joy had just been released from detention and now it seemed as if nothing had happened.

“Yes,” Reese confirmed. “It seems Mrs. Chaucer is grooming Miss Chaucer to take over her position eventually. Being born into the right family really does wonders; she doesn’t even need to try and is already at the top.”

Reese’s tone carried a hint of envy. Life for her was stagnant, defined only by her obligations to support her parents and younger brother financially.

Reese then curiously inquired, “Meredith, what exactly happened last time? Miss Chaucer and Davina ended up in jail, and you resigned.”

Meredith didn’t reveal the details, simply stating with a smile, “That involves company secrets, Reese. I can’t really talk about it.”

Reese didn’t press further. She knew better than to dig too deep-her survival strategy in the company was to work hard and stay out of gossip.

“I understand,” Reese nodded, steering the conversation back on track. “Meredith, can you tell me why you’re asking about Mr. Thatcher? What do you need this information for?”

Meredith’s response would determine whether Reese would share more. Understanding this, Meredith didn’t answer directly but offered, “Reese, I remember you wanted to find a better job. If you’re considering other options, I could help connect you with something better paying than your current job.”

“Every company is more or less the same, and I’m used to Falconer Holdings. I talk about moving on, but it’s just talk,” Reese admitted. “I don’t really want to work in an office. I feel like being a waitress might be better than staying at Falconer, but I can’t afford that luxury with my family needing money.”

Waitressing, especially in the capital, wasn’t lucrative, barely scraping together a few thousand dollars a month. Reese couldn’t afford to switch jobs under her financial pressures.

Meredith then had an idea, “Reese, would you be interested in working at my restaurant? I’m about to open a fondue restaurant and need a manager. You’ve managed for years at Falconer Holdings; I believe you’re more than capable. The pay won’t be less than what you earn now.”

Meredith preferred hiring someone familiar rather than a stranger.

“A cheese fondue restaurant?” Reese asked excitedly. “Really? Can I manage people there?”

“Yes, you’ll be in charge of the staff,” Meredith confirmed. “Interested?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Reese was tempted. At Falconer Holdings, even ten more years would leave her as an unnoticed employee. Perhaps she could earn a stable salary, but she had to live frugally to send any money home.

“If your restaurant includes room and board, I’d save a lot, which means I could actually save my salary. I’d also manage other staff and not be micromanaged.”

Reese asked eagerly, “Does it include room and board? What’s the salary?”

“Room and board included, and let’s start with eight thousand dollars a month. Once the business picks up, there will be bonuses,” Meredith offered, knowing Reese’s salary at Falconer Holdings to make an attractive offer.

“That sounds great!” Reese exclaimed, ready to make a commitment. “So, is it settled? I’ll resign and start next month. When does the restaurant open?”

“The opening is on the 15th next month,” Meredith replied with a smile. “You’re welcome anytime.”

“I’ll be there,” Reese assured, understanding the need to reciprocate the favor she received from Meredith.

Reese then shared the information Meredith was after, “About Mr. Thatcher, I found out everything. He indeed had several children, all of whom he sold.”