Page 5 of Escaping the Bratva

Sasha

My sky-high stilettos click against the marble floor once I exit the elevator and make my way towards my office. Most of my staff is already here since it’s close to eleven o’clock. They sit at open workstations with laptops in front of them. When I bought this building, I knew I didn’t want my staff hidden away in cubicles. With a creative business, there needs to be a lot of freedom. I allow my employees to have a flexible schedule and work from home if needed. I wave at people that wave back at me as I walk by. I need one more cup of coffee until I start talking. Usually, I like to be at the office before eight, but I was up late making comments on our current print ad so that my graphic designer and copywriter could make the necessary changes.

“Good morning,” Haley, my receptionist, greets me as I walk up to her desk. She’s the only person in the office with a dedicated desk.

“Good morning. Do you mind getting me another coffee?”

She grabs a Starbuck cup out of nowhere and places it on top of her desk. “I figured you might need one. I checked the calendar this morning and saw you were working on it at three this morning.”

Haley was the first person I’d hired to help me run the company, and I was grateful that she turned out to be an amazing employee. She knows the advertising business almost as well as I do. With bright red hair and a nose ring, people often underestimate her, but she’s a total badass when it comes to keeping me on track.

I smile at her. “You’re the best.”

I take a sip of the coffee, letting the warm liquid spread through my body.

“You have a lunch meeting at one with George Johnson, but other than that, it looks like you cleared everything out.”

“Yeah, I really need to focus on this project for Blue Slate Realty. I’m meeting the CEO on Monday, so I want to make sure we make a good first impression.”

Blue Slate Realty had approached us a couple of months ago to help them with their branding strategy. They’re a big client, one of the top real estate firms in Seattle, and if I can wow them with my presentation, I’m sure they’ll hire us to help with more of their marketing needs. Since homes in Seattle are outrageously expensive, Blue State Realty has a big bank account to pay for our marketing services.

“Alright, let me know if you need anything else.”

I nod and continue to my office. The back wall of my office is floor to ceiling windows. I have a beautiful view of the city. It makes me grateful every single day for what I have. It amazes me that I’ve been able to build this company to what it is today.

I remove my coat and lay it across the back of my gray West Elm office chair before turning around and looking at the view. A light dusting of snow covers the streets. It’s the reason I decided to wear dark jeans and a white sweater this morning. The outfit gives me a more casual look, but the heels dress it up just enough. I can see my reflection in the glass, and I make a mental note to book a hair appointment. My bright purple hair is starting to fade to more of a lavender shade. I used to not care as much about my appearance, but ever since my advertising firm hit one billion dollar in profits, random photos of me have started showing up in the tabloids. I’m nowhere near celebrity status, and I don’t want to be, but when you make as much money as I do, you end up in the media from time to time. My phone vibrates, and I dig it out of my purse to check the caller ID. Alyssa.

“Hey,” I answer, sitting down in my chair before firing up my computer.

“Hey, are you busy tonight?”

“I’m always busy,” I say, already knowing where this conversation is going. It’s Friday, and my best friend is probably holding an invitation to the hottest club in the city.

“Yeah, yeah, so we have to go to The Galaxy tonight.”

My computer starts up, and I scroll through my emails. “And why do we have to go to The Galaxy?”

“Because the guy that I hooked up with two weeks ago has a brother.”

I balance the phone on my shoulder. “I’m not following.”

“His brother owns the club and told me he can get us into the VIP section tonight. Also, his brother is single…”

I roll my eyes. Alyssa’s always trying to hook me up with someone new, but the reality is I like my life how it is. I’m able to do what I want and not consult anybody else about my decisions. Plus, I can work as much as I want to without feeling guilty about a spouse or kids at home.

“You know I’m not interested—”

“You’re never interested. It might help to clear out some of those cobwebs.”

“Are we done here?” I ask.

“Yep. Come over at seven o’clock so we can get ready at my house.”

Alyssa lived in a beautiful house by the beach completely paid for by her ex-husband.

I let out a sigh, knowing I’m not going to be able to get out of this. “Alright, I’ll see you at seven.”

I hang up the phone and set it down on the glass desk. I might complain, but if it wasn’t for Alyssa, I’d probably spend every weekend in front of my laptop. She’s my best friend, and I’m grateful I have someone like her in my corner. Running a hand through my hair, I take a sip of my coffee and then focus back on my computer.

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